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The Palestinian Islamic Jihad

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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The issue of emigration from the Gaza Strip in light of President Trump’s proposal

On January 25, 2025, after the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip went into effect, U.S, President Trump proposed the temporary or permanent relocation of all Gazans in light of the extensive destruction and to facilitate reconstruction. The proposal sparked condemnations from the Palestinians, Iran and Arab states, which accused it of being a "forced displacement" in violation of international law; The proposal reignited the issue of emigration from the Gaza Strip in general and of young people in particular, known even before the Gaza Strip War. Unofficial data indicated that approximately 300,000 young people had left the Strip since Hamas took control in 2007, primarily due to the economic situation and lack of hope for the future; The Hamas leadership sought to downplay emigration, calling any reference to it a Palestinian Authority smear campaign, but a document found by the IDF in Gaza written by the Khan Yunis Brigade of Hamas' military wing indicated concerns over the departure of young people, who constituted a significant part of the movement’s fighting force; In ITIC assessment, the Palestinians and Arab states will continue to present a united front against the plan in an attempt to eliminate it in its early stages. However, even if the plan is not implemented, the opening of the Rafah Crossing and others at the end of the war could lead to a significant wave of emigration from Gaza because of the widespread destruction and uncertainty about the future. Such a scenario would pose a significant challenge to Hamas, which would do everything in its power to prevent the emigration of young people, which could weaken its political and military stranglehold on the Gazan public.
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