Southern Command

March 21, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Israel steps up ground ops in Gaza, threatens Hamas it will take more areas

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continued to expand ground operations that began in Gaza on March 19 after conducting renewed airstrikes on the territory on March 18. The moves come slightly more than...

March 5, 2025 | |

‘The Immense Responsibility Placed Upon Me’: IDF Installs First New Chief of Staff Since Hamas Massacre of October 2023

IDF Shake-Up in Wake of October 7 Failures: Eyal Zamir, a former deputy chief of staff of the IDF and director-general of Israel’s Defense Ministry, became Israel’s 24th top...

February 3, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Eyal Zamir, well known to industry, named Israeli Defense Forces Chief of Staff

Zamir will take up his post after serving for two years as Director General at Israel’s Ministry of Defense, a role in which he interfaced regularly with the Israeli defense industry.

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...

November 22, 2024 | |

Israel SitRep: November 22, 2024

Today’s Issue: | IAF Eliminates PIJ Rocket Unit Commander in Gaza, Destroys More Than 45 Launchers in Lebanon | IDF’s 7th Brigade Finds Kornet Anti-Tank Missile, Tunnel Shafts, Weapons Depots in Southern...

November 20, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu visits Gaza’s Netzarim Corridor

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defense Israel Katz visited the Netzarim Corridor in Gaza on November 19. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) took control of the corridor in November...

October 30, 2024 | |

Israel SitRep: October 30, 2024

Israel SitRep: October 30, 2024 ...

October 18, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

IDF releases details on clash that led to Hamas leader’s death

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed in a fight with Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers that unfolded from October 16 to October 17. The IDF released new details on how the clash occurred, shedding light...

October 17, 2024 | Joe Truzman, Bill Roggio

Israeli troops kill wanted Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar

The Israel Defense Force (IDF) killed Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, while battling fighters on the streets in Gaza on October 16. Israel sought Sinwar for orchestrating the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led...

October 6, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

IDF returns to northern Gaza’s Jabaliya neighborhood

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) expanded operations in northern Gaza overnight between October 5 and October 6, sending tanks and infantry into Jabliya, a suburb of Gaza City. It is the third time the...

August 31, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Excerpt from ‘The October 7 War: Israel’s Battle for Security in Gaza’

This book was written to give the reader an account from the ground, weaving my own experiences with soldiers and Israeli civilians into the story.

August 27, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

IDF rescues a hostage in Gaza

On August 27, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) rescued Qaid Farhan Alkadi, a hostage who had been held in Gaza by Hamas for 326 days since Hamas’s October 7 attack. It is the latest hostage rescue since...

August 21, 2024 | |

Israel SitRep: August 21, 2024

Today’s Issue: | IAF Strikes Hezbollah Weapons Depots for Second Consecutive Night | IDF Continues Operations in Rafah, Khan Younis, and Netzarim Corridor, IAF Strikes Some 30 Targets | IAF Uses Precision...

July 1, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Tunnel destroyed and 100 terrorists eliminated in central Gaza

On July 1, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that operations in central Gaza have led to the discovery of a tunnel used by terrorists and the elimination of around 100 terrorists. The operations were...

June 24, 2024 | |

Israel SitRep: June 24, 2024

Today’s Issue: | 401st Brigade Raids Hamas Training Sites in Rafah Area, Finding Weapons and Tunnel Shafts | Gazans Seeking Medical Treatment Abroad Will be Permitted to Leave Through Kerem Shalom Crossing...

June 17, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

IDF presses forward in Rafah after recent losses

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continued to confront Hamas and other terrorist groups in Rafah in southern Gaza after suffering significant losses. On June 15, a Namer armored personnel carrier...

June 17, 2024 | |

Israel SitRep: June 17, 2024

Today’s Issue: IDF Spokesman: Hezbollah ‘Bringing Us to the Brink’ of Possible ‘Wider Escalation’ | IDF Chief of Staff: Army Seeking to Expand Enlistment, Haredi Community Has Opportunity for...

June 3, 2024 | |

Israel SitRep: June 3, 2024

Today’s Issue: | Israel Hit with 325 Hezbollah Attacks in May, Including With Burkan Missiles | Defense Minister Gallant: We Will Not Accept Hamas as Ruling Power in Gaza After War | IDF Holds Exercise...

May 13, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Israel Opens Another Crossing for Aid to Enter Northern Gaza

The Israel Defense Forces opened what they dubbed the “western Erez” crossing into northern Gaza on May 12, according to a statement. The opening of a new crossing in the north appears to mean that...

April 29, 2024 | |

IDF Strikes Hamas Positions in Rafah Ahead of Planned Offensive

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out airstrikes in Rafah on April 29 ahead of a planned offensive on the southern Gazan city, where several battalions of Hamas terrorists...