162nd Division

September 24, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

More than 600,000 Gazans have evacuated Gaza City amid growing IDF offensive

More than 640,000 people have evacuated Gaza City, the Israeli military estimated on September 23. The mass evacuation of the city’s population comes as Israel’s offensive continues to grow...

August 28, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Israel builds new aid centers in Gaza while troops target Hamas

On August 28, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that two new humanitarian aid centers are being constructed in Gaza. The method of building these large open-air sites is similar to that used...

August 20, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Israeli military begins new offensive targeting Gaza City

On August 19, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) began the opening maneuvers of a new offensive aimed at uprooting Hamas from Gaza City. The first moves, with tanks and infantry, began after the...

June 25, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Israel Defense Forces dismantle terror infrastructure in Gaza, 7 Israeli soldiers killed

Seven Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers were killed in southern Gaza on June 24. The soldiers from the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion of the 188th Armored Brigade died after an explosion...

June 5, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Israel recovers bodies of two hostages, new militia force grows in southern Gaza

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the retrieval of the bodies of two hostages on June 5. “The retrieval and return of the bodies of two hostages cruelly held by Hamas—Israeli-American citizens,...

May 28, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

New humanitarian aid initiative begins in southern Gaza as combat continues

A US-backed humanitarian initiative began to deliver aid in Gaza on May 27. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation started work at two locations in the territory and seeks to provide assistance to feed hundreds...

May 19, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

IDF begins new operation in Gaza amid humanitarian aid shifts

On May 18, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir announced that Israel had launched a ground offensive as part of the Gideon’s Chariots operation approved by...

May 7, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Israel prepares plan for expanded Gaza offensive

On May 4, Israel’s Security Cabinet approved plans for a new offensive in Gaza. The multi-stage plan envisions the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) capturing and seizing territory in Gaza and staying for the long term. The approach contrasts with 2024 operations in which the Israeli military entered areas such as Khan Younis or Jabaliya and then left after weeks or months of fighting.

February 21, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Gaza ceasefire faces new hurdles as Hamas releases bodies of slain hostages, only 3 of 4 identified

On February 20, Hamas released four caskets ostensibly carrying the bodies of four deceased hostages to the Red Cross in Gaza, including Shiri Bibas and her children, Ariel and Kfir.

February 19, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Trump has handed Bibi free rein on Gaza – he now needs to figure out a strategy

Removing Hamas requires a vision to prevent the territory becoming a source of more extremism and terror

February 10, 2025 | |

Israel SitRep: February 10, 2025

Today’s Issue: | IDF Arabic-Language Spokesman Issues Instructions and Warnings for Gazans Following Army’s Withdrawal From Netzarim Corridor | Following Withdrawal From Netzarim Corridor, IDF Deploying...

January 22, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

First hostages released, some IDF troops withdraw from Gaza as Israel-Hamas ceasefire begins

The Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal, which was hammered out in Qatar in the first two weeks of January, began on the morning of January 19. The Israeli government scrambled to approve the framework for the...

January 13, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

IDF faces growing threat from IEDs in northern Gaza

Seven Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers have been killed in two recent incidents in northern Gaza, illustrating the continued challenges Israeli troops face from terrorist cells and improvised explosive...

January 2, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Israel takes stock of military casualties over a year of war

A total of 363 Israeli soldiers were killed in 2024, according to Israel Defense Forces (IDF) data published at the end of the year. Overall, 891 IDF personnel have fallen, most of them in combat, since...

December 30, 2024 | |

‘Valuable Intelligence’: IDF Arrests 240 Terrorists in Northern Gaza Hospital

240 Terrorists Arrested in Kamal Adwan, 15 Participated in October 7 Attacks: The IDF said on December 29 that it arrested over 240 Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists...

December 30, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Multi-month battle for Jabaliya underscores Israel’s security challenge in northern Gaza

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) eliminated “dozens” of terrorists in the northern Gaza area of Jabaliya overnight between December 29 and December 30. The militants were killed in...

December 23, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Three Israeli soldiers killed by an IED in northern Gaza

Three Israeli soldiers were killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Beit Hanoun, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on December 23. The deaths come as the IDF continues operations in northern...

December 20, 2024 | |

Israel SitRep: December 20, 2024

Today’s Issue: | Israeli Security Forces Conduct Overnight West Bank Counterterror Operations, Seize Guns, Ammunition, Illegal Vehicles; Arrest Four | Israeli Government Directs IDF to Strengthen PA...

December 13, 2024 | |

Israel SitRep: December 13, 2024

Today’s Issue: | IDF Troops in Syria Buffer Zone Carry Out Searches, Reinforce Barrier | IDF Soldiers Operating Along Lebanese Border ‘To Remove Threats’ While ‘Preserving Understandings’| IDF...

December 4, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

IDF uncovers munitions and explosives in northern Gaza

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) 401st Armored Brigade located an explosives lab in a residential area of northern Gaza, the IDF said on December 4. The 401st Armored Brigade has been involved...