News Digest — 8/12/25
Chief Of Staff : ‘We Are Beginning A New Stage Of The Gaza Combat’
IDF Chief of the General Staff LTG Eyal Zamir, held on Monday (11th) a General Staff situational assessment to evaluate the IDF’s operational preparedness. The assessment focused on addressing readiness challenges across the various arenas.
This was the second meeting in a series of situational assessments aimed at shaping the IDF’s annual work plan. Following the Chief of the General Staff’s directive, the meeting was expanded to include a broad forum of commanders, both from their respective headquarters and from on the ground.
Remarks by the Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir: “We must learn from the lessons of the past, continuously examining our preparedness, and from there improve, strengthen, and advance towards a strategic plan and a significant force build-up. Alongside this, our working assumption is that we are in a continuous war. The year 2026 will be a year of shaping and maximizing achievements, increasing preparedness, returning to fundamentals, and seizing operational opportunities.”
“Since October 7th,” he said, “the IDF has proven itself to be a quality military with multi-front combat capabilities. The IDF’s successes have changed the face of the Middle East, strengthened national security, and created regional opportunities that must be taken advantage of. The IDF is engaged in several active arenas, and we must maintain high readiness and preparedness at all times, for every arena.”
“The IDF must return to fundamentals in procedures, alertness, training, and planning and force-buildup processes, while taking a differentiated approach to each arena and its characteristics. We must strengthen and expand the IDF by establishing new frameworks and reinforcing existing ones. All this must be based on the lessons of the war alongside a forward-looking perspective – operational and technological. We must continue to develop both the material – supplies, platforms, and means, and above all, the spirit and resilience of the people, who are at the center of our work and attention,” Zamir added.
He continued to say that, “In accordance with the Security Cabinet’s decision, we are at the beginning of a new stage of the combat in Gaza. We will develop the best method, in line with the defined objectives, while maintaining the professionalism and principles that guide our operations. We will do so with the readiness of the troops and weaponry, with the hostages at the forefront of our minds – we will do everything to protect their lives and bring them back home.”
“The alternatives presented to the Security Council – all are intended to defeat Hamas, with a full understanding of the implications in every aspect. The IDF will be able to achieve operational control of Gaza City, just as it did in Khan Yunis and Rafah. Our troops have conducted ground operations there before, and we will be able to do it again.”
“We must allow breathing room for IDF troops in mandatory and reserve service, creating pauses that enable us to continue the ground operation in the Gaza Strip in the most effective and optimal way, while preserving strength for the future. The next situational assessment will focus solely on the people.”
“We are still at war, and in the midst of it we are carrying out force build-up processes. This is an unprecedented situation. We must be prepared for an expansion of the campaign. I have immense appreciation for our people, in mandatory, career, and reserve service. I meet them everywhere and see their fighting spirit and determination. It is important to note the maintenance and combat support personnel across all branches, who are performing wonders in enabling the combat, they deserve every praise – the achievements of the war are thanks to them.”
The Chief of the General Staff concluded the situational assessment by expressing his appreciation to the commanders who have been leading the IDF for nearly two years in the face of unprecedented multi-front challenges.
Huckabee: ‘Hamas Leaders Are Well-Fed – They Don’t Care If Gazans Starve’
In an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan on Monday (11th), US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee offered a staunch defense of Israel’s actions in Gaza and sharply criticized the Hamas terrorist organization, particularly over its opposition to the humanitarian food initiative, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
“Why does Hamas hate GHF?” Huckabee asked. “One of the things they demanded in one of the negotiations just two and a half weeks ago was that GHF had to be shut down. Why would Hamas want to shut it down?”
According to Huckabee, the answer lies in Hamas’ grip on Gaza’s food economy. “GHF’s method of getting food has really hurt their capacity to control the food market and it’s costing them money,” he said. “Otherwise, they would say, sure, go ahead and bring the food and all we care about is people getting to eat. They don’t care about people getting to eat. They care only that they eat.”
Huckabee didn’t hold back in his criticism of Hamas leadership, accusing them of hypocrisy and self-interest. “If you look at the people from Hamas, when they get photographed, they’re well fed. None of them are hungry. I guarantee you, look at their faces, look at their bodies. And instead of food, they could use some Ozempic.”
The conversation turned tense when Morgan raised concerns about the IDF’s elimination of Anas al-Sharif, a well-known Gaza correspondent who worked for Al Jazeera but also was a senior Hamas terrorist. The IDF cited documents and photos as evidence of that fact. However, Morgan noted that many journalists, including those from the BBC, found the evidence unconvincing.
Huckabee responded firmly: “There are photos where this alleged journalist is hugging the head of Hamas and smiling and yucking it up for the cameras. There is evidence that indicates that he was an asset for Hamas. And if it’s proven that he isn’t, then that’s a different calculation. But right now, this evidence points to the fact that he was.”
He likened the situation to a referee in a football game secretly playing for one team. “It’s like if a referee at an American football game, instead of wearing the striped jersey of the referee, decides to put on a team jersey and actually root for one team over the other, and aid and abet one team over the other. But the big difference is that in football, it’s just a game, it really doesn’t matter. This matters. People are dying there everyday.”
Morgan then stated to Huckabee that over 200 Palestinian Arab journalists have been killed since the war began and that foreign journalists have been barred from entering Gaza.
Huckabee acknowledged the gravity of the situation but stood by Israel’s moral integrity. “I don’t have the evidence that you seem to think you have regarding this guy’s innocence. I don’t know. If I have to take the words of the Israelis or Hamas, I’ll be honest, I’m going to lean with the Israelis far quicker than I’m going to lean with Hamas.”
He added, “I don’t think that they would just go target a journalist just so they could take him out, because they didn’t like what he was saying. I think they are a much better country than that. They have a much better moral code than that, and I’m going to give them credit for that.”
He concluded with a stark reminder of Hamas’ brutality: “It’s a little disingenuous for us to make the conclusion that this was just an innocent journalist when there’s a lot of evidence to point to the fact that he was not quite so innocent when it comes to his relationship with Hamas, a bloodthirsty cult, who could not even get enough of the blood on its hands October the 7th.”
Hamas Will Not Surrender Control Over Gaza Without Being Forced To Do So –Col. (ret.) Richard Kemp
Hamas’ unremitting intransigence over hostage release and a temporary peace settlement has brought Israel to the point of renewing offensive operations against the remaining areas of Gaza it does not yet control. The only effective action against Hamas has come not from diplomacy but military force, which pressured them into surrendering many of the hostages. Hamas is not going to surrender its control over Gaza without being forced to do so. Israel is therefore left with no choice other than to press ahead and seize control over the rest of Gaza.
Prime Minister Netanayhu has made it clear that, once Hamas is dealt with, he does not want Israel to remain in control of Gaza. In any case, nothing can be concluded until the war is won. Whatever arrangements are put in place, the IDF will have to maintain overall security control in critical security zones to prevent another October 7.
Threats of recognition of a Palestinian state, arms embargoes and other Western measures against Israel are not going to stop this offensive moving on to its final conclusion. The only thing that could change, is if this redoubled Israeli resolve causes Hamas to understand that the game is finally up. In this part of the world, it is not diplomacy or compromise that holds sway, but overwhelming strength.
The writer, a former commander of British forces in Afghanistan, was chairman of the UK’s national crisis management committee, COBRA. (Telegraph-UK)
Israel, US Oppose Automatic UNIFIL Renewal, Citing Failure To Prevent Hezbollah Infiltration
Ahead of the UN Security Council discussion on extending the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) taking place later this month, Israel and the United States have informed Council members that they oppose an automatic renewal of the mandate and are demanding a reassessment of the force’s necessity.
A diplomat familiar with the talks told The Jerusalem Post that this comes “in light of its prolonged failure to prevent Hezbollah’s infiltration into southern Lebanon, and to enforce the Lebanese government’s sovereignty in the area.”
Israel and the US are working with other Security Council members to persuade them not to support the mandate’s extension, or, at the very least, to demand substantial changes to it. The goal is to ensure that the automatic renewal policy is replaced with a substantive debate over UNIFIL’s performance and a potential new path forward.
The Israeli and American position is based on the fact that UNIFIL, which was established nearly five decades ago as a temporary force, has failed to achieve its core objectives.
Instead of acting as a buffer and preventing Hezbollah’s militarization south of the Litani River, the force has become a passive actor, refraining from exercising its authority and submitting partial reports to the Security Council that do not reflect the reality on the ground.
Since being tasked with preventing Hezbollah’s rearmament during the Second Lebanon War in 2006, UNIFIL has done nothing to confront the organization over its weapons.
Given this, Israel and the US have presented two alternatives: A full termination of UNIFIL’s mandate and gradual withdrawal from the area, or a limited extension of a year, with clearly defined and focused missions including the orderly dismantling of UNIFIL positions, coordinated withdrawal with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), and the transfer of full security responsibility to the Lebanese government.
At the political level and within the IDF, officials see a rare strategic opportunity. Hezbollah’s current weakening, combined with mounting internal pressure in Lebanon, could create conditions for the Lebanese government to reassert sovereignty in the south.
Israel believes that at this stage there is no longer a need for an international intermediary force on the ground, and that UN resources would be better invested in supporting the LAF.
“The Lebanese government’s decision last week to begin disarming Hezbollah only proves that this may be a once-in-a-generation moment to act against the organization,” an Israeli official told the Post.
In recent days, the Israeli-American proposals have been joined by a French initiative: extending UNIFIL’s mandate for a year, followed by the force’s dismantlement and withdrawal from the area. Diplomats at the UN say there is a real possibility this could ultimately be the option chosen by the Security Council.
Israel Forces Detain Weapons Dealer In Southern Syria
Israeli soldiers conducted a nighttime operation in southern Syria, arresting a weapons dealer in the Taranja area, near Quneitra, the Israeli Defense Forces said on Monday (11th).
Acting on intelligence and preliminary surveillance, the dealer was apprehended and interrogated, with weapons confiscated at the site. The army confirmed ongoing deployments in the area to disrupt terrorist activity and prevent hostile elements from gaining a foothold.
More than 1,100 people were killed in ethnic clashes between the Syrian Druze and Sunni Bedouins in July. Government forces loyal to Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa sided with the Bedouins. An estimated 100,000 were displaced by the violence. Israel launched airstrikes on Syrian forces and threatened escalation before a fragile US-brokered ceasefire took hold. But there have been violations.
About 40,000 Druze live in the southern Syrian provinces of Quneitra, Da’ara and Sweida under Israel protection. Netanyahu has called for the demilitarization of southern Syria.
Israel sent forces into the 235 sq km buffer zone to prevent Syrian rebels from approaching the border when the regime of Bashar Assad collapsed in December.
Israel considers the 1974 ceasefire agreement void until order is restored in Syria.
Israel Defense Minister Threatens Khamenei With Elimination
Iran published on Monday (11th) an assassination list targeting senior Israeli political and security officials, to which Defense Minister Israel Katz responded on X with a direct threat to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, warning the dictator to watch the skies when leaving his bunker.
The defense minister’s social media post represented the latest escalation in threats exchanged between Israeli leadership and the Iranian regime. Katz has repeatedly warned Khamenei of potential targeted operations against Iranian leadership.
During a July 27 visit to Ramon Air Force Base, Katz delivered a stark warning to the Iranian Supreme Leader about continued threats against Israel. “I want to convey a clear message from here to the dictator Khamenei that if you continue to threaten Israel, our long arm will reach Tehran again and with even greater force – and this time to you personally,” the defense minister stated during the base visit.
The current exchange followed Iran’s heavy missile barrage on June 19, which wounded dozens in Beersheba, Ramat Gan, and Holon while damaging Soroka Hospital. At the Holon attack site, Katz made another direct declaration about the Iranian leader’s fate. “A dictator like Khamenei, who stands at the head of Iran and has inscribed Israel’s destruction on his flag – such a person should not be allowed to exist,” the defense minister declared.
