🎗️Lonny's War Update- October 607, 2023 - June 4, 2025 🎗️
- After the Negotiation Crisis: The Move Designed to Get Talks Back on Track
🎗️Day 607 that 58 of our hostages are still 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.
A deal is the only way to bring
all the hostages home- the murdered for burial and the living for rehabilitation.
#BringThemHomeNow #TurnTheHorrorIntoHope
#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
*8:55pm yesterday - Golan Heights and Galilee regions - 2 rockets from Syria fell in open areas
*9:50pm yesterday -Gush Dan and Central Israel areas - ballistic missile from Yemen - successfully intercepted
*9:50pm yesterday -North - Golan Heights, Galilee and Jezreel Valley areas - rockets from Syrian - it is not known yet who is responsible for the launching of rockets from Syria - the IDF suspects that the missiles were launched by a Hamas faction in Syria
An IDF reservist was killed during fighting in the northern Gaza Strip yesterday, the military announces.
The slain soldier is named as Master Sgt. (res.) Alon Farkas, 27, of the 646th Reserve Paratroopers Brigade’s 6646th Battalion, from Kabri.
Another reservist of the battalion was seriously wounded in the same incident, the military adds.
According to an initial IDF probe, Farkas was killed and the other soldier was wounded by gunfire during operarions in Gaza City’s Shejaiya neighborhood.
A Palestinian gunman opened fire on the forces with an assault rifle, before managing to flee.
Hamas is expected to deliver an updated response in coming days, and the U.S. hopes this will bring them closer to the new Witkow framework. Behind the scenes, efforts continue to formulate agreed wording that would allow announcing progress. The mediator remaining in Doha - and the growing pressure ahead of Eid al-Adha.
In the U.S., there are hopes that in coming days Hamas will deliver an updated response, one that will bring its position closer to the new Witkow framework. Sources familiar with the negotiations say that behind-the-scenes efforts continue to bring about flexibility - so that at least progress in contacts between the sides can be announced.
According to those sources, the goal is to try going over the wording and clauses of the proposal again, so that an updated framework can be conveyed to Witkow in coming days - and he can consult with relevant parties in Israel. Meanwhile, Witkow's negotiator, Bishara Bahbah, continues staying in Qatar.
Last weekend Hamas delivered its response to the American proposal - it did not agree to the framework as written and demanded corrections and clarifications. Substantively among other things, the terror organization demanded a ceasefire lasting between two to seven years, counting only from the conclusion of negotiations on ending the war.
Witkow attacked the terror organization after receiving its message. "The response is completely unacceptable," he tweeted on his X account. "It takes us backwards." According to him, "Hamas must accept the framework proposal we put forward as a basis for proximity talks, which we can begin immediately next week."
The Prime Minister spoke with Witkow following the response. "While Israel agreed to the updated Witkow framework for releasing our hostages, Hamas continues clinging to its refusal," Netanyahu's office stated. "As Steve Witkow said: Hamas's response is unacceptable and takes the situation backwards."
Hamas's Response
According to Hamas's response, the terror organization agrees the ceasefire duration will be 60 days, and demanded that already on the first day the sides enter negotiations dealing with ending the war. Hamas demanded that U.S. President Donald Trump declare he supports the negotiations succeeding - and leading to a permanent ceasefire.
Additionally according to the proposal, IDF military activity will completely cease when the agreement takes effect. The IDF will be obligated to withdraw from new territories it captured in the Gaza Strip. link
- A Palestinian source familiar with the negotiations toward a ceasefire in Gaza told Ynet on Tuesday evening that Hamas is currently revising its response to the proposal put forward by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, aiming to present a more positive reply that could serve as a basis for renewed talks. Witkoff, appointed by former President Donald Trump as his Middle East envoy, has reportedly been pressuring mediators to secure a response from Hamas that aligns more closely with his plan—hoping it could lead to proximity talks in Doha.
The U.S. hopes to announce a breakthrough before the Eid al-Adha holiday later this week. Such an announcement could pave the way for renewed negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
However, senior Hamas official Basem Naim clarified Tuesday evening that the group has conveyed to mediators its readiness for a new round of negotiations—but not based on the Witkoff framework approved by Israel.
“We cannot agree to any deal that does not guarantee an end to the war,” Naim stated, alleging that Witkoff returned to Hamas with “a completely different document than what had previously been agreed upon.” He claimed the proposal included vague language that failed to commit to ending the war in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Egyptian broadcaster Al-Rad reported that Hamas has backed down from many of its previous objections to the Witkoff proposal. According to the unverified report, Hamas has agreed to the deal with several amendments: following an initial 60-day phase, negotiations—under the auspices of the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar—would continue uninterrupted until a comprehensive, permanent ceasefire is reached.
Other proposed amendments include immediate, unrestricted entry of aid to all parts of Gaza through UN agencies and the Red Crescent; sufficient quantities of various forms of humanitarian aid; Israeli forces to withdraw within one week to the positions they held before the resumption of hostilities; and the establishment of an independent committee with full authority to govern the Strip.
Witkoff has reportedly asked Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah to remain in Doha and continue engaging with Hamas in an effort to bring the group closer to his proposal. The U.S. hopes Bahbah’s continued presence signals that negotiations remain open and that the door has not closed. American officials are pushing to announce progress by the end of the holiday, even if only a statement about returning to talks is made.
Qatari and Egyptian mediators are also continuing direct discussions with Hamas. As part of the ongoing diplomatic efforts, Israel’s Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer held a rare conversation with Qatar’s prime minister—an unusual move given Dermer’s known skepticism toward Qatar.
The outreach reportedly came at Witkoff’s urging. Until recently, communication with Qatar was managed solely by Mossad chief David Barnea, who had led Israel’s negotiation team until Dermer assumed a more prominent role.
- Hamas rewriting response to US ceasefire proposal as Washington pushes for breakthrough
Source familiar with details of negotiations told Ynet that Hamas is trying to make its response to the outline 'more positive'; Senior Hamas official: 'We will not agree to anything that does not include a promise to stop the war'
- Top Trump officials meet hostage families at White House
Hostage families meet with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles at the White House on June 3, 2025. (Hostage Family Forum)A delegation of hostage families met at the White House today with US special envoy to the Mideast Steve Witkoff, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles.
The Israeli delegation included former hostage Tal Shoham, relatives of hostage Guy Gilboa Dalal, the parents of hostage Evyatar David and the parents of slain hostage Omer Neutra.
“Wiles, Leavitt, and Witkoff expressed deep solidarity with the families and reaffirmed the Trump administration’s full commitment to securing the release of all 58 hostages. They emphasized that the administration will continue working relentlessly until every hostage is brought home,” a statement from the Hostage Family Forum says.
“The Trump officials also expressed deep shock over the recent terror attack in Colorado, which took place during a march in support of the hostages. They strongly condemned the violence, stressed that there is no place for such acts on American soil, extending their full support to the victims and all those affected,” the statement continues.
“We are fully committed to securing the release of all the hostages and believe their return is essential—not only on humanitarian and moral grounds, but also as a critical step toward regional stability,” says a statement from Leavitt. “The [March] meeting between the president and the captivity survivors had a profound impact on him and reinforced his determination to bring every hostage home.”
The Tuesday meeting came amid an ongoing impasse in the negotiations between Israel and Hamas on a ceasefire and hostage release deal.
Hamas said Monday that it is prepared to immediately enter indirect talks in order to bridge remaining gaps, in an apparent softening of its position after the updated proposal it submitted to the US on Sunday was blasted by Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, who said it took the sides backward.
The main issue of contention remains whether the temporary truce under discussion leaves enough of a window for Israel to resume fighting after it expires or if the proposal’s assurances from the Trump administration are enough to convince Hamas that the ceasefire will hold permanently. LINK Throughout the war, this has been a common site that the US Administration officials (first Biden and now Trump) have met with hostage families, even those who are not American citizens. Unfortunately, this is something that is incredibly rare in Israel. Our 'leaders' and the nothing minister Ron Dermer, who Netanyahu put in charge of the hostage negotiations go out of their way not to meet with hostage families, except from the Tikva forum which supports Netanyahu's continued war of political survival. They have totally separated themselves from the situation and regard the families only as a nuisance. They are the people responsible for the entire situation of their being hostages because they are the government that abandoned them and has continued to abandon them for 607 days.
IDF: Gaza fighting continues, terrorists eliminated, weapons destroyed
The IDF spokesperson reported that IDF forces continue to operate under the guidance of the Intelligence Division and Shin Bet against terrorist organizations throughout the Gaza Strip. In the past 24 hours, forces eliminated several terrorists and destroyed weapons warehouses, combat positions and numerous terrorist infrastructure. According to the statement, "Forces from Brigade 215 struck a Hamas terrorist in a building adjacent to an organization-affiliated weapons storage facility. Secondary explosions were identified at the weapons storage facility following the strike." Additionally, "The combat team of Brigade 646 destroyed a combat compound where terrorist infrastructure, enemy ambush positions and IED sites were identified, while the Air Force struck dozens of terrorist targets throughout the Strip."
- In 1st, IDF publishes map showing where its units are operating in Gaza
A map revealed by the IDF on June 3, 2025, showing its ongoing ground offensive against Hamas, with the Gaza Division operating in the Rafah area; the 36th and 98th divisions pushing into Khan Younis from the south and east; the 252nd operating in Gaza City and the Netzarim Corridor area; and the 162nd fighting Hamas in the Strip's north. (IDF)During a press conference by IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, the military reveals for the first time a map showing its ongoing ground offensive against Hamas.
According to the map, the Gaza Division is operating in the Rafah area; the 36th and 98th divisions are pushing into Khan Younis from the south and east; the 252nd is operating in Gaza City and the Netzarim Corridor area; and the 162nd is fighting Hamas in the Strip’s north.
- IDF says Hamas ‘losing control’ of Gazan population thanks to new aid system
IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, in his press conference, says Hamas is losing control of the Gaza Strip.
“Alongside the continuous military pressure against Hamas, its rule is cracking and is being undermined,” he says, attributing this to the new aid distribution system that ostensibly prevents Hamas from taking control of the humanitarian aid.
“Each day, tens of thousands of food packages are handed out, directly to residents,” Defrin says.
“Hamas is losing control of the population,” he adds.
- IDF: Terrorists used tunnel under Gaza building to kill soldiers; these buildings are military targets
Palestinian terror operatives who planted roadside bombs used in a deadly attack on troops yesterday in northern Gaza’s Jabalia set out from a tunnel hidden inside a partially demolished building, IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin says in a press conference.
Three soldiers were killed in the attack.
“The terrorists set out from a tunnel shaft in a building and planted the explosive devices. This is an active tunnel that is used for terror,” he says.
“The entrance to the tunnel is located inside a destroyed building, close to a route. Therefore, it is important to emphasize, this building is a military target, like tens of thousands of other buildings in Gaza that are used for terror,” Defrin says.
“Nearly every other building is booby-trapped and contains a tunnel entrance. We are demolishing these homes, not for the sake of destruction. Every building that is destroyed poses an operational threat and could harm our forces,” he adds.
- Israel rejects reports of IDF targeting Gazans at aid sites, warns of ‘Hamas misinformation’
Israeli government spokesman David Mencer addresses reports of incidents over the past three days in which Gazan civilians were allegedly shot and killed by IDF troops around an aid distribution site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, during an online press briefing for international reporters held by the National Public Diplomacy Directorate in the Prime Minister’s Office.
Mencer reiterates the IDF’s response to reports that dozens were killed and wounded today after the military fired into crowds near the site, saying that troops “diligently” fired warning shots at suspects who approached them roughly half a kilometer away from an aid distribution site in the Rafah area of southern Gaza.
Health officials in the Hamas-run Strip said that 27 Gazans were killed and dozens wounded in the incident, though the tolls cannot be independently verified. Gaza-based media also reported, without confirmation, that hospitals have received multiple casualties from gunfire near aid zones.
“Let’s be clear: Israel is not preventing Gazans from accessing humanitarian aid, and the IDF did not fire at civilians in or near aid distribution zones,” Mencer emphasizes.
“The IDF is very much aware of reports of casualties and is reviewing the incident,” he says, adding: “The IDF is doing everything in its power to allow Gazans to get to the humanitarian aid. The IDF is not preventing the arrival of Gazans at humanitarian aid sites. Indeed, we are encouraging it.”
Referring to a separate incident on Sunday, in which Hamas authorities claim at least 31 Palestinians were killed and dozens more wounded by IDF fire while on their way to an aid site in Rafah, Mencer says: “The IDF’s initial investigation confirms that serious accusations made on Sunday in so much of the media… were based on Hamas propaganda. The IDF has already proved them — has put out materials proving them to be false and baseless.”
The IDF, in fact, has not issued any materials from the incident in Rafah to prove its claims. It released a video from an unrelated event in Khan Younis later in the day, which it explicitly said was from Khan Younis and not from the aid distribution site in Rafah.
“It is clear that Hamas is trying their hardest to keep its own people, Gazans, away from the GHF distribution sites,” continues Mencer. “We urge the media — do not amplify Hamas disinformation. Verify before reporting.”
“It’s a battle of the narrative, and too many global newsrooms have become foot soldiers for Hamas,” Mencer says.
Key US consulting firm withdraws from new Gaza aid mechanismThe Boston Consulting Group (BCG), a US management consulting firm that helped establish the new American- and Israeli-backed aid distribution mechanism in Gaza, has abandoned the project, calling back its team from Tel Aviv on Friday, a spokesperson for the Gaza Humanitarian Foudation (GHF) says, confirming a report by The Washington Post.
A BCG spokesperson has said the company, responsible for setting the payment and procurement rates for a network of contractors tasked with constructing four aid distribution centers in southern Gaza, ended its contract with the GHF, the leading body running the mechanism, and has placed a senior partner overseeing the project on leave, awaiting an internal review, the report says.
BCG offered its services to the humanitarian effort on a pro bono basis and did not receive any compensation for its work, says the company’s spokesperson in the report. However, another individual familiar with the project disputes this claim, asserting that BCG submitted monthly invoices exceeding $1 million.
According to three sources connected to the GHF and the consulting firm, the new aid system will be harder to operate without the support of the consultants who helped build the project, the Post says.
The BCG withdrawal adds to the challenges faced by the GHF since it began operations, including the departure of top executives, separate allegations that it and the IDF opened fire on civilians collecting aid, and continued rejection by the United Nations and key humanitarian groups.
Following a nearly three-month aid blockade on the territory, Israel announced last week the start of the new system, which is meant to keep aid from reaching Hamas members. It has come under harsh condemnation from the United Nations, rights groups and foreign countries who claim it does not sufficiently address the humanitarian needs in Gaza. The GHF says it has to date distributed 7 million meals at three distribution sites, though the number is based on boxes of dry food products that require cooking equipment or community kitchens, which are limited throughout the war-torn Strip.
Seeking to bolster security after repeated shootings, GHF says sites closed Wednesday
Aid group says it’s working to accommodate larger crowds and has made a series of requests to IDF aimed at boosting safety measures after three straight days of mass-casualty incidents
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation announced that its aid distribution sites would not operate on Wednesday in order to give time for the US- and Israeli-backed organization to carry out logistical work needed to accommodate larger crowds.The extra day will also give the IDF time to prepare safer access routes to distribution sites before operations resume on Thursday, a GHF spokesperson said, after a third consecutive day saw a mass-casualty incident targeting Palestinians seeking to pick up boxes of food.
The IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson also issued a statement warning Palestinians that travel on roads leading to the aid sites would be prohibited in the interim, as they are considered combat zones.
Another GHF spokesperson told The Times of Israel that the organization is actively engaged in talks with the IDF to enhance the army’s security measures beyond the immediate perimeter of GHF sites.
To support civilian safety outside distribution sites, the spokesperson said GHF has asked the IDF to introduce measures that guide foot traffic in a way that minimizes confusion or escalation risks near the IDF-operated perimeter around the sites; develop clearer IDF-issued guidelines to help Palestinians safely reach the distribution sites; and boost IDF training and refine internal procedures to ensure the safety of Palestinians.
On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, the IDF opened fire toward Palestinians who had approached troops after straying off a pre-approved path for reaching a Rafah distribution site.
A boy walks with blankets on his back along a road used by displaced people fleeing from Khan Yunis westwards to al-Mawasi in the southern Gaza Strip on June 3, 2025 after the Israeli military had issued an evacuation order the previous day. (Photo by AFP)Hamas health authorities claimed 31 people were killed and 170 others were wounded in the Sunday incident; three people were killed and 35 were wounded in the Monday incident; and 27 were killed and 90 were wounded in the Tuesday incident.
The figures were not verified, and the IDF asserted on Tuesday that Hamas was inflating them.
A senior IDF official told the Axios news site Tuesday that initial findings from a probe into the shootings near indicated that Palestinians mistakenly approached soldiers after getting lost on their way to the aid center.
The UN and aid organizations warned for weeks that such incidents would result from forcing Gaza’s entire population of two million people to travel long distances and pass through IDF lines in order to reach the GHF’s distribution sites.
Israel and the US have promoted the GHF model, arguing that it can effectively box Hamas out of the aid distribution process after the terror group managed to divert much of the aid that was coming in through the UN and other international organizations — charges that those groups have denied.
People carry boxes of relief supplies from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a private US-backed aid group that has bypassed the longstanding UN-led system in the territory, as displaced Palestinians return from an aid distribution center in the central Gaza Strip on May 29, 2025. (Eyad BABA / AFP)GHF has been operating between one and three sites each day since beginning operations on May 26. Two of the sites are located in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, while a third is located adjacent to the Netzarim corridor in central Gaza.
While much of Gaza’s population of about two million is located in southern Gaza, their tent encampments are not adjacent to GHF distribution sites, and those in northern and central Gaza have reported having to walk dozens of kilometers, sometimes while dodging IDF fire, in order to pick up a box of food.
GHF has said that it is working to open new distribution sites, including in northern Gaza, but it has not given any timetable, as the tens of thousands of Palestinians amassing at distribution sites indicate that the need for food in Gaza remains dire.
Israel blocked any aid from entering the Strip for almost all of March, April and May in an effort to squeeze Hamas in the ongoing hostage negotiations, but IDF officials privately acknowledged that the blockade brought the Strip to the brink of starvation.
Israeli shelling hits an area in the northern of Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel, June 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)For its part, GHF has boasted being able to distribute over 7 million meals from over 100,000 boxes distributed over nine days. The boxes contain mostly dry food products, though, that require cooking equipment and community kitchens, which are very limited in the Strip, as fuel remains very limited.
Separately on Tuesday, UN diplomats told Reuters that 10 Security Council members have asked the 15-member body to hold a Wednesday vote on a draft resolution that demands “an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza respected by all parties.”
A boy carries a box of relief supplies from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a private US-backed aid group that has bypassed the longstanding UN-led system in the territory, as displaced Palestinians return from an aid distribution center in the central Gaza Strip on May 29, 2025. (Eyad BABA / AFP)The draft text, seen by Reuters, also demands the release of all hostages held by Hamas and others, and the immediate lifting of all restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and its safe and unhindered distribution at scale, including by the UN throughout the enclave.
A resolution needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the permanent members – the United States, Russia, China, Britain or France – to pass.
This one is likely to be vetoed by the US, though, which has ardently defended Israel at the UN, while placing sole blame for the conflict on Hamas.
Gaza and the South
- IDF thwarts another attempt to smuggle arms from Egypt via drone
The IDF says it foiled yet another attempt to smuggle weapons into Israel from Egypt using a drone today.
The drone had been identified crossing the border from Egypt into Israel before it was downed by troops deployed to the area.
The drone was found to be ferrying 11 rifles and ammunition. The contraband and drone have been handed over to the police.
In recent months, there have been frequent attempts to bring weapons and drugs over the Egypt border, as well as from Israel into Gaza, using drones.
- IDF says it struck dozens of terror targets across Gaza over past day
Over the past day, the Israeli Air Force struck dozens of targets across the Gaza Strip, including terror operatives, buildings used by terror groups, tunnels, and other infrastructure that posed a threat to troops, the military says.
A strike yesterday carried out by the 215th Artillery Regiment eliminated a Hamas operative who was spotted at a weapons depot, the IDF says, attaching footage of the strike, which shows secondary explosions.
- Armed clan that claims to secure Gaza aid tells Rafah residents to return to area IDF ordered them to leave
The Yasser Abu Shabab clan, an armed gang operating in recent weeks in the area near Gaza’s Kerem Shalom border crossing, releases a video calling on residents to return to eastern Rafah to receive food, medicine and shelter.
The Israel Defense Forces has called on residents of eastern Rafah to evacuate amid the resumption of fighting and return of Israeli troops to the area.
The voice in the video is reportedly that of the clan leader, Yasser Abu Shabab.
Reports from Gaza in recent weeks have increasingly highlighted the activity of the group, made up of members of a single extended family led by Abu Shabab.
Armed group members have been seen wearing uniforms with the Palestinian flag and the “counter-terrorism unit” badges. According to the video, they now refer to themselves as the “Popular Forces.”
Local reports indicate the group operates in the vicinity of the Kerem Shalom crossing, which sees the passage of humanitarian aid and has an Israeli military presence.
Abu Shabab claims his forces have been protecting aid convoys, while Hamas has accused him of looting the aid trucks and maintaining connections with Israel.
Israeli officials have declined to comment on Abu Shabab’s or other militias’ activities in Gaza. link This armed clan is nothing more than a warlord and his extended family as his personal militia. It is this warlord and others that Netanyahu tried to have as 'regional' governing bodies in Gaza in place of Hamas. The problems of this are immense. Firstly, these warlords have no allegiance to anyone but themselves. When it suited them, they were in partnership with Hamas, such as with smuggling tunnels between Gaza and Egypt or being paid by Hamas to dig tunnels, as well as partnerships in the black market. They bear no allegiance to the local population other than when it suits them and gives them an advantage. Partnering with war lords has never worked. It may be of some benefit to the distribution of aid and keeping Hamas away, but it is only a matter of time before this same war lord and his clan act the same way and steal the aid only to sell it on the black market. The best example of partnering with warlords and then having them pay back with a bullet in the back is Afghanistan where they took millions of dollars in cash and weapons only to end up fighting the Americans with their own weapons. It never ends well but Netanyahu refused to have anyone even peripherally connected to the Palestinian Authority put in a position of power.
- At least 10 killed in Israeli strike on Khan Younis school-turned-shelter, Hamas authorities say; no comment yet from IDF
An Israeli airstrike on a Khan Younis school housing displaced Palestinian families killed at least 10 people, including children, Hamas-run health authorities say.
There is no immediate comment from the Israel Defense Forces on the strike.
Residents said the IDF escalated airstrikes and tank shelling on parts of Khan Younis, a day after it dropped leaflets warning residents to leave their homes and head west, saying forces would fight Hamas and other terror groups in those areas.
- Hamas uses drone to drop explosive on troops in north Gaza’s Jabalia, wounding 3
Hamas used a drone to drop an explosive or a grenade on forces operating in the Jabalia area of the northern Gaza Strip yesterday, according to the military.
The explosion wounded two soldiers of the elite Yahalom combat engineering unit moderately and lightly injured a Shin Bet officer.
In a separate incident yesterday in operations in in Gaza City’s Shejaiya neighborhood, IDF reservist Master Sgt. (res.) Alon Farkas, 27, was killed by gunfire. A second reservist was seriously wounded.
- IDF says it carried out strikes in Syria in response to rockets at Golan Heights
The IDF carried out a series of airstrikes throughout southern Syria that it says targeted weapons belonging to the regime after a pair of projectiles were fired into the Israeli side of the Golan Heights on Tuesday night.
“The Syrian regime is responsible for what is happening in Syria and will continue to bear the consequences as long as hostile activity continues from its territory,” the IDF said in a statement. link
Syria says it doesn’t pose threat to any party in region, working to curb non-state actors
The Syrian foreign ministry asserts that it “has not and will not pose a threat to any party in the region” and is working to rein in armed, non-state actors in southern Syria.
The statement comes after Israel said a pair of rockets were fired at its side of the Golan Heights from southern Syria and blamed the Syrian government for the attack.
The Syrian government claimed it had yet to confirm the rocket launches that targeted Israel, but it did condemn the Israeli counter-attack, saying it resulted in “heavy human and material losses” and violated Syria’s sovereignty “at a time when we are most in need of calm and peaceful solutions.”
“We call on the international community to assume its responsibilities in stopping these attacks, and to support efforts aimed at restoring security and stability to Syria and the region,” the Syrian foreign ministry statement says. link Our less than brilliant and very experienced Netanyahu ass kisser of a Defense Minister, immediately stated that we hold the new Syrian government responsible for the rockets and would attack accordingly, which we did upon his orders. It later came out that the IDF suspects that it was a Hamas faction in Syria that carried out the rocket attack. It is known and well documented that the new Syrian regime is actively routing terror groups and individuals who are acting and promoting war and terror activities from Syrian territory. The government has repeatedly stated that they will not permit others to commit acts against Syrian neighbors from Syrian territory. Unfortunately, our 'leaders' only know what knee jerk reactions are and don't have the sense to deal with the changes around us in diplomatic fashion.
- Katz names czar to handle extremist settlers, after nixing administrative detention for them
Defense Minister Israel Katz says he has appointed a former senior IDF officer as a czar to handle extremist settlers in the West Bank.
The move comes after Katz, upon entering the role in November, ordered an end to administrative detention orders for West Bank settlers. The controversial policy of holding suspects without charge is currently only used against Palestinian terror suspects.
Col. (res.) Avichai Tanami is appointed by Katz to be “the czar for handling hilltop youth,” referring to extremist settler activists involved in building illegal outposts in the West Bank and frequently alleged to be involved in violence against Palestinians.
Katz says the decision to appoint Tanami was made following discussions held with the National Security Council, the attorney general, the Shin Bet and other government offices.
“As I vowed, we are implementing alternative and normative tools to address the phenomenon, instead of using the draconian measure of administrative detention orders, which I canceled [for settlers] and completely oppose,” Katz says.
Tanami served in the IDF’s elite Sayeret Matkal unit, and in recent years has been an educator. link. This is just BS for public relations as though they will do something about these Jewish terrorists. The police don't do anything because their minister is a convicted criminal for supporting and belonging to a racist organization and spent his legal career defending these same terrorists. No where in this declaration of having a czar to 'handle' extremist settlers is there anything about arrests, charges and trials for these criminals. Katz is going to tell us that his czar will talk to and calm down the terrorists, but that means nothing. Without legal action to prevent these terrorists and arrests with criminal charges and court cases, nothing will change except saying that they have a czar to handle them.
- Family claims Palestinian man shot dead by troops last week was killed in his bed; IDF: ‘Incident under investigation’
The family of a Palestinian man shot dead by troops last week say that he was killed in his bed as he slept.
Jassem al-Sadeh, 19, from the village of Jit near Qalqilya in the West Bank, was fatally shot in his home by soldiers in the early hours of May 28.
Footage taken by the family in the aftermath of the incident shows blood on and under the bed, as well as four bullet casings found at the scene.
His brother, Darwish al-Sadeh, who was home at the time, tells The Times of Israel: “Five soldiers came to our house at 1:35 a.m. on the night between May 27 and 28. It was just Jassem, our father, and me at home. They entered, didn’t speak to anyone, and went straight into the room where Jassem was sleeping. I heard heavy gunfire. It happened in minutes.
“I heard the soldiers arguing with each other in the next room after the shooting. One of them said in Hebrew, ‘What are you doing, are you crazy?’ I didn’t hear Jassem’s voice before the shooting – not a word. He was still asleep.”
Darwish adds that after the shooting, the soldiers told the family to call an ambulance but did not allow them to enter the room where Jassem had been shot.
They did not ask for names or identification papers, he says, only telling them, “Sit down, the ambulance will arrive in ten minutes.”
After some time, the soldiers took Jassem outside to a military jeep and then handed him over to the Red Crescent.
Jassem was pronounced dead at a Palestinian hospital. According to what the family has been told, the hospital’s medical report stated he had been shot twice in the chest. Video of the body also shows bleeding from the chest.
The IDF reiterates that “the incident is under investigation.”
Last week, the IDF said that as the troops were operating in Jit, “a terrorist tried to attack the force with a sharp object and posed a threat.”
In response, the soldiers opened fire, “neutralizing the terrorist,” the army said. link Typically, Israelis and Israel supporters will automatically say that the Palestinian must have done something wrong or had a weapon; otherwise the soldiers wouldn't have shot them. People close to me were just like that until they became exposed to so many things that soldiers do against innocent Palestinians, that they don't automatically believe the statements that come out of the army. I know of too many cases of people I know personally (Palestinians) who have their homes raided in the middle of the night by the army. The army does this as a matter of procedure for multiple reasons: there is little to no resistance from the area they are in when raiding a house in the middle of the night; they assume that most, if not all of the family will be at home at these times; they create shock and fear in the middle of the night and therefore get less resistance from the family itself. Unfortunately, in some of these raids, there are soldiers who think they are there to terrorize the Palestinians and exact revenge, unless the officer in charge restrains them or gave them specific instructions ahead of time of how to conduct themselves; they search the homes and do a great deal of destruction, they are verbally and physically abusive to various members of the family (men and women alike); and in the worst situations, there are trigger happy soldiers who actually pull the trigger at a time that it wasn't necessary or warranted at all. The reported behavior of the soldiers and the officers are very telling, especially their behavior after an incident. I am very suspicious about what happened. I will wait for the IDF's response but, all too often, they back up the offending soldier and offer barely credible reasons for the soldier to have shot and killed the person.
- European nations, Canada call on Israel to crack down on settler violence, allow Palestinians who fled Maghar al-Deir homes to return
A group of European countries, Canada, and the European Union issue a joint call for Israel to crack down on settler violence against Palestinians and to allow the return of Palestinians who fled their homes after repeated harassment by Israeli extremists.
Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands, and the EU stress their “strong solidarity” with Maghar al-Deir, whose residents abandoned the hamlet last month after settlers established an outpost nearby and began assaulting them.
The countries “urge the Israeli authorities to dismantle the outpost immediately and to take urgent and effective measures to enable the safe return of displaced residents. It is imperative that the community is protected from further violence and intimidation.”
According to the statement, the Maghar al-Deir incident is part of a “broader pattern of displacement in Area C of the West Bank.”
Area C is where Israel maintains both military and administrative control, and where the Israeli settlements are located.
The joint statement decries “a coercive environment marked by repeated settler violence, movement restrictions, land confiscation, demolitions and inadequate access to essential services.”
“We call on Israel to respect its obligations under international law, including the prohibition of forcible transfer,” the countries say. “We also reaffirm our clear and consistent opposition to settlements, which are illegal under international law. We emphasise Israel’s responsibility to protect all Palestinian communities in Area C.”
Last week, the High Court of Justice urged the Israel Defense Forces and the Israel Police to ensure that the residents of the nearby Palestinian Bedouin hamlet Wadi as-Seeq, who fled in the face of persistent settler violence in October 2023, could return home.
- Politics and the War and General News
- Dozens of anti-war protesters begin 3-day march from Tel Aviv to Gaza border
A few dozen anti-war protesters set out on a three-day march from Tel Aviv to the Gaza border, demanding a hostage deal and an end to fighting in the Strip.
The procession is the latest in a long string of days-long protest marches staged by Israeli activists in recent years.
Hostage families and anti-government protesters have on a number of occasions made the trek from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, usually culminating in a mass demonstration near the Knesset and other government buildings.
Despite scant numbers, organizers say they anticipate the march will swell to tens of thousands of participants in the coming days, particularly as protesters near the border. Several relatives of hostages are expected to join in the procession.
On Friday, anti-war protesters will stage a “White March” near the Gaza border led by a large coalition of left-wing organizations, says a spokesman for organizing group Standing Together.
- Israel confirms 2,790 Palestinian detainees from Gaza held in Israeli jails and detention facilities
Israel confirms that 2,790 Palestinian detainees from the Gaza Strip are currently held in Israeli jails and detention facilities.
Handcuffed Hamas terrorists sit next to a picture of Palestinians walking past destroyed buildings in the Gaza Strip and an Israeli flag, in a prison in central Israel, May 6, 2025 (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)The information is revealed in the state’s response to a petition by the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel and other organizations against the Law for Unlawful Combatants.
The law enables the holding of suspected terrorists and combatants from terror groups fighting Israel without providing them with a “prisoner of war” status under international humanitarian law, since they are not members of the legal armed forces of a sovereign state.
According to the state’s response to PCATI, 660 of the Gazan detainees are being held in military detention facilities.
The state’s response also confirms that a military detention facility at the Anatot base has been closed, following reports of harsh conditions there, and a facility at the Amiad base used to hold Hezbollah operatives captured in Lebanon was also shuttered.
Since December, Israel has freed 1,244 Gazan detainees — mostly in the hostage-ceasefire deal with Hamas — and has detained 455 more, according to the state response.
PCATI notes that there is a “discrepancy” of 144 detainees since the state’s last update. “The fate of these detainees is unknown, and has not been explained by the state authorities,” the organization says. link The purpose of the incarceration of these Gazan Palestinians is for punishment mostly and also to be used in bargaining for prisoner releases as part of any hostage deal. The picture above is a foolish act by our prison system and by our extremist government. Having the Palestinians prisoners look at a picture of a totally destroyed Gaza, on the emotional level is us wanting to shove the devastation into their faces and show them that they are responsible for what happened. On the intellectual side, I think it is just about as foolish as the destruction of the homes of convicted terrorists. That is supposedly done to deter others from similar terrorist acts and therefore have their families suffer the same punishments. Through many studies, it has been found to have quite the opposite effect. It certainly doesn't deter. It is collective punishment, whereby we had one terrorist act against us, we now have an entire family that wants retribution for the punishment meted out against them by the occupation. Here, too, the picture may also be thought to serve the purpose of deterrence besides shoving it in front of their faces, but my belief is that it is more like putting salt in the wounds and making them hate us even more and wanting to punish us as much as they can in the future. It is emotionally self serving to us especially after October 7, but it is the smartest thing to do?
- IDF weighs revamp of reservist model as burden grows amid war
Military debates reservist service overhaul as burden continues to grow: Shift to shorter, concentrated deployments proposed to ease manpower strain, risking reservists’ dual-income reliance
An internal dispute in the IDF over how to manage the growing burden on reservists in the coming years is nearing a decision by the military’s Human Resources Directorate. The expected outcome: Reservists will continue to serve at least two months per year under the most conservative scenario, unless the army increases its number of conscripts.
The discussion comes amid ongoing efforts by ultra-Orthodox parties to block legislation aimed at drafting tens of thousands of yeshiva students into the military—efforts that have included threats to bring down the government.
Since late last year, the IDF has implemented a new reservist model requiring combat soldiers to serve 72 days annually—about two and a half months—with breaks built into that period, barring any major military operation.
However, the current war has already exceeded this quota. In recent months, limited ground operations in Gaza—led primarily by active-duty units—have also involved reservist brigades that were not scheduled to serve during this period.
The slow deployment of active-duty divisions to Gaza under the IDF Southern Command has left gaps along other borders, particularly in the north and the West Bank, prompting the sudden call-up of tens of thousands of reservists to replace active-duty troops.
Even before the current escalation in Gaza, company and battalion commanders had raised concerns that during the two-and-a-half-month service period, soldiers were often “neither here nor there.”
Because of exhaustion and burnout, many commanders have been sending their troops home for extended breaks—sometimes up to a week or more at a time—allowing them to rest, reconnect with family and continue working or studying. In many cases, these reservists remain on full pay from the IDF, even when not actively deployed.
“The intention was good, but the outcome is problematic,” a reservist officer told Ynet. “They’re not really on reserve duty but they’re not at home either. They can be called back at any moment. It creates a serious headache for commanders managing manpower and operational deployments.”
To address this, the Human Resources Directorate is considering a shift to shorter, more concentrated deployments—three to four weeks every three to four months. These stints would include minimal breaks, primarily over weekends, allowing reservists to remain fully focused on their missions without the continuous back-and-forth between home and base.
Under this model, the total annual reserve service would remain roughly the same—around 10 to 12 weeks—but spread across multiple shorter deployments rather than one long stretch, assuming no escalation in Gaza or on the northern front.
Reservists serve four times longer than before October 7
The current service burden represents a significant shift from the pre-October 7 era, when most reservists served far less. Before the war, only battalion commanders typically served two months per year. A regular reservist in a high-priority unit, such as one under the Northern Command, might have trained for one to two weeks in one year and carried out three weeks of operational duty the next.
Now, company and battalion commanders are often serving three to four times as much, spending most of their time in uniform since the war began. These are civilians with careers and families, not permanent military personnel.
While the proposed changes would simplify manpower planning for commanders, they could financially impact reservists. Under the current model, some reservists use their time at home during service periods to continue working or managing businesses—effectively earning double income from both their civilian jobs and IDF reserve pay.
The new model would minimize such breaks, with only a one-week recovery period after each rotation. Extended time at home during reserve duty would no longer be standard. Field reports indicate the pressure on reservists is intensifying, with heavy personal and professional consequences.
A battalion commander from a Northern Command division—whose units also operate in Gaza—said, “Company and battalion commanders are spending a third of their time dealing with soldiers’ personal struggles, trying to ease their burdens so we don’t lose them entirely.”
He described cases where soldiers are barred by their spouses from crossing into combat zones, threatening divorce if they do. These soldiers are reassigned to rear roles inside Israel. Others can only serve a few days out of a 10-week deployment. “That’s fine,” he said. “Every little bit helps. Anyone who can assist reduces the strain on others.”
Commanders are also lobbying employers not to fire reservists, many of whom hold senior positions in government agencies, public institutions and private companies. “The state is giving reservists billions in benefits, which is great,” the commander said. “But what about the employers who are losing key staff for weeks on end?
“They get almost nothing in compensation. Public hospitals have fired employees just for being called up too often. Career growth is stalled for reservists, while their colleagues who don’t serve get promoted.”
He noted that while some large companies, including in high-tech, support reservist employees, they warn of limits to how much absenteeism they can tolerate. “Small and mid-sized businesses just can’t afford to keep losing people for months at a time.”
Grassroots support and long-term solutions
Some reserve brigades are launching internal initiatives to support soldiers’ families. The Carmeli Brigade, for instance, developed a volunteer-based system to help reservists manage everyday needs—from car inspections to home repairs—during deployments.
The Ground Forces Command awarded the brigade special recognition for the program, which was built by Golani Brigade veterans.
“We must find ways to reduce the load on reservists over time,” A senior officer from the Human Resources Directorate told Ynet. “Even 10 weeks a year is a lot and this year it’ll likely be more due to the Gaza ground operation.”
His proposed solution: extend mandatory service for conscripts back to 36 months and expand the conscription pool to include more segments of society. “We’re short more than 10,000 soldiers due to casualties and thousands more are being discharged with PTSD.”
“The issue is under review,” the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said in response. “Final decisions will be made in accordance with operational developments.” link
- IDF weighs revamp of reservist model as burden grows amid war
Military debates reservist service overhaul as burden continues to grow: Shift to shorter, concentrated deployments proposed to ease manpower strain, risking reservists’ dual-income reliance
An internal dispute in the IDF over how to manage the growing burden on reservists in the coming years is nearing a decision by the military’s Human Resources Directorate. The expected outcome: Reservists will continue to serve at least two months per year under the most conservative scenario, unless the army increases its number of conscripts. The discussion comes amid ongoing efforts by ultra-Orthodox parties to block legislation aimed at drafting tens of thousands of yeshiva students into the military—efforts that have included threats to bring down the government. Since late last year, the IDF has implemented a new reservist model requiring combat soldiers to serve 72 days annually—about two and a half months—with breaks built into that period, barring any major military operation. However, the current war has already exceeded this quota. In recent months, limited ground operations in Gaza—led primarily by active-duty units—have also involved reservist brigades that were not scheduled to serve during this period.The slow deployment of active-duty divisions to Gaza under the IDF Southern Command has left gaps along other borders, particularly in the north and the West Bank, prompting the sudden call-up of tens of thousands of reservists to replace active-duty troops.Even before the current escalation in Gaza, company and battalion commanders had raised concerns that during the two-and-a-half-month service period, soldiers were often “neither here nor there.”Because of exhaustion and burnout, many commanders have been sending their troops home for extended breaks—sometimes up to a week or more at a time—allowing them to rest, reconnect with family and continue working or studying. In many cases, these reservists remain on full pay from the IDF, even when not actively deployed.“The intention was good, but the outcome is problematic,” a reservist officer told Ynet. “They’re not really on reserve duty but they’re not at home either. They can be called back at any moment. It creates a serious headache for commanders managing manpower and operational deployments.” To address this, the Human Resources Directorate is considering a shift to shorter, more concentrated deployments—three to four weeks every three to four months. These stints would include minimal breaks, primarily over weekends, allowing reservists to remain fully focused on their missions without the continuous back-and-forth between home and baseUnder this model, the total annual reserve service would remain roughly the same—around 10 to 12 weeks—but spread across multiple shorter deployments rather than one long stretch, assuming no escalation in Gaza or on the northern front.Reservists serve four times longer than before October 7The current service burden represents a significant shift from the pre-October 7 era, when most reservists served far less. Before the war, only battalion commanders typically served two months per year. A regular reservist in a high-priority unit, such as one under the Northern Command, might have trained for one to two weeks in one year and carried out three weeks of operational duty the next.Now, company and battalion commanders are often serving three to four times as much, spending most of their time in uniform since the war began. These are civilians with careers and families, not permanent military personnel.While the proposed changes would simplify manpower planning for commanders, they could financially impact reservists. Under the current model, some reservists use their time at home during service periods to continue working or managing businesses—effectively earning double income from both their civilian jobs and IDF reserve pay.The new model would minimize such breaks, with only a one-week recovery period after each rotation. Extended time at home during reserve duty would no longer be standard. Field reports indicate the pressure on reservists is intensifying, with heavy personal and professional consequences. A battalion commander from a Northern Command division—whose units also operate in Gaza—said, “Company and battalion commanders are spending a third of their time dealing with soldiers’ personal struggles, trying to ease their burdens so we don’t lose them entirely.”He described cases where soldiers are barred by their spouses from crossing into combat zones, threatening divorce if they do. These soldiers are reassigned to rear roles inside Israel. Others can only serve a few days out of a 10-week deployment. “That’s fine,” he said. “Every little bit helps. Anyone who can assist reduces the strain on others.”Commanders are also lobbying employers not to fire reservists, many of whom hold senior positions in government agencies, public institutions and private companies. “The state is giving reservists billions in benefits, which is great,” the commander said. “But what about the employers who are losing key staff for weeks on end?“They get almost nothing in compensation. Public hospitals have fired employees just for being called up too often. Career growth is stalled for reservists, while their colleagues who don’t serve get promoted.”He noted that while some large companies, including in high-tech, support reservist employees, they warn of limits to how much absenteeism they can tolerate. “Small and mid-sized businesses just can’t afford to keep losing people for months at a time.”Grassroots support and long-term solutionsSome reserve brigades are launching internal initiatives to support soldiers’ families. The Carmeli Brigade, for instance, developed a volunteer-based system to help reservists manage everyday needs—from car inspections to home repairs—during deployments.The Ground Forces Command awarded the brigade special recognition for the program, which was built by Golani Brigade veterans.“We must find ways to reduce the load on reservists over time,” A senior officer from the Human Resources Directorate told Ynet. “Even 10 weeks a year is a lot and this year it’ll likely be more due to the Gaza ground operation.”His proposed solution: extend mandatory service for conscripts back to 36 months and expand the conscription pool to include more segments of society. “We’re short more than 10,000 soldiers due to casualties and thousands more are being discharged with PTSD.”“The issue is under review,” the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said in response. “Final decisions will be made in accordance with operational developments.”
- The Region and the World
Spain scraps $310 million Israeli arms deal amid Gaza war fallout
Madrid moves to cancel major contract for Rafael’s Spike LR2 anti-tank missiles, eyes US-made Javelins as part of broader push to end Israeli tech reliance
Spain’s Defense Ministry has suspended the production license for the Spike LR2 anti-tank missile system made by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, effectively canceling a €285 million ($310 million) contract for the Spanish Army and Marine Corps, Spanish media reported Tuesday.According to the newspaper El País, the move is part of a broader government effort to reduce Spain’s reliance on Israeli defense technology in light of Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza. Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles has also annulled an October 2023 contract with Pap Tecnos, Rafael’s Spanish subsidiary.The canceled agreement included the supply of 168 missile launchers, 1,680 Spike LR2 missiles and comprehensive logistical support. The Spanish government is now reportedly evaluating a switch to the U.S.-made Javelin missile system, produced by Lockheed Martin.While Spain’s Defense Ministry had previously defended the deal with Rafael—citing the obsolescence of current systems and Rafael’s unique compliance with required standards—it now appears to be reversing course. The Spike missile, praised internationally, has reportedly been used by Israeli forces in Gaza, drawing increased scrutiny in Madrid.This is not the first time Spain has canceled an arms deal with Israel. In April, the Spanish government scrapped a $15 million ammunition purchase. Last week, Secretary of State for Defense Amparo Valcarce declared that Spain is working on “disengagement plans” to ensure it is no longer dependent on Israeli military technology in the future.Valcarce said that while there are no current weapons deals between Spain and Israel, several ongoing projects still rely on Israeli technology. The government is now crafting strategies to phase out those dependencies. Link- The Diplomatic Crisis in Latin America: 7 Countries Have Taken Diplomatic Steps - And the Remaining Allies
The president of Chile has taken a series of steps against Israel in recent days - and he is far from alone. Three Latin American countries have severed relations with Israel since the beginning of the war, and additional countries have taken diplomatic measures. On the other hand, several countries, led by Argentina, have maintained good relations with Jerusalem.
Most attention in the severe diplomatic crisis facing Israel has been directed at European countries signaling they are increasing pressure on Jerusalem to end the war in Gaza, but another arena where Israel's situation has sharply deteriorated is in Latin American countries. Since the beginning of the war, 7 countries in the region have taken diplomatic steps against Israel, and 3 have severed diplomatic relations.
At the beginning of the week, Chilean President Gabriel Boric attacked the Israeli government and announced an arms embargo and a ban on trade with businesses beyond the Green Line. This step comes after a series of actions taken by the president against Israel, and in Jerusalem there are even concerns he may move to cut diplomatic ties. Boric is not alone - in the 20 months of war, many countries in the region have taken steps against Israel.
Chile:
Chilean President Gabriel Boric attacked the Israeli government in recent days and announced an arms embargo and trade ban with businesses beyond the Green Line, claiming Israel is carrying out ethnic cleansing.
Since the beginning of the war, Israel-Chile relations have deteriorated, and the South American country recalled its ambassador for consultations, recalled its military attachés, joined the lawsuit at The Hague court against Israel.
In Israel, there are concerns the Chilean president will escalate measures and sever diplomatic ties with Israel.
Brazil:
At the beginning of 2024, a severe crisis developed between Israel and Brazil after President Lula compared Israel's actions in Gaza to those of Hitler. "What is happening in the Gaza Strip is not war, but genocide," the president added.
In response, then-Foreign Minister Israel Katz reprimanded the Brazilian ambassador to Israel and informed him that Brazil's president was "persona non grata" in Israel until he retracted his statements and apologized.
After the conversation, Lula decided to recall the ambassador to Brazil for consultations, after which he did not return to Israel.
Bolivia:
Bolivia announced the severing of diplomatic relations with Israel shortly after the war broke out.
The country joined the lawsuit against Israel at The Hague filed by South Africa that accuses Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.
Relations with the country were severed in 2009 and renewed in 2020, and today the country is ruled by a pro-Palestinian government.
Colombia:
In May 2024, Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced the severing of diplomatic relations with Israel and sharply attacked it: "We do not support genocide."
A few months later, Colombia banned coal exports to Israel in protest of the war in Gaza. Colombia is a major coal supplier to Israel.
At the beginning of the war, Colombia recalled its ambassador for consultations - a harbinger of further steps.
Mexico:
Mexico joined the lawsuit against Israel at The Hague. The lawsuit, filed by South Africa, accuses Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.
The country called for an "immediate ceasefire" shortly after the war broke out.
Nicaragua:
The Nicaraguan government announced the severing of diplomatic relations with Israel in October 2024 due to "Israeli attacks on Palestinian territories."
In the announcement severing relations, it was stated that the Israeli government is "fascist" and committing "genocide."
Honduras:
The country's foreign ministry announced it is recalling its ambassador in Israel for consultations due to "Israel's violations of international humanitarian law in the Gaza Strip."
Points of Light: The Remaining Allies Standing With Israel
Alongside the countries that have distanced themselves from Israel and even taken active measures against it, it should be noted that several Latin American countries have remained close allies of Israel even during the war. Foremost among them is Argentina under President Javier Milei who holds distinctly pro-Israel positions. Milei is expected to arrive in Israel in the coming days and announce a new airline route between the countries, alongside additional commitments.
Alongside Argentina, Paraguay, Panama, Ecuador and Guatemala have also maintained their good relations with Israel throughout the war. Some, like Guatemala and Paraguay, have even launched new collaborations with Israel in recent months. Link
- Personal Stories
'There’s no danger,' IDF medic told family days before Gaza blast killed him
Staff Sgt. Ofek Barhana, killed in Jabaliya, was a standout basketball player who longed for meaningful army service; “He wasn’t afraid of fighting in Gaza, he always tried to reassure us,' his sister says; 'His strength came from his inner calm'
Acronyms and Glossary
ICC - International Criminal Court in the Hague
IJC - International Court of Justice in the Hague
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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