IDF Troops Kill 3 Terrorists In Rafah As Israel And US Discuss Fate Of 200 Trapped Hamas Terrorists
Israeli forces continued operations Wednesday (12th) in Rafah to destroy tunnels believed to be sheltering about 200 Hamas terrorists. In at least two separate incidents soldiers encountered terrorists nearby and opened fire.
In the first incident, troops spotted four terrorists close to their position and immediately engaged them. No Israeli casualties were reported. Shortly afterward, Golani Brigade troops identified four armed terrorists and after a rapid maneuver, killed three of them in coordination with the Israeli Air Force.
Elsewhere, the IDF said it killed another terrorist who “crossed the Yellow Line and approached Israeli forces operating in Khan Younis in a way that posed an immediate threat.” The army reported that about 10 terrorists were killed across Gaza during the day.
The IDF is using the current window of opportunity to destroy tunnels in the area, though such operations frequently lead to deadly encounters. Similar concentrations of Hamas terrorists are believed to remain in the Bani Suhaila enclave near Khan Younis and in other pockets under Israeli control.
Even though reports this week have stated that a solution to the 200 trapped terrorists’ dilemma would be disarming and deporting them somewhere, sources close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “He has made no commitment to the Americans to release the Rafah terrorists.”
United Arab Emirates Concerned Over Turkish, Qatari Involvement In Trump’s Gaza Plan
The United Arab Emirates is concerned by the fact that some Qatari and Turkish actors, whom it views as “Hamas enablers that will allow the terror organization to continue its existence,” are playing a central role in the proposed plan to rebuild the Gaza Strip.
“These are elements affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood who are taking key positions in the Gaza reconstruction plan,” a source familiar with the UAE’s position told The Jerusalem Post.
This concern led the UAE to officially announce this week that it will not take part in the multinational ISF force expected to deploy in Gaza.
“The UAE has not yet seen a clear framework for the stabilization force, and under such circumstances, it is unlikely to participate,” said Anwar Gargash, the UAE Presidential Advisor, during the Abu Dhabi Strategic Dialogue Forum.
The international force, established in coordination with the United States, is expected to include troops from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. The US administration hopes the force will enter Gaza “very soon,” and is currently working on a UN Security Council resolution to authorize its deployment.
Over the past two years, the UAE has been involved in discussions regarding “the day after” in Gaza. Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer has visited the UAE several times, and the idea of a multinational force stationed in Gaza was developed in part through talks among senior Israeli, US, and Emirati officials.
While the UAE still intends to participate in post-war efforts in Gaza, its role will focus more on humanitarian assistance. “The Emirates will focus on humanitarian aid, reconstruction, and supporting the establishment of effective governance,” a source said.
He added that the UAE might also assist the ISF force in some logistical capacity, explaining that “despite concerns over the involvement of Hamas-aligned actors, the goal in the UAE is to help create something new in Gaza – to begin a different chapter there.”
Meanwhile, discussions continue regarding the 200 militants currently in Rafah. While the US and Israel agree on the idea of exiling them if they lay down their arms, Hamas has conveyed to mediators that it currently rejects this proposal.
“Hamas fears setting a precedent where Israel would grant full immunity only to those who disarm and agree to exile,” said a source familiar with the details.
Despite these challenges and Israel’s public refusal to allow safe passage for armed militants into Hamas-controlled territory, even if they disarm, the US administration believes a solution will soon be reached.
At the same time, Israel is preparing for the possibility that the ceasefire agreement could collapse.
Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir informed cabinet ministers in a meeting last Thursday (6th) that the defense establishment is working on a “Plan B” in case the Trump Plan fails. This alternative plan will be presented to the political leadership and ministers soon.
Jerusalem Strengthens Ties With Athens And Nicosia Amid Turkish Unease
In a brief statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Neanyahu’s office announced that the acting National Security Council head and the prime minister’s military secretary had paid a visit to Athens. The trip comes amid growing concern in Turkey over the tightening security ties between Israel, Greece and Cyprus. Greece, for its part, has been investing heavily and flexing its muscles in joint exercises.
According to international reports, Greece plans to purchase advanced air defense systems from Israel as part of a project known as “Abhilles Shield,”
The system will reportedly include a new radar and several types of anti-missile interceptors, such as David’s Sling, Spyder, and Barak. The deal is estimated at around $53.2 billion.
In recent days, Greek defense Minister Nikos Dendias said his country may oppose Turkey’s inclusion in the European Union’s SAFE program, which aims to strengthen security and defense cooperation among EU member states.
Athens fears that Turkey’s participation would increase’s vulnerability to Ankara. In Turkey, the move is being seen as a direct provocation. Several opinion columns written by former generals in the Turkish press have accused Israel of being the driving force behind the Greek initiative and warned against the deepening security alliance among Israel, Greece and Cyprus.
Israel and Cyprus have also been expanding their cooperation in energy matters. During Energy Minister Eli Cohen’s recent visit to Nicosia, discussions focused on a plan to lay a direct gas pipeline from Israel’s Karish field to Cyprus, with the gas expected to meet Cypriot and Greek energy needs.
The announcement from Netanyahu’s office appears aimed at sending a warning to Ankara, which has been attempting to gain a foothold in Israel’s backyard, particularly in the Gaza Strip, but has so far been prevented from doing so by Israel
Angela Merkel Visits Israel, Meets Oct.7 Survivors And Receives Honorary Doctorate
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited Israel this week, meeting with survivors of the October 7 Hamas-led massacre and receiving an honorary doctorate from the Weizmann Institute of Science in recognition of her global diplomatic contributions and steadfast support for Israel.
Merkel, who served as chancellor from 2005 to 2021, traveled to the Nova music festival site near Re’im and to Kibbutz Nahal Oz, which also came under attack in the deadly cross-border assault that left some 1,200 people–mostly civilians–dead in southern Israel, according to Israeli tallies. At the Nova site, she received a detailed briefing from Gail Storesh, a former senior Mossad official, on the events of that day, including the reported use of sexual violence by Hamas terrorists.
In Nahal Oz, Merkel visited the home of journalist and kibbutz resident Amir Tibon, who along with his family, survived the attack after sheltering in a safe room for ten hours. At her request, she was shown the reinforced safe room where the family hid, and later toured the kibbutz to speak with residents who have returned and are working to rebuild the community.
Tibon said Merkel arrived without media or a large entourage and engaged deeply with those she met. “She asked many questions about the kibbutz’s history, our past relations with Gaza’s residents and how we see our future,” he said. “She was especially attentive to the experiences of the children and how we’re helping them cope with the trauma,” Tibon thanked German Ambassador Steffen Seibert for helping organize the visit.
During the visit, the Weizmann Institute awarded Merkel an honorary doctorate for what it described as her”unparalleled contributions to global diplomacy and international partnerships, as well as her “solidarity and friendship with Israel” and her “determined efforts to combat anti-Semitism.”
During the Gaza war, she warned that Israel is disproportionately criticized compared to other global conflicts, noting that wars such as the one in Yemen, which resulted in widespread famine and mass casualties, received far less public condemnation.
Merkel is widely regarded as a central figure in shaping post-World War II German-Israeli relations. In a 2008 speech to the Knesset, she famously declared Israel’s security a “Staatsrason” —a fundamental reason for the existence of the German state—a principle that has since guided German policy, including defense cooperation such as submarine sales.
Herzog Visits Congo, Zambia To Deepen Israel-Africa Ties
Israeli President Isaac Herzog was warmly welcomed by the leaders of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia this week, marking a whirlwind visit to central Africa aimed at strengthening Jerusalem’s ties with the continent.
Herzog landed in Zambia on Monday (10th), the first-ever visit by an Israeli president to the southern African nation, where he was greeted on the tarmac by traditional dancers before meeting with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema.
During their meeting, Herzog emphasized that “there is nothing Israel wants more than peace with our Palestinian neighbors,” according to a summary of his remarks published by his office.
In a post on his official X account, Herzog thanked Zambia for its “deep friendship and solidarity with the people of Israel.”
He added that Israel and Zambia share a strong and friendly relationship “reflected in cooperation across many fields including innovation, science, health, food security, and water management, as well as tourism, investments, and advancing potential trade.”
On Tuesday (11th), Herzog met with President Felix Tshisekedi at the Congolese presidential palace, where he also met with other senior diplomats.
In remarks released by his office, Herzog noted that his father , Chaim Herzog – who also served as president of Israel – made a historic visit to Congo some 40 years ago.
Herzog reiterated that Jerusalem remains committed to maintaining and expanding its ties with African nations, even as some countries, including South Africa, have expressed growing hostility toward the Jewish state.
“Africa has been so important to the Jewish people for generations, and there is no reason for African nations to push us aside,” Herzog said, expressing Israel’s “deep gratitude” for Congo’s support within the African Union.
“There are also other major humanitarian crises in Africa, such as in Sudan,” he added, “and I hope that the eyes of the world will turn there, rather than focusing obsessively on Israel.”
Israel National News Defense/Security: A Glimpse Into The IDF’s Massive Exercise In Judea And Samaria
This week, the IDF completed a multi-corps exercise involving the Judea and Samaria Division and the recently established 96th Division, led by the Central Command.
This was the first exercise of its kind in which two divisions operated together, in close cooperation and operational coordination.
During the exercise, the troops trained in over 40 scenarios, with the Israel Air Force providing aerial support to the troops on the ground.
Troops and representatives from the Central Command, the Israeli Air Force, the Operations Directorate, the Intelligence Directorate, the ISA, the Civil Administration, the Enemy Simulation Unit, the Commands Communications Unit, the technological and Logistics Directorate, Magan David Adom and the Israel Police all participated in the exercise.
The IDF noted that the exercise took place against the backdrop of a complex security reality and was conducted alongside ongoing operational activity in the Judea and Samaria arena, including counterterrorism activities in the camps.
Among the scenarios practiced were attacks on military posts, terrorist infiltrations into multiple communities simultaneously, terror attacks during reserve troop mobilization, combat in densely built-up areas, rescue of trapped individuals, response to mass-casualty incidents and medical evacuation under extreme conditions, implementing intelligence activities, and command and control during combat through inter-agency cooperation.
In addition, updated defense and operational activation plans under the Central Command were assessed.
The exercise incorporated lessons learned from October 7th, including initial strikes, recognizing the critical impact of early response, rapid readiness, deployment of special forces, and full mobilization of IDF troops.
The IDF stressed that it will continue to conduct regular exercises to ensure high readiness, strengthen cooperation among all troops, and maintain the security of residents in the area and of all Israeli civilians.
