War: Day 536

25 March/Adar 2025

59 held captive in Gaza.
35 hostages confirmed murdered held in Gaza.
147 living hostages rescued.
49 hostage bodies rescued.
1,828 Israelis killed.
413 fallen soldiers and police in the battle in Gaza.
87 fallen soldiers in Northern Israel.
18 fallen soldiers and police in Judea & Samaria.
30,690 estimated projectiles fired at Israel.
50,000 Israelis are estimated to be displaced from their homes.
1 Jewish nation united in prayer, charity, and good deeds.

Top Headlines:

• IDF still focusing on pressuring Hamas to release hostages
• War is not yet in full force, though several brigades are ready and in position.
• Fatah and clans inspire mass protests against Hamas in Gaza
• Protesters also decry Al Jazeera as a Hamas mouthpiece
• Terrorists planning an attack with a machine gun were eliminated
• IDF eliminates senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon
• IDF destroys remains of T4 base in Syria
• Terrorists in Syria fire at IDF forces, in major escalation
• Terror groups in Syria start demanding action against the IDF
• Houthi missile failed
• U.S. moves capabilities for heavy bombing of Iran and Yemen into position

Hostages:

There is no known progress in the hostage-release negotiations. IDF action in Gaza is still primarily focused on pressuring Hamas into returning the hostages, and gaining more leverage to force them to do so.

Gaza:

IDF action in Gaza has been significant, but still measured—not quite “opening the gates of hell.” The focus is still on returning the hostages, and not yet on destroying Hamas.

Plans for continues operation have been approved, and several brigades are ready in position to advance further into Gaza when the call is given. Meanwhile, troops are slowly expanding the buffer zone, by moving into and clearing out areas alongside it, in north and Southern Gaza.

The IDF estimates that it eliminated over 150 targeted Hamas terrorists in the last week, of which 10 were senior Hamas politicians and commanders. Over 420 targets were hit by the Air Force, Navy, and artillery.

Protests against Hamas broke out across Gaza today, in both the north and south. More protests are being organized for Wednesday, including in Central Gaza, where Hamas has barely been hit and maintains strong control. The protesters are calling on Hamas to end the war, and hand over control of Gaza to a unity government. They are also accusing the media, especially Al Jazeera, of ignoring the dissenting voices in favor of Hamas.

The protests are being organized by the Fatah party, which is the arch-nemesis of Hamas, and by family clans of north and south Gaza. Expect Hamas to try and subdue the protesters by using violence and murdering opponents.

Judea & Samaria:

Overnight, troops operated in Qalqilya and eliminated a wanted terrorist who was planning an imminent terror attack. Two other terrorists were eliminated with him. The terrorist was eliminated after resisting arrest and instead opening fire on the troops as they approached his hideout. The IDF soldiers responded with live fire, shoulder-launched rockets, and an explosive drone.

The terrorist had a homemade machine gun, which he was planning on using in a terror attack.

Thank G-d, no soldiers were harmed in the exchange of fire.

Lebanon:

In an airstrike, the IDF eliminated Hassan Kamal Halawi, the commander of Hezbollah’s anti-tank unit of the ‘Southern Front’ (which is the border with Israel).

Throughout the war, Halawi promoted many terror plots against Israel, and was responsible for transporting Hezbollah terrorists and equipping them with weapons in southern Lebanon. Even after the ceasefire agreement, Halawi continued to promote terror plots against Israel.

Syria:

The IDF struck the remaining military capabilities at the Palmyra military airport and nearby T-4 airbase, in central Syria. Days earlier, the IDF had struck both sites, destroying around 20 Russian-made Sukhoi aircraft at the T4 base. Today, the IDF destroyed the remainder of the base, making it unusable to the new regime.

In a significant escalation, several armed terrorists in Southern Syria fired at IDF troops in the buffer zone this morning. The forces returned fire and then directed an airstrike at the source of the shooting. A hit was confirmed.

Small groups throughout Syria have started protesting against the IDF presence in Southern Syria, demanding action to remove the soldiers.

In recent weeks, IDF soldiers in Southern Syria raided several hidden locations to locate and confiscate numerous weapons. Amongst the weapons found were charges, ammunition, mortar bombs, vests, combat equipment, cartridges, and bullets.

Yemen:

Shortly before 2 a.m. Wednesday, the IDF identified a failed ballistic missile launch from Yemen. The missile fell short on its way towards Israel, and thank G-d, millions of Israelis did not have to wake up from sirens.

Iran:

The US has moved special B-2 bomber planes to its base on Diego Garcia island in the Indian Ocean. “The War Zone” website reported this yesterday after seeing satellite pictures. This base is close enough to reach both Iran and Yemen. These planes can carry powerful “bunker bombs” that can destroy underground buildings, like nuclear facilities.

Other:

• The High Court rejected the ruling of the Attorney General, who said that Netanyahu can’t start interviewing a replacement director if the Shin Bet until court proceedings end. Following the ruling in support, the Prime Minister’s Office announced that he will start interviewing the prospects for the position on Wednesday.
• Once again, as is now almost daily, IDF troops caught a smuggling drone, which was carrying 50 kilos of drugs over the border fence from Egypt into Israel.
• Newly released material allowed Kan News to report: On October 7th, 120 Hamas terrorists planned to attack the city of Be’er Sheva. Their route was blocked, so they instead joined in the massacres along border communities.
• The Institute for Monitoring Peace and Cultural Tolerance in School Education (IMPACT-se) released a report analyzing the new school curriculum in Gaza. This new curriculum was produced by the Palestinian Authority (PA), and was introduced to students for the 2024-2025 school year.
  According to the report, rather than take the opportunity to promote more peaceful ideas amongst the Gazan children, the PA chose to incite further violence. The textbooks depict Jews as deceitful, immoral, and inherently hostile toward Islam. Through various sections in the books, violence against Jews is glorified, the children are taught that Judaism is a fabricated religion made to take Arab land, and have students pledge allegiance to the October 7th attack.

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