★ISRAEL

1. Trump Unveils Gaza Peace Plan with Israeli and Arab Backing

Washington, D.C. – President Donald Trump unveiled a sweeping Gaza peace initiative alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, securing backing from several Arab and Muslim states committed to dismantling Hamas’ military capabilities. The plan proposes a phased Israeli withdrawal, immediate hostage releases within 72 hours, prisoner exchanges, and the disarmament of Hamas under international supervision. It also envisions a temporary technocratic Palestinian government, coupled with humanitarian aid, economic redevelopment, and infrastructure reconstruction. Future Palestinian statehood is left conditional on political and institutional reforms, marking a potentially historic yet controversial step toward resolving decades of conflict. Trump emphasized the plan as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to end hostilities in Gaza, signaling an unprecedented level of Arab-Israeli coordination in the peace process.

2. Documents reveal Hamas organized and funded Gaza flotilla

Israeli-released documents show Hamas directly organized and financed a Gaza-bound flotilla, using the Palestinian Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA) as a civilian cover. Key figures include Zaher Birawi in the UK and Saif Abu Kishk in Spain. Israel said the flotilla, escorted by Italian and Spanish navies, is controlled by Hamas abroad, and direct access to Gaza will not be allowed.

3. Sexual Exploitation of Women Surges  In Gaza

Women in Gaza report sexual abuse while seeking aid or work during the humanitarian crisis caused by Israel’s war with Hamas. One woman recounted being coerced by a man claiming UN affiliation, while psychologists and local groups say cases have surged as displacement and aid dependency rise. Experts note similar patterns in other crises, with women facing exploitation, stigma, and family repercussions.

4. Knesset approves NIS 30.8B boost to defense budget

The Knesset narrowly passed an additional NIS 30.8 billion ($9.2B) for defense, raising 2025 spending to NIS 787 billion ($237B) and increasing the deficit cap to 5.2% of GDP. The vote, 55-50, followed debates over ultra-Orthodox funding and reservist support. Finance Minister Smotrich and Shas backed the measure, while some UTJ and Otzma Yehudit members opposed it.

5. Eleven IDF soldiers were wounded in a Hamas infiltration in Gaza

Eleven IDF soldiers were wounded in Gaza City when five Hamas terrorists infiltrated a military position, detonating two IEDs and engaging in close-range fire. Five soldiers were injured in the initial clash, two Hamas attackers were killed, and three fled. Six more soldiers were hurt during rescue efforts. The wounded include a medical officer, a tank officer, and three tank crew members.

6. IDF, Shin Bet kill Hamas deputy commander involved in hostage parades

The IDF and Shin Bet confirmed the killing of Musa Shaldan, deputy commander of Hamas’s Zeitun Battalion, in Gaza City. Shaldan participated in the October 7 attacks, hostage release parades, and multiple operations against Israeli forces, including sniper and anti-tank attacks. 

=============

★IRAN

7. US deports roughly 100 Iranians in rare cooperation with Tehran

The Trump administration deported about 100 Iranians from the U.S. to Iran via a chartered plane from Louisiana through Qatar. Some deportees volunteered, others had denied or pending asylum requests. The operation followed months of negotiations, with Iran coordinating their return and assuring their safety, marking a rare instance of U.S.-Iran cooperation.

8. UK imposes new sanctions on Iran over nuclear programme

The UK sanctioned 71 Iranian-linked individuals and entities, including senior nuclear officials and major financial and energy institutions, following UN and EU actions. Sanctions impose asset freezes, financial restrictions, and travel bans. The measures respond to alleged Iranian violations of the 2015 nuclear deal, which Tehran denies, and follow the reinstatement of UN arms and other sanctions.

=============

★SYRIA

9. Syria Rejects Trump’s Recognition of Israeli Golan Control

Syria’s Foreign Ministry condemned Israel’s sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights, calling it “null and void” under UN Security Council Resolution 497 (1981). The resolution demands Israel revoke its annexation, affirms the applicability of the 1949 Geneva Convention, and authorizes the UN to monitor compliance. Damascus’ statement followed Trump’s renewed affirmation of Israeli control of the territory.

10. SDF conducts mass arrests in Raqqa for forced recruitment

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) carried out a large-scale arrest campaign in Raqqa targeting dozens of men under 40  for compulsory recruitment. Arrests occurred at city checkpoints, streets, and markets during heavy SDF patrols. Earlier, over 50 people, including children and the elderly, were detained in al-Muwailih village. Tensions persist with the Syrian government despite a March ceasefire and integration agreement.

=============

★LEBANON

11. Remaining Weapons in Hezbollah’s Military Arsenal

Reports claim Israel destroyed most of Hezbollah’s arsenal, but international sources indicate the group still holds tens of thousands of short-range rockets, an active stock of medium- and long-range missiles, as well as drones and anti-tank munitions.

12. Israel kills Hezbollah commanders, strikes weapons site in Lebanon

The IDF killed Mohammad Abbas Shashoua and Muhammad Hussein Yassin, Hezbollah artillery commanders in Southern Lebanon responsible for rocket attacks on Kiryat Shmona, the Golan, and Galilee, rebuilding terror infrastructure and smuggling weapons, violating the Nov. 27, 2024, ceasefire. Israel also struck a precision-weapons facility in the Beqaa Valley; Lebanon plans disarmament, but Hezbollah refuses.

=============

★YEMEN

13. Houthi Missile Attack Wounds Crew on Dutch Cargo Ship

A missile strike by Yemen’s Houthi rebels hit the Dutch-flagged Minervagracht in the Gulf of Aden, wounding two crew members and forcing 19 sailors to abandon the vessel. The attack, part of the Houthis’ campaign which they claim is linked to the Israel-Hamas war, caused substantial damage, with one crew member severely injured and evacuated to Djibouti for treatment.

=============

★THE GULF

14. Netanyahu apologizes to Qatar PM over Israeli Strike in Doha

During a meeting with President Trump, Israeli PM Netanyahu apologized to Qatari PM Al Thani for Israeli’s strike against Hamas leaders in Doha, acknowledging the violation of Qatari sovereignty and the death of a Qatari security officer. Israel also agreed to participate in a U.S.-Qatar-Israeli trilateral mechanism to resolve grievances. The apology sparked some criticism in Israel, while Trump sought to bridge gaps and advance a Gaza peace plan.

15. UAE Pushes Netanyahu to Accept Trump Gaza Plan

The UAE urged Israeli PM Netanyahu to endorse Trump’s Gaza peace plan and abandon West Bank annexation, warning that annexation would block further Arab-Israel normalization. UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed conveyed UAE support for the U.S. framework, emphasizing regional benefits. The plan proposes Gaza stabilization, a transitional Palestinian government, and conditional pathways toward Palestinian statehood while addressing Israel’s security concerns.

16. Qatar and Malaysia Sign Defense, Technology Agreements

Qatar and Malaysia strengthened strategic ties by signing multiple defense agreements and a technology cooperation deal between Barzan Holdings and Malaysia’s Ingress Berhad. The agreements, signed in Doha with defense ministers and senior military officials present, aim to enhance industrial capabilities, information exchange, and bilateral defense collaboration, marking a new chapter in their strategic partnership

=============

★TURKIYE

17. Türkiye, Syria Conduct First Joint Operation Against ISIS Cell

Turkish security forces, coordinating with Syrian internal security, dismantled a 14-member ISIS cell in Atmeh, Idlib. Eight militants were killed, two injured, and four captured and returned to Türkiye. The cell had killed a Turkish citizen during transit. This marks the first joint Turkish-Syrian counterterrorism operation since establishing a shared operations center in August to combat ISIS.

18. Turkish Opposition Pushes for Early Elections, Backs Imamoglu

Opposition leader Özgür Özel of Türkiye’s Republican People’s Party insists on early elections to resolve national crises, nominating Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu—or Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş if Imamoglu remains jailed—for president. Özel condemned Imamoglu’s detention as politically motivated, vowed to defeat Erdoğan, and defended his party’s parliamentary boycott as a stand against attempts to undermine democratic will.

=============

★ Disclaimer: The Early Phoenix is a digest of various news sources compiled by the Early Phoenix team and edited by Rania Kisar. The items are curated, concise summaries of news items hyperlinked within each story. The items and summaries presented do not necessarily represent the views of the American Center for Levant Studies.