Israel SitRep: February 24, 2025

Today’s Issue: | IDF, Israel Police, and Shin Bet Arrest 8 Overnight in West Bank | Reports: Egypt is Building Up Forces in Sinai, Violating Peace Treaty With Israel | Alma Weekly Review of Events in North: IAF Strikes Lebanon-Syria Border Crossings, Flies Over Nasrallah’s Funeral | IDF Troops Operating in Area of Separation With Syria Conduct Dozens of Raids, Destroy Weapons | Latest FDD Analysis

IDF, Israel Police, and Shin Bet Arrest 8 Overnight in West Bank: The IDF announced on Monday that its troops operated overnight, together with the Israel Police and Shin Bet, in the village of Deir Dabwan in the Ramallah area, and arrested two individuals suspected of attacking two Israeli civilians two days ago in the area of Michmash. The two were handed over for interrogation by the Shin Bet and the Judea and Samaria Central Police Unit. In addition, six people were arrested overnight in Qafin in the Tulkarem area and in Danaba, a neighborhood in Tulkarem. Security forces also seized several firearms and other weaponry overnight throughout the West Bank and destroyed several explosive devices.

Report: Egypt is Building Up Forces in Sinai, Violating Peace Treaty With Israel: Israeli news outlet Israel Hayom reported on Sunday that in light of evidence that Egypt is violating its peace treaty with Israel by building up forces in the Sinai Peninsula beyond the permitted limits, Israeli officials have conveyed messages to Egypt about their concerns. The report mentions “increasingly concerning social media posts” that show Egypt’s army “allegedly” preparing to invade Israel through the Sinai. Egypt, for its part, has stated in recent discussions with Israel that “entities with foreign interests” attempting to “destabilize relations” are behind the social media videos. According to Egyptian officials, some of the videos are fakes or edited. Cairo has proposed holding talks to discuss the issue, with U.S. mediation if necessary. Recently, Israel’s ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter, told representatives of American Jewish organizations that “Egypt is in a very serious violation of our peace agreement in the Sinai,” adding that “there are bases being built, and they can only be used for offensive operations and offensive weapons.” According to “security and diplomatic sources,” over the years, Egypt has repeatedly placed forces in the Sinai in violation of the 1979 peace treaty and received approval ex post facto from Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Alma Weekly Review of Events in North: IAF Strikes Lebanon-Syria Border Crossings, Flies Over Nasrallah’s Funeral: On Monday, the Alma Research and Education Center published a review of the past week’s events in the north. The report notes that on February 19, the day after the IDF withdrew from most of southern Lebanon while remaining in five areas, the Israeli Air Force carried out a strike in the Ayta al-Shab area against Hezbollah operative Yousef Muhammed Srour after spotting him with weapons. On February 22, the IAF struck border crossings between Syria and Lebanon used by Hezbollah to bring weapons into Lebanon. Alma’s report states that Iranian weapons deliveries to Lebanon through Syria were interrupted by the fall of the Assad regime, and Alma believes there are weapons still being stored in secret sites near the border, which the Syrian government has not yet found. According to Alma, this is the reason for the airstrikes. Yesterday, during the funeral of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, the IAF carried out airstrikes in Lebanon targeting weapons and rocket launchers in the Baalbek area and parts of southern Lebanon where the IDF detected Hezbollah activity. The IAF also flew low over Beirut yesterday during the funeral, including over the stadium where the funeral was taking place.

IDF Troops Operating in Area of Separation With Syria Conduct Dozens of Raids, Destroy Weapons: The IDF reported today on operations by the 474th Brigade in Syria, where troops are deployed in the area of separation to protect Israel and especially, residents of the Golan Heights. During dozens of targeted raids, the soldiers have seized and destroyed weapons, which according to the IDF, posed a threat to them and to Israel’s security. Last week, troops from the Paratroopers Brigade, under the command of the 474th Brigade, carried out a raid and found ammunition, rifles, and other military equipment left behind by soldiers from the Syrian army under the Assad regime, and seized or destroyed them all. The report includes footage showing the 474th Brigade’s operations as well as comments from a 474th Brigade battalion commander.

Latest FDD Analysis:

Today at 8:30am (ET): “FDD Morning Brief,” featuring Jonathan Schanzer and Idit Ohel, FDD Event

“The dreaded moment is finally here,” Ben Cohen, Jewish News Syndicate

“U.S. Must Pressure Qatar Not to Release Frozen Iranian Oil Revenues,” Natalie Ecanow and Janatan Sayeh, FDD Policy Brief

“‘Peace Through Strength’ Requires Increased Defense Spending,” Cameron McMillan, Ryan Brobst, and Bradley Bowman, FDD Policy Brief

“Gaza ceasefire faces new hurdles as Hamas releases bodies of slain hostages, only 3 of 4 identified,” Seth J. Frantzman, FDD’s Long War Journal

“‘The Top Executioner’: Iran Executed at Least 975 People in 2024,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“‘In Cold Blood’: Hamas Murdered Bibas Children With Bare Hands, Sent Unidentified Body in Place of Shiri Bibas,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Netanyahu Visits West Bank City of Tulkarem Following Attempted Tel Aviv Area Bus Bombings,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Final Living Israeli Hostages in Phase One of Ceasefire Freed, Hamas Returns Remains of Shiri Bibas,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Hamas Attempts to Minimize Decade-Long Captivity of Israeli Arab,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“‘Death to Israel, Death to America’: Hezbollah Flexes at Massive Nasrallah Funeral Buzzed by Israeli Jets,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“‘Demilitarization of Southern Syria’: Israel Expands on post-Assad Plans,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israel SitRep: February 21, 2025,” FDD Experts, FDD Israel at War Situation Report