Gaza War – www.israelhayom.com

'Eitan was kidnapped by Gazans who opened a toolbox and cut his back'

miriw — Thu, 25 Dec 2025 09:00:37 +0000

In the coming days, the 7155 Paratroopers Battalion will complete 107 days of reserve duty. Among those present in the room is Zvika, father of Eitan Mor, who was released last October from Hamas captivity.

Zvika, who will soon celebrate his fiftieth birthday, could have received an exemption, but even during the war, when his son's condition was unclear, he continued to show up. Not always, only when he was available, but he accumulated days in order to continue belonging to the company.

"On the first candle of Hanukkah 2023, I climbed onto an armored personnel carrier on the way to Khan Younis," recalled Major (Res.) D., Zvika's friend in the battalion. "All around were cluster bombs and I admit I was scared. I asked 'what for?' and then the thought crossed my mind that if Zvika had asked 'I need ten people to help get Eitan out of Gaza.' Obviously I would come and I know that if I were in his situation, picked up the phone, he and my friends in the battalion would come, right?" Staff Sergeant (Res.) Zvika Mor, from Company B, didn't think for a second. "Obviously."

Major (Res.) D. celebrated his fortieth birthday the day before we met. With him in the room were Zvika, Staff Sergeant (Res.) A. the NCO and Command Sergeant Major (Res.) A., and the company third-in-command. Everyone has known each other for years of training and combat. Only when Mor reached age 45 did they part from him. They thought the time had come, but two months before the war broke out, the day that would shake his life, he began to waver about returning. "I said I wanted to contribute," Mor said. "I thought that if I come at my age it will strengthen the younger soldiers and I asked to be a fighter like them."

In the army, procedures take time and by the time they came back with an answer the war had broken out. The battalion was called up in the morning hours of October 7 to the Gaza border region and entered combat in Kfar Aza. At the same hours, Mor was at the synagogue in Kiryat Arba for Simchat Torah prayers.

"I didn't understand what happened until Saturday night," Mor said. "There were no sirens. True, they talked about rockets, but we didn't think it was unusual. Only when I returned home, I found everyone crying. My wife said, 'Eitan disappeared, he was in the south' and directed me to the news. I didn't open the news websites, but from the quiet group of the company, and there I received a war diary."

In the first ten days, there was no information about Eitan, and when Zvika felt there wasn't much of a way to help, he picked up the phone to the battalion, and asked if there was a way to help.

Zvika Mor (Photo: KOKO) KOKO

"A week after the start of the fighting, Zvika appears with equipment that was missing from the company," A. said. "I ask 'what are you doing?' He said a sentence I won't forget 'We're part of the people and I need to contribute.'"

Zvika smiled. "I brought things that fighters need," he explained. "By contrast, it's like in mourning after the death of a relative. There are those busy with the burial and there are those who sit on the side and cry. I didn't have a need to run away, we didn't know what Eitan's condition was, we prayed that he was kidnapped. I asked my wife if she agreed that I would go to reserve duty and she said yes."

But Zvika received approval to return to reserve duty only in summer 2024, and then he joined the battalion that was active in the north. "My wife begged that I wouldn't cross the border fence," he said. "She said it's enough we have another son who is a soldier in regular service and a son-in-law who is fighting. I agreed, but I didn't announce that I was in an outpost near Metula. I told her I was organizing vegetables in Kiryat Shmona."

In the battalion, they didn't know what to do. With all due respect to Mor's desires to fight, there's national sensitivity here. In the end, he was assigned as one of the NCOs in Company B, under A., the chief NCO. "I told them 'I'm here'," he recalled. "I know how to cook, to clean. To lend a hand. There were all kinds of tasks like moving equipment, bringing medicines, fixing a torn vest. I explained that I don't need mercy. I only asked for flexibility in trips home."

A., the chief NCO, confirmed. "Zvika always reports for duty." It's quite amazing how connected the two are. Mor, a resident of Kiryat Arba, who during the two years his son was in captivity waved a different flag from part of the families. He believed in military pressure on Hamas, which, in his opinion, would also lead to the release of the hostages.

A., who comes from a Hashomer Hatzair kibbutz in the Jezreel Valley, was on the other side of the political map. "Zvika thinks differently and that's fine," A. laughed. "There's nothing that can undermine the connection. They said, 'Your friend from Channel 14' and I felt pride. We're in a democratic country where everyone says what they think."

Zvika, who experienced quite a bit of criticism during the two years, agreed. "We're such good friends," he said. "Take a couple of parents who don't get along and now their child is sick and if they're normal they know to put everything aside and save the child and after that they'll have time to quarrel."

Weren't there people in the battalion who thought differently from you?

"They asked, 'Aren't you afraid they'll torture Eitan?' I answered 'I have instructions not to humiliate the captives and not to speak against Islam'. I want my son. 'Pressure Hamas,' I requested. In some places, Eitan was a card. I say with reservation, but he was at lower risk than a fighter on the front and after he returned, we also heard from him that Izz a-Din al-Hadad (head of Hamas' military wing) visited him four times and told the captors that if something happens to him, he will kill them. Not everyone was careful, once Eitan stole pita when he was hungry, they tied him to a chair and beat him terribly."

The company took an outpost above Metula when Hezbollah fired at them. A. was even injured when the APC overturned, but there, on one of the evenings, Zvika stood before the company and spoke. "It was important for me to share, because there were those who wanted to know and were embarrassed to ask," he explained. "I said I'm opening everything."

Zvika continued to move between home, his son's release activity, and reserve service. "When the country trembled over whether there's a deal, he'd show up with the car," A. said. "I say to myself, 'We can't concentrate, so why is he coming?'" Zvika smiled, "I brought equipment."

On the day of Eitan's release from captivity, the company was in Ramot Naftali, and he was, of course, at Reim Base in the south, waiting for his son. Those who weren't in active service watched with excitement at what was happening. "We opened a laptop and watched like a soccer match," A. said. "When we saw Eitan, there was a shout of 'yesss' like a winning goal in the Champions League final. Everyone was on the screen."

Today, more than two months after the release, Zvika can share what his son went through. When they met, he showed his friends the first video that proved to the family that Eitan was alive. A video that naval commandos found in Gaza.

"Here we saw that he has two hands and two eyes," Zvika said. "Eitan was kidnapped on October 7 by Gazans, who opened a toolbox on him and literally cut his back. We feared for his condition, and the intelligence also didn't know how to tell. Eitan returned thin, weak, but healthy. Understand, he was a tough guy and lost 15 kilograms of muscle mass. He went through torture, but he's strong, optimistic, and didn't reach a difficult mental state."

Zvika Mor

Was he in mortal danger?

"The army didn't know where he was being held, so Eitan was sure he would die in the bombardments. Most of the time, he was held in basements and apartments and buildings around him collapsed. Thank God nothing happened to his hearing, to vision, yes, he's now wearing glasses. He came back a bit subdued, for two years he spoke in a whisper, and even when he returned, he spoke in a whisper. For example, on the first day, when he met his brother, he suggested they go into a room in the hospital and talk, and automatically sat on the floor, in an Eastern sitting position. Arab behavior. Slowly, he returned to himself, smiled, and for us, in some ways, it's like getting to know him anew."

How is he physically?

"There was an infection in his hand, digestive system problems, and thank God, we've almost finished that stage. The main thing is to see him returning, because he's a joker. He managed to escape from the hospital when he was in treatment. He climbed over a fence and went out to walk around the streets of Petah Tikva. He said, 'I was in captivity, so another one?'"

A. asked if Eitan speaks Arabic. "When he was captured, he said, 'My job is to survive.' He made a deal with his captors 'I'll learn Arabic, you'll learn English.' Today, he's 100% Arabic. Reading and speaking in the Gaza dialect. He writes his memoirs in Arabic."

The battalion will finish a round of reserve duty in early 2026 and, in the summer, will serve two more months, this time in the south. "I told my wife, 'I wish I could say I'm not going anymore'. I can't. I'm 47 years old, and she knows that if I stay home and they're in reserve duty, I'll drive her even crazier." Zvika agreed, "As long as they need me, I'll report for duty."

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Senior Hamas financier eliminated in strike that killed Oct. 7 architect Ra'ad Sa'ad

omrif — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 07:16:45 +0000

The Arabic-language spokesperson for the IDF, Col. Avichay Adraee, revealed that in Operation "Last Supper" carried out about two weeks ago, the terrorist Abdel Hay Zoqout from the finance department of Hamas' military wing was eliminated alongside Ra'ad Sa'ad.

Zoqout belonged to the finance department of Hamas' military wing and was responsible during the past year for raising tens of millions of dollars and transferring them to the organization's military wing to enable the continuation of the fighting against Israel.

Zoqout was killed together with Sa'ad, the head of production headquarters for Hamas' military wing, during Operation "Last Supper." Sa'ad was regarded as the No. 2 figure in the terrorist organization and one of the architects of the October 7 massacre. In his role, Sa'ad established the Nukhba units, shaped the "Jericho Wall" plan on which Hamas based its preparations for the October 7 massacre, and was responsible for weapons production for the military wing.

في نشاط مشترك لجيش الدفاع وجهاز الأمن العام (الشاباك)، قبل أسبوعين تم القضاء على المخرب عبد الحي زقوت من حماس من سكان مدينة غزة، والذي ينتمي إلى قسم الأموال في الذراع العسكرية للمنظمة. تم القضاء عليه أثناء تواجده في مركبته، إلى جانب المدعو رائد سعد.

خلال العام الأخير، كان… pic.twitter.com/PHX5LAP20e

— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) December 24, 2025

Sources told the Saudi channel Al-Hadath that Israeli Air Force fighter jets carried out an attack on Sa'ad's vehicle, striking it with three missiles fired one after the other. In response to the assassination, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a joint statement saying they had decided to eliminate Sa'ad in response to the detonation of a Hamas explosive device that wounded IDF forces earlier that day in the "yellow zone" of the Gaza Strip.

According to the statement, Sa'ad was "one of the architects of the October 7 massacre and in recent days had been engaged in rebuilding the terrorist organization and in planning and carrying out attacks against Israel, as well as reconstituting an attack force, in blatant violation of the ceasefire rules."

The IDF spokesperson stressed that "the IDF and the Shin Bet will continue their efforts to sever terror financing channels and will act against anyone involved in terrorism or in assisting the advancement of terror plots against the State of Israel."

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How senior Hamas terrorist evaded elimination for months

miriw — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 09:54:45 +0000

Israel Hayom has learned that throughout the conflict, Raad Saad deliberately sought refuge in sensitive facilities and densely populated areas, including mosques and hospitals, exploiting worshippers and patients as human shields. This strategy complemented his concealment in underground tunnels across northern Gaza.

This approach prevented his assassination until he was struck in his vehicle alongside three bodyguards on December 13, following multiple failed elimination attempts. One such effort unfolded in summer 2024, when the Israeli Air Force targeted a structure in the Shati camp – an area housing both a mosque and a school.

Saad handled diverse responsibilities within Hamas, spanning the organization's "civilian" infrastructure. Over three decades, he occupied a succession of critical positions directly linked to the October 7 massacre: operations chief, founder of the Nukhba (Hamas's elite commando force), naval force architect, and weapons production director. Throughout the war, he oversaw explosive manufacturing that claimed numerous IDF soldiers' lives. During the ceasefire, he orchestrated the restoration of the organization's strength.

Palestinian Hamas terrorists in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City on December 8, 2025. (Photo: AFP/Omar Al-Qattaa) AFP

"Generational transition"

Following his elimination, Israel Hayom has learned that Hamas is experiencing an accelerated "generational transition" due to dozens of senior operatives killed across two years. Today, scarce veteran figures populate the leadership, including "military wing head" Izz al-Din al-Haddad and intelligence director Mohammed Awda. They too face mounting responsibility portfolios. According to Asharq Al-Awsat, Awda was appointed commander of the northern Gaza Strip brigade. Al-Haddad himself managed the hostages dossier.

Consequently, the terrorist organization increasingly depends on junior terrorist commanders possessing minimal experience, restricted authority, and diminished capabilities. This dynamic threatens decision-making capacity and strategic planning.

Hamas has enlisted thousands of fresh terrorists throughout the conflict. Nevertheless, these recruits have only basic training, lacking experience and authority, and have marginal capabilities.

Yet alongside them, a hardened nucleus of veteran, proficient terrorists has endured. Therefore, Hamas sustains operations via emergency committees and apparatuses controlling the economy, transit, and education, while attempting to terrorize the population through executions and public prosecutions. Simultaneously, certain local clans demonstrate resistance.

Regarding the Palestinian population, Hamas' core supporter base has remained steadfast. Conversely, support for Hamas has declined according to multiple surveys. Furthermore, numerous Gazans exhibit passivity amid Gaza's humanitarian conditions, particularly during winter storms. Gaza has reported that at least 16 Palestinians have perished from weather-related damage thus far, including building wall collapses.

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Israeli civilians cross into Gaza Strip as dozens attempt to breach border

omrif — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 13:45:59 +0000

Several Israeli civilians crossed into the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, with Israel Defense Forces troops in the area returning them to Israeli territory, the IDF said. According to the military, the civilians were under constant surveillance by IDF observation units throughout the incident.

Shortly afterward, dozens more Israeli civilians attempted to cross the border in a separate incident. Several breached a barrier and entered the security buffer zone separating Israel from the Gaza Strip, but IDF troops and police officers rushed to the scene and prevented them from entering Gaza.

Tanks on the Gaza border. Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit IDF Spokesperson's Unit

The IDF did not provide further details on the identities of the civilians or the circumstances that led to the attempted crossings.

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Egypt, Turkey, Qatar pursue rival plans for phase II

miriw — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 08:00:43 +0000

Two months have passed since Hamas pledged to return all living and deceased hostages within 72 hours. Only one living hostage remains in Gaza, Sgt. 1st Class Ran Gvili. Against this backdrop, the terror organizations have issued various excuses for the ongoing delay and complained that Israel has not implemented the entirety of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement.

Meanwhile, regional countries have accused Israel of the failure to open the Rafah Crossing in both directions, the activity to demolish buildings in the "yellow line" (buffer zone) area, and strikes against terrorists defined as "violations." For instance, an Arab source told Israel Hayom in a conversation that it remains unclear why Israel insists on not opening the Rafah Crossing completely, as far more Palestinians would leave than enter.

According to him, "Honestly, this is a strange and thoughtless decision. If Netanyahu had agreed at the beginning to open the crossing according to the agreement, he would have achieved the following things – respect from the international community, embarrassment for Egypt, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians would have left, only a few hundred would have entered, and the US would have received this as a gift. This is a diplomatic failure."

Nevertheless, Israel views this as an appropriate sanction for the ongoing delay in delivering all deceased hostages.

Hamas terrorists carry a dead body during a search for deceased hostages seized by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, October 28, 2025 (Photo: Reuters/Ramadan Abed) Reuters/Ramadan Abed

Egypt

Egypt is conducting talks with the Americans, during which it warns against the collapse of the ceasefire agreement. Senior officials in the country have conditioned the opening of the Rafah Crossing on it being in both directions, not just for exits.

Ahead of phase two, Cairo proposes the following framework: deploying a Palestinian police force trained in Egypt and Jordan, deploying an international stabilization force, storing and "non-use" of weapons by the terror organizations, a rehabilitation process for the Strip, and guarantees that attacks will not be carried out against Israel. Furthermore, the Egyptians demand the renewal of the political process with the PA.

Turkey

Turkey still seeks to participate in the international stabilization force. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who maintains contact with Hamas, said over the weekend that the US must pressure Israel to implement the conditions for moving to phase two.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Fidan said Turkey is working with Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to implement the ceasefire agreement. "We are now waiting for the implementation of several things, and especially for the establishment of the Peace Council, the transfer of Gaza's management to the Palestinians, and the establishment of a police body," the Turkish official said. He estimated that the stabilization force "will not encounter problems in its work. At some stage, Palestinian forces will receive security responsibility, but there must not be armed groups," he added.

Qatar

Qatar joins the demand from Israel for immediate and complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip as part of phase two. Currently, Doha is focusing primarily on contacts with the Americans to apply political pressure on Israel.

According to an Arab report, Qatar and Turkey support postponing the "disarmament process" until the end of phase two – a situation that could actually lead to the issue being blurred.

That is, first a Palestinian police force would be deployed, then a technocratic government would be established, and the PA would return to managing the Strip, and only at the end would the disarmament process begin. According to this proposal, the weapons would pass to the custody of the Palestinian Authority, which would oversee their storage, and its role would be to prevent terrorists from accessing them. It has also been reported that Doha and Ankara are proposing an alternative to the PA: "international supervision."

An Israeli soldier operates during a raid in the Nur Shams camp for Palestinian refugees near the city of Tulkarem in the West Bank on August 28, 2024 (Photo: Jaafar Ashtiyeh / AFP) AFP

Palestinian Authority

The PA proposes a similar framework: immediate Israeli withdrawal to the October 6 lines, international forces that would be deployed in the border area and "maintain security," entry of a PA force that would be responsible for security, holding internal Palestinian elections (with demands that would prevent Hamas from competing directly), and the start of the rehabilitation process.

According to sources in the PA, Hamas simply needs to "move aside and not interfere." Furthermore, in Ramallah, they accuse Hamas of its insistence on weapons stemming from its desire to continue collecting taxes and protecting its people, when this should be the government's role. Unlike the framework proposed by Qatar and Turkey, the PA has publicly demanded several times that Hamas hand over its weapons to them immediately.

Gulf States

The Gulf states currently prefer not to intervene in phase two of the ceasefire agreement. The initial condition from their perspective is Hamas' disarming. In this, they align with the PA. Accordingly, the two countries seek to push Hamas as much as possible out of Gaza's management and believe the PA should be involved in any solution.

However, in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, they are aware that the PA requires significant reforms. The Gulf states' demand for change has also been directed toward Israel.

Saudi Arabia

Only recently, a senior official at the Saudi Foreign Ministry declared that the current government in Israel "does not constitute a partner." Until then, Saudi Arabia and especially the United Arab Emirates have been conducting humanitarian projects in the Gaza Strip.

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Israel confirms Hamas' No. 2 eliminated in Gaza

omrif — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 20:06:09 +0000

The IDF and the Shin Bet security agency eliminated Ra'ad Sa'ad, head of the production headquarters of Hamas' military wing and one of the architects of the October 7 massacre, Israeli officials confirmed on Saturday.

Israeli fighter jets fired three missiles at Sa'ad's vehicle in Gaza City, killing him. The US was informed of the strike only after it was carried out.

Sa'ad was considered the terrorist organization's second-in-command and the de facto deputy of Izz ad-Din al-Haddad, head of Hamas' military wing in Gaza.

The October 7 attack. Photo: AFP AFP

According to the IDF statement, "In recent months, Sa'ad played a leading role in Hamas' military wing, including direct involvement in violating the ceasefire agreement. He also oversaw the continued production of weapons in the Gaza Strip during the ceasefire period."

ELIMINATED: Ra'ad Sa'ad, Head of the Weapons Production Headquarters of Hamas' Military Wing and One of the Architects of the Brutal October 7th Massacre

Sa'ad was one of the last remaining veteran senior militants in the Gaza Strip and a close associate of Marwan Issa, the… pic.twitter.com/nIa1VUqryI

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) December 13, 2025

Sa'ad, known by the alias Abu Moaz, was among the last senior veteran figures to remain in the Gaza Strip. He held a series of senior positions and was close to Marwan Issa, the deputy head of Hamas' military wing, who was also killed. Among other roles, Sa'ad established and commanded the Gaza City Brigade and was involved in setting up Hamas' naval force in the Gaza Strip.

After completing his tenure as commander of the Gaza Brigade, Sa'ad was appointed head of operations headquarters. In that role, he established the Nukhba units and took part in designing and building the "Jericho Wall" plan, the framework on which Hamas based its plans for the October 7 massacre.

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White House considers terror designation for UN Palestinian agency

adin — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 07:00:45 +0000

Senior Trump administration figures have pursued substantial deliberations on levying terrorism-related sanctions against the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, two individuals with direct knowledge disclosed, triggering pronounced legal and humanitarian alarm within State Department ranks, according to Reuters.

UNRWA functions across Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria, delivering aid, schooling, medical services, social assistance, and housing to millions of Palestinians. The administration has accused the organization of Hamas ties, charges UNRWA has forcefully disputed.

Cache of combat equipment found in UNRWA bags near civilian buildings (Photo: IDF)

Washington previously served as UNRWA's largest funder before halting contributions in January 2024 following Israeli claims that approximately a dozen UNRWA staff participated in the deadly October 7, 2023, Hamas assault that ignited the Gaza conflict. Secretary of State Marco Rubio subsequently charged in October that the agency had evolved into "a subsidiary of Hamas," which America designated a terrorist organization in 1997.

Current American deliberations have not clarified whether the focus encompasses the entire agency or targets specific UNRWA officials or operational segments, and authorities appear undecided on the precise sanctions instrument they would employ, according to Reuters.

Potential measures State Department figures have explored include designating UNRWA a "foreign terrorist organization (FTO)," the sources indicated, though whether that option – which would severely isolate UNRWA financially – remains actively under consideration is uncertain.

Muhammad Abu Attawi, a UNRWA employee since 2022 and a Hamas Nukbha force commander who led an attack on a bomb shelter near Kibbutz Re'im on October 7 (Photo credit: IDF)

Imposing terrorism-based sanctions on UNRWA would constitute a remarkable and extraordinary step, given America's UN membership and role as host nation for the United Nations, which established the agency in 1949.

William Deere, who leads UNRWA's Washington office, stated the organization would be "disappointed" if American authorities were genuinely exploring an FTO designation. He termed such action "both unprecedented and unwarranted."

"Since January 2024, four independent entities have investigated UNRWA's neutrality including the US National Intelligence Council. While occurring at different times and from different perspectives, they have all come to the same conclusion: UNRWA is an indispensable, neutral, humanitarian actor," Deere stated.

A State Department official responding to inquiries called UNRWA a "corrupt organization with a proven track record of aiding and abetting terrorists," according to the report. "Everything is on the table," the official stated. "No final decisions have yet been made."

State and other agencies possess multiple sanctions mechanisms, generally enabling asset freezes and travel restrictions aimed at specific individuals and entities. Numerous vital American allies provide UNRWA funding, prompting questions whether foreign officials could face penalties for supporting an organization if Washington sanctions UNRWA or its personnel on terrorism grounds.

The UN has stated nine UNRWA employees may have participated in the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and were fired, according to the report. A Hamas commander in Lebanon – killed by Israel in September – was also discovered to have held a UNRWA position.

"[UNRWA is] a subsidiary of Hamas." US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (Photo: Umit Bektas/Reuters)

Individuals directly familiar with the UNRWA deliberations, who requested anonymity to reveal confidential discussions, privately voiced multiple humanitarian and legal apprehensions given the organization's unique role assisting displaced Palestinians.

Political appointees at State installed since Trump's term began have generally championed the drive to impose terrorism sanctions on UNRWA, the sources stated, according to the report. Numerous career State officials – including lawyers who craft designation language – have resisted, those sources added, Reuters reported.

In recent weeks, potential sanctions have been discussed by officials in State's Counterterrorism Bureau and Policy Planning Staff members, an influential internal policymaking entity, one source stated.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spent years calling for UNRWA's dismantlement, accusing it of anti-Israeli incitemen. Since January 30, Israel has banned UNRWA operations on Israeli territory.

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Erdogan accuses Israel of 'genocide in Gaza' and sets a new goal

adin — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 10:00:26 +0000

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan launched another attack against Israel on Saturday, accusing the country of "ignoring international laws and norms with its continued violations of the Gaza ceasefire agreement." He claimed that "the only path to lasting peace in Gaza is a ceasefire and the beginning of a two-state solution process."

"The genocide in Gaza has caused the killing of more than 70,000 people. This constitutes a grave violation of the values in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Unfortunately, the injustices in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories continue despite all the efforts of the international community," Erdoğan charged, according to statements quoted by the Turkish news agency.

The Turkish leader further emphasized that "the rehabilitation of Gaza, which has been turned into a pile of rubble, is a shared responsibility that rests on the shoulders of all humanity toward the Palestinians."

Meanwhile, Erdoğan addressed the domestic situation in his country, stating, "We will first achieve the goal of a Turkey without terrorism, and then, with God's help, we will announce the goal of a region without terrorism, based on development, solidarity, cooperation, and peace."

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Hamas appoints new commanders as militias seek revenge

omrif — Sat, 06 Dec 2025 20:15:23 +0000

Seven hundred and ninety two days have passed since the Oct. 7 massacre, and the last remaining hostage, Staff Sgt. Ran Gvili remains held in Gaza. Hamas still maintains control in parts of the Gaza Strip beyond the Yellow Line, and even more so underground. Although the terrorist organization has lost most of its military and political leadership in Gaza, along with more than 20,000 fighters, it is restructuring, recruiting and carrying out a new round of appointments.

According to Arabic media reports, Hamas has reassigned its operatives to positions left vacant after Israeli strikes during the war, including roles in its military wing, political bureau, shura council and administrative bodies in the Gaza Strip. It has also reportedly established a technical committee tasked with transferring governance to a technocratic body.

Hamas "police officers" on the streets of Gaza after the deal took effect. Photo: Arab networks

On Thursday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said progress had been made toward forming a technocratic administration for Gaza. He said a list of candidates had been compiled and consultations were underway with relevant parties. So far, however, the Palestinian Authority and Hamas have not reached agreement on the matter.

In other words, beyond the three senior figures in Hamas' military wing who survived the wave of assassinations, new commanders have been appointed. Those surviving officials are Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the current head of the military wing, Raed Saad and Muhammad Odeh. The same applies to the Gaza-based political bureau, whose members were mostly killed in the war or are abroad. But this does not mean Hamas has fully recovered. By definition, thousands of new operatives and commanders function at a far lower operational level compared to the organization's capabilities on the eve of Oct. 7.

Premature celebration

Hamas supporters celebrated in recent days following the killing of Yasser Abu Shabab, head of the Popular Forces in eastern Rafah, the first militia in Gaza established in cooperation with Israel. Even so, the group declared it would continue his path, and quickly appointed his deputy, Rassan al-Dahini, as his successor.

In a show of strength, al-Dahini held his first inspection of the forces in a military formation. He later declared, "Together we will act until evil and terrorism are eliminated and justice is done for the victims."

Yasser Abu Shabab and Hamas terrorists.
Photo: Reuters Reuters

Speaking to Israel Hayom, Hossam al-Astal, head of a rival anti-Hamas organization in Khan Younis, said the People's Forces in Rafah would survive Abu Shabab's death. "They will manage. Rassan al-Dahini is the second in command there, and he knows the work, the people and everything." Despite Hamas threats, al-Astal appeared unfazed. "Hamas always needs to create chaos and claim we have problems so people will not join us. But people are constantly calling us and asking for help."

According to him, "The new Gaza, God willing, will grow. There is no more Hamas. We have great confidence and many friends. There are problems, but they are small. Hamas terrorists cannot cross the Yellow Line. They have police in al-Mawasi and there they kill people. They do it to show they are still present, just as they did with the Durmush clan after the cease-fire." He added that "something new will happen soon. There is no Hamas, and what remains of Hamas is 5 to 7 percent."

Al-Astal and al-Dahini are not the only militia leaders who oppose Hamas in Gaza. Rami Khalas, who heads another militia operating in eastern Gaza City, stressed on Friday, "We remain committed to fighting terrorism and extremism in order to build a new future for our Palestinian people." Another leader, Shauki Abu Nasira, a former security prisoner, declared over the weekend, "The death of Abu Shabab strengthens our determination to continue. Death to Hamas." All of these men previously served in the Palestinian Authority's security apparatus.

The anti-Hamas militias are signaling that they intend to stay. Still, they cannot realistically provide a governing alternative to Hamas on their own. The terrorist organization still controls thousands of fighters in the heart of the Gaza Strip. Without IDF protection, it is doubtful these militias could survive Hamas attacks. Even if a trained Palestinian Authority police force were eventually allowed to enter the Gaza Strip, there is no guarantee that Hamas or other terrorist organizations would lay down their arms.

Gaza Strip. Photo: AP

Inside Gaza, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate as winter sets in. The tents housing displaced families are flooded with rainwater and sewage infrastructure remains destroyed, leading to the spread of disease. Residents complain of inadequate medical services and the hardship of living without shelter after countless homes were destroyed in the war.

Meanwhile, Hamas' health ministry reported that hundreds of bodies have been removed in recent weeks since the cease-fire began. The ministry also reported 367 deaths in strikes during that period. Since Oct. 7, 2023, the Gaza health ministry claims that 70,354 Palestinians have been killed.

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Gaza militia leader Yasser Abu Shabab killed

omrif — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 13:11:29 +0000

Yasser Abu Shabab, the leader of the Popular Forces militia who had openly challenged Hamas in recent months, was killed in the Gaza Strip after being evacuated to Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, where he was pronounced dead. Abu Shabab, who commanded a force of several hundred armed men, had been released from a Hamas prison after an Israeli Air Force strike. He later accused Hamas of looting aid supplies and fostering chaos and corruption.

Palestinian sources had already reported in late May that a new armed force was taking control of food trucks in Rafah in southern Gaza. The militia was led by Abu Shabab, who previously served time in a Hamas prison. According to Hamas-linked circles, he was able to break out following an Israeli airstrike during the war and subsequently took command of a group estimated at 100 to 300 armed men.

Yasser Abu Shabab and Hamas terrorists. Photo: Reuters Reuters

The Abu Shabab clan belongs to the large Tarabin tribe, one of the most powerful in the Gaza Strip. Members of the tribe cooperated with Islamic State during the past decade as part of the smuggling trade between Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula, in which Hamas also played a major role. The clan itself does not hold ideological affiliation with Islamic State.

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