Israel SitRep: March 7, 2025

Today’s Issue: | New IDF Chief of Staff Approves Plans to Resume Fighting in Gaza | Surprise Drill by New IDF Chief of Staff: ‘You’re Under Attack by Hamas’ | IDF West Bank Counterterrorism Operations Continue; Troops Dismantle Weapons Depot, IED and Drone Labs, Seize Terror Funds | Report: Israel Completes Plan to Enable Gaza Emigration | Latest FDD Analysis

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New IDF Chief of Staff Approves Plans to Resume Fighting in Gaza: Israeli news outlet Ynet reported on Thursday that the new IDF chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, has approved plans for resuming fighting in Gaza as Hamas exploits the ceasefire to regroup and reinforce its positions. Hamas is believed to have sent thousands of its operatives from the south of the strip to Gaza City in the north, restructured its combat units, and planted dozens of explosive devices. Multiple IDF divisions have been preparing for a renewed operation in Gaza, which would include both ground operations and airstrikes. The IDF has told Israel’s political leadership that the presumed presence of hostages in certain areas will affect any new fighting in Gaza. Zamir acknowledged on Wednesday that Hamas has not been decisively defeated, and according to Ynet, IDF operations in Gaza are expected to continue for years.

Surprise Drill by New IDF Chief of Staff: ‘You’re Under Attack by Hamas’: IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir used his first day on the job to hold a surprise drill near Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza. The drill was a simulation of an October 7-like attack, with Zamir telling the company commander “you’re under attack by Hamas” and questioning soldiers about threats in the area. After the drill, Zamir told a company commander that “an attack like this will happen,” adding: “It’s not a question of ‘if’ but ‘when,’ and you need to be ready.” Zamir told soldiers, IDF brass, and local government officials that “the war could reignite at any moment” and that “Hamas must be decisively defeated.”

IDF West Bank Counterterrorism Operations Continue; Troops Dismantle Weapons Depot, IED and Drone Labs, Seize Terror Funds: The IDF reported on Thursday on counterterrorism operations in the northern West Bank, where the Kfir Brigade dismantled a weapons depot with some 100 pipe bombs, eight explosive devices, an explosive detonation system, and a lab for producing improvised explosive devices. In Tulkarem, troops dismantled an improvised drone production facility and buildings used as terrorist infrastructure. In the past week, IDF troops, along with Border Police and the Shin Bet, were deployed in new parts of Jenin, where they interrogated several terror suspects, arrested 30, eliminated many terrorists, and demolished the homes of three terrorists. IDF soldiers operating throughout the West Bank in the past week have arrested 90 and seized thousands of shekels in terrorist funds as well as 14 firearms.

Report: Israel Completes Plan to Enable Gaza Emigration: Israeli news outlet Israel Hayom reported Thursday that Israel has completed preparations to enable Gazans to emigrate, with a mechanism that would allow 2,500 a day to leave, out of a total population of more than 2 million. Those leaving by sea would pass through the port of Ashdod, while those departing by air would go through Eilat’s Ramon Airport. Some 1,500 Gazans who left the strip for medical treatment in recent months have departed through Ramon. In addition, Gazans could leave through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. The report cites “security sources” as saying that a country that expressed interest in receiving construction workers from Gaza has put its involvement on hold because the issue is so controversial. According to one “security source,” Israel’s “interest is to let as many people as possible leave. That’s the rationale of the Trump plan that Israel has expressed support for. We are trying to implement it.”

Latest FDD Analysis:

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

“Israel Can’t Substitute for the U.S. in the Middle East,” Reuel Marc Gerecht, The Wall Street Journal

“Bridging the Atlantic to Counter Tehran,” Saeed Ghasseminejad and Behnam Ben Taleblu, Visegrad24

“U.S. Relists Yemen’s Iran-Backed Houthis as Foreign Terrorist Organization,” Bridget Toomey and Behnam Ben Taleblu, FDD Policy Brief

“The Shin Bet’s Findings on Qatari Terror Finance Should Spur American Action,” Natalie Ecanow, FDD Policy Brief

“How will the US-backed SDF be affected by PKK leader’s disarmament call?” Seth J. Frantzman, FDD’s Long War Journal

“‘Hello and Goodbye — You Can Choose’: Trump Delivers New Ultimatum to Hamas to Release Israeli Hostages,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“‘Ensure Israel’s Security’: European Nations Reject Hamas Role in Any Plan for Gaza,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“‘Strategic Asset’: Israeli Natural Gas Exports to Arab Neighbors Jumped Over 13 Percent in 2024,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“U.S. Conducts Bomber Task Force Mission as Iran Threat Looms,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief