News Digest — 3/3/25
Netanyahu Warns: ‘Hamas Making Big Mistake, There Will Be Further Consequences’
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Israel’s decision to prevent all goods and supplies from entering the Gaza Strip Sunday (2nd) at the start of a government meeting, following Hamas’ rejection of the ceasefire extension proposed by US envoy Steve Witkoff.
Netanyahu noted that a security discussion was held Saturday night (1st) with the participation of the Minister of Defense, the heads of the coalition factions, senior security officials, and the Israeli negotiating team, at the end of which it was decided to adopt the outline of President Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, for a temporary ceasefire during Ramadan and Passover. ”We are fully coordinating with President Trump and his people,” he said.
The Prime Minister updated that according to the information Israel possesses, Hamas is currently holding 59 hostages – up to 24 of whom are believed to be alive and at least 35 of whom are dead. “We are not giving up on any of them, and we are determined to bring them all home,” he stressed.
According to the outline, on the first day of the ceasefire, half of the hostages will be released in one go, and at the end of it – if an agreement is reached – the rest will be released. Netanyahu noted that Witkoff proposed the agreement after he was impressed that at this stage it was not possible to bridge the positions of Israel and Hamas on Phase 2 of the current agreement. “He even defined his proposal as a bridge for negotiations on Phase 2. Israel is ready for this,” Netanyahu said.
Referring to allegations of Israel violating the agreements, he emphasized that “Israel is not in violation, while Hamas has violated the Phase 1 agreement time and time again,” he said. “According to the original agreement. Israel can return to fighting after the 42nd day if it is convinced that the negotiations are ineffective. This clause was supported by a side letter from the previous American administration and also received the backing and support of the Trump administration.
Netanyahu emphasized that “Israel agreed to the Witkoff outline because we are committed to returning our hostages,” but Hamas stuck to its refusal. “If Hamas changes its position, Israel will immediately enter into negotiations to implement the outline.”
He further clarified that the ceasefire will not continue without progress on the issue of the hostages. “If Hamas thinks that it will be possible to continue the ceasefire, or to benefit from the conditions of Phase One, without us receiving the hostages, it is greatly mistaken.”
Referring to the achievements so far, Netanyahu said: “We have completed Phase 1 with great success. We have released 30 hostages alive and brought home eight fallen soldiers for burial in Israel. Few believed that we would succeed in this – but we acted with determination and firmness. And we succeeded.”
He continued by accusing Hamas of taking control of the humanitarian aid entering Gaza. “Hamas is currently taking control of all the supplies and goods that are sent to the Gaza Strip. It is abusing the Gazan population who are trying to receive the aid, it is shooting at them, and is turning humanitarian aid into a terrorist budget directed against us. We will not agree to this in any way.”
He reiterated his position that if Hamas does not release the hostages, “there will be additional consequences and I will not detail them here.” He concluded that so far 196 hostages have been returned, and noted: “I remind you that at the beginning of the war there were those who doubted our ability to return even one hostage. And again – we demand the release of all our hostages – both the living and the dead. We are committed to this. I am committed to this. And with God’s help – we will not stop or remain silent until we achieve this.”
Preparing To Resume War? Incoming IDF Chief Summons Top Officers Amid Hostage Deal Stalemate
Incoming IDF chief of staff MG Eyal Zamir summoned on Sunday (2nd) senior military officials to Southern Command for a meeting on Friday (7th).
The gathering, set to take place two days after Zamir takes over as Israel’s top military officer on Wednesday (5th), comes as Israel prepares for a potential resumption of fighting against Hamas following stalled hostage negotiations.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a halt to humanitarian aid to Gaza earlier Sunday (2nd) after Hamas refused to extend the ceasefire or accept a negotiation framework proposed by US mediator Steve Witkoff. Netanyahu defended the decision to cut off aid, insisting Hamas will not receive “free meals” and that the ceasefire cannot continue without additional hostage releases.
White House National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes said Washington supports Israel’s move. “Israel has negotiated in good faith since the start of the administration to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas terrorists. Given Hamas’ declaration that it is no longer interested in extending the ceasefire , we will support Israel’s next steps, he said.
According to Al-Jazeera, Israel had proposed a ceasefire framework before halting aid in which Hamas would release five living hostages and the remains of ten others in exchange for Palestinian prisoner releases and increased humanitarian assistance. Hamas reportedly rejected the offer, insisting that no further hostage release would take place without advancing to a second phase of negotiations, which it said must include an end to the war.
Israel To Protect Druze Village In Syria – Emanuel Fabian
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz instructed the Israeli Defense Forces on Saturday (1st) to “prepare to defend” the Druze-majority city of Jaramana on the outskirts of Damascus in Syria which was “currently under attack by the forces of the Syrian regime.” “We will not allow the extreme Islamic regime in Syria to harm the Druze,” Katz said. Israeli leaders have regularly spoken with foreign leaders about the importance of protecting the Druze in southwestern Syria, along with Syria’s Kurds.
Golan Druze have asked Israel to allow Syrian Druze to work in their towns on the Golan Heights. A pilot program is being drawn up by MG Ghassan Alian, the IDF Coordinator of Government Activities in the territories, who is Druze.
When the Assad regime in Syria fell in December, the IDF moved to capture the buffer zone between the countries on the Syrian side of the border as a defense measure. The UN considers Israel’s takeover of the buffer zone a violation of the 1974 disengagement accord. Israel says the accord had fallen apart since one of the sides is no longer in a position to implement it.
Israel Tightens Security On Northern Front
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Thursday (2/27) that the Israel Air Force struck Syrian regime positions last week after the new government in Damascus attempted to deploy forces in demilitarized zones near Israel’s border. “The new regime attempted to staff positions and outposts, and the air force struck and neutralized them,” he said. “We will not allow the demilitarization agreement to be violated, nor will we allow any emerging threats.”
He added that Israel’s presence in strategic locations in Syria would continue indefinitely to prevent Iranian influence and terrorist threats. “We made a decision in real-time to prevent Iran from rescuing the Syrian regime and bringing in militias…. We deployed Air Force jets and the Iranian aircraft turned back.”
Regarding southern Lebanon, Katz said, “We will remain in the buffer zone in Lebanon indefinitely – this depends on the situation, not on time. We have received a green light from the US.
Regarding Judea and Samaria, he said, “For over two years, Iran has been supplying weapons, funding, and guidance to establish battalions and create an eastern front against Israeli communities.” Israeli forces will maintain a presence in terrorist strongholds in Palestinian refugee camps, particularly in Jenin and Tulkarem. Jenin’s camp is now empty of residents, and the IDF is inside…. The soldiers and commanders say they are finally allowed to do what is necessary, and by staying put, they no longer have to enter and exit these areas repeatedly.”
Turkey And Iran Trade Barbs Over Syria, Israel and Regional Influence
Diplomatic tensions between Turkey and Iran have escalated in recent days, with officials from both countries trading accusations over regional policies, particularly regarding Syria.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan criticized Iran’s foreign policy in an interview with al-Jazeera, claiming Tehran has paid a “very heavy price” to maintain its influence in Iraq and Syria. Fidan argued that Iran’s approach has become a burden on both its regime and the wider region, saying the cost of its interventions far outweighs any gains.
Regarding Syria, Fidan called on regional powers to develop relations with Damascus “without the foundations of control and acquisition.” However, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan recently met with Syria’s new president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, to discuss a security alliance that would include establishing Turkish air bases in central Syria and training the restructured Syrian military.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei responded sharply to Fidan’s remarks, accusing Turkey of “turning a blind eye to the hidden American and Israeli hands influencing regional developments.”
In a post on X, Baqaei called Fidan’s comments “a major mistake” and agreed that the region must be freed from any country’s dominance–whether Arab, Turkish, Kurdish, or Iranian. However, he questioned why Turkey omitted Israel from the equation.
Baqaei accused Israel of “reoccupying the entire Golan Heights and significant parts of Syria” following the collapse of the Assad regime, claiming Israel now “controls the country’s most vital water resources.” He further alleged that Israel had “carried out widespread attacks on Syrian military and defense infrastructure, destroying more than 90% of it, including key research centers.”
Despite its growing presence across the Middle East through proxy forces, Baqaei denied that Iran has pursued regional ambitions over the past five decades. Instead, he framed Iran’s involvement as supporting “the Palestinian people in their struggle against occupation and aggression, while preventing Israeli dominance in the region.”
“Today, the Palestinian issue is more alive than ever, and Israel is more despised than ever,” Baqaei said. “Iran has always supported the resistance while standing firmly against behavior and terrorism. We were the first to fight ISIS, the first to oppose the coup attempt against Turkey in 2016 and among the first to welcome the disarmament of the PKK, seeing it as a step toward Turkey’s security.
Baqaei concluded by emphasizing Iran’s consistency in its policies, contrasting it with what he suggested was Turkey’s shifting alliances. “We stand firm in our positions and do not change our approach from one day to the next,” he said.
US Moves To Expedite Delivery Of $4 Billion In Military Aid To Israel
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saturday (1st) that he had signed a declaration to expedite delivery of approximately $4 billion in military assistance to Israel in what he cast as US President Donald Trump’s rejection of restrictions placed by predecessor Joe Biden.
The Trump administration, which took office on January 20, has approved nearly $12 billion in major foreign military sales to Israel. Rubio said in a statement that it “will continue to use all available tools to fulfill America’s long-standing commitment to Israel’s security, including means to counter security threats.”
Rubio said he had used emergency authority to expedite the delivery of military assistance to Israel as it prepares for the possible return to war in Gaza amid a fragile ceasefire with Hamas.
The State Department statement did not disclose what arms or other assistance were included in the expedited package.
Rubio said the administration was “busting a partial arms embargo” on Israel imposed by former President Joe Biden.
The Trump administration will continue to use all available tools to fulfill America’s long-standing commitment to Israel’s security, including means to counter security threats,” said Rubio.
The statement came a day after the top US diplomat announced he would waive congressional review to fast track $3 billion worth of arms sales to Israel, including armored bulldozers withheld by Biden over concerns Israel was using them to raze houses in Gaza. The IDF has said it demolished homes that had been used by Hamas only.
The arms sales announced Friday (2/28) also included more heavy bombs of the type blocked by the Biden administration in May, as Israel, over his opposition, launched operations in the densely populated Gazan city of Rafah.
Friday’s (2/28) announcements marked the second time in recent weeks that the Trump administration has declared an emergency to quickly approve weapons sales to Israel.
According to Israel, since the beginning of the war in October 2023, over 76,000 tons of military equipment have arrived in Israel on 678 transport planes and 129 ships, the vast majority from the US.
