Spotlight on Terrorism – November 2025

• During November 2025, IDF forces continued operations within the Yellow Line (the area under IDF control) in the Gaza Strip, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement. The forces eliminated terrorists who crossed the Yellow Line and terrorist operatives from Hamas and other terrorist organizations, many of whom were involved in the October 7, 2023 attack and massacre. The forces also destroyed tunnels in its areas of operation and located and destroyed weapons, including rocket launchers, and uncovered the tunnel where the body of Lt. Hadar Goldin had been held (he was killed and abducted during Operation Protective Edge in 2014 and his body was returned to Israel on November 9, 2025). The tunnel was more than seven kilometers long and approximately 25 meters deep, and ran beneath a densely populated residential neighborhood, an UNRWA compound, mosques, clinics, kindergartens and schools. The forces focused on eastern Rafah, attacking tunnels where Hamas terrorists were hiding, eliminated dozens of terrorists both inside the tunnels and while they attempted to escape, and other terrorist operatives were detained. The forces foiled several attempts to smuggle weapons across the Egyptian border using UAVs. As part of the ceasefire agreement, Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) returned the coffins of nine murdered hostages, eight of whom were victims of the October 7, 2023 attack and massacre, and the ninth was Lt. Hadar Goldin (IDF spokesperson, November 1–30, 2025). Terrorist eliminations included the following:
  • On November 4, the al-Mujahideen Movement announced the death of Dr. Muhammad Abu Mustafa, aka Abu al-Amir, responsible for the al-Khulafa’ al-Rashidin^[2] da’wah^[3] center. Reportedly, unknown assailants shot him dead on November 2. The movement claimed “Israel and its agents” were responsible (al-Mujahideen Movement Telegram channel, November 4, 2025). According to reports, a man armed with a pistol riding a motorcycle shot Abu Mustafa at close range in southwestern Khan Yunis (Ma’an, November 2, 2025). “Informed sources” reported that Abu Mustafa was involved in the abduction of the Bibas family (al-Sharq al-Awsat, November 15, 2025). According to Hamas’ “resistance” security, an investigation revealed that the “occupation” was behind planning the killing and directed “agent” Mustafa Sa’id Ibrahim Masoud, affiliated with the Hassam al-Astal militia, to kill Abu Mustafa as he was leaving prayers in the al-Mawasi area of Khan Yunis. Hamas claimed that the “occupation” had begun using a policy of “quiet elimination” by activating “local agents and mercenaries” to target wanted “resistance” figures,^[4] especially those who guarded “prisoners of the occupation” (hostages). According to “resistance” security, Abu Mustafa was responsible for hostages of the al-Mujahideen Brigades, the movement’s military wing (al-Harres, December 2, 2025).

• • On November 5, the IDF spokesperson reported that on October 29 security forces eliminated Zayd Zaki Abd al-Hadi Aqel, who was responsible for holding six Israeli hostages in Hamas captivity (IDF spokesperson, November 5, 2025).^[5]

• • On November 17, the al-Nasser Salah al-Din Brigades, the military wing of the Resistance Committees, announced the death of the “shaheed commander mujahid,” Wasim Abd al-Baset Abd al-Hadi, aka Abu al-Abd, a field commander, who was eliminated in an Israeli special forces operation in the central Gaza Strip. He was among the founders of the Ahfad al-Nasser squads, which were responsible for launching explosive and incendiary balloons toward Israel, and contributed greatly to developing the Popular Resistance Committees. He played a central role in operation al-Aqsa Flood [the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack and massacre] and in cooperation with the other Palestinian terrorist organizations (Akhbar Gaza al-‘An Telegram channel, November 17, 2025).

• • On November 19, in response to Hamas’ ceasefire violations, the IDF and the General Security Service (Shin Bet) eliminated Abdallah Abu Shamala, head of Hamas’ naval forces. According to the IDF, he was involved in the attempted naval infiltration of the Zikim outpost during Operation Protective Edge in 2014, in training the naval forces, and in planning the naval raid on Israeli territory during the October 7, 2023 attack and massacre; and Fadi Abu Mustafa, responsible for battalion-level tunneling in the Khan Yunis Brigade and involved in holding Israeli hostages in captivity (IDF spokesperson, November 20, 2025). The attacks also eliminated Imad Aslim, aka Abu Hassan, deputy commander of the Gaza Brigade and commander of the al-Zeitoun Battalion of Hamas’ military wing (Facebook page of al-Hadath channel, November 20, 2025; Facebook page of Bara M Alasaly, November 20, 2025).

     
Abu Shamala and Mustafa (IDF spokesperson, November 20, 2025)

• • On November 22, in response to Hamas’ ceasefire violations, the IDF and Shin Bet eliminated Alaa Hadidi, head of the supply and equipment department in Hamas’ production headquarters (IDF spokesperson, November 23, 2025). Hamas confirmed the death of Alaa Amin al-Hadidi, aka Abu al-Mua’man, who commanded supply and armament and was one of the heads of the military production department (Qassam_martyrs Telegram channel, November 22, 2025). The attack eliminated Sameh Khalil Tawfiq al-Khalidi, who had been wanted by Israel for 29 years and had survived several attempted eliminations (Instagram account of his cousin, Fathi Khalidi, November 22, 2025).

• • On November 22, an attack on the Abu Shawish family house in the southern part of the al-Nuseirat refugee camp killed several family members, including Ghaleb Abu Shawish (Hamza al-Masri Telegram channel, November 22, 2025). According to “sources in Hamas,” Abu Shawish was a company commander in the al-Nuseirat Battalion of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades (al-Sharq al-Awsat, November 23, 2025). In another attack in the al-Nuseirat refugee camp, Mustafa Abu Hasballah, aka Abu al-Abd, imam of the al-Faruq Mosque, was killed. He was a prominent figure in Hamas’ da’wah apparatus and one of its local leaders, and apparently among those recently approached by Hamas’ military wing as part of the reorganization of some of its command roles (I’lam Gaza Telegram channel, November 22, 2025; al-Sharq al-Awsat, November 23, 2025).

• • On November 22, Alaa al-Din Abd al-Nasser Hassan al-Khudairi was eliminated in an attack in Gaza City. According to the IDF, he was responsible for the PIJ’s nukhba force in the Gaza City Brigade, which raided Kibbutz Nahal Oz during the October 7, 2023 attack and massacre (IDF spokesperson, December 1, 2025). “Sources” reported that he was an operative in the PIJ rocket unit (al-Sharq al-Awsat, November 23, 2025).
  • On November 30, the names of some of the terrorist operatives eliminated after attempting to flee the tunnels in Rafah were issued on social media. They were Muhammad al-Bawab, aka Abu Ahmed, commander of the East Rafah Battalion in Hamas’ military wing; Isma’il Abu Labda, aka Abu Khudeifa, deputy battalion commander and served as coordinator for the transfer of hostages during the first ceasefire in November 2023 (Facebook page of Bilal Musa, November 30, 2025; Facebook page of Ahmed Abu Muhammad, December 1, 2025; al-Sayyad Telegram channel, December 1, 2025). The death of Abdallah Hamad was reported, son of Ghazi Hamad, a member of Hamas’ political bureau in the Gaza Strip who resides in Qatar (Shehab Agency, November 30, 2025). The IDF spokesperson confirmed an attack on terrorists who emerged from a tunnel in eastern Rafah on November 30, eliminated Muhammad Jawad Muhammad al-Bawab, commander of Hamas’ East Rafah Battalion, who directed planning of the battalion’s terrorist attack and massacre on October 7, 2023 and led terrorist activity against IDF forces throughout the war; Isma’il Kanaan Abd al-Hayy Abu Labda, deputy commander of the East Rafah Battalion, who directed planning of the battalion’s terrorist attack and massacre on October 7, 2023; Abdallah Ghazi Ahmad Hamad, a terrorist in the East Rafah Battalion who served as a security guard in the battalion commander’s cell; and Tawfiq Khaled Tawfiq Salem, a regional company  commander in the East Rafah Battalion (IDF spokesperson, December 4, 2025).

   
The terrorists eliminated in eastern Rafah (IDF spokesperson, December 4, 2025)

Rocket fire

• No rockets were fired at Israel during November 2025.

Monthly Distribution of Rocket Fire

Annual Distribution of Rocket Hits

Terrorist Attacks

• During November 2025, one attack was carried out, similar to the previous month. An Israeli citizen was killed:
  • On November 18, 2025, two Palestinian terrorists carried out a combined vehicular-ramming and stabbing attack at the Gush Etzion Junction, killing an Israeli civilian. An IDF force eliminated the terrorists and explosive devices were found in their vehicle (IDF spokesperson, November 18, 2025). The Palestinian Authority (PA) ministry of health reported the deaths of “the child” Imran Ibrahim Imran al-Atrash, 18 years old, from Hebron, and the “minor” Walid Muhammad Khalil Zabarneh, 18 years old, from Beit Ummar, after “the occupation shot at them south of Bethlehem” (Quds Agency, November 18, 2025). Hamas issued a death notice for the “shaheeds” Imran al-Atrash and Walid Zabarneh, after their “heroic vehicular-ramming and stabbing operation near the Gush Etzion settlement.” Hamas claimed that the attack was a “natural response to the occupation’s attempts to eliminate the Palestinian cause and to the escalating aggression carried out by occupation soldiers and settlers” (Hamas in Judea and Samaria Telegram channel, November 18, 2025).

Significant Terrorist Attacks, 2025^[6]

Distribution of Significant Terrorist Attacks over the Past Decade

Counterterrorism Operations

• During November 2025, Israeli security forces continued routine counterterrorism activity throughout Judea and Samaria. On November 26, the forces launched counterterrorism operations in northern Samaria, focusing on the Jenin area and the cluster of communities of Tubas, Aqaba, Tayasir, the al-Fara refugee camp and Tammun. Terrorist operatives were eliminated, including networks and terrorists planning attacks in the near future and terrorists who threw rocks and Molotov cocktails. Wanted individuals and suspects involved in terrorist activity were detained, including an arms dealer. The last of the wanted terrorists involved in attacks in which Israelis were murdered were eliminated. Explosive devices and materials for preparing explosives, weapons, lathes for manufacturing weapons, funds intended to finance terrorist activity and printed incitement materials were located. Security forces also sealed and demolished the houses of terrorists who carried out attacks in which Israelis were killed. Attempts to smuggle weapons across the Jordanian border were also foiled (IDF spokesperson and Israeli media, November 1–30, 2025):
  • On November 5, during IDF activity in the village of al-Yamoun, a terrorist threw an explosive device at the fighters; he was shot and killed (IDF spokesperson, November 5, 2025). The PA ministry of health reported that Murad Fawzi Abu Safin, 15 years old, was shot to death in al-Yamoun (Palestinian Communications Center, November 6, 2025).
  • On November 7, during an IDF ambush in the al-Jadira area, northwest of Jerusalem and near the security fence, two terrorists were seen setting fires and throwing Molotov cocktails at a main civilian route; they were shot and killed (IDF spokesperson, November 7, 2025). The PA ministry of health reported they were Muhammad Abdullah Atim and Muhammad Rashad Fadel Qassem, both 16 years old (Wafa, November 7, 2025).
  • On November 8, a terrorist attempted to attack IDF fighters operating in the al-Fara refugee camp; he was shot and killed. No IDF casualties were reported (IDF spokesperson and Israeli media, November 8, 2025). The PA ministry of health reported he was Abd al-Rahman Ahmed Abbas Darawsha, 26 years old (Wafa, November 8, 2025). The Jerusalem Brigades, the PIJ’s military wing, claimed him as an operative in its al-Fara Battalion (Jerusalem Brigades in Judea and Samaria Telegram channel, November 9, 2025).

• • On November 13, IDF fighters in an ambush near the community of Karmei Zur eliminated two terrorists who were en route to an attack (IDF spokesperson, November 13, 2025). “Local sources” reported they were Muhammad Mahmoud Abu Ayash, 15 years old, and Bilal Bahaa Zabarneh, 15 years old, from the town of Beit Ummar (Ultra Palestine, November 13, 2025). Hamas said the two were killed “while throwing Molotov cocktails near the Karmei Zur outpost” (Hamas in Judea and Samaria Telegram channel, November 13, 2025). After Palestinian claims were raised that the two terrorists were “innocent youths,” the IDF spokesperson in Arabic published a photo of the attackers masked and holding Molotov cocktails. The IDF spokesperson added that terrorist elements in Palestinian villages exploit youths through incitement and educational programs rife with incitement and send them to carry out suicide attacks on traffic routes and near communities in Judea and Samaria (Avichay Adraee’s Telegram channel, November 14, 2025).

• • On the night of November 19, an IDF reservist soldier was wounded when terrorists shot at an IDF force operating in the Nablus area (IDF spokesperson, November 20, 2025). The following day, fighters identified the terrorist in the village of Tell while he was holding a firearm. He opened fire at them; he was shot and killed. He was an operative in the Palestinian police. The forces detained another terrorist, also an operative in the Palestinian police, who surrendered. At the same time, two other terrorists, who also served in the Palestinian police, were detained during an Israeli security force activity in the village of Burqin and in the al-Fara refugee camp (IDF spokesperson, November 21, 2025). The PA ministry of health and Palestinian media reported that police officer Younes Walid Ashtiya, 24 years old, was killed in the village of Tell in the Nablus district (Quds Agency, November 21, 2025). The PIJ military wing stated that he belonged to the Nablus Battalion of the Jerusalem Brigades (Jerusalem Brigades Telegram channel, November 22, 2025). The al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades also claimed that the “shaheed officer” Younes Walid Ashtiya was one of their operatives (al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades Telegram channel, November 22, 2025).

     
Right: PIJ military wing death notice for Ashtiya (Jerusalem Brigades Telegram channel, November 22, 2025). Left: Fatah sub-branch in the village of Tell death notice for Ashtiya (Atallah Ashtiya Facebook page, November 21, 2025)

• • On November 23, Palestinian media reported that Baraa Khairy Ma’ali was killed during clashes with settlers in the village of Deir Jarir, northeast of Ramallah (Quds Agency, November 23, 2025). Hamas issued a death notice for the “shaheed mujahid” Baraa Khairi Maali (Hamas in Judea and Samaria Telegram channel, November 23, 2025).

• • On November 24, Israeli security forces eliminated terrorist Abd al-Rawof Ashtiya, who carried out a vehicular ramming attack in which two IDF soldiers were killed in May 2024. He was shot and killed while armed and barricaded in a building in Nablus. It was noted that after the attack in May 2024, he surrendered to the PA security forces and was released shortly thereafter (IDF spokesperson and Israeli media, November 24, 2025). Fatah claimed Abd al-Rawaf Khaled Ashtiya was among the commanders and operatives of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades – Revenge and Liberation Youth (Aman News Facebook page, November 25, 2025). The PIJ military wing also claimed him as an operative in the Nablus Battalion of the Jerusalem Brigades (Jerusalem Brigades Telegram channel, November 25, 2025).

       
Right: Fatah death notice for Ashtiya (Aman News Facebook page, November 25, 2025).
Left: PIJ death notice (Jerusalem Brigades Telegram channel, November 25, 2025)

• • On November 25, Israeli security forces eliminated terrorist Sultan al-Ghanni during an activity south of Jenin. He killed an Israeli civilian with a hammer in August 2024. The forces surrounded the building where he was hiding and killed him after an exchange of fire (IDF spokesperson, November 25, 2025), reportedly in the village of Marka in the Jenin area (Quds Agency, November 25, 2025). The PIJ military wing said he was an operative in the Jenin Battalion of the Jerusalem Brigades (Jerusalem Brigades Telegram channel, November 25, 2025). Hamas issued a death notice for the “shaheed mujahid” Sultan Abd al-Ghanni from the town of Baqat al-Hatab in eastern Qalqilya after a clash with “occupation” forces, adding that he had killed an Israeli with a hammer near the community of Kedumim in August 2024 (Hamas in Judea and Samaria Telegram channel,November 25, 2025).

     
Right: PIJ death notice for Abd al-Ghanni (Jerusalem Brigades Telegram channel, November 25, 2025). Left: Hamas death notice (Hamas in Judea and Samaria Telegram channel, November 25, 2025)

• • On November 26, a terrorist threw an explosive device at IDF forces in Qabatiya; he was shot and killed. Several additional explosive devices were found in the terrorist’s vehicle. There were no IDF casualties (IDF spokesperson, November 26, 2025). The PA ministry of health reported the death of Osama Yasser Muhammad Kamil, 20 years old, in Qabatiya (Shehab Agency, November 26, 2025). Hamas expressed condolences for his death (Hamas Telegram channel in Judea and Samaria, November 26, 2025).

• • On November 27, Israeli security forces operated in Jenin to detain two operatives of a local terrorist network who were wanted for terrorist activity. The forces surrounded the building where the suspects were staying until they exited, at which point they were shot and killed. The incident is under investigation (IDF spokesperson and Israeli media, November 27–December 1, 2025). The PIJ military wing stated that the two its operatives, “field commander” Youssef Ali Atsa’atsa, 37 years old, among the leaders of the Qabatiya Company in the Jenin Battalion, and the “shaheed mujahid” Al-Muntasir Bi’llah Mahmoud Abdallah, 26 years old, who was an operative in the Qabatiya Company of the Jenin Battalion. The organization claimed that the two were “killed by the Zionist enemy army” after their ammunition ran out during an armed clash in a house in the Jabal Abu Tahir area of Jenin (Jerusalem Brigades combat information Telegramchannel, November 28, 2025).

     
Death notices for Atsa’atsa, (right) and Abdallah (Jerusalem Brigades in Judea and Samaria Telegram channel, November 28, 2025)

During November 2025, security forces also prevented terrorist activity inside the State of Israel:

• • The Israel Police and the Shin Bet detained four residents of the Beit Safafa neighborhood in Jerusalem, in their twenties, on suspicion that they had been inspired by ISIS and acquired military equipment and weapons to use against Jews, in what they referred to as “the great war at the end of days.” The investigation showed that the four were heavy users of ISIS online propaganda and had acquired military equipment and weapons. A search of one suspect’s home uncovered a handgun hidden in a chicken coop and military equipment (Shin Bet and Police spokespersons, November 14, 2025).
  • The Shin Bet and Israel Police detained several Arab-Israelis from Kafr Qassem and Rahat on suspicion of involvement in a network which transferred weapons and hundreds of thousands of shekels to Judea and Samaria. According to the investigation, Ahmed Sarsour, an Israeli citizen from Kafr Qassem who currently resides in Turkey and operates on behalf of Hamas, exploited his family and social connections in Kafr Qassem to build the network. The funds were transferred from Turkey using cryptocurrencies which Israeli money changers converted into cash, which the suspects used to purchase weapons from arms dealers in the Negev and then transferred to Judea and Samaria (Shin Bet and Police spokespersons, November 27, 2025).
  • The Shin Bet and Israel Police detained an 18-year-old resident of the Negev on suspicion of planning to attack a bus station, having been inspired by ISIS. According to the indictment filed in court, in 2020 he began browsing ISIS channels and websites and subsequently decided to stab soldiers at a bus station in Beersheba often used by the military. He purchased a knife and in order to learn how to use it he searched online for videos showing how to stab people. Later, he decided to carry out the attack using explosive devices or a suicide belt and began searching for videos showing how to prepare explosives. After the October 7, 2023 attack and massacre, he decided to carry out the attack on behalf of Hamas rather than ISIS. He began preparing improvised explosive devices and attempted to obtain a handgun to ensure the success of the attack. Due to the difficulty in obtaining various materials needed to complete the production of the devices, he decided to replace the two devices with a simpler device and threw the two devices into a trash bin near his house (Shin Bet, Police and Ministry of Justice spokespersons, December 3, 2025).

Hezbollah

• During November 2025, IDF forces continued to operate against Hezbollah targets in south Lebanon, whose presence south of the Litani River is in violation of the ceasefire agreement of November 27, 2024, and against Hezbollah military capabilities, its reconstruction and efforts to replenish its arsenal in south Lebanon and other areas of the country (see map). The forces attacked facilities and weapons depots of the Radwan Force from the air and from the ground, rocket launch sites, facilities for the production and storage of strategic weapons, and underground terrorist infrastructure and weapons depots of Hezbollah’s rocket unit in the Beqa’a Valley. In addition, 22 Hezbollah operatives were eliminated, headed by the organization’s acting chief of staff, Haitham Ali al-Tabataba’i, as well as field commanders and Radwan Force operatives, operatives involved in terrorist facility reconstruction, and operatives responsible for the organization’s liaison with the local population, including an operative who was a school principal and operatives who worked in local municipalities in south Lebanon (IDF spokesperson, November 30–December 1, 2025).^[7]
• On November 23, the IDF eliminated Hezbollah’s acting chief of staff, Haitham Ali al-Tabataba’i, in an attack in the Dahiyeh al-Janoubia in Beirut. According to the IDF statement, al-Tabataba’i, a veteran Hezbollah operative who joined the organization after its establishment in the 1980s, was previously commander of the Radwan Force and Hezbollah’s head of operations in Syria. During the war against Israel as a front of the Gaza Strip War, he commanded Hezbollah’s operations, and after most of the military leadership had been eliminated, he effectively managed the fighting. After the ceasefire in November 2024, he was appointed chief of staff and led Hezbollah’s reconstruction, focusing on restoring the organization’s units to readiness for war against Israel (IDF spokesperson, November 23, 2025).

     
Right: Scene of the attack in the Dahiyeh al-Janoubia (al-Manar, November 23, 2025).
Left: Al-Tabataba’i’s “ID card” (IDF spokesperson, November 23, 2025)

• Hezbollah confirmed that the “great jihadi commander,” Haitham Ali al-Tabataba’i, aka al-Sayyid Abu Ali, born in 1968, was killed while “defending Lebanon and its people after Israeli aggression” in the Haret Hreik area of the Dahiyeh al-Janoubia in Beirut. Hezbollah said he had joined “his shaheed brothers” after a journey filled with jihad, sincerity, loyalty and steadfastness [sic] on the path of the “resistance,”^[8] and continuous action against the “Israeli enemy” until the last moment of his life. It was further stated that he “knew no fatigue” in his journey to defend his country and people and had devoted his life to the “resistance”^[9] since its establishment. Hezbollah also noted that al-Tabataba’i “laid the foundations for the resistance to remain strong, dignified and powerful, victoriously defending the homeland.” The organization claimed that the fighters of jihad would continue to carry his “pure blood” [sic] and “advance courageously to eliminate all the projects of the Zionist enemy and its supporter, America” (Hezbollah combat information Telegram channel, November 23, 2025).

• Hezbollah also issued the main milestones of al-Tabataba’i’s activity within the organization (Hezbollah combat information Telegram channel, November 23, 2025):
  • Joined the ranks of the Islamic Resistance [Hezbollah] at its inception and underwent several military and leadership training courses.
  • Participated in many “military” operations, especially high-profile ones, against positions and forces of the Israeli army and its “collaborators” in the period preceding the “liberation” in 2000.
  • Served in a field role in confronting “Israeli aggression” against Lebanon in 1993 and 1996.
  • Commanded the Nabatieh axis from 1996 until the “liberation” in 2000 and was one of the commanders of the “abduction operation” at Birkat al-Naqar in the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms.^[10]
  • Commanded the Khiam axis from 2000 to 2008 and led the “heroic battles” on the Khiam axis during the July 2006 war [the Second Lebanon War].
  • Assumed command of the Islamic Resistance “intervention forces” after the death of the “jihadi commander” Imad Mughniyeh^[11] and participated in the establishment and development of the Radwan Force.
  • Was among the jihadi commanders who planned and managed operations against “takfiri” groups [ISIS] on Lebanon’s eastern border.
  • Held senior leadership roles in the “axis of resistance”^[12] on its various fronts.
  • Was responsible for the operations of the “Islamic resistance” during the operation al-Aqsa Flood [the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack and massacre, and subsequent war].
  • Was among the senior jihadi commanders who managed and oversaw the operations of the “Islamic resistance” during the “the Campaign of the Brave” (Uli al-Bas) in 2024.^[13]
  •  Assumed military command of the “Islamic resistance” after the “the Campaign of the Brave.”

• Along with al-Tabataba’i, four other senior Hezbollah operatives who held key roles in his office were eliminated in the attack (Hezbollah combat information Telegram channel, November 23, 2025):
  • Mustafa Asaad Barou, aka al-Hajj Hassan, born in 1989 from Shamsatar in the Beqa’a Valley and a resident of Beirut.
  • Qassem Hussein Barjawi, aka Malak, born in 1979 from al-Bashoura in Beirut and a resident of the Dahiyeh al-Janoubia.
  • Ibrahim Ali Hussein, aka Amir, born in 1990 from Aitaroun and a resident of the town of Harish in south Lebanon.
  • Rifat Ahmed Hussein, aka Abu Ali, born in 1982 from the town of Hamm and a resident of the town of Talia in the Beqa’a Valley.
  • Hezbollah secretary general Na’im Qassem gave a speech in memory of al-Tabataba’i, stating that between 2015 and 2024, he was stationed in Yemen and assisted the Houthis, where he was regarded as “divinely inspired, courageous and resolute.” He also said that Mustafa Barou had served as secretary of the Jihad Council since the beginning of 2025, Barjawi was al-Tabataba’i’s chief of staff during the current year and also assisted him in Yemen and had previously sustained several injuries, Ibrahim Hussein was al-Tabataba’i’s office secretary, and Rifat Hussein was on duty in al-Tabataba’i’s office at the time of the attack. Qassem called the attack a “crime” and claimed that Hezbollah had the right to respond “at a time of its choosing” (al-‘Ahed, November 28, 2025).

Death notices were issued on Hezbollah’s social media accounts and media channels for 20 other operatives who died in Israeli attacks during November 2025 (Telegram channels of Balaa and South Lebanon – Watching the Enemy, and Lebanese media, November 30–December 1, 2025):

• • Abdallah Ghaleb Kahil, from Nabatieh.
  • Muhammad Abbas Kahil, from Nabatieh.
  • Muhammad al-Jawad Mustafa Jaber, from Nabatieh.
  • Hadi Mustafa Hamed, from Nabatieh.
  • Muhammad Ali Hadid, aka Hassan al-Mujtaba, from al-Charqiyeh.
  • Youssef Naama Sarour, aka Badr, from Aita al-Shaab.
  • Sheikh Hussein Jihad Dhib, aka Sadiq, from the town of Chehour, resident of Maarakeh.
  • Mahdi Ali Hammoud, aka Walaa, from Kounine.
  • Khalil Ibrahim Karnib, aka al-Hajj Alaa, from Maroun al-Ras.
  • Abbas Ali al-Jawad, aka Fares, from Houmin al-Fawqa.
  • Samir Ali Faqih, aka Muhammad Tammuz, from Srifa.
  • Muhammad Ali Shuyukh, aka Abu Zar, from al-Mansouri (school principal).
  • Ali Ibrahim Shaito, aka Abu Turab, from al-Tayri.
  • Haitham Saleh al-Masri, aka Basel, from Blida.
  • Bilal Muhammad Shaito, aka Abu Idris, from al-Tayri (treasurer of the al-Tayri municipality).
  • Hassan Mahmoud Sayed, aka al-Sayed, from al-Adaisseh.
  • Ahmed Muhammad Ramadan, aka Shamran, from Froun.
  • Kamel Radha Karnabash, aka Sadiq, from Zoter al-Charqiyeh.
  • Hussein Yassin Hussein, aka Abu Ali Haidar, from Houla (member of the Houla municipal council).
• Al-Hajj Muhammad Youssef Saleh, from Aita al-Shaab.

• On November 8, the IDF eliminated two terrorists from the Lebanese Brigades for Resistance to the Israeli Occupation^[14] in the village of Shebaa in south Lebanon. According to the IDF, the two smuggled weapons for Hezbollah, in violation of the ceasefire understandings (IDF spokesperson, November 8, 2025). The Lebanese Brigades announced the deaths of the “resistance fighters,” Hussein Saeed Kanaan and Muhammad Saeed Kanaan, who were killed in a “Zionist attack” (Bila’ Telegram channel, November 9, 2025).

Hamas

• On November 18, the IDF attacked a Hamas training compound in the Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in Sidon, south Lebanon, killing 13 terrorist operatives.^[15] According to the IDF, the compound was used by Hamas’ Lebanon branch for training and preparations for terrorist activity against IDF forces and the State of Israel, while exploiting the civilian population and civilian infrastructure, and despite a decision by the Lebanese government to dismantle armed organizations in the Palestinian refugee camps. It was further reported that among the dead was Jawad Sidawi, who trained terrorists (IDF spokesperson, November 18 and 21, 2025). The Arabic-language IDF spokesperson also published a Hamas invitation from 2023 calling on young people to join the movement’s activities in the refugee camp (X account of the Arabic-language IDF spokesperson, November 19, 2025).^[16]
• Hamas condemned the attack, calling it the continuation of “Zionist attacks on our people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.” Hamas denied that the site was a training center for the movement and claimed that it was a sports field, and that the casualties were a group of youths who were present at the field at the time of the attack (Hamas Telegram channel, November 18, 2025). The dead were named as Jihad Sidawi, Ibrahim Qadura, Ali Ibrahim, Youssef al-Shama, Ahmed Mahmoud Muhammad, Muhammad Amer Khalil, Hussein Hassan al-Shouli, Bilal al-Nattour, Ahmed Imad Othman, Mustafa Ghotani, Abada Ghotani, Muhammad Ghotani, and Amjad Khashan (Campspost Instagram channel of the refugee camps in Lebanon,November 20, 2025).

     
Right: Hamas death notice for the Lebanese killed in the Israeli attack (Hamas Telegram channel, November 20, 2025). Left: Death notice issued by the Campspost Instagram channel of the refugee camps in Lebanon, November 20, 2025.

• During November 2025, IDF forces continued their activity in the buffer zone in the Golan Heights, with targeted raids in villages inside and outside the buffer zone, in the governorates of Al-Quneitra and Daraa in southern Syria. As part of the activity, weapons were exposed (IDF Spokesperson and the Israeli media; Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Syrian media, November 1-30, 2025).
• On the night of November 27-28, IDF soldiers operated in the village of Beit Jinn in southern Syria as part of an arrest operation against Al-Jama’ah al-Islamiyya terrorist operatives who were planning attacks against IDF forces and Israeli territory. Six IDF soldiers were wounded and about 20 terrorist operatives were eliminated in the ensuing exchange of fire. Al-Jama’ah al-Islamiyya, a Sunni Islamist movement that is the Muslim Brotherhood’s offshoot in Lebanon and has ties to Hamas and Hezbollah, denied any involvement and claimed that the organization operates only in Lebanon. Syria condemned the “aggression” in Beit Jinn and called it a “war crime.” Senior regime officials accused Israel of wanting to destabilize the country and stressed that “civilians” would defend themselves “by all means.”^[17]
• The Israeli security forces uncovered a smuggling network involving Syrian and Israeli civilians, including five IDF soldiers in both regular and reserve service of Druze origin who are suspected of smuggling advanced weapons from Syria to Israel. According to the investigation, the smuggling route was based on IDF soldiers who entered Syria in logistical convoys to supply equipment and food to IDF outposts in southern Syria, where they met Syrian civilians in the area of the village of Khader. The smuggling was carried out in IDF vehicles, usually in tanker trucks, and the weapons smuggled included long and short firearms. At the time of the arrest of the Syrian civilians, a massive weapons cache was discovered, including fragmentation grenades, RPG rockets, mortar shells, and a heavy machine gun that were supposed to be smuggled into Israeli territory (Israel Police, IDF, and ISA spokespersons’ offices, November 19, 2025).

    
Right: Some of the weapons seized. Left: Detained squad members
(Israel Police, IDF, and ISA spokespersons’ offices, November 19, 2025)

• During November 2025, the Houthis refrained from carrying out attacks against Israeli territory or against vessels, in accordance with their policy since the beginning of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip on October 10, 2025. However, senior Houthi officials continued to threaten to renew the attacks if there were Israeli “violations” of the ceasefire or a resumption of fighting between Israel and Hamas. They also threatened to attack Israel in response to the IDF’s activity against Hezbollah.

Houthi attacks against Israel – 2025^[18]

• Mexican security forces thwarted a plot by the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to assassinate the Israeli ambassador to Mexico, Einat Krantz Neiger. An “American source” said that the Iranian plan was supposed to be carried out in the first half of 2025 and was thwarted last summer. According to the report, the operation was led by Hassan Izadi, an operative in Unit 11,000 of the Qods Force, who served for several years at the Iranian embassy in Venezuela and was involved in recruiting and operating Iranian agents in Latin America (Reuters and Axios, November 7, 2025). The Iranian embassy in Mexico emphatically denied the reports, claiming they were a “media fabrication and a big lie” intended to damage the friendly and historical relations between Iran and Mexico (ISNA, November 8, 2025). Subsequently, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar revealed that additional Iranian attempts to harm Israeli embassies, ambassadors, and diplomatic representatives abroad had been identified (Israeli media, November 11, 2025).
• The Israeli Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations (Mossad), in cooperation with intelligence and law enforcement services in Europe, recently reported that Hamas terrorist networks planning to attack Israeli and Jewish targets mainly in Germany and Austria had been eliminated.^[19] As part of the activity, Austrian security and intelligence forces uncovered a weapons cache including pistols and explosives. The investigation revealed that the weapons belonged to Muhammad Na’im, the son of Bassem Na’im, a member of Hamas’ political bureau in the Gaza Strip who lives in Qatar. It was noted that a meeting between Na’im and his father in Qatar around the time the activity in Austria was exposed raised suspicions of the Hamas leadership’s involvement in promoting terrorism in Europe. It was also revealed that Hamas headquarters in Turkey might be involved in promoting plans to attack in Europe, and that Burhan al-Khatib, a prominent operative in Hamas’ terrorist infrastructure, was detained in Germany in November 2025 after staying in Turkey (Israeli Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson on behalf of the Mossad, November 19, 2025).

     
Right: A map of the activity of the Hamas infrastructure that was eliminated. Left: Weapons cache discovered in Vienna (Israeli Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson on behalf of the Mossad, November 19, 2025)

• It was reported that Iran’s IRGC’s Qods Force recruited a Ugandan citizen to gather intelligence on the Israeli embassies in Uganda and Senegal and to purchase weapons for carrying out attacks against the diplomatic missions. According to the report, the Ugandan citizen, who works as a construction worker, said in his interrogation that a Pakistani Qods Force operative had contacted him and instructed him to photograph the embassies and buy pistols and hand grenades for a possible attack. He also claimed during his interrogation by a Western intelligence agency that an Iranian Qods Force operative had contacted him and offered him payment in exchange for cooperation (Iran International, November 26, 2025).