Spotlight on the Israel-Palestinian Conflict (April 29 – May 6, 2025)

The IDF

• This past week IDF forces continued extensive operations against terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip, primarily targeting those belonging to Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). Terrorist squads and operatives were attacked from the air and on the ground, above- and below-ground terrorist facilities were targeted and weapons were destroyed. The attacks focused on Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, Deir al-Balah in the center, and the Khan Yunis and al-Mawasi areas in western Rafah in the south. A rocket launcher area in Khan Yunis was destroyed. A platoon commander in Hamas’ military wing was detained; he participated in the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack and massacre and was responsible for holding several Israeli hostages who were later released. An IDF officer and soldier were killed and two other soldiers were wounded in an explosion in a tunnel shaft in Rafah; another soldier was seriously wounded by an explosive device near a tank (IDF spokesperson, April 29–May 6, 2025).

• Hamas’ military wing reported that its fighters succeeded in luring a “Zionist” engineering unit into a booby-trapped tunnel shaft near the al-Zahraa Mosque in the al-Jenina neighborhood of eastern Rafah, and the shaft exploded when the soldiers entered. Hamas also claimed Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades operatives had fired Yassin-105 rockets at two tanks (Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades Telegram channel, May 4, 2025).

• “Sources in Hamas” said the organization had presented its vision, based on a long-term ceasefire (hudna) of at least five years, a one-phase prisoner exchange, full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, reconstruction, lifting the blockade, a return to the status quo ante March 2, 2025, and the establishment of an independent local committee to manage the Strip’s affairs. Hamas claimed it had been offered a two-phase ceasefire proposal, with the first phase lasting 6–8 months and including the release of half the hostages, with explicit American guarantees for a transition to a second phase that would include a complete end to the war, lifting of the “siege,” reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and full Israeli withdrawal. The “sources” said that Israel and the United States had introduced conditions related to the weapons of the “resistance”^[2] which prevented finalizing the deal. The agreement is expected to include Arab oversight of humanitarian aid (al-Sharq al-Awsat, May 2, 2025).
• Senior Hamas figure Abd al-Rahman Shadeed said the movement was continuing its “diplomatic efforts” to end the war, noting that on April 17, 2025, Hamas presented a vision for a comprehensive agreement including a five-year ceasefire, full Israeli withdrawal from the Strip, a complete prisoner exchange deal involving all hostages, aid delivery and reconstruction, and the establishment of an independent technocratic committee to manage the Gaza Strip. He claimed Israel had rejected the proposal and insisted on continuing the fighting and attacking “civilians,” while Hamas remained committed to any initiative which guaranteed a ceasefire and prisoner deal (Hamas Telegram channel, May 2, 2025).
• A “senior figure in the Palestinian resistance” reported that Hamas, “on its behalf and on behalf of the resistance,” told the mediators that it rejected the Israeli proposal because it did not include a ceasefire, despite heavy pressure and the American position of no alternative offer. According to the “senior figure,” Hamas stated that the [alleged] “killing, starvation, systematic destruction and repeated displacement” proved Israel was not serious about negotiations and continued military pressure would not make Hamas or the “resistance” retreat from their positions for ending the war (al-Mayadeen, May 5, 2025).
• Senior PIJ operative Haitham Abu al-Ghazlan said the “resistance” sought a comprehensive, not partial deal which would include a ceasefire, prisoner exchange, aid and reconstruction. He said the “resistance” absolutely refused to give up its weapons, as the issue was linked to the continuing “occupation.” He added that no one could force the “resistance” to surrender its weapons, adding that there were many ways to end the “aggression” but giving up arms was not one of them (Arabi21 website, May 4, 2025).
• Israel’s announcement of its intention to expand the military operation in the Gaza Strip to achieve full control over its territory, as part of increased military pressure on Hamas, provoked condemnation from senior Hamas operatives who made clear the movement will not retreat from its positions and that Israeli activity endangered the hostages:
  • Hamas said the Israeli cabinet’s approval of the plan meant it had decided “to sacrifice the Israeli hostages” in the Gaza Strip and to repeat “the cycle of failure” that began 18 months ago without achieving its declared goals. Hamas called on Arab and Islamic states, the international community and the UN to take responsibility and act immediately to restrain the “fascist occupation government.” It also called on “the masses of our Arab and Islamic people and all the free people of the world” to escalate popular action and exert pressure to end the “aggression” against the Strip (Hamas Telegram channel, May 6, 2025).
  • Izzat al-Rishq, a member of the Hamas political bureau, addressed Israel saying, “You’re threatening to ‘expand the operation’? What’s left that you haven’t already done? You’ve killed, starved, destroyed… and failed to break Gaza. Any attempt to expand the military operation will only sink you further. The heroes of the resistance are lying in wait. Expanding the aggression means expanding the resistance’s goals and strikes. The prisoners will be released only through a deal that ends the war permanently and brings full withdrawal” (Quds Press, May 2, 2025).
  • Hamas figure Mahmoud Mardawi said the objective of Israel’s threats was to break the spirit of the Palestinian people, but the “resistance” would not surrender to the proposed terms. He said Hamas rejected any arrangement which did not include a comprehensive hostage release deal, a ceasefire, full Israeli withdrawal, reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and the release of Palestinian prisoners (aljazeera.net, May 5, 2025).
  • Hamas member Bassem Na’im claimed that any talk of new proposals was meaningless as long as Israel’s “war of starvation” continued, which he alleged was a “war crime,” while criticizing the silence of the international community (Bassem Nai’m’s Facebook page, May 5, 2025).

The situation in the Gaza Strip

• In a statement for International Workers’ Day, the first of May, the Hamas government media information office in the Gaza Strip claimed that workers in the Strip lived in a state of “absolute lack” of dignified living conditions caused by the ongoing Israeli blockade and destroyed infrastructure; unemployment in the Strip exceeds 85% and the poverty rate has reached over 90% because hundreds of factories have closed, agriculture and fishing have been impacted, and there has been almost a complete halt of economic activity. A’aad Abu Ramadan, head of the Gaza Chamber of Commerce, said the ban on importing food, fuel and medicine which has lasted more than 60 days, worsened the humanitarian crisis and led to a more than 500% increase in the price of basic goods (al-Araby al-Jadeed, May 1, 2025).
• The Red Cross issued a warning regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip, noting that the deteriorating security conditions severely hindered the operations of its personnel and partners in the field. The organization called for the protection of medical teams and facilities under all circumstances, the release of hostages and the entry of humanitarian aid. According to the Red Cross, without immediate measures the Gaza Strip could descend into anarchy and humanitarian efforts would no longer be viable. It warned that many civilians in Gaza had been left without basic necessities, and if aid did not resume immediately, the organization would be forced to suspend its programs in the Strip (Red Cross website, May 2, 2025).
• Dr. Ahmed al-Farra, director of al-Tahrir Hospital in the Nasser Medical Complex, reported that sewage water samples still contained traces of the polio virus. He stated that the hospital requested the fourth dose of polio vaccine, in accordance with WHO and UNICEF recommendations, but the closure of the crossings and the ban on importing medicine and vaccines caused the vaccination campaign to collapse. He added that around 80% of essential medicines were lacking in the Gaza Strip ministry of health, and doctors were forced to use less effective treatments (Shehab Agency, April 29, 2025).

Promoting the “famine” narrative

• Hamas figure Dr. Abd al-Rahman Shadeed claimed that the Gaza Strip was facing “one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes of the modern era,” beginning a stage of “famine” and widespread severe malnutrition, especially among children and infants, due to the “Israeli blockade.” He accused Israel of using “starvation” as a weapon of war to break the will of the Palestinian people, in blatant violation of the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law, and criticized the silence of the international community. He claimed that over one million children suffered from daily hunger, and more than 65,000 cases of severe malnutrition had been treated in hospitals (Hamas Telegram channel, May 2, 2025).
• The “hunger crisis” the Gaza Strip, especially among children, sparked a viral “I am hungry” campaign on Palestinian social media. It posted videos of children allegedly suffering in silence or crying for help on camera (Telegram channel of journalist Hamza al-Masri, May 4, 2025).

Alleged attack on an “aid ship”

• According to claims, on May 2, 2025, the “aid ship” Conscious,^[3] which was planning to sail to the Gaza Strip as part of the Freedom Flotilla to break the [so-called] “blockade,” was attacked in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea near Malta by two drones which completely disabled the ship (al-Jazeera network, May 2, 2025). The Freedom Flotilla coalition claimed that Israel was responsible for the attack on the ship, which was [allegedly] carrying humanitarian aid and activists from 21 countries en route to Gaza (The Guardian, May 4, 2025).
• Hamas condemned the “Israeli attack” and claimed it was “piracy and organized state terrorism” and a serious violation of international law. According to Hamas, the attack exposed the “terrorist nature of the Israeli occupation” and endangered the lives of the crew (Hamas Telegram channel, April 2, 2025). The PIJ claimed it was “yet another insult to all human and moral values,” mocking all international laws and norms, especially the International Court of Justice (Safa Agency, May 2, 2025).
• Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei condemned the “Israeli attack” on the ship and accused it of being a “crime” against the Palestinian people and an “act of terrorism” against maritime security and safety (IRNA, May 3, 2025); Turkish President Erdoğan also accused Israel of “attacking” the ship, calling it an act of “robbery and piracy” (TRT, May 4, 2025).

Humanitarian aid warehouses looted

• An increase was reported in attacks and theft from food warehouses belonging to Palestinian and international organizations in the Gaza Strip, with more than six robberies recorded in different parts of Gaza City, some involving warehouses of the World Food Programme (WFP) and UNRWA. “Sources in the Hamas government” claimed security personnel tried to confront the attackers and prevent theft from larger warehouses. According to the “sources,” the perpetrators are known to the security forces and police, and they will be pursued in cooperation with the “security of the resistance.” According to the report, many Gazans did not rule out the possibility that the thefts were an “organized act” orchestrated by Israel (al-Sharq al-Awsat, May 1, 2025).
• Eyewitnesses recounted seeing several dead and wounded during an attempted break-in by hundreds of people at UNRWA warehouses in the Sabra neighborhood in central Gaza City. Some persons involved in the raids justified their actions by saying there was a lack of supplies, especially flour, and they could not make purchases in the local market because of price gouging (al-Ayam, May 2, 2025). Gazans criticized Hamas, saying that if the movement could not control criminal activity it should step down from leadership (Facebook page of the Mahmoud Abu Zanada Media Platform, May 1–2, 2025).
• A group called Dignitaries of the Nation claimed to have uncovered a network of people collaborating with Israel and handled by the Israeli Security Agency (Shin Bet). According to the group, the collaborators were involved in stealing humanitarian aid, including basic food and relief packages intended for the needy. The group declared it had executed nine suspects by gunfire without trial and shot 27 others in the leg, adding that it considered itself a “fighting institution responsible for protecting the values of society, the homeland, and the poor” against those who spread chaos, collaborated with the “occupation,” or incited on social media. It pledged to continue identifying and punishing “every agent, profiteer, aid thief or anyone who undermines internal solidarity in service of ‘Israel’s plans’” (al-Siyad Telegram channel, May 1, 2025).
• Hamas accused Israel of being behind the looting to sow chaos in the Gaza Strip. The movement used the events to escalate its security activity against those perceived as involved in the looting or in alleged collaboration with Israel:
  • The Hamas “home front command”^[4] claimed Israel was cooperating with local criminal gangs and was responsible for the deaths of security personnel who were killed “while defending civilian property.” Reportedly, in recent days, six “criminals” were executed and 13 others were shot in the leg as part of a harsh punitive policy against looters. Hamas said it would continue “acting firmly” against anyone who endangered internal security, with the support of local communities (al-Aqsa TV Telegram, May 2, 2025).
  • Hamas’ “Arrow”^[5] unit announced a campaign to “purge” the Gaza Strip of those it described as “criminals, war profiteers and agents of the Israeli occupation,” claiming some were acting under Israeli guidance to increase chaos and hunger. Gazans were instructed to avoid going outside after 9:00 p.m., and the unit threatened to execute anyone caught violating the law or collaborating. It also called on families to disown members involved in theft, sabotage or espionage and threatened “severe religious punishment,” including execution, limb amputation and slaughter, against anyone endangering community security (Telegram channel of journalist Abu Jawad, May 3, 2025).

• • The Hamas-controlled ministry of interior and national security in the Gaza Strip reported that security and police forces had begun field operations to pursue and punish “occupation agents” and thwart their attempts to spread chaos and intimidate innocent people. It claimed Israeli aircraft struck and killed a member of a security force who was working to maintain security in Gaza City and was pursuing “criminals.” The statement said that the security forces would continue their intensive efforts to track down anyone collaborating with the “occupation,” attack them with “an iron fist,” and take all necessary steps to deter them, whatever the cost (Facebook page of the ministry of the interior in Gaza, May 3, 2025).
  • “Security sources” reported that Hamas’ ministry of the interior was reestablishing the so-called Operational Force,^[6] similar to the force created in 2007 during a period of chaos and security breakdown. According to the sources, the new Operational force consists of 5,000 members from all branches of the security and police apparatus, merged into a single framework to secure the home front and restore order and stability. Reportedly, the force would immediately begin dealing with criminal gangs and “occupation agents” who tried to sow chaos, and its personnel are authorized to use all necessary means to maintain security and order, including excessive force in dealing with gangs and live, lethal fire if required (Safa, May 4, 2025).
  • “Sources close to Hamas” said the movement had executed several persons accused of theft following the recent looting of shops and public kitchens. The head of Hamas’ government media information office, Isma’il al-Thawabta, said some gang members operated under tribal protection, while others acted in organized groups, some of which [allegedly] received direct support from Israel. He added that several “revolutionary death sentences” were carried out against “major criminals” proven to have been involved in the looting (Reuters, May 4, 2025).

• The office of Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas accused Hamas of committing the looting and thefts of humanitarian aid warehouses. According to the office, the Palestinian people would not forgive the criminals, whose names were known and would be included in a “blacklist” for future prosecution (Wafa, May 3, 2025).

Gaza municipality workers protest

• On May 1, 2025, Gaza Municipality workers held a protest to mark International Workers’ Day, demanding protection and the payment of their salaries. They called on all relevant parties to intervene so they could support their families with dignity. Nevertheless, they noted their continuing commitment to serving the city and its residents, despite harsh conditions, danger and the shortage of resources. Since the start of the war in October 2023, municipal workers have not received regular wages, but only irregular and partial advances due to the collapse of municipal revenues (Facebook page of the Gaza Municipality, May 1, 2025).

• The Swiss government announced a new law banning Hamas and affiliated organizations which will go into effect on May 15, 2025. The law, approved by the Swiss Parliament in December 2023 following Hamas’ October 7, 2023 terrorist attack and massacre in Israel, grants authorities legal tools to act against Hamas activity or support for it. The law also enables preventive police measures such as deportation or entry bans and makes it more difficult for Hamas to use Switzerland as a financial center and safe haven (Reuters, April 30, 2025). Hamas harshly condemned the Swiss government’s decision, claiming it reflected a serious bias in favor of Israel and a denial of the international humanitarian values for which Switzerland is known. The movement called for the immediate cancellation of the decision and accused the Israeli government of daily violations of international law, calling on the international community, and especially Switzerland, to support the Palestinian right to “resistance” and self-determination (Hamas official Telegram channel, May 1, 2025).
• Hamas’ leadership council, led by Shura Council chairman Muhammad Darwish, met in Qatar with the acting foreign minister of the Taliban government in Afghanistan, Mullah Amir Khan Muttaqi. The parties discussed the latest developments in the Gaza Strip, particularly the ongoing “crimes of the occupation” against the Palestinian people. Darwish praised the “Afghan experience” and expressed appreciation for Afghanistan’s support of the Palestinian “resistance,” while Muttaqi claimed that “Palestine” was “the central issue of the Islamic nation” and praised the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and their defense of al-Aqsa Mosque (Hamas Telegram channel, May 2, 2025).

• The Prisoners’ Media Center reported that six Palestinian prisoners who were released from Israeli prisons as part of the hostage deal, including Na’el al-Barghouti, considered the “elder of the prisoners,” arrived in Turkey from Egypt, bringing the number of deportees to Turkey in the deal’s first phase to 36 released prisoners. Meanwhile, Malaysia accepted 15 additional prisoners but expressed reservations about admitting others. The Palestinian Authority reportedly took action to prevent Turkey from accepting Fatah-affiliated prisoners, fearing they might join Hamas. Hamas continues trying to persuade countries to accept released prisoners, but faces refusals or reservations from Arab and Islamic states. Egypt offered to accept Fatah members but refused to cover expenses, while Qatar agreed in principle to receive all prisoners. Indonesia and Algeria expressed initial willingness, while Tunisia, Jordan and Pakistan issued definitive refusals (Ultra Palestine website, May 2, 2025).

Terrorist attacks

• This past week there were no terrorist attacks

Counterterrorism activities

• This past week Israeli security forces continued Operation Iron Wall, the wide-scale counterterrorism operation in northern Samaria in addition to ongoing activity in other areas in Judea and Samaria. The forces eliminated two terrorist operatives, including a senior figure in Nablus. Dozens of wanted persons and suspects were also detained for involvement in terrorist activity, incitement to murder Jews, arson, transferring funds to finance terrorism and trafficking in weapons. An IDF soldier was seriously wounded by an explosive device in the village of Beita (IDF spokesperson, April 29–May 6, 2025).
• Jenin Governor Kamal Abu al-Rabb claimed that the Israeli forces’ activity forced approximately 21,000 residents to flee from the Jenin refugee camp and its surroundings; the activity has lasted for more than one hundred days (Facebook page of al-Rasmiya Radio, May 4, 2025). Palestinian Prime Minister Muhammad Mustafa convened a government meeting in Jenin, saying that holding the meeting there sent a message against Israel’s “oppressive measures.” He said the Palestinian Authority government was committed to ending the “aggression” against the refugee camps (Facebook page of the Palestinian Authority Government, May 5, 2025).
• The Communications Committee in Tulkarm reported that the “occupation forces” announced their intention to demolish 106 homes and 58 “structures” in the Tulkarm refugee camp and 48 structures in the Nur Shams refugee camp, instructing homeowners to evacuate within 24 hours. More than 25,000 people were evacuated from both refugee camps, in addition to hundreds of residents from the northern and eastern neighborhoods of the city of Tulkarm (al-Aqsa TV Telegram, May 2, 2025). Tulkarm Governor Abdallah Kamil said the homes of 420 families would be demolished by Israel, adding that serious efforts were being made to find housing solutions and humanitarian aid. Reportedly, many mobile caravans will soon be sent to the Tulkarm and Jenin areas to provide temporary shelter for the displaced (Radio Alam Telegram channel, May 4, 2025).

International activity

• PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas met in Ramallah with the president of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides to discuss recent developments in the Gaza Strip, Judea and Samaria, as well as bilateral relations. Mahmoud Abbas said efforts were being made to reach a comprehensive ceasefire and to end the “Israeli attacks in the West Bank and Jerusalem.” He noted the need to bring humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and said the PA demanded full civil and security responsibility in the Strip and to control all weapons, alongside a full withdrawal of IDF forces and the beginning of reconstruction without the “displacement” of residents. He noted the PA efforts, in coordination with Saudi Arabia, the United States, Arab states and European countries, to promote a political solution based on two states and to convene an international peace conference in New York in June 2025. He also thanked the Cypriot president for his support of Palestinian rights and for providing humanitarian aid to the Strip. Christodoulides expressed support for the two-state solution and voiced hope for strengthening relations with the Palestinian Authority (Wafa, May 4, 2025).

• Hussein al-Sheikh, deputy chairman of the PLO Executive Committee, spoke with Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. They discussed bilateral relations, developments in the Palestinian arena, and ways to cooperate in supporting the Palestinian cause (Saudi foreign ministry X account, April 30, 2025).
• Muhammad Mustafa, PA prime minister, spoke with Iraq’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister Fuad Hussein and briefed him on the latest developments in the Palestinian arena. They also spoke about preparations for the upcoming Arab Summit in Baghdad at the end of May 2025 and its agenda, which includes efforts to end the fighting in the Gaza Strip, implementing the reconstruction plan approved at the previous summit in Cairo, and promoting an initiative to convene an international peace conference to implement the two-state solution in New York in June 2025. They noted the need for coordinated political and economic Arab support for the Palestinians at this critical stage (Facebook page of the Palestinian government, May 3, 2025).
• A “senior American official” and a “senior Palestinian official” reported that Palestinian General Intelligence Chief Majed Faraj was in the United States for medical treatment, but took the opportunity to hold work meetings at CIA headquarters. Faraj reportedly held a series of important meetings, including with the CIA director and several senior security officials, as well as a meeting with assistant secretaries at the United States State Department in Washington. The meetings were the first direct dialogue between the Palestinian Authority and the new American administration (Ajyal Network website, April 30, 2025; Ma’an, April 30, 2025).

Anti-Israel lawfare

• On May 3, 2025, a conference in support of Palestinian prisoners opened in Brussels, aimed at “exposing the human rights violations” of Israel against Palestinian prisoners. Palestinian ambassador Amal Jado claimed there were “systematic torture and arrests” carried out by Israel and called on the international community to take action the release of the prisoners. The conference was attended by legal experts, members of parliament and representatives of international human rights organizations, including Amnesty and the Red Cross, with the objective of promoting legal action against Israel and increasing political pressure (Wafa, May 3, 2025).