The Palestinian Islamic Jihad

Spotlight on the Israel-Palestinian Conflict (February 18 – 25 , 2025)

Hamas transferred the bodies of four murdered Israeli hostages and six living hostages, including two who had been held in the Gaza Strip for more than a decade. Due to the release "ceremonies" and Hamas' failure to transfer the body of a female hostage at the agreed time, Israel delayed the release of Palestinian prisoners. Hamas accused Israel of violating the agreement but claimed they were prepared to negotiate on the second phase; Hamas figure Musa Abu Marzouq claimed he would not have supported the October 7, 2023 attack [and massacre] had he known the extent of the damage that would be visited on the Gaza Strip. Hamas rushed to claim his remarks had been taken out of context; Reportedly, the Egyptian reconstruction plan for Gaza will include restrictions and oversight on the weapons of "the resistance."; A senior delegation of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) visited Iran and met with regime leaders; Three explosive devices blew up on empty buses in the central Israeli cities of Bat Yam and Holon. Two additional explosive devices were discovered before they could be detonated. There were no casualties. Israeli security forces continued extensive counter-terrorism operations in northern Samaria, including the use of tanks for the first time in 22 years; Reportedly, the American administration halted funding to the Palestinian Authority's security forces, significantly impacting their capabilities.
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Summary of Terrorist Events, January 2025

During January 2025 fighting continued in the Gaza Strip, Judea and Samaria, along with Houthi attacks from Yemen. On January 19, 2025, a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip went into effect, also bringing an end to Houthi attacks. The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah held firm, and pro-Iranian militias in Iraq did not attack Israel; Israel, Judea, and Samaria: Palestinian terrorists carried out five attacks in which three Israelis were killed. Israeli security forces continued counterterrorism operations throughout Judea and Samaria and launched a large-scale operation in northern Samaria; Gaza Strip: Until the ceasefire on January 19 went into effect, 11 rockets were fired into Israeli territory. Targeted killings of leading military figures in Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) continued. Hamas confirmed the deaths of its military wing chief, Mohammed Deif, and other senior military leaders; Shi'ite militias: The Houthis claimed responsibility for 18 missile and drone attacks on Israeli targets (until January 19, 2025).
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Spotlight on Iran and the Shiite Axis (February 12 – 19, 2025)

The Lebanese authorities’ decision to suspend Iranian flights to Beirut for fear that they are carrying funds for Hezbollah was the focus of diplomatic contacts between the two countries. Israel’s Foreign Minister revealed that Iran is also trying to smuggle money for Hezbollah through Turkey and in cooperation with it; Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei and Foreign Minister Araghchi met in Tehran with the leadership of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The two condemned Trump’s plan to evacuate the residents of the Gaza Strip; The Iranian foreign minister’s special representative for the Middle East claimed that Iran and the new regime in Syria were exchanging messages. Sources in Syria denied this; The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman denied reports of Iranian military assistance to the Houthis after it was reported that the “legitimate” Yemeni army had thwarted an attempt to smuggle Iranian-made weapons, including cruise missiles and drones.
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Spotlight on the Israel-Palestinian Conflict (February 11 – 18 , 2025)

Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad released three Israeli hostages, and in return Israel released 369 Palestinian prisoners. Despite Hamas' agreeing to resume prisoner releases, senior figures in the movement continued to accuse Israel of violating the humanitarian clauses of the ceasefire agreement and delaying negotiations on the second phase; Given the announcement of Trump's plan to relocate Gazan to other countries, Egypt and several other Arab states reportedly have a plan to reconstruct the Gaza Strip without evacuating the residents and without Hamas involvement; Senior Hamas figures emphasized that the movement did not seek to govern the Gaza Strip the "day after" but opposed transferring full authority to the Palestinian Authority. Elections for the Hamas leadership will most likely be postponed given the uncertainty of the future of the ceasefire; An Israeli civilian was injured in an axe attack on Mt. Gilboa in northern Israel; the terrorist was detained. Israeli security forces continued counterterrorism operations in northern Judea and Samaria; Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas said he opposed the "displacement" of the Gazans and called for the implementation of the [so-called] "right of return."
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Spotlight on Terrorism: Hezbollah Lebanon (February 10 – 17, 2025)

Preparations are being made in Lebanon ahead of the February 18, 2025 deadline for the completion of the Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon. Hezbollah and senior Lebanese government officials expressed opposition to Israel’s intention to retain military forces at five strategic points on the Lebanese side of the border and demanded a full withdrawal; IDF forces continued operations against Hezbollah ceasefire violations, targeting Hezbollah weapons depots and operatives in south Lebanon and inside the country. A senior member of Hamas’s military wing responsible for orchestrating attacks in Judea and Samaria was eliminated; Hezbollah supporters rioted against Lebanese security forces near Beirut airport after the government prevented the arrival of an Iranian plane, having been informed that it was carrying funds for Hezbollah and could be targeted by Israel; Na'im Qassem, Hezbollah secretary general, claimed Nasrallah's funeral would be a show of strength; Nawaf Salam, Lebanon’s new prime minister, said only Lebanese security forces should bear arms. 
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Spotlight on the Israel-Palestinian Conflict (February 4 – 11 , 2025)

Hamas released three Israeli hostages in exchange for 183 Palestinian prisoners and IDF forces withdrew from the Netzarim Corridor. Hamas postponed the next scheduled hostage release on February 15, 2025, claiming Israel was not implementing the humanitarian clauses of the agreement and calling on mediators to pressure Israel; Hamas continued to demonstrate security and civilian governance, recruiting thousands of new operatives to its military wing and resuming tax collection; Fatah demanded that Hamas relinquish control of Gaza "the day after" in favor of a committee subordinate to the PA and the PLO. Hamas opposed the move, citing a lack of national consensus; A senior Hamas delegation visited Iran and met with regime officials to express gratitude for their support during the war; Israeli security forces continued the extensive counterterrorism operation in northern Samaria and expanded it to the Nur Shams refugee camp in Tulkarm; PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas cancelled legal provisions related to payments to the families of prisoners, shaheeds and the wounded. Hamas condemned the decision.
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