🎗️Lonny's War Update- October 537, 2023

🎗️Day 537 that 59 of our hostages in Hamas captivity
There is nothing more important than getting them home! NOTHING!

“I’ve never met them,
But I miss them.
I’ve never met them,
but I think of them every second.
I’ve never met them,
but they are my family.
BRING THEM HOME NOW!!!”
We’re waiting for you, all of you.
A deal is the only way to bring
all the hostages home- the murdered for burial and the living for rehabilitation.

#BringThemHomeNow #TurnTheHorrorIntoHope

There is no victory until all of the hostages are home!
‎אין נצחון עד שכל החטופים בבית

Red Alerts - Missile, Rocket, Drone (UAV - unmanned aerial vehicles), and Terror Attacks and Death Announcements

*12:00pm - Gaza Envelope - rockets from Gaza - Zimrat, Shova, Kfar Maimon, Tusia - One rocket was intercepted, second hit in the area of Zimrat

Hostage Updates

At sit-in, hostage relatives express anguish over lack of government efforts to free loved ones
Varda Ben Baruch, grandmother of hostage Edan Alexander, and Viki Cohen, mother of hostage Nimrod Cohen, sit next to each other at Shift 101 on Tuesday afternoon, the mostly silent, white-wearing sit-in for the hostages.

Ben Baruch tells The Times of Israel about Friday, March 14, when the family read in the Hebrew media about a possible deal with Hamas to release Edan Alexander, the only remaining living American-Israeli hostage along with the bodies of four other hostages.

“We were in shock,” says Ben Baruch. “We were only hearing from the media, we didn’t know what to do, maybe Edan was coming home.”

Ben Baruch says they heard nothing else, and on Sunday night, in the middle of the night, as she was sleeping, her body began vibrating, “I said, ‘Varda, what’s going on, Edan is coming, Edan is coming!'”

She turned on the television and heard that there were IDF strikes in Gaza and that the war had begun again.

“No one speaks to us,” she said. “Our country is not making any efforts for the hostages. Where is Phase 2? Where is Phase 2? They forgot it, Bibi forgot about it.”

Viki Cohen says she is exhausted and anguished.

“There is a prime minister who refuses to deal with the issue, there are other more important issues for him,” she says.

She and her husband, Yehuda Cohen, were supposed to meet with the defense minister today, says Cohen, but he canceled the meeting.

She speaks about the latest sign of life of Nimrod, spotted in a Hamas video released March 1, identified by his brother, Yotam, who first saw the video on the Telegram channel, and spotted Nimrod’s tattoo, an image of a crow that he got three days before October 7, 2023, when he was taken hostage.

“It’s the first time we’re seeing his body, it’s crazy, I wouldn’t have identified him by his body, but it’s a good thing he got that tattoo,” she says.

With them are Shaul Levy, grandfather of released hostage Naama Levy, and Jucha Engel, grandfather of released hostage Ofir Engel.

Levy says that Naama is okay, he describes her as a little thin and wan, but has returned to her family with great joy. He says the family can’t fully rehabilitate when it knows the hostages were abandoned for months and that there are still hostages in Gaza.

“This nation can’t have a resurrection until all the hostages are back,” he says, to the applause of the crowd. “Everyone talks about solidarity but we’re not a nation without everyone back home.”

Engel, a regular feature at many rallies and protests, talks about the family’s process of obtaining Dutch citizenship for Ofir when he was still a hostage, because of Jucha Engel’s mother, who was Dutch. He mentions the steady support the family received from the Dutch government throughout Ofir’s 50 days of captivity and for the other hostages, as compared to the Israeli government, which has never contacted the family to see how they are, until now.

“Now we’re trying all the time to convince the government, the decision-makers,” says Engel. “God almighty, it can’t be that after 536 days there are still 59 Israelis held captive there, it doesn’t make sense. It’s not Jewish, it’s not Israeli, it’s a great danger for the future of our society.”

Three simultaneous anti-government, hostage rallies taking place in government quarter
The protests in Jerusalem are currently divided into three areas near the government compound.
Several hundred anti-government protesters mill around outside the Knesset, some yelling into bullhorns about the prime minister being a dishrag and a traitor to Israeli values.
The mostly silent sit-in participants of Shift 101 include hostage family members and their supporters, sitting on the asphalt at the intersection between the National Library and the Israel Museum.
Family members speak every so often, talking about their utter despair and the lack of contact with any members of the government.
Down the road, a growing number of demonstrators join the crowds outside the Joint or Jewish distribution committee building, where the evening protest is planned with other hostage family members and members of Kibbutz Nir Oz.
"They Took His Freedom" – Wife of Hamas Hostage Elkana Bohbot Speaks Out

**Rebecca Bohbot, wife of captive Elkana Bohbot, reacted to the video released by Hamas, describing her family's shock upon seeing it for the first time.** *"We got a call from the officer—I was with our son when I saw it and just burst into tears. I came home, and everyone was in shock, the whole family."
Elkana Bohbot and Yosef Haim Ohana

Bohbot revealed that Elkana was supposed to be released in the **humanitarian phase** of the hostage deal: *"He suffers from asthma—that’s one of the reasons we broke our silence."* His mother, Rochama, added: "That’s not my son. You can’t even recognize him."

"That’s Not the Man I Said Goodbye To"

In an emotional interview with *The Early Edition*, Rebecca Bohbot described the moment she saw the **first proof-of-life video** of her husband since his abduction on October 7:
- *"The officer called us and sent the video. I was with our son, pulled over, and just started crying."*
- *"That’s not my husband. Not the man I hugged goodbye on October 6—the man with a smile."*
- *"His face is swollen. My son asked, ‘Mom, why are you crying?’ I told him, ‘I just miss Dad.’"*
She described how their young son, **Ram**, keeps asking about his father:
- *"Every morning, he asks when Dad is coming home. I get down to his eye level and say, ‘I don’t know, but he *will* come back.’ I show him hope—that we’ll take walks again."*
- *"I won’t give up. I’m begging Israel: Don’t leave them behind. 59 families, 24 still hoping for their loved ones alive."*

"This Is a Failure" – A Mother’s Anguish
Elkana’s mother, **Rochama**, spoke to *The Main Edition* in tears:
- *"This is the first time I’ve seen him. This isn’t the son I know—his big blue eyes, his face… Now he’s swollen, his shoulder slumped."*
Ruchama Bochbut

- *"He was supposed to be on the humanitarian list. He has asthma! Why wasn’t he released?"*
- *"His son is traumatized. He watches helicopters with binoculars, waiting."*

She condemned Israel’s leadership for their silence:
- *"No one in the government talks to us. Only our officers do. We’ve lost trust in everyone."*
- *"My son went to work to provide for his family—and now he’s in Hamas’ tunnels."*

Key Takeaways:
1. **Hamas’ Psychological Torture** – The video, showing a **visibly weakened Elkana**, is the first sign of life in months.
2. **A Child’s Trauma** – His son, Ram, **watches the skies for helicopters**, hoping his father will return.
3. **Government Abandonment** – The family says **no officials have reached out**, leaving them to fight alone.
4. **A Plea to Israel** – *"We’re a nation that wins when we stand together. Don’t leave them behind."*

The Bottom Line: While Hamas weaponizes hostages' suffering, families like the Bohbots are left begging for action. Will Israel listen? link

After receiving sign of life, father of hostage shocked by his condition: 'He's in bad shape'
'He was strong and muscular, and now he is thin,' father of Yosef-Chaim Ohana says; calls on government to immediately work to ensure his release; 'He is begging to come home'
"Seeing him alive in the video for the first time since October 7 moved the entire family," Avi Ohana, the father of hostage Yosef-Chaim Ohana, said in an interview with Ynet, following the release of a Hamas video showing his son.
"It gave us hope. I thank God, and we are praying intensely across the country. Now, more than ever, they must bring them home. We need a swift deal—not an all-out war."
He emphasized the urgency of securing the hostages' release, expressing concern over his son's deteriorating condition. "They need to get them out already—you can see how bad it is. I know my son; he is thin, and it’s clear he is in worse shape. He was a very strong, muscular kid, and now he looks emaciated," Ohana said.
Ohana also shared a message he received through Ohad Ben Ami, a former hostage who was released in a prisoner exchange. "He desperately wants to come home," Ohana said. "Through Ohad, he told us that he misses us deeply and asked us to stay strong. He wants to return home, to see his siblings and family. He loves us. The message is clear—he is longing to come home to his family."
Yosef Haim Ohana

As a father, Ohana described how his family's life has been in turmoil since his son was taken. "Our lives stopped on October 7," he said. "I told Gal Hirsch —we no longer have lives. Everything revolves around him. We are doing everything possible for him and the other hostages. Life has stopped—we don’t work, we don’t function normally, we barely eat or sleep. Our immediate family is in a very difficult state. We are just waiting for this nightmare to end. We are living in a nightmare. I dream of him at night—being together, the family happy—and then I wake up and wish I could stay in the dream. Reality is a nightmare."
Ohana appealed to freed hostage Ohad Ben Ami in the video, urging him to speak for those left behind in captivity. "They fear for their lives, they have no hope, and since the fighting resumed, their conditions have worsened and their food supply has been reduced," Ben Ami said in a post.
He is currently in Germany as part of a delegation set to meet with the new German chancellor and other government officials. "Everything is aimed at influencing decision-makers in Israel to bring the hostages home—not today, but yesterday—even if it requires an immediate stop to the war," he wrote. "I have said before and will say again—you can always resume fighting after bringing all the hostages back if Hamas violates the ceasefire."
Ohad Ben Aami
(Photo: Hostages and Missing Families Forum)
He added, "Hamas isn’t going anywhere, and there will always be a way to deal with them. But the hostages may not survive the coming days because they are in constant danger since the fighting resumed. We will not rest until the last hostage is home. To my five friends I left behind—I love and miss you, and I will do everything in my power to bring you and all the hostages back home alive."

Gaza and the South

IDF estimates 150 terror operatives killed in renewed Gaza op

Boys standing next to tent shelters watch as a smoke cloud erupts from a building that was hit by Israeli bombardment after prior warning in the Nuseirat camp for Palestinian refugees in the central Gaza Strip on March 25, 2025. (Eyad BABA / AFP)
The Israeli military estimates that it has killed over 150 Hamas operatives and members of other terror groups since it resumed its offensive in the Gaza Strip a week ago.
Hamas has claimed that over 700 Palestinians have been killed in that time. The figure has not been verified and does not differentiate between civilians and combatants.
Over 420 targets have been hit by the Israeli Air Force, Navy, and ground troops in the offensive so far, according to the IDF.
The IDF has so far named 10 senior Hamas political officials and mid-level military commanders who have been killed in the strikes. Other Hamas commanders were targeted, and the IDF is still working to confirm they were killed.
Ground troops are currently operating in Rafah’s Tel Sultan and Shaboura neighborhoods in southern Gaza and several areas in the Strip’s north. The IDF also pushed into the Netzarim Corridor and captured about half of it.
Dozens of residents protest, calling for an end to the war and denouncing Hamas
Gazan anti-war protester holds a sign in Beit Lahiya, in the northern Gaza Strip, March 25, 2025. (used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
Footage from Gaza shows that in the last hour, several dozen residents of Beit Lahiya, in the northern Gaza Strip, held a protest calling for an end to the war.
The demonstrators carried signs reading “Stop the war” and “Children in Palestine want to live.”
Additionally, video clips captured residents chanting, “Yes to peace, no to the ongoing war,” and “Hamas out.” video
"Gazans Evacuate Their Homes, Protest Against Hamas: 'We Don’t Want You'"**

Hundreds of Gazans participated in a protest against the terror organization, chanting: "End the war!" Since the resumption of fighting, 124,000 Gazans have fled their homes, according to UNRWA. Sources in Gaza told N12 that displaced families are renting apartments for around 1,500 shekels per month—some of which belong to those killed in the war. Voices from Gaza grow louder: "Every Hamas militant hiding among civilians is a criminal."

Protests Against Hamas

Gazans demostrating against Hamas

Hundreds of Gazans demonstrated today (Tuesday) in northern Gaza, chanting: "The people don’t want war, the people don’t want Hamas, and they don’t want Al Jazeera!" Protesters also held signs in English calling for an end to the war.

Notably, the protest included men—not just women—and took place despite Hamas’s iron-fisted control over the Strip. One key question is whether this demonstration will spark real change, though it has received little coverage in Arab media.

According to reports from Gaza, Hamas security forces arrived at the protest in Beit Lahia and attempted to violently disperse the crowd.

Mass Displacement and a Booming Black Market

Gazans demonstrating against Hamas

A week after the war resumed, Gazans are fleeing their homes and renting apartments on the black market. UNRWA reports 124,000 newly displaced Gazans in recent days due to Israeli airstrikes. Meanwhile, public criticism of Hamas is growing.

The demonstration in Northern Gaza

Sources in Gaza say most residents of Beit Hanoun, Jabalia refugee camp, and eastern Jabalia have relocated to Gaza City and Sheikh Radwan. However, due to overcrowding, some have moved to central camps or the "humanitarian zone" of Al-Mawasi in Khan Younis.

A striking trend has emerged in northern Gaza: apartments are being rented out to displaced families for 1,000–1,500 shekels per month. Some of these homes belong to Gazans killed in the war, while others were forcibly taken from owners now sheltering in the south.

With over a million Gazans now in the south, residents fear worsening food shortages and price hikes. "Markets are already empty, and prices are high—more displaced people will only make it worse," one local said.

Growing Anger: "Hamas, May God Curse You Before the Jews Do"

On Gazan social media, direct criticism of Hamas is spreading:

- "Every Hamas militant hiding among civilians is a criminal and complicit in genocide."

- Muhammad from Gaza:"God curse you, Hamas! You didn’t protect us or keep danger away—damn your fate!"

- Asil:"Hamas, get out! May God send you to hell with everything!"

- Abdullah:"May God curse Hamas for devaluing your blood, turning you into sacrificial sheep… Dead, wounded, cities destroyed—all for loyalty to Iran."

- Muataz:"The best thing is when someone asks, ‘What does this have to do with Hamas?’ If Hamas isn’t involved, then who is?"

Some also lashed out at the Arab world for abandoning Gaza:

- Yousef:"Arabs are just camels that repeat whatever America tells them."

- Amir:"The Jews have reached the point of bombing hospitals and bragging about it. Trump gave them a green light to do whatever they want."

- Muhammad:"All Arab leaders agree on destroying Hamas—but the UAE is now pushing for a mass expulsion plan from Gaza."

Hamas’s Response: A Warning to Civilians

Criticism in Gaza against Hamas

After the IDF struck over 100 Hamas vehicles used for terror operations yesterday, Gazans took notice. One wrote: "Hamas should come out and put on a show for them. May God curse you before the Jews do—we’re done with you!"

Hamas security forces issued a warning yesterday, urging civilians not to use vehicles resembling those used in military operations, after reports that the IDF was targeting them for appearing similar to Hamas-affiliated cars.

Key Takeaways:

1. Unprecedented Protests – Rare public defiance against Hamas, with men joining women in demonstrations.

2. Displacement Crisis – 124,000 newly displaced Gazans, with black-market rentals exploiting the chaos.

3. Social Media Fury – Open condemnation of Hamas for endangering civilians and failing to protect them.

4. Hamas’s Crackdown – Security forces suppressing dissent while scrambling to avoid IDF strikes on their assets.

This marks a potential turning point in Gazan public sentiment—will Hamas’s grip weaken under pressure from both Israel and its own people? link

Northern Israel, Lebanon and Syria

Syria condemns new Israeli ‘attacks’ on its territory
Syria condemns what it claims are the latest Israeli attacks on its territory and calls on Syrians to reject any attempts to displace them or enforce any new realities on the ground.
The Syrian foreign ministry’s statement comes after the IDF said troops came under fire from gunmen in southern Syria and returned fire toward them. Syria has said six people were killed.
IDF says elite troops raided several weapons stores in south Syria
Over the past few weeks, the IDF says the Paratroopers Brigade and the elite Yahalom combat engineering unit carried out several raids in southern Syria, following intelligence on weapons storage sites.

The troops seized and destroyed numerous weapons in the raids, including explosive devices, ammunition, mortars and other military equipment, the IDF adds.

The IDF has described its presence in southern Syria’s buffer zone as a temporary and defensive measure, though Defense Minister Israel Katz has said that troops will remain deployed to nine army posts in the area “indefinitely.”

West Bank, Jerusalem, Israel and Terror Attacks

Security forces arrest 20 terror suspects in raids across West Bank
Weapons seized by the IDF in counterterrorism operations in the West Bank, March 26, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces)
Israeli security forces arrested 20 wanted suspects overnight in counterterrorism operations across the West Bank, according to an IDF statement.
The IDF says troops seized two firearms, a grenade, and other weapons during the raids.
In a targeted operation in the village of Tayasir in the northern West Bank, IDF forces arrived by helicopter to apprehend a suspect as part of increased coordination between the IDF’s West Bank Division and the Air Force, according to the statement.

Politics and the War and General News

Qatari Money, Security Warnings – and Netanyahu's Decision

Israel’s security establishment repeatedly warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Qatari funds entering the Gaza Strip were being seized by Hamas. Netanyahu was explicitly told: "Hamas is taking control of the money," yet the cash kept flowing. Security officials stated: "We saw in real time where a large portion of the money was going."

The Prime Minister’s Office responded: "No document was ever placed on the prime minister’s desk stating that the funds were diverted to terrorism."

Netanyahu Warned in Real Time
As we reported tonight (Tuesday) in The Main Edition, PM Netanyahu was warned in real time that Qatari money entering Gaza was being partially funneled to Hamas. Over the years, he received at least two explicit alerts detailing what happened to the cash brought into Gaza in suitcases. These funds were transferred to maintain a fragile calm with Israel—with Israel’s knowledge and, at times, encouragement.

The First Warning (Mid-2019)
Less than a year after Qatari money began flowing into Gaza, then-Shin Bet chief Nadav Argaman placed an intelligence alert on the desk of Israel’s political leadership. The warning stated that Mohammed Deif, head of Hamas’s military wing in Gaza, was seizing a portion of the funds and diverting them to the terror group. Each cash installment totaled $10 million.

The Second Warning (2020)
By 2020, Military Intelligence (AMAN) joined the Shin Bet in sounding the alarm. AMAN specified an exact figure: Deif was taking $4 million from each installment. Following this warning, officials discussed simulating a crisis with Qatar to pressure Hamas.

As part of this effort, former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen traveled to Qatar. Qatari officials claimed they were unaware Hamas was siphoning the funds—yet the cash kept flowing.

Cash Transfers Finally Halted (November 2021)
Only in November 2021 did the cash deliveries stop, after Hamas switched to paying officials via Egyptian fuel, funded by Qatar. The details published tonight were confirmed by three sources familiar with the matter.

Netanyahu’s Office Responds
The PMO stated:
-"No intelligence document was ever placed on the prime minister’s desk concluding that Qatari grant money was diverted to terrorism."
- "On the contrary, security agencies consistently confirmed that Qatari funds went directly to fuel, needy families, and civil servants’ salaries."
- "The prime minister was informed that, starting in March 2020, Hamas was diverting $4 million per installment to its military wing—but from its own civilian budget, not the Qatari grant, which continued to be used for its intended purposes."

Key Takeaways:
1. Real-Time Diversion – Security officials watched as Hamas siphoned millions, yet Netanyahu allowed transfers to continue.
2. Warnings Ignored – Two high-level alerts (2019, 2020) explicitly linked the cash to Hamas’s military wing.
3. Qatar’s Role – Despite Israeli appeals, Qatar denied knowledge—while funding Hamas’s alternative payment system (fuel) after cash stopped.
4. Netanyahu’s Defense – Claims no formal document tied Qatari funds to terror, despite security chiefs’ direct warnings.

The Bottom Line: While Netanyahu’s office denies negligence, security officials say he was warned—and the money kept coming. Did Israel prioritize short-term calm over long-term security? link I always say that when we need to decide who to believe, Netanyahu and the Prime Minister's office or anyone else, always choose anyone else. In this case, the people to believe are the heads of the security agencies who repeatedly warned Netanyahu that the money was being siphoned to Hamas' military wing. He chose to be purposely blind and deaf because it matched his agenda - weaken the Palestinian Authority and strengthen Hamas to show there is no partner on the Palestinian side. Netanyahu directly brought us to October 7

Moody’s says Israel’s economy has been weakened by ‘very high political risks’

Moody’s Investors Service warns of Israel’s “very high political risks that have weakened economic and fiscal strength.”

“Uncertainty over Israel’s longer-term security and economic growth prospects are much higher than is typical, with risks to the high-tech sector particularly relevant, given its important role as a driver of economic growth and significant contributor to the government’s tax take,” Moody’s says in a regular update report on the country’s credit rating. “Such negative developments would have potentially severe implications for the government’s finances and may mark a further erosion in institutional quality.”

The rating agency last year slashed Israel’s credit rating by two notches to Baa1 in light of the high geopolitical and domestic political risks the country is facing and maintained a negative outlook.

In the update, Moody’s says that the negative outlook reflects the rating agency’s view that “downside risks” on Israel’s credit score persist.

As challenges to Israel’s credit profile, the rating agency cites “very high exposure to geopolitical risks, polarized political system, which weighs on governance and policy effectiveness, [and] labor-market participation of religious minorities, resulting in high-income inequality and elevated social tensions.”

Moody’s says Israel’s credit profile “remains supported by historically strong economic resilience to shocks, high wealth levels, which provide some shock absorption capacity, a solid external position, and the government’s continued strong market access.”

“We may stabilize the outlook if there are clear prospects for a durable cooling down of the military conflicts, in turn allowing Israel’s institutions to formulate policies that support the recovery of the economy and public finances and restore security while dealing with a wide range of policy priorities,” Moody’s says.

US intelligence: Hamas continues to pose security threat, situation to remain volatile
The US believes "even in degraded form, Hamas continues to pose a threat to Israeli security."
The US predicts that the situation in Gaza, as well as the dynamics between Israel-Hezbollah and Israel-Iran, will remain volatile, according to the Annual Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community, published on Wednesday.
The 31-page report dedicates sections to threats from Iran and Islamist terror, as well other threats such as Russia, China and North Korea.
According to the threat assessment relating to the Israel-Hamas War, the US believes "even in degraded form, Hamas continues to pose a threat to Israeli security."

"The group retains thousands of fighters and much of its underground infrastructure, and probably has used the ceasefire to reinforce and resupply its military and munitions stock so that it can fight again."
The report notes that Hamas has the ability to resume "low-level guerilla resistance and to remain the dominant political action in Gaza for the foreseeable future."
A FAMILY displaced to the southern part of the Gaza Strip sets out to return home in January after a Hamas-Israel ceasefire was reached. Even amid Gaza’s destruction, Hamas celebrated the return of displaced civilians to northern Gaza as a nationalist victory, says the writer. (credit: Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters)

The assessment states that there are "low expectations on all sides that a ceasefire will endure," adding that "the absence of a credible postfighting political and reconstruction plan portend years of instability."
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Interestingly, the report notes a decline in support for Hamas among Gazan civilians but a consistently high level of support among Palestinians in the West Bank, especially relative to the Palestinian Authority (PA).
"The long-term Israeli-Palestinian relationship also hinges on the trajectory of an increasingly unstable WestBank," the report continues. "The PA’s weak and declining ability to provide security and other services in the West Bank, Israeli operations in the West Bank, violence from Israeli settlers and Palestinian militant groups including Hamas, and a potential leadership transition in the PA are likely to exacerbate governance challenges in Ramallah."
The future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict hinges significantly on how Israel deals with post-conflict Gaza, the report continues.
Threat from Iran, proxies
Iran also poses a significant threat, the report states, adding that the impact of the Islamic Republic is felt in the US and not just in Israel and the Middle East.
"During the Gaza conflict, Iran encouraged and enabled its various proxies and partners to conduct strikes against Israeli and at times US forces and interests in the region."
Part of the threat comes from Tehran's attempts to "leverage its robust missile capability and expanded nuclear program, and its diplomatic outreach to regional states and US rivals to bolster its regional influence and ensure regime survival."
In terms of weapons, the US intelligence report specifies Iran's bolstering of the lethality and precision of itsdomestically produced missile and UAV systems as a threat, and adds that Tehran "has the largest stockpiles of these systems in the region."
While the report stresses the US's stance that "Iran is not building a nuclear weapon," it does note that "Khamenei remains the final decision-maker over Iran’s nuclear program, to include any decision to develop nuclear weapons."

It adds that Iran very likely aims to continue developing chemical and biological agents for offensive purposes.

"Iranian military scientists have researched chemicals that have a wide range of sedation, dissociation, and amnesticincapacitating effects, and can also be lethal."

Other sources of threat are direct targeting of individuals by the US regime, and "unconventional warfare operations" such as the disruption of shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz via the use of small boats and submarines."

However, the report raises the question of whether a "degraded Hezbollah, the demise of the Assad regime in Syria, and Iran’s failure to deter Israel have led leaders in Tehran to raise fundamental questions regarding Iran’s approach."

Nevertheless, the report assesses that Iran's proxies remain a threat and that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei continues "to desire to avoid embroiling Iran in an expanded, direct conflict with the United States and its allies."

The assessment notes the role of the Houthis, Iraqi Shia militias, and Hezbollah in inflaming regional tensions.

"The Houthis have emerged as the most aggressive actor, attacking commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, US and European forces, and Israel. Iraqi Shia militias continue to try to compel a US withdrawal from Iraq through political pressure on the Iraqi government and attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria."

"Further fighting between Hezbollah and Israel would threaten Lebanon’s fragile stability and any political progress begun by the election of a president in January after years of trying. A resumption of protracted Israeli operations in Lebanon could trigger a sharp rise in sectarian tension, undermine Lebanese security forces, and dramatically worsen humanitarian conditions."

The assessment notes that, while weakened, Hezbollah "maintains the capability to target US persons and interests in the region, worldwide, and—to a lesser extent—in the United States."

Iranian cyber threat
"Iran’s growing expertise and willingness to conduct aggressive cyber operations also make it a major threat to the security of US and allied and partner networks and data," the report continues.

"Guidance from Iranian leaders has incentivized cyber actors to become more aggressive in developing capabilities to conduct cyber attacks."

The report gives the example of a June 2024 cyber attack by the IRGC on an email account associated with an individual with informal ties to then-former President Trump’s campaign. "That account to send a targetedspear-phishing email to individuals inside the campaign itself. The IRGC subsequently tried to manipulate US journalists into leaking information illicitly acquired from the campaign."

The new Syrian regime
Regarding Syria, the report says that "The fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime at the hands of opposition forces led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—a group formerly associated with al-Qa‘ida—has created conditions for extended instability in Syria and could contribute to a resurgence of ISIS and other Islamist terror groups."

The US intelligence stance is that governing Syria will remain "a daunting challenge amid the country’s economic problems, humanitarian needs driven in part by millions of internally displaced Syrians, rampant insecurity, as well as ethnic, sectarian, and religious cleavages."

It also mentioned the use of violence and extrajudicial killings against Alawites and Christians since the start of March 2025, which have resulted in over 1000 deaths. It noted that, while HTS claims to want to cooperate with Syria’s array of ethnosectarian groups, many of these groups remain skeptical of HTS’s intentions, especially considering the leader’s past al-Qa‘ida association.

The report also highlights Israel's view on the regime change in Syria, stating that Israeli government officials remain skeptical of HTS claims and intentions, "expressing concern that historical HTS objectives against Israel persist."

Al-Qaeda
The report stresses that Al-Qaeda maintains its intent to target the United States and US citizens across its global affiliates.

Interestingly, the report mentions how the leaders of al-Qaeda, some of whom are based in Iran, "have tried to exploit anti-Israeli sentiment over the war in Gaza to unite Muslims and encourage attacks against Israel and the United States."

"Al-Qaeda’s media apparatus issued statements from leaders and the group’s affiliates supporting Hamas and encouraging attacks against Israeli and US targets."

The assessment also mentioned how al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) relaunched its Inspire guide with videos and tweets that encouraged attacks against Jewish targets, the United States, and Europe. "Inspire provided instructions for making bombs and placing explosive devices on civilian airliners and gave religious, ideological,historical, and moral justification for such attacks.

Additionally, despite claims that al-Qaeda's Syrian affiliate, Hurras al-Din, was disbanded by Tehran, US intelligence deemed that Hurras al-Din members were actually advised not to disarm and instead to "prepare for a future conflict, noting their continued fight against the Jews and their supporters."

A lot of the threat posed by al-Qaeda and its offshoots is felt on US soil.

"Most of these groups generally have targeted local governments in recent years, while Lebanese Hezbollah has continued to pursue limited targeting of primarily Israeli and Jewish individuals in and outside of the Middle East." link
Netanyahu Attacked in Knesset Debate: "The Prime Minister of Conception and Conspiracy. You’ve Decided to Take Us Back to October 6th"

Knesset members debated crime and violence in Arab society, attacking the government over the high murder rate. Netanyahu spoke about the hostages: "Results matter" – opposition MKs erupted and were removed. Meanwhile, the judicial overhaul advances: The Knesset will begin hours-long debates on a bill to change the composition of the Judicial Selection Committee. The Democratic Party announced it would boycott final votes: "The government has declared war on democracy."

At the request of 40 MKs, the Knesset plenum convened this morning (Wednesday) for a discussion with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on "rising crime in Arab society and the abandonment of citizens' lives." During the debate, several MKs and party leaders criticized Netanyahu over the government's handling of violence in Arab society and other issues. Netanyahu touted his governments' achievements, prompting opposition MKs to shout, interrupt, and be ejected. After the debate, MKs will discuss the proposed Basic Law: Judiciary and courts bill, culminating in a vote on whether to alter the Judicial Selection Committee's composition.

"58 Murders in Arab Society Since the Start of the Year"
Hadash-Ta'al Chairman MK Ayman Odeh addressed violence in Arab society:
"58 murders in Arab society just since the start of the year. Murders in Arab society have risen by 230% in five years. We are 18% of the population but suffer over 80% of homicides. This is not a mistake—it is not fate."

Odeh continued:
"Prime Minister, you promised to fight crime, but the number of murders keeps rising. This is a country where families are threatened and criminals rule the streets. Hundreds of murderers walk freely among us. The government decided to cut the five-year plan budget meant to save young people from crime and secure them a better future."

"Which Story Will You Tell?"
MK Yoav Segalovitz (Yesh Atid) attacked Netanyahu:
"The Festival of Freedom is approaching. In two weeks, you’ll speak of the Exodus from Egypt—but you must speak of the Exodus from Gaza. What story will you choose to tell? How will you explain that you still haven’t reached Nir Oz?"

Gantz: "You’ve Taken Us Back to October 6th"
National Unity Chairman Benny Gantz said:
"Prime Minister, you appointed a populist racist to oversee Israelis' personal security. What did you expect? Instead of fighting crime organizations, he fights the Shin Bet chief. Instead of visiting murder scenes in Arab society and doing groundwork, he tweets. In any decent country, he’d be fired—but in the October 7th government, he resigns and is reinstated."

Gantz also addressed the Judicial Selection Committee vote:
"Instead of focusing on restoring security, bringing back hostages, and returning displaced residents, you’ve decided to take us back to October 6th. Today, you bring a law to politicize the Judicial Selection Committee as if October 7th never happened. Prime Minister, I was with you on October 7th—I looked into your eyes. We saw where we ended up when the nation was torn apart. You know exactly what Sinwar thought before the attack. Don’t close your eyes for a second. Leave the plenum, go to Yariv Levin, and order him to stop. If not for democracy and the rule of law, do it for national unity—for our soldiers on the front and the families of those who didn’t return."

Liberman: "You Strengthened Hamas"
Yisrael Beytenu Chairman MK Avigdor Liberman attacked Netanyahu:
"In April 2017, you appeared before the State Control Committee and said Israel knew about Hamas’ plans—what did you do since then? You blamed the Shin Bet chief. Ronen Bar took office in October 2021—what did you do for four and a half years besides nurturing Yahya Sinwar and strengthening Hamas?"

Liberman added:
"To gain political strength, you allied in the Knesset with blatantly anti-Zionist elements: those who support a chief rabbi who sends draft-dodgers to tear up conscription orders, and those who don’t condemn statements like Rabbi Dov Lando’s claim that ‘Arabs hate us because of the Zionists.’ You are the prime minister of conspiracy and conception."

Netanyahu Responds: "We Will Eradicate This Scourge"
Netanyahu began his speech by addressing crime in Arab society:
"This is indeed a very serious problem—not just for Arab citizens, but for everyone. We are a nation of law, and the law is being unraveled by crime organizations."

He defended his government’s actions:
"My government allocated more funding to Arab society than all governments since 1949 combined—and we didn’t give it to NGOs. As a democrat, I believe every citizen deserves equal security. I’ve heard the families—it touched my heart."

Netanyahu also praised National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for establishing a National Guard, prompting opposition MKs to interrupt.

On Hostages: "Results Matter"
Netanyahu addressed hostage families:
"I’ve heard claims that I don’t care about the hostages. My wife and I meet regularly with hostage families—yesterday, this morning, always. Our conversations are sincere and emotional. We sit for hours, listen, and sometimes cry with them. Their pain strengthens my commitment. Results matter—we’ve already brought back 196 hostages."

He warned Hamas:
"The fighting in Gaza continues. The more Hamas refuses to release our hostages, the more intense our pressure will be—including seizing territory and other measures I won’t detail here."

Lapid: "You Are the Prime Minister of October 7th"
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid countered:
"While you boast of total victory, sirens are sounding in the Gaza border communities. You’ve done things no government has done before—you are the prime minister of October 7th. History will remember nothing else about you. 1,800 dead and murdered. 14,000 wounded. Yes, you’ve achieved something no government has."

Lapid accused Netanyahu of economic failure:
"You’re squeezing the Israeli middle class to survive politically. A few more months in power, a few more months with your black Audi and sycophants around you. You failed on security on October 7th, now you’re failing the economy, and again, you shift blame to others."

He concluded:
"Elections will come. The public will send you home, and we’ll form a good government—cutting taxes, slashing unnecessary ministries, ending coalition funds, and working for the Israeli middle class."

Democratic Party Boycotts Vote: "Government Declared War on Democracy"
Before the judicial bills' debate, the Democratic Party announced it would boycott final votes:
"We will boycott votes on the regime coup laws—this government has declared war on democracy."

The party called on other opposition factions to join:
"Leave the plenum. Let the coalition face an empty hall, exposing the truth: forcible legislation by an illegitimate government lacking public support, clinging to power."

Opposition figures criticized the unilateral move, but the Democrats responded:
"We are at war for our home. We’ll always welcome joint opposition action—but we won’t wait while democracy crumbles."  link Netanyahu spoke of something touching his heart. That's pretty hard because he has proved that he has no heart. He also spoke of meeting with Hostage Families regularly. That is total crap. When he does deem it worthy, he only speaks to the families from Tikvah Forum, which is a very small group and they are fully aligned with Netanyahu's ideologies and back his return to fighting in Gaza. He does not meet with the families from the Hostage Family Forum. Netanyahu is a consummate liar and does so openly in front of the entire Knesset and country.

The Region and the World

Houthi media reports fresh US airstrikes in rebel-controlled Yemen
Freed hostage says NY pro Hamas protests bolster terrorists
Shlomi Ziv, rescued from Gaza, joins lawsuit filed against pro-Palestinian groups protesting at Columbia University, claiming they were a public relations campaign for Hamas
A group of Jewish students from Columbia University, along with former hostages and their families, have filed a lawsuit in a New York court against pro-Palestinian student groups and activists. The plaintiffs allege that these groups provide "public relations services" for Hamas through propaganda and recruiting efforts, and claim some members were "aware in advance" of Hamas' plan to carry out the October 7 attack.
Among the plaintiffs is Shlomi Ziv, who was abducted from the Nova music festival and later rescued during "Operation Arnon." Ziv testified that while in captivity, his captors showed him propaganda highlighting demonstrations at Columbia University and emphasized Hamas' presence on American campuses.
According to the lawsuit, the terrorists displayed reports and images from campus protests organized by the defendants and even shared Al Jazeera coverage of the demonstrations to showcase Hamas' "success" in gaining global support.
"They boasted about Hamas operatives being present on U.S. campuses and claimed these protests were part of their campaign," the lawsuit states.
Other plaintiffs include Iris Weinstein Hagi, the daughter of Judy Weinstein and the late Gadi Hagi; the families of the late Yonatan Samrano, Ran Gvili, and Uriel Baruch. The lawsuit, filed under the U.S. Anti-Terrorism Act, seeks financial damages from the accused groups for allegedly providing "indirect support for international terrorist acts." The plaintiffs are also demanding legal sanctions against the organizations.
Freed hostage Shlomi Ziv
(Photo: Reuters/Eloisa Lopez)
The lawsuit, filed by the National Jewish Advocacy Center (NJAC), names "Students for Justice in Palestine" (SJP) and "Jewish Voice for Peace" (JVP), along with key activist Mahmoud Khalil. It accuses these groups of operating as a "propaganda arm" of Hamas within the United States. According to the complaint, since October 7, these organizations have coordinated with Hamas and provided "substantial support" to the terror group. The lawsuit also claims that the day after the attack, SJP branches distributed a "toolkit" encouraging "real—not just rhetorical—support" for Hamas, including organizing protests and fundraising efforts.
Mahmoud Khalil, 30, a Columbia graduate who led campus protests after the war began, is cited as a key figure in the case. The lawsuit describes Khalil, who was arrested by immigration authorities two weeks ago and is awaiting deportation proceedings, as a liaison between pro-Palestinian groups and external entities connected to Hamas. His lawyers deny any affiliation with the terrorist organization.
The lawsuit comes three days after Columbia University agreed to review its policies on campus protests and reassess its Middle Eastern academic programs as part of an effort to restore $400 million in federal funding that was revoked following allegations of tolerance toward antisemitism. Columbia officials have not directly responded to the lawsuit, but members of the Jewish community are urging the university to take stronger action against the accused organizations.
Mark Goldfeder, the plaintiffs' attorney, stated, "This is not a matter of free speech—it’s about providing direct assistance to a terrorist organization. We cannot pretend this is just student activism; the evidence is documented and clear."
'A McCarthyism-style silencing attempt'
In the same court, a separate lawsuit was filed a day earlier against President Donald Trump's administration by Yunseo Chung, a 21-year-old Columbia University student and permanent U.S. resident. Chung, who immigrated from South Korea at age seven, faces deportation after being arrested during an anti-Israel protest at Barnard College, Columbia’s women's college, earlier this month. link For a more detailed report of this lawsuit and the details of the actions of the Hamas supporting organizations on US Campuses Read this report

Personal Stories

Acronyms and Glossary

COGAT - Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories

ICC - International Criminal Court in the Hague

IJC - International Court of Justice in the Hague

IPS - Israel Prison System

MDA - Magen David Adom - Israel Ambulance Corp

PA - Palestinian Authority - President Mahmud Abbas, aka Abu Mazen

PMO- Prime Minister's Office

UAV - Unmanned Aerial vehicle, Drone. Could be used for surveillance and reconnaissance, or be weaponized with missiles or contain explosives for 'suicide' explosion mission

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