Israel SitRep: February 14, 2025

Today’s Issue: | IDF Chief of Staff Meets With Surveillance Soldiers Released by Hamas; Apologizes For Ignoring Their Warnings | Alma: Iran Assisting With Hezbollah’s Reconstruction Project for Shiites, Which Aims to Convey Message of Victory | IDF Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai Appointed Deputy Chief of Staff | In Lebanon, IDF Finds Launchers Aimed at Israel; In West Bank Operation, More Than 210 Arrested | Latest FDD Analysis

IDF Chief of Staff Meets With Surveillance Soldiers Released by Hamas; Apologizes For Ignoring Their Warnings: On Friday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi met with four of the surveillance soldiers recently released from captivity by Hamas: Karina Ariev, Agam Berger, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag. During the meeting, Halevi apologized to the soldiers, stating, “It was wrong to have not taken you seriously, you were amazing soldiers, I apologize for what you experienced in captivity.” This is a reference to the IDF’s failure to take seriously repeated warnings by the observer soldiers about Hamas’s preparations to attack. The four discussed with Halevi what happened to them on October 7, when they were abducted from the Nahal Oz army post, as well as their experiences as hostages in Gaza. Halevi told them that the IDF would investigate the events of October 7. Daniella Gilboa, another surveillance soldier recently released from Hamas captivity, did not attend. The IDF released a photo of the meeting.

Alma: Iran Assisting With Hezbollah’s Reconstruction Project for Shiites, Which Aims to Convey Message of Victory: On Thursday, the Alma Research and Education Center published a report on Hezbollah’s reconstruction campaign, which the group is carrying out in areas of Lebanon populated by Shiites: the Dahieh suburb of Beirut, the Beqaa Valley, and southern Lebanon. According to Alma, Iran is providing “significant” financial assistance and has sent personnel to Lebanon, whose government is not taking part in the reconstruction. The report states that the campaign is intended to restore Hezbollah’s legitimacy and to demonstrate its presence, strength, and stability. Alma “estimates with high certainty” that the project is also serving “as a cover for the presence and military activity of IRGC – Quds Force members in Lebanon,” who it says are helping Hezbollah with “military construction.” Alma believes that the campaign is “a crucial part” of efforts “to spread [Hezbollah’s] message of victory and to glorify Hezbollah’s achievements.”

IDF Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai Appointed Deputy Chief of Staff: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has nominated Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai to serve as deputy chief of staff. Yadai, who was commander of Ground Forces until December, will serve under Maj. Gen. (Res.) Eyal Zamir, who was recently appointed chief of staff. Yadai, 55, served in the Golani Brigade and in 2005 became the brigade’s commander. Four years later he was appointed commander of the 80th Edom Regional Division, then served as commander of the Judea and Samaria Division from 2013-2015. From 2017 to 2020 he headed the Home Front Command, then served as head of Central Command for a short time before being appointed commander of Ground Forces. Katz issued a statement about the appointment, noting that “Major General Yadai is a veteran and esteemed officer who has successfully held key positions throughout his many years in the IDF,” adding that he is “convinced of Yadai’s ability to make a significant contribution to strengthening the IDF, in building it force and its offensive capabilities in the face of security challenges.” 

In Lebanon, IDF Finds Launchers Aimed at Israel; In West Bank Operation, More Than 210 Arrested: The IDF reported on Thursday on operations in southern Lebanon and the West Bank. Troops from the 769th (Hiram) Regional Brigade, who are operating in southern Lebanon “in accordance with the understandings between Israel and Lebanon,” conducted searches of buildings and thicketed terrain and found weapons depots with explosives, grenades, mortar shells, rockets, missiles, and guns. In other searches, they found multiple-barrel launchers pointed toward Israel as well as hideouts. The weaponry was confiscated, and the brigade’s engineering unit demolished the terrorist infrastructure. The report includes footage of the weapons found. Meanwhile, in the IDF’s counterterrorism operations in northern Samaria in the West Bank, troops have arrested more than 210 wanted persons and eliminated more than 60. They have also dismantled more than 30 terrorist infrastructures and seized 85 weapons. In addition, the Israeli Air Force has conducted 14 airstrikes. On Wednesday, soldiers from the Maglan commando unit killed three terrorists in the Nur Shams refugee camp.

Latest FDD Analysis:

Today at 8:30am ET: “FDD Morning Brief,” Jonathan Schanzer and MG (Ret.) Tal Kelman, FDD Event

Video, audio, and transcript: “Turkey’s Neo-Ottoman Resurgence,” featuring Henri J. Barkey, Sinan Ciddi, Dimitris Kairidis, and Jonathan Schanzer; moderated by Lena Argiri, with opening remarks by Endy Zemenides, FDD Event

“The ‘First Amendment’ Dodge at UC Berkeley,” Jonathan Schanzer, The Wall Street Journal

“Disruptions and Challenges in the Middle East,” Jonathan Schanzer, Civitas Institute

“Marco Rubio must convince Europe that ‘America First 2.0’ has replaced Biden-era US decline,” Peter Doran, New York Post

“Erdoğan’s fourth term, brought to you courtesy of Turkey’s Kurds?” Sinan Ciddi, Global Voices

“Timid UN Response to Death of Aid Worker Held Captive by Houthis,” Bridget Toomey, FDD Policy Brief

“Israel to Reportedly Maintain Key Defensive Positions in South Lebanon Beyond Withdrawal Date,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Egypt to Propose Alternative Plan for Rebuilding Gaza,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“‘I Don’t See an Alternative to What’s Being Proposed’: UAE Envoy Speaks Out on Trump Gaza Proposal,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief