News Digest — 2/25/25
IDF Says Unit Carried Out Dozens Of Penetrations Deeper Into Syria
Brigade 474 of Division 210 has carried out dozens of short attacks deeper into Syria beyond the Israeli buffer zone within southern Syria, the IDF said on Monday (24th).
In addition, the army released footage from one of its attacks over the last week in which paratroopers seized guns, ammunition, and other military equipment that the old Syrian army left behind.
Lt.-Col. “H” said the IDF located the weapons inside a nearby house, and that in other operations, his unit had located missiles, improvised explosives, armored personnel carriers, and even tanks.
According to the IDF, it continues to periodically locate and then either seize or destroy such weapons and equipment.
Further, the IDF said its continued activities in and around the buffer zone in Syria add additional security for Israel generally, and especially for those living in the Golan.
The announcement came a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded that southern Syria be demilitarized, saying Israel would not accept the presence of Ha’yat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in southern Syria nor of any other forces affiliated with the country’s new regime.
It was possible the announcement was only approved given Netanyahu’s decision to restart a public campaign on the question of Israeli-Syrian security issues.
HTS took control of Damascus over December 7-8, ending around 50 years of rule by the Assad family, leading Netanyahu to order the IDF to enter and create a buffer zone in southern Syria.
“We will not allow forces of the HTS or the new Syrian army to enter the territory south of Damascus. We demand full demilitarization of southern Syria, in the provinces of Quneitra, Daraa, and Sweida,” Netanyahu said. “And we will not tolerate any threat to the Druze sect in southern Syria.”
IDF Reportedly Offers Southern Syria’s Druze Community Job Opportunities, Report
Sources from southern Syria in the al-Quneitra province spoke with the Saudi news network Al-Arabiya, claiming that the IDF made “tempting offers” to the province residents, it was reported Monday (24th).
According to the report, sources in the al-Quneitra area claimed that the IDF offered the residents the opportunity to work within Israel during the day and return home in the evening, the same way that the Gazans were allowed to work in Israel before October 7, 2023.
“The IDF expressed to those who were offered work that it wanted to issue entry permits that would enable them to enter Israel and work there, just as it did with Palestinians who worked in Israel,” one southern Syrian resident said.
The resident explained that those who would work in Israel would receive a larger salary in Israel in comparison to the current salaries in Syria.
The report alleged Israel promised that each worker would receive a daily wage between 75 to 100 US dollars, which Syrians would earn over the course of several months.
The IDF entered Syria in December 2024, right at the end of Assad’s regime falling. At the end of January 2025, it was decided that Israel would stay in southern Syria.
“ The IDF will remain … in the security zone … for an unlimited period,” Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a video statement released by the Defense Ministry. “We will not allow hostile forces to establish themselves in the security zone in southern Syria … and we will not be dependent on others for our defense.”
“We will not return to the reality of October 7 and will not be dependent on others for our defense – here and anywhere else,” Katz added.
The collapse of the Assad regime and the rise to power of Ahmad al-Sharaa – formerly known as Mohammad al-Julana and now the interim president of Syria’s new government – led to swift Israeli action. The IDF entered the Syrian side of the Golan Heights and established a presence there.
Gazan Rocket Fired At Israel, Hits Inside Strip
A terrorist rocket that was fired toward Israeli territory, fell short and struck inside the Gaza Strip on Monday afternoon (24th), the Israel Defense Forces said.
According to reports in Palestinian media, the projectile was launched from the city of Rafah, located in the southernmost part of the Strip.
On Feb. 13, a 14-year-old Palestinian was killed in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip when a terrorist rocket fell short inside the coastal enclave.
The Israeli military decided on Sunday (23rd) to “increase military and operational readiness” in the area surrounding the Strip.
The decision on Sunday night (23rd) came after a situational assessment, the army statement noted, adding that “as of now, there is no change in the instructions for the home front.”
According to the Channel 12 broadcaster, IDF reinforcements were nevertheless deployed to the border on Monday (24th) due to suspicions that Hamas terrorists were planning an attack on Israeli forces in the area.
US President Donald Trump said on Friday (21st) that it is for the government in Jerusalem to decide whether to resume the war in the Gaza Strip or join the second round of talks with Hamas to free additional hostages.
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Mideast envoy, plans to return to the region this week for talks on extending the current first phase of the ceasefire.
The 42-day first phase of the truce is currently set to end on Saturday, March 1.
“We have to get an extension of Phase 1, and so I’ll be going into the region this week, probably Wednesday (26th), to negotiate that,” he said in an interview on CNN Sunday (23rd). “And we’re hopeful that we have the proper time… to begin Phase 2 and finish it off and get more hostages released.”
Witkoff said he believes Israeli Prime MInister Benjamin Netanyahu is “well motivated” to see the agreement with the terrorist group continue.
“He wants to see hostages released, that’s for sure. He also wants to protect the State of Israel. And so he’s got a Red Line. And he said that what the Red Line is, is that Hamas cannot be involved in a governing body when this thing is resolved,” Wirkoff said of the expected talks.
Is Hezbollah Going Bankrupt? $1B Budget Goes Sideways
Hezbollah is facing unprecedented financial challenges following its recent conflict with Israel, struggling to meet financial commitments to its supporters and showing signs of severe operational strain, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation.
The Iran-backed group, which has long operated as a state within Lebanon, is now grappling with mounting costs from war damage estimated at $3.4 billion by the World Bank, affecting approximately 100,000 homes that were partially or fully destroyed during the conflict.
“I have many questions about why we were dragged into this conflict, the suffering we endured, and who will compensate for our losses,” Jabal Nassar told The Wall Street Journal. Nassar, whose restaurant in Tyre was destroyed, said he had to pay $100,000 for repairs without assistance from the organization.
The financial strain has become increasingly apparent in recent weeks. According to the news outlet , Al-Qard Al-Hassan, Hezbollah’s primary financial institution, has frozen payments on previously issued compensation checks, leaving many supporters without promised support.
Fadwa Hallal, a resident of Habboush in southern Lebanon, experienced these delays firsthand. After receiving a $7,000 compensation check for home damage in January, she faced a month-long delay before being able to cash it, with others reportedly experiencing even longer waiting periods.
The situation marks a significant shift for an organization that historically maintained an annual budget of approximately $1 billion for benefits, salaries and other costs, excluding military expenses. The group’s new leader, Naim Qassem, has publicly acknowledged these challenges while calling on the Lebanese state to assist in reconstruction efforts.
Lina Khatib, an associate fellow at Chatham House, suggests these financial difficulties could have long-term implications. “Hezbollah no longer has the cash to compensate its constituents,” she said, adding that loyalty to the group “is likely to wane in the long-term when Hezbollah’s constituents realize that it can no longer offer them financial, political, or security benefits.”
The organization’s financial challenges have been exacerbated by recent political developments, including efforts by Lebanon’s new US-backed government to restrict cash flows from Iran and the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, which has disrupted traditional routes for resources.
Despite these challenges, the group demonstrated its continued influence during Sunday’s (23rd) funeral for Hassan Nasrallah, which drew hundreds of thousands of attendees. Nasrallah, who was killed by an Israeli airstrike in September, had led the organization in building one of the world’s most potent nonstate forces.
Moussa Chmaysani , head of the Merchant Association in Lebanon’s Nabatieh province, noted that Hezbollah appears to be prioritizing urgent shelter needs over business compensation, highlighting the organization’s attempts to manage its limited resources strategically.
The crisis represents a significant test for an organization that has historically provided comprehensive social services to its community, including healthcare, banking services, and employment opportunities for thousands of members.
Nearly 1,000 Orthodox Rabbis: Huckabee Uniquely Suited To Be US Amb. To Israel
The Rabbinical Alliance of America – Igud HaRabbonim representing over 950 Orthodox rabbis across North America – warmly welcomes the confirmation of Governor Mike Huckabee, who currently stands as a nominee to be the next United States Ambassador to Israel.
The RAA stated, “Governor Huckabee is a longtime friend of Israel and an unwavering American patriot who understands that the special relationship between the United States and Israel is not only deeply rooted in shared values but is also a strategic alliance that benefits both nations. His steadfast support for Israel and his recognition of its vital role in promoting stability and Democracy in the Middle East make him uniquely suited to serve in the crucial position.”
“The United States has no greater ally in the region than the State of Israel. The partnership between these two great democracies enhances security, fosters economic growth, and upholds the principles of freedom and justice. Governor Huckabee has consistently championed this alliance, recognizing that a strong Israel contributes to a strong America and a more stable world,” the rabbinical organization added.
“The Rabbinical Alliance of America prays for Governor Huckabee’s success if he is confirmed in his new role and looks forward to his continued advocacy for policies that reinforce the unbreakable bond between the United States and Israel. May his confirmation be swift and his tenure be marked by peace, prosperity, and the flourishing of this extraordinary alliance,” the statement concluded.
Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, Executive Vice-President of the RAA, stated, “Governor Huckabee’s confirmation would reflect the enduring commitment of the United States to its closest ally in the Middle East. His deep appreciation of Israel’s security challenges, his moral clarity, and his leadership would further strengthen the US-Israel relationship and promote policies that serve America’s best interests.”
Driest Winter On Record: Lake Kinneret Sees Rare February Drop In Water Level
For the first time in a century, the water level of Lake Kinneret [the Sea of Galilee] has dropped during February – an unusual phenomenon highlighting this winter’s extreme dryness.
Data from the Water Authority shows an exceptionally low flow from the Jordan River, combined with increased water pumping from Israel’s main freshwater reservoir, keeping the level well below the upper red line.
As of Monday (24th), the lake’s level remains unchanged from yesterday at -692.8 feet below sea level. This means it is 8 feet. below the upper red line and 5.8 feet above the lower red line.
Dr. Eyal Zigel , head of the surface water department at the Water Authority, attributed the decline primarily to reduced inflows from the Jordan River. “The Jordan River’s flow is one of the lowest in the past hundred years. In fact, we only saw something like this in 2014,” Zigel said. He added that increased water pumping from Lake Kinneret over the weekend has further contributed to the decline.
Since the beginning of the winter, the lake’s level has risen by just over 1.2 inches. “Right now, this year is shaping up to be particularly dry. There hasn’t been a year this severe since measurements began,” Zigel said. However, he cautioned that “the year is not over yet, and the final assessment will be made at the end of winter.”
This winter is a reminder that for more than 30 years, there has been a long-term trend of declining precipitation in northern Israel, with an average drop of about 10%. Given the current conditions, it is certain that this year’s winter will not trigger the familiar debate over whether to open the Degania Dam.
If dry winters continue, Israelis may soon be asking whether water should be pumped into Lake Kinneret via the “reverse aqueduct” – a system designed to transfer desalinated Mediterranean Sea water into the lake when needed.
“A winter like this reinforces the understanding that the reverse aqueduct will not remain a white elephant and will probably be used in the future,” Zigel said.
