Spotlight on the Israel-Palestinian Conflict (March 4 – 11, 2025)

• On March 5, 2025, it was revealed that Adam Boehler, the American president’s envoy for hostage affairs, had held multiple meetings with senior Hamas figures. The discussions focused on the release of five Israeli hostages with American citizenship, as well as a broader agreement for the release of all Israeli hostages and the forging of a long-term ceasefire between Israel and Hamas (Walla!, March 5, 2025; AXIOS, March 5, 2025). Further reports indicated that Khalil al-Haya, acting head of Hamas’ political bureau in Gaza and the head of its negotiating team, along with Zaher Jabarin, Hamas leader in Judea and Samaria, and senior Hamas figure Na’im Qassem, participated in the talks with the Americans (The National, March 6, 2025). Hamas confirmed the meetings with American administration representatives but reported that the movement was only interested in a comprehensive agreement which would end the war and lead to the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
  • A “senior Hamas figure” called the meetings with the Americans “exploratory talks” focused on the release of American citizens held hostage, stating that Hamas proposed discussing a broader deal to end the war (al-Araby al-Jadeed, March 5, 2025).
  • A “source close to Hamas” said the talks in Doha were positive and claimed Hamas had been “significantly flexible.” He added that the Americans primarily sought to assess Hamas leadership to determine whether the organization could be a partner in a broader deal to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A “Hamas political figure” said the meetings not only dealt with the release of hostages but also the transition to the second phase of the agreement and ceasefire, which includes a full Israeli withdrawal and a permanent end to the war (The National, March 6, 2025).
  • Hamas figure Taher al-Nunu said several meetings had been held in Doha, primarily focusing on the release of one of the American hostages. He claimed that Hamas approached the issue “positively and flexibly” in a way which served the interests of the Palestinian people. He added that they discussed the phased agreement to end the war and Hamas informed the American delegation that it did not oppose the release of “the captive.” He also said he hoped Steven Witkoff, the American envoy, would work towards advancing negotiations for the second phase (Reuters, March 9, 2025).
  • “Sources” reported that “the future of Hamas weapons in Gaza” was a significant part of the group’s discussions with Witkoff. Hamas reportedly proposed a comprehensive package deal that received backing from other “resistance factions.”^[2] The deal included a ceasefire lasting more than ten years in Gaza, Judea, Samaria and east Jerusalem, and a commitment to “maintain the status quo in Jerusalem.” Hamas reportedly expressed willingness to discuss its offensive weapons [sic] in exchange for a long-term ceasefire and an agreement that would include a full withdrawal of the IDF, a complete end to the war and the release of all hostages (al-Araby al-Jadeed, March 10, 2025).
• Hamas also reiterated its interest in negotiating the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, and condemned the Israeli government’s decision to stop supplying Gaza with electricity:
  • In a recorded speech, Abu Obeida, spokesman for Hamas’ military wing, claimed the “resistance”^[3] had upheld the terms of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement. He said “the enemy” would not achieve through threats and deception what it had failed to achieve through war. He said Hamas was prepared for all possibilities, adding that Israel’s threats to resume the war would only “disappoint” it and not lead to the release of “the captives,” adding that any escalation of “aggression” would result in the deaths of more “captives” (Abu Obeida’s Telegram channel, March 6, 2025).
  • Hamas spokesman Abd al-Latif al-Qanua addressed Trump’s threats to Hamas if it did not immediately release all hostages. He claimed the repeated threats provided Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu with an excuse to evade the agreement and worsen “the siege and starvation” of the Palestinians. He added that the best way to secure the release of the remaining Israeli “captives” was for “the occupation” to enter negotiations on the second phase and be forced to comply with the agreement brokered by mediators (Abd al-Latif al-Qanua’s Telegram channel, March 6, 2025). On another occasion, he said that the “occupation’s” talk of plans to resume fighting and its decision to cut electricity to Gaza were tactics which posed a threat to “its prisoners” [the hostages], who would be released only through negotiations (Abd al-Latif al-Qanua ’s Telegram channel, March 10, 2025).
  • Zaher Jabarin, Hamas leader in Judea and Samaria, speaking at a Hamas ceremony in Cairo honoring Palestinian prisoners released in the last phase of the agreement, claimed the release of prisoners was proof that “the occupation cannot break the will of the Palestinian people.” He warned that Hamas would use every means at its disposal to secure the release of prisoners (Hamas Telegram channel, March 8, 2025).

• • Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said the movement told the mediators that it opposed extending the first phase of the ceasefire agreement. He said discussions were currently underway to initiate the second phase, which had to include prisoner exchanges, a full IDF withdrawal from Gaza and an Israeli commitment not to resume “aggression.” He claimed Hamas was prepared for a prisoner exchange based on “new parameters” in the second phase and said Israel had to show it was serious and abide by the agreement. He added that only the American administration had the ability to pressure Israel, adding that Hamas did not oppose the release of American citizens but only as part of a comprehensive agreement (Al Jazeera Mubasher, March 9, 2025). He also condemned Israel’s decision to stop supplying the Gaza Strip with electricity, claiming it proved “the occupation” was continuing “its war of extermination against Gaza through starvation [sic]” (al-Aqsa TV, March 9, 2025).
  • Hamas demanded a long-term ceasefire without committing to disarmament, claiming the issue had to be part of a broader political process for establishing an independent Palestinian state. According to the report, the main proposal included the release of ten living Israeli hostages in exchange for a 60-day ceasefire extension, during which large amounts of humanitarian aid would be delivered to Gaza and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel would be released. The agreement also proposed releasing the hostages without public celebrations or media coverage to avoid “political tensions in Israel, particularly in light of the sharp criticism directed at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his handling of the crisis” (al-Akhbar, March 11, 2025).

Hamas prepares to resume fighting

• Sources within the “resistance” reported that the military wings have instructed their fighters to take precautionary measures, including avoiding the use of wireless communication, concerned that Israel might carry out targeted killings of senior figures and launch commando operations, particularly in populated areas. That came amid the renewed activity of Israeli UAVs over Gaza and the intensification of IDF strikes along the Strip’s borders (al-Akhbar, March 7, 2025).

IDF operations in the Gaza Strip

• IDF forces attacked terrorist operatives who approached the troops and attempted to plant explosive devices in the ground. IDF forces detected drones crossing from Israeli territory into the Gaza Strip and attacked the drones and those who arrived to retrieve them (IDF spokesperson, March 4–11, 2025). Palestinian media reported that eight Palestinians were injured in an Israeli airstrike on a bulldozer clearing debris in Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza (al-Aqsa TV Telegram channel, March 8, 2025). One fatality and two injuries from IDF gunfire were reported in al-Shejaiya (Shehab News Agency, March 9, 2025). Three fatalities were reported in the al-Bureij refugee camp (Hamza al-Masri’s Telegram channel, March 10, 2025), and one person was killed in an airstrike in eastern Rafah (Tel al-Sultan Telegram channel, Rafah, March 10, 2025). In another incident, five fatalities were reported in a strike targeting a “group of Gazans” near the Netzarim Corridor in southern Gaza City (Quds News Agency, March 11, 2025).

The situation in the Gaza Strip

• Salama Marouf, head of the Hamas media information office in Gaza, said that since the ceasefire began on January 19, 2025, 161,820 tons of food and aid had entered the Gaza Strip. He claimed the amount was insufficient and the existing food supply would last only a few days, contrary to Israel’s claims that it was enough for months (Filastin al-Yawm News Telegram channel, February 6, 2025).
• The UN World Food Programme announced that due to the halt in aid entry, food supplies in Gaza would last for less than two weeks for public kitchens and bakeries (Safa, March 6, 2025).
• Since the ceasefire began, hundreds of Palestinian families in Gaza have been searching for missing relatives among the rubble and in hospitals. Local resident Ahmed al-Masri said he and his mother searched for his brother’s body every day, spending hours viewing rotting corpses. Meanwhile, another young man broke into tears of joy after finding his brother’s body after 42 days of searching through the rubble (al-Akhbar, March 6, 2025).
• Residents of Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza reported living among piles of garbage without access to clean drinking water or a municipal water supply. They admitted feeling abandoned and without assistance, with some even expressing regret that they had not been killed during the war. They also said many children had become sick due to the harsh weather (al-Risalah, March 7, 2025).

• Abd al-Nasser al-Ajarmi, head of the Bakery Owners’ Association in Gaza, claimed all the bakeries operating on gas in Khan Yunis had ceased operations because of the fuel shortage. He said five bakeries had shut down, two fully automated and three semi-automated, while the remaining diesel fuel was only sufficient to keep the other bakeries running for two weeks (Sama News Agency Telegram channel, March 9, 2025).
• Salama Marouf, head of the Hamas media information office in Gaza, condemned Israel’s stopping electricity to the desalination plant in southern Gaza [the only one receiving electricity from Israel], claiming that it was an escalation of the blockade and a continuation of Israel’s [alleged] “crimes” against Gaza. He said Israel had cut off electricity to Gaza in October 2023, leading to a humanitarian crisis affecting all sectors. He said the plant had been reconnected to electricity a few months ago with international support, and its disconnection now worsened the Gazans’ suffering (Quds News Network Telegram channel, March 10, 2025).

Hamas reorganizes

• “Sources” reported that Hamas took disciplinary measures against senior figures and operatives from the government and the political, security, and social and religious sectors, after they had abandoned their positions during the war and relocated to south Gaza. According to the report, deputy ministers, directors-general, and lower-ranking officials were suspended, with their reinstatement pending the completion of a governmental reorganization.
• Hamas’ wing did not suspend commanders and operatives but restructured the wing because of manpower shortages in northern Gaza. Some commanders who had left their posts will not return to their previous roles and will instead be reassigned to lower-ranking positions. At the same time, new operatives who participated in combat were promoted.
• “Hamas sources” said manpower recruitment during the war had been insufficient, prompting a rapid structural change in the military command (al-Sharq al-Awsat, March 4, 2025).

Hamas governance

• Consumer protection teams from the ministry of economy, in coordination with the investigations department of the supply directorate and the economic investigations unit of the Gaza Police, conducted market inspections to oversee shops and sales centers to enforce market regulations and prevent monopolies by merchants. The move came in response to Israel’s decision to close border crossings and halt deliveries of humanitarian aid.
• According to reports, dozens of merchants were arrested on suspicion of price gouging. Approximately 180 tons of essential goods, including sugar, flour, cooking oil, frozen meat and fish were seized, and the merchants were required to sell them at official prices. Enforcement teams stated they would continue to take firm action against any attempts to exploit the population’s hardships under the blockade and war. They called on merchants to act with national responsibility and adhere to the set prices (Gaza interior ministry Telegram channel, March 5, 2025; al-Nuseirat Telegram channel, March 8, 2025).

• Majda Shahadeh, a human rights activist from Khan Yunis, reported that a Hamas operative threatened her and her family, pointing a gun at them in front of their neighbors. The threats reportedly came after Shahadeh publicly criticized various merchants’ monopolies on high prices (Palestine Vulture Telegram channel, March 5, 2025).

Hamas reveals the terrorists who carried out the slaughter at Netiv Ha’Asara on October 7, 2023

• On March 5, 2025, Hamas revealed the identities of its operatives who led the massacre in Netiv Ha’Asara during the October 7, 2023, attack.^[4] In a statement about the fighters of the Tzakar Unit of its military wing, Hamas mentioned four members who infiltrated Netiv Ha’Asara on motorized hang gliders. They were Unit commander, Saleh Dahman, and operative Imad Abu Racba, who were eliminated in battles in Jabalia refugee camp; Ahmed Fawzi al-Wadiya, who was killed in an airstrike during the war after retreating into Gaza; and Misra Salahah, who was killed during the storming of the border into Israeli territory (The Military March Telegram channel, March 5, 2025).

The Egyptian plan for reconstructing the Gaza Strip

• On March 4, 2025, the Arab emergency summit was held in Cairo to deal with the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. In the summary announcement, the participants expressed support for the Palestinian people’s right to establish an independent, sovereign state based on the two-state solution. The Arab states strongly opposed any attempt to “expel” the Palestinian people from their land and condemned Israel’s [alleged] “policy of starvation and destruction of infrastructure,” which they claimed aimed to forcibly “displace” on the Palestinians. They demanded that Israel respect international decisions and not change the demography of the Palestinian territories. They also condemned Israel’s decision to prevent the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and to close the crossings, warning that it constituted a violation of the ceasefire agreement and international law (al-Qahera News, March 4, 2025).

• According to the Egyptian plan, which was adopted at the summit, in the first six months after the war ends, the Gaza Strip will be managed by a technocratic committee operating under the supervision of the Palestinian Authority (PA), after which the Strip will be transferred to PA control. The first phase will last two years, during which rubble will be cleared, temporary housing will be established in seven areas for more than 1.5 million people and 200,000 housing units will be built at a cost of approximately $20 billion. The second phase will last two and a half years, during which an additional 200,000 housing units will be built, along with an airport, seaport, commercial center, technology hub and hotels along the coast, at a cost of $30 billion. According to the plan, Egypt and Jordan will train Palestinian police responsible for public order and security in the Strip, while UN peacekeeping forces will be deployed in the Gaza Strip, Judea and Samaria. The goal is to establish a Palestinian state in accordance with the two-state solution and to end the proliferation of armed Palestinian “factions”^[5] (al-Arabiya,  March 4, 2025).

• On March 7, 2025, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers also adopted the Egyptian plan. In its concluding statement, the council called for mobilizing financial, material and political support for the plan’s implementation. The council also emphasized that the day after the war in the Gaza Strip had to be based on a Palestinian national consensus and include independent Palestinian management of the Strip without external interference. The council supported the establishment of a temporary administrative committee in the Strip, composed of professionals and local residents, which would operate under the PA government until the political system was restructured and presidential and parliamentary general elections were held in the Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem. The council rejected any plan for “displacing” Palestinians and warned against attempts to impose demographic changes in the Gaza Strip (OIC, March 7, 2025).
• Given the American administration’s opposition to the Arab plan for Gaza’s reconstruction and its desire to advance the plan for the evacuation of the Strip’s residents, Saudi Arabia and the UAE announced their refusal to provide economic assistance without assurances regarding the Strip’s future. Both countries were of the opinion that investing billions of dollars without a significant change in the Strip’s political and security situation would lead to repeated cycles of escalation, destruction and reconstruction. They also fear that as long as Hamas continues to control the Strip, economic aid may be “indirectly” used by the organization and strengthen its status (al-Quds News Agency, March 6, 2025).
• The Palestinians welcomed the Egyptian plan to prevent “displacement” from the Gaza Strip. However, disagreements between the PA and Hamas over who would govern the Strip continued.
• Muhammad Mustafa, PA prime minister, said at the end of the Arab summit that it was an important day for “Palestine.” He said the reconstruction of the Strip would be completed in cooperation with all involved parties and noted the need to unify the Gaza Strip, Judea and Samaria. He said reconstruction would be carried out by an independent government framework (Wafa, March 4, 2025). Speaking before the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, Mustafa said that the success of the plan depended primarily on Israel’s commitment to stopping “aggression,” ensuring the return of displaced persons, withdrawing “occupation forces,” opening the crossings, maintaining a lasting ceasefire, allowing the entry of construction materials and necessary equipment, and providing financial assistance. He added that they would work to ensure the plan’s success to serve as the foundation for “liberation from occupation and the realization of our independent Palestinian state on our national land” (Wafa, March 7, 2025).
• Hussein al-Sheikh, secretary of the PLO Executive Committee, said that during the transition period until full PA governance in the Strip, a committee would be established headed by a PA government minister and the deputy prime minister. He added that they were still waiting for Hamas’ response to the establishment of the committee, noting that Hamas had to completely relinquish its control over the Strip and become a political party within the Palestinian political system (Mohamed Alghorani’s Facebook page, March 4, 2025).
• Mundhir al-Hayak, Fatah spokesman in Gaza, said contact with Hamas continued and it had shown readiness to transfer control of the Gaza Strip. He said Hamas demanded guarantees that government employees would not be dismissed before it handed over control of the Strip (Quds News Agency Telegram channel, March 8, 2025).
• The Hamas media information office in Gaza welcomed the arrangements for managing the Strip through a committee composed of independent national experts not affiliated with any movement or “faction.” It noted they were prepared to support the efforts and administrative teams and government staff were ready to begin work while continuing to fulfill their commitments to ensure the continuity of services provided to Gazans and the successful operation of the committee (al-Risalah Telegram channel, March 6, 2025).
• Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said Hamas did not seek to remain in power in the Gaza Strip after the war but wanted the future government to be the result of a Palestinian national consensus. He noted the need for national agreement after the war and opposed American-Israeli intervention (Filastin al-Yawm, March 8, 2025).
• A Hamas delegation led by Muhammad Isma’il Darwish, chairman of the Shura Council, went to Egypt and met with General Intelligence Chief Hassan Rashad to discuss the ceasefire and reconstruction plan. According to reports the delegation thanked Egypt and claimed that the movement was committed to meeting all terms of the agreement and moving forward with the second phase. It also said it was prepared to establish a community support committee composed of independent national figures to manage the Gaza Strip until a final resolution was achieved and elections were held (Hamas Telegram channel, March 9, 2025).
• Taher al-Nunu, advisor to the head of the Hamas political bureau, said the Egyptian plan for the Strip’s reconstruction had received Arab consensus. He added that meetings in Cairo had focused on Egypt’s position of support for the Palestinian people and the entry of humanitarian aid. He added that Hamas was fully committed and Israel had to be held accountable to its agreements (Extra News, March 10, 2025).

Terrorist attacks

• Shooting at a checkpoint in Samaria: On March 4, 2025, a Palestinian terrorist opened fire at an IDF force at the Homesh checkpoint near the village of Burqa in Samaria; he was shot and killed. No casualties were reported (IDF spokesperson, March 4, 2025). The terrorist was identified as Ahmed Mufid al-Kilani from the village of Silat al-Zahar in the Jenin District (Hamas in Judea and Samaria Telegram channel, March 4, 2025).

Counterterrorism activities

• This past week Israeli security forces continued Operation Iron Wall in northern Samaria and expanded it to additional areas in Jenin. The forces eliminated terrorist operatives, including the head of a Hamas cell in Jenin, detained dozens of wanted Palestinians, and located explosives, weapons and additional terrorist facilities, including a site for the manufacture of drones. Israeli security forces also continued routine operations throughout Judea and Samaria, detaining wanted Palestinians and exposing and confiscating weapons and funds intended for financing terrorist activities. The forces also demolished the homes of two terrorists responsible for a shooting and stabbing in Jaffa in which seven Israelis were killed in October 2024, as well as the home of the terrorist who carried out a vehicle ramming on Route 60, killing an IDF soldier in September 2024 (IDF spokesperson, March 4-11, 2025). Nihad Shawish, head of the Popular Committee in the Nur Shams refugee camp, claimed that approximately 11,300 camp residents had been displaced due to “occupation” activity (Shehab   News Agency Telegram channel, March 10, 2025).

International activity

• PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas met with foreign leaders on the sidelines of the Arab Emergency Summit in Cairo to discuss the latest developments in the Palestinian arena and the region. Abbas noted the PA intention of taking responsibility for the Gaza Strip (WAFA, March 3-4, 2025):
• Abbas told European Council President António Costa that the PA absolutely opposed the “displacement” of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip or Judea and Samaria, stating that peace and stability could only be achieved through a two-state solution. He also thanked the EU for its support in achieving a political solution based on two states and for assisting in building PA institutions.
• Abbas told Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa that the top priority was a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, humanitarian aid, the complete withdrawal of “occupation” forces and granting the PA full responsibility over the Strip, in addition to halting all “unilateral actions and settlements.” He also said the international community had to compel Israel to stop its ongoing “aggression” against the Palestinians.
• Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with Abbas and said his country supported the Palestinians’ right to establish an independent state and opposed any attempt to “displace” Palestinians. Abbas affirmed the PA’s support for the measures taken by the Lebanese government to strengthen its sovereignty and implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
• Abbas thanked Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for hosting the summit and praised Egypt’s firm stance in supporting Palestinian rights. claimed Gaza Strip was an inseparable part of the [so-called] “State of Palestine,” which had the political and legal authority to govern the Strip, as it did the other Palestinian territories.

   
Right: Abbas meeting with the Syrian president. Left: Abbas meeting with the Lebanese president (Wafa, March 4, 2025)

• On March 8, 2025, Muhammad Mustafa, PA prime minister, met with the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt during the emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s foreign ministers. Mustafa discussed the latest developments in the Palestinian arena, the importance of intensifying efforts to end the “occupation’s aggression” against the Palestinian people and mobilizing international support for the Palestinian-Egyptian plan to rebuild the Gaza Strip, which was adopted at the Cairo emergency Arab summit and became an Arab-Islamic initiative. He noted the vision of PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas, as presented at the Arab summit, which included a political framework and mechanisms for implementing the reconstruction plan in Gaza, with arrangements for the post-war phase to unite the Gaza Strip, Judea and Samaria, including east Jerusalem, under “an independent, sovereign Palestinian state” based on national unity, good governance and the rule of law (PA prime minister’s office Facebook page, March 8, 2025).

Appointment of Deputy PA chairman

• On March 4, 2025, during his speech at the Arab Emergency Summit in Cairo, PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas announced the creation of the position of vice president for the PLO and the “State of Palestine,” as well as a general amnesty for everyone expelled from the Fatah movement. He opposed any attempt to expel the Palestinian people or to solidify a colonial situation in the West Bank and Jerusalem. He also noted the importance of strengthening national unity, rehabilitating state institutions and the PLO leadership, and injecting new blood into the movement. He also claimed the PA would be prepared to hold general elections in the coming year if the appropriate conditions were met (Wafa, March 4, 2025).
• “Fatah sources” reported that four people were competing for the position of vice president: Hussein al-Sheikh, secretary of the PLO Executive Committee, considered the leading candidate due to his influence over Abbas; Jibril al-Rajoub, secretary of the Fatah Central Committee. who is also close to Abbas; Mohammad Dahlan, former senior Fatah official who was previously expelled from the movement but may be appointed if the internal reconciliation process materializes;^[6] and Nasser al-Qudwa, former PA representative to the UN, who returned to the movement but has weak support and little influence over Abbas and his circle (al-Shaheed, March 6, 2025).

The Palestinian security forces

• According to reports, PA security forces surrounded the government hospital in Tulkarm and arrested ten Palestinians from the Tulkarm refugee camp. Security personnel also raided a residential building near the intelligence headquarters in the city and arrested three Palestinians (Refugeesps.net, March 6, 2025; Ahrar Tulkarm Telegram channel, March 6, 2025).
• On March 10, 2025, “local sources” reported that PA security forces killed Abd al-Rahman Abu al-Mana, a wanted terrorist in eastern Jenin. According to the report, security personnel blocked his path, surrounded and shot him; he was pronounced dead at the hospital (Quds News Agency, March 10, 2025). PA security forces spokesman Anwar Rajab reported that during operations in Jenin, Abd al-Rahman Abu al-Mana, a “felon” who was wanted for involvement in shootings at security headquarters, opened fire on the forces. Security personnel returned fire and wounded Abu al-Mana, who was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead (Wafa, March 10, 2025). Hamas accused the security forces of responsibility for Abu al-Mana’s death and called actions a “dangerous escalation” (Hamas Telegram channel, March 10, 2025).