War Day 572: Terrorists Ignite Wildfires, Druze Attacked in Syria

Summary: April 30, 2025

Regional Tensions Escalate Amid Fires, Attacks, and Diplomatic Uncertainty

• Massive Fire Near Jerusalem: Authorities suspect arson by terror elements in connection with a large wildfire that broke out in the Jerusalem area. Emergency services responded swiftly, though damage assessments are still underway.
• Soldiers Injured in Gaza: Several Israeli soldiers were wounded after a roadside bomb detonated during an operation in the Gaza Strip. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are investigating the incident.
• Lebanon Claims Control Over Hezbollah Areas: The Lebanese government announced it now controls 90% of Hezbollah’s infrastructure in southern Lebanon—a claim being met with caution by Israeli officials and regional analysts.
• Druze Under Attack in Syria: Syria’s Druze communities are reportedly under assault from new forces within the region. In response, Israel has stepped in with measures to support and assist the embattled minority.
• Iran Talks Clouded by Uncertainty: Israeli officials express growing concern over the lack of transparency surrounding U.S. negotiations with Iran. Officials say they remain unsure of Washington’s direction or strategy.

These developments come amid heightened tensions across multiple borders, as Israel continues to monitor threats from Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria while navigating complex diplomatic challenges.

59 held captive in Gaza.
35 hostages confirmed murdered held in Gaza.
147 living hostages rescued.
49 hostage bodies rescued.
1,832 Israelis killed.
417 fallen soldiers and police in the battle in Gaza.
87 fallen soldiers in Northern Israel.
18 fallen soldiers and police in Judea & Samaria.
30,720 estimated projectiles fired at Israel.
10,000 Israelis estimated remain displaced from their homes.
1 Jewish nation united in prayer, charity, and good deeds.

Top Headlines:

– Terror arsonists suspected in massive Jerusalem area fire
– Soldiers injured from a roadside bomb in Gaza
– Lebanon claims to have 90% of Hezbollah’s south infrastructure under control
– Druze under attack in Syria
– Israel steps in to help Druze

Hostages:

Negotiations appear to have completely stalled. The IDF is preparing to elevate action in Gaza, still with the focus of pressuring Hamas to release the hostages.

Jerusalem Fires:

Israel may be experiencing its largest fire ever.

A series of massive wildfires engulfed the Jerusalem hills on Wednesday, consuming nearly 11,700 dunams (2,900 acres) of forest and land, prompting large-scale evacuations and road closures. Areas like Canada Park have burned almost entirely.

The fires, fanned by hot, dry winds, began around 9:30 a.m. near Mesilat Zion and spread rapidly in multiple directions.

Authorities say fires were ignited in at least 20 separate locations, raising suspicions of coordinated arson. Police and the Shin Bet are investigating, and 18 suspects have been identified for incitement to arson terrorism. Three arrests of arson-terrorists have already been made, including a 50-year-old man caught red-handed with incendiary materials near southern Jerusalem.

Earlier this week, Hamas posted incitement online, calling on Palestinians to “burn whatever you can” in Israel.

The blaze forced police to evacuate six communities within a 30-kilometer radius of Jerusalem, and major roads — including Highways 1 and 3 — were shut down. Drivers abandoned their vehicles and fled on foot as flames and smoke surrounded them.

At least 18 civilians, including two pregnant women and two infants, were hospitalized with smoke inhalation and burns. Twelve firefighters were also lightly injured.

A total of 163 firefighting crews, 12 firefighting planes, and multiple helicopters and support teams are battling the flames. The IDF has deployed significant resources, including the elite Unit 669 for search and rescue, heavy equipment from the Technological and Logistics Directorate, and three Super Hercules aircraft, which have dropped over 25 loads of fire retardant.

Ukraine, Spain, Romania, Croatia, and Italy announced that they will be sending firefighting planes and teams to assist.

The fires are not yet under control.

Judea & Samaria:

Two IDF reservists were wounded, one of them seriously, during a patrol near Beita, close to Shechem (Nablus), when they were hit in a roadside bomb attack.

The IDF is searching the area to locate the terrorists behind the attack.

Lebanon:

A Lebanese official told AFP that Lebanon dismantled “more than 90%” of Hezbollah’s infrastructure near the border with Israel. Earlier this week, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told Sky News Arabia that the Lebanese Armed Forces now controls over 85% of Southern Syria.

Syria:

The violent attacks against the Druze near Damascus escalated today. The HTS forces, who are loyal to Syria’s new president Al-Jolani, captured the Druze majority town of Sahnaya. The attacks began after someone falsely spread rumors about Druze cursing out the Prophet of Islam.

While the towns under attack are outside of Israel’s security buffer zone in Syria, Israel is still intent on protecting the Syrian Druze. The Prime Minister and Defense Minister instructed the IDF to carry out a warning operation, and hit the HTS forces who were attacking the Druze.

IDF Chief of Staff warned that if Syria did not get the attackers under control, the IDF would strike further regime targets.

Three Syrian Druze were evacuated by the IDF, to receive medical treatment in Israel territory.

The Syrian regime released a statement, claiming that they are protecting the Druze. The statement also condemned “foreign” interference and airstrikes over the Druze crisis, carefully avoiding any mention of Israel.

It’s unclear whether the HTS forces act under al-Julani, knowing that he will turn a blind eye, or if he simply lost all control of them. While al-Julani tries to show the world a reformed government, the fighters who brought him to take over Syria are still terrorists at heart.

In the meantime, Israel is closely monitoring the situation.

Iran:

Israel is still nervous and unsure if the negotiations are headed for disaster or not. Tom Cotton, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “President Trump said the only solution is Iran completely dismantling its program, or we should do it for them. And he’s right.
A nuclear Iran is a direct threat to not just our friends in the Middle East, but to every American.”

Dedicated by an anonymous reader to the neshamos of our fallen heroes and to our hostages who are waiting to come home.

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