News Digest — 3/6/25
Israeli Teen Severely Wounded In Karkur Terror Attack Dies From Her Wounds
One of the pedestrians who was wounded in the ramming attack on Highway 65 last week succumbed to her wounds on Wednesday (5th).
The victim, Yaheli Gur from Pardes Hanna-Karkur, succumbed to her wounds after she was critically injured in the attack, the Pardes Hanna Local Council announced on their Facebook page.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Yaheli Gur, 17-years-old, a resident of the Moshav, who was murdered in the ramming attack at the Karkur Junction that occurred on February 27,” the council wrote. “The entire Moshav bows its head and shares in the family’s unbearable grief.”
“On behalf of all the residents of Harish, we send our condolences to her family at this difficult time. All of Harish grieves with you,” Yitzhak Kedhet, the mayor of Harish, wrote on Facebook.
“The Education Ministry shares the family’s deep sorrow over the tragic death of their daughter,” the Education Ministry said, in a statement. “The ministry’s professionals, in cooperation with municipal officials, are now accompanying the family members during this difficult time.”
Thirteen civilians were injured in the attack, including one critically and two seriously. A police officer was also among the injured.
Following the ramming, police officers immediately identified the suspect’s vehicle traveling toward Gan Shmuel and blocked its path.
The terrorist accelerated, rammed a police vehicle, and then exited his car while charging at officers with a screwdriver. At this point the terrorist was shot.
Hillel Yaffe Medical Center in Hadera said it had received one individual in critical condition, two in serious condition, and three in moderate condition.
New IDF Chief Sworn In Amid Calls For Oct. 7 Probe
Amid calls for a commission of inquiry into the failures of October 7th, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir was installed as Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces in a ceremony at the military’s Tel Aviv headquarters on Wednesday (5th).
“The task which I am receiving today is clear: Lead the IDF to victory,” Zamir said in his address after being conferred with his new rank.
“On the morning of October 7th, the IDF failed in its mission. The border was breached. Our enemies penetrated our communities, slaughtered our people, our children, our women, and our brothers,” said Zamir.
“From the rift, the people of Israel rose and once again proved their strength and unity in the moments of testing. Civilians and soldiers, strove for contact, charged and fought individually and in small units, and even paid with their lives.”
“They proved to us that we are brothers. The IDF accomplished impressive achievements on the battlefield. We won battles in Gaza and Lebanon, attacked in Yemen and Iran. The murderous terrorist organization, Hamas, has indeed suffered a serious blow, but it has not yet been defeated. The mission is not yet complete,” he added.
At least 1,180 people were killed and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’ attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 59 remaining hostages, 36 are believed to be dead.
Following the ceremony, Zamir and his predecessor, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, visited the Western Wall.
Zamir’s promotion comes amid increasing calls for a state commission of inquiry.
According to a series of army probes, some 5,000 terrorists from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), managed to attack numerous Israeli communities and overran the army’s border positions.
The army’s investigations only deal with issues of operations, intelligence, and command, not decisions made by the political echelon.
Halevi announced his resignation in January as the army’s investigations were nearing completion.
The IDF Chief of Staff serves for three years with the possibility of a one-year extension. The last Chief of Staff to leave the post before the end of his term was Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz, who resigned in 2007.
Zamir, 59 was born and raised in Eilat. He is the first Chief of Staff to begin his career in the Armored Corps.
After joining the army in 1984 he became a tank commander, gradually climbing the ranks. He was eventually appointed as Netanyahu’s military secretary from 2012 to 2015. From 2018-2021, he was deputy chief of staff before becoming a visiting research fellow at the Washington-based Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
He also has degrees from Tel Aviv and Haifa Universities and is a graduate of Wharton University’s General Management Program.
Zamir Declares 2025 A Year Of War On Gaza And Iran
New IDF Chief Of Staff LG Eyal Zamir told the High Command On Thursday (6th) that 2025 will be a year of war focused on Gaza and Iran, with other fronts also being given attention.
He said he will emphasize the concept of “victory” as an important value, as, in recent years, the IDF had been focused on relative victory or deterrence.
Additionally, he has decided that all efforts will be made to return the hostages from Hamas, though no specific policy changes have been named.
Moreover, he has decided that a new IDF budgetary framework will be set in the second half of 2025.
Zamir has ordered breaking up the IDF strategy and Iran Command into other components in other IDF commands, though at press time, The Jerusalem Post had no information about how this would advance preparations to deal with Iran and its nuclear program.
The IDF has developed many relatively new Iran units in the IDF Intelligence and Air Force commands, and these newer units have possibly made the old unified Iran-focused command less central.
Zamir appointed former major general Sami Turgeman to head a commission for implementing the lessons of the October 7 IDF probes that were published over the last week
In addition, Zamir decided to add a new tank division and to consider adding a new infantry division. Zamir may also take apart the Northern Infantry Forces Command, which runs parallel to the Northern Command.
During First Phase Of Hostage Deal, Half Of Palestinian Prisoners Serving Life Sentences Were Released
In the first phase of the current hostage deal, nearly half of the total Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli jails were released.
As part of the hostage release and ceasefire agreement, 274 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences have been freed, with 300 remaining in Israeli jails, according to Kan News.
Israel is currently holding 9,406 individuals classified as terrorists and security detainees. Of these, 1,486 are serving prison sentences, 2,960 are undergoing criminal proceedings but have not yet been convicted, and 3,405 are held as administrative detainees.
According to the Israel Prison Service, 1,555 Gazan terrorists were arrested during the conflict in Gaza.
Additionally, approximately 1,800 Gazans arrested during the war are being held in IDF facilities.
Under the agreement with Hamas, which was approved by the Cabinet, no individuals involved in the massacre of 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 during the October 7, 2023 invasion of Israel will be released.
Also, those who fought against the IDF throughout the 15 months of the Gaza conflict are also excluded.
However, reporter Avishai Grinzaig revealed that among the 1,000 security prisoners slated for release including all women and those up to the age of 19 arrested by the IDF in Gaza since October, there is a woman known to have held hostages.
Additionally, some individuals who have launched rockets in past conflicts with Israel, participated in digging terror tunnels, or are Hamas members or officials – whom Israel has not yet proven to have been involved in the current war – were also included in the list.
Ahmed Barghouti, who masterminded suicide bombing attacks that killed twelve Israelis, walked out of an Israeli prison as part of the hostage-for-prisoners agreement, with more than $338,000 in his bank account, courtesy of Palestinian Authority stipends that Israelis refer to as “pay for slay.”
Mansour Shreim and Ahmed Abu Khader faced similar sums. Abu Khader, a member of the Palestinian Authority security forces, trained terrorists for suicide missions and carried out shooting attacks. Shreim was responsible for dispatching terrorists who killed nine Israeli teenagers in separate attacks in 2002.
“It’s not about supporting the families of these terrorists – it’s about rewarding them for their actions,” Itamar Marcus, head of Palestinian Media Watch, told the Press Service of Israel. “The Palestinian Authority pays salaries to terrorists while they are in Israeli prisons. The money is deposited into a private account set up for each terrorist as soon as they enter prison.”
Iran Establishes New Terrorist Organization In Syria: “The Islamic Resistance”
Iran continues to meddle in Syria. On Wednesday morning (5th), Iran’s “Mehr” news agency announced the establishment of a new terrorist organization named “The Islamic Resistance” in Syria.
According to the report, the organization was founded “in light of the recent developments Syria has witnessed.” In a statement released by the group, it said, “This step is a natural and legitimate response to confront the attempts at division and displacement that the country has endured.” The statement was accompanied by a logo resembling those of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hezbollah featuring a raised hand holding a rifle.
The statement declared that the organization aims to represent all sects in Syria and focus on “defending security and territorial integrity.” It further noted that the group was established due to “the absence of the political and social forces that previously managed Syria,” referencing the collapse of the Assad regime following the rebels’ offensive in December. The organization emphasized that its goal is to “defend Syria from occupation and to unite and stand against falsehood.”
In early February, the Hezbollah-affiliated newspaper Al-Akhbar reported that a group calling itself “The Syrian Resistance” had announced its operations against Israel and the Islamist government forces in Damascus. The group referred to these forces as “the gangs of al-Jolani,” referencing the nickname of Syria’s interim President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former senior figure in al-Qaeda.
The collapse of the Assad regime and the rise of the rebels have significantly undermined Iran’s regional axis. Shiite militias composed of Afghans and Pakistanis have fled to Iraq, and Hezbollah in Lebanon was forced to withdraw its forces and is now working to smuggle out its remaining weapons. Nevertheless, cells affiliated with the former regime continue to engage in occasional exchanges of fire with the new government.
The new government in Damascus has, in recent months, called on Iran to refrain from meddling in its internal affairs. On Tuesday (4th), al-Sharaa attended the Arab League summit in Cairo, declaring that Syria is opening a new chapter with Arab states. At the same time, he complained that Israel is taking advantage of the previous regime’s collapse.
Poll: 87% Of Jewish Students Fear Anti-Israel Protests On Campus
A new poll of American Jewish college students revealed that the majority of students are seriously concerned by anti-Semitism on campus, fueled by anti-Israel rhetoric and demonstrations.
The Israel on Campus Coalition (ICC) advocacy group commissioned the poll, which included 650 Jewish college students and 1,000 Jewish adults.
The vast majority (87%) of students said they are worried that anti-Israel protests and pro BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) petitions are triggering violent attacks and hate crimes targeting Jewish students.
Nearly three-quarters (74%) of students reported that anti-Semitism is a “serious problem” on their college campus.
Almost one in three (30%) of students said they had experienced anti-Semitism, with 29% saying they had witnessed an anti-Semitic incident on campus.
“We hope these findings spur decisive steps to tackle the alarming surge of anti-Semitism on college campuses, where 75% of students have experienced, witnessed, or heard about anti-Semitic incidents on their campus, and 76% view it as a grave issue.”
Carly Cooperman, CEO of Schoen Cooperman Research, the group which carried out the poll, told JNS that Jewish students and adults were increasingly concerned by anti-Semitism creeping into American public life.
“Broadly speaking, we found that 80% view anti-Semitism as a serious problem, and 84% say that it is important for public figures and organizations to denounce anti-Semitism,” Cooperman said
“These concerns are validated when we see the findings from Jewish college students as widespread majorities report facing anti-Semitic hate and violence on campus,” she added.
The heads of major universities in the U.S have struggled to rein-in anti-Israel protests on their campuses which have often turned violent.
Recently Columbia University expelled three students from its Barnard College for allegedly occupying a campus building during an anti-Israel protest last year.
