Overview

• In an unprecedented move, the IDF and Shin Bet struck at Hamas terrorists residing in Doha, Qatar using 15 fighter jets that fired 10 relatively small munitions targeting a building in north Doha (sensitive area with embassies).

• About 280,000 Gaza City residents fled south; fewer than 700,000 remain in the city. The IDF Spokesperson (Arabic) issued consistent immediate evacuation calls.

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Israel where he will focus on hostage release opportunities, destroying Hamas (“necessary for peace”), and ensuring a humanitarian aid mechanism that bypasses Hamas.

• After the Ramot Junction shooting (6 killed, 20 wounded: 7 serious, 2 moderate, 11 light), the two attackers were killed by a Hashmonaim Brigade sergeant and an armed Haredi civilian.

• An Arab-Israeli (25) from Shuafat working at a Kibbutz Tzova hotel stabbed two Jewish-Israelis.

• In Damascus, CENTCOM Commander Bradley Cooper and Special Envoy Tom Barak met President Ahmed al- Sharaa.

• COGAT is expanding Crossing 147 (Kissufim) to triple daily trucks from ~50 to ~150, enabling north-to-south movement and supporting planned “humanitarian cities.”

• The Israeli Air Force launched Operation “Ringing Bells”: 10 jets, 2,350 km round-trip (longest of the war), 30 munitions on 15 targets including Houthi propaganda HQ, oil facilities, training camps, and reportedly homes of senior Houthis. 

Gaza 

Hostage Deal

• Donald Trump announced a proposed hostage deal to end the war: all 48 hostages released on day one; Israel to free thousands of security prisoners who were arrested by Israeli security or police, and in many cases convicted of nationalist crimes, including hundreds with “blood on their hands.” Trump would lead end-of-war negotiations, during the ceasefire.

• Hamas agreed in principle if the deal yields full IDF withdrawal, a technocratic government including Hamas, and a reconstruction plan that Hamas approves. Israel reiterated its demand for Hamas’s surrender and the US administration has expressed support for a governance structure that excludes Hamas. The current objective of “Gideon’s Chariots II” is framed as increasing pressure on Hamas to force the deal.

• Qatar’s PM is pressuring Hamas to accept but argues not all 48 can be delivered instantly because some are buried under rubble and recovery time is needed. Hamas refuses disarmament, insisting on IDF withdrawal and reconstruction. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar stated that Israel has accepted Trump’s proposal provided it meets Security-Cabinet conditions.

Diplomatic

• Prime Minister Netanyahu held a discussion on facilitating Gazan emigration via maritime and land routes starting in October—destinations unspecified, with African states mentioned as possible destinations.

• The Saudi-French initiative was approved in a non-binding UN vote (142–10–12), calling for progress toward establishing a Palestinian state.

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting Israel where he will focus on hostage release opportunities, destroying Hamas (“necessary for peace”), and ensuring a humanitarian aid mechanism that bypasses Hamas. He criticized the Doha strike yet affirmed support for Israel. Discussions reportedly will includ the possible annexation of parts of Judea & Samaria and whether U.S. support would persist given potential negative impact on the Abraham Accords.

Operational 

• The IAF executed five strike waves against ~500 targets across Gaza City. The last two waves concentrated on Shati Camp and Al-Furkan, hitting sniper/observation posts, tunnel shafts, weapons depots, and other militant infrastructure. Multi-story buildings in western Gaza City received evacuation orders and were struck approximately 30 minutes later, causing buildings to collapse. Simultaneously, several schools in Tel al-Hawa that shelter displaced civilians were ordered to evacuate.

• About 280,000 Gaza City residents moved south; it is believed that fewer than 700,000 remain in the city. The IDF Spokesperson (Arabic) issued immediate evacuation calls; Unit 504 sent recorded robocalls and distributed leaflets directing civilians to Al-Rashid Road, including a dedicated phone number to report Hamas roadblocks or operatives obstructing movement. Leaflets also fell over Shati, where local reports speak of three strikes on schools used as shelters that the IDF had intelligence indicating that it was also used as a hub for Hamas.

• Task Group 401 located and destroyed an IED site, a weapons cache, and two underground routes (each hundreds of meters long) on Gaza City’s outskirts—all neutralized. Division 36 concluded months of operations in Khan Younis and rotated for refit ahead of the Gaza City assault. During its campaign, the division eliminated hundreds of militants, destroyed hundreds of militant structures, expanded the “Magen Oz” axis, and—together with Yahalom—demolished dozens of kilometers of tunnels.

• A militant cell emerged from an undiscovered tunnel, approached a tank near a fortified position, opened small-arms fire, and threw an explosive into the tank, killing four soldiers from the 401st Brigade’s “Habok’im” Battalion.

• Az al-Din al-Haddad—described here as Gaza Brigade Commander who became Hamas’s overall commander in May after Mohammad Sinwar was killed—appointed Mohannad Rajib as brigade commander to unify above- and below-ground cells for a fight expected to last weeks or months. Al-Haddad is likely relocating to central Gaza.

Humanitarian

• COGAT is expanding Crossing 147 (Kissufim) to triple daily trucks from ~50 to ~150, enabling north-to-south movement and supporting planned “humanitarian cities.”

• Water & basic services -  By political directive, COGAT laid two additional water pipes to southern Gaza (coming online shortly), targeting ~28,000 m³/day. Preparations continue to establish humanitarian cities between the “Morag” and “Magen Oz” corridors, where it is envisioned to encourage the population to relocate to safer areas.

Qatar

• In an unprecedented move, the IDF and Shin Bet struck at Hamas terrorists residing in Doha, Qatar using 15 fighter jets that fired 10 relatively small munitions targeting a building in north Doha (sensitive area with embassies). The building was not fully destroyed. At least five Hamas members were killed (including Khalil al-Hayya’s son) along with a Qatari security officer. The Mossad reportedly opposed the strike amid Qatar-mediated hostage talks.

• Conflicting claims followed about who was notified when (Israel, the Trump Administration, Qatar). Qatar vowed legal action; Trump criticized the strike and assured the Emir it won’t be repeated. A funeral for six was held in Qatar, attended by Hamas leaders; al-Hayya did not appear, and Hamas said he was unharmed. As a result of the strike, Canada’s FM said relations with Israel may be reassessed. The Qatari PM met Trump, VP Vance, and Secretary of State Rubio—who expressed support for Qatar and criticized the strike—discussing a new defense agreement and pushing a Gaza ceasefire. Arab foreign ministers planned to convene Sunday in Doha, ahead of an emergency summit Monday of Arab and Islamic leaders.

• Marking 9/11, Netanyahu argued that just as the world praised U.S. pursuits of the Taliban and al-Qaeda, it should praise Israel’s pursuit of Hamas in Doha; he demanded Qatar extradite Hamas leaders, declaring: “Expel them or bring them to justice; if not, we will.” Israel signals that Hamas has no sanctuary anywhere under IAF dominance, a stance that breaks diplomatic convention and reportedly worries even Egypt and Turkey.

• Asharq Al-Awsat reports that Hamas leaders are weighing whether to remain in Qatar or relocate to states they perceive as safer. The takeaway taking hold inside Hamas is that targeted killings may follow them anywhere, regardless of host country—shaping both their security posture and their willingness to continue open political activity abroad.

• Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman condemned the “Israeli occupation” in the context of Israel’s strike in Doha, casting the attack as a violation that warrants Arab and international pushback.

•  Iran’s Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. Abd al-Rahim Mousavi, declared that Iran “will stand with Qatar” in the face of threats, accusing Israel and the United States of stoking tensions. The message is twofold: political solidarity with Doha and deterrent signaling toward further extraterritorial Israeli actions.

Judea and Samaria

• Since the year began, ~550 shooting and ~450 IED attacks were foiled throughout Judea and Samaria. 

• After the Ramot Junction shooting (6 killed, 20 wounded: 7 serious, 2 moderate, 11 light), the two attackers were killed by a Hashmonaim Brigade sergeant and an armed Haredi civilian.

• Binyamin Brigade launched “Magen Yerushalayim” targeting cells in Ramallah-area villages tied to the attack: ~700 sites were searched, 20 suspects were arrested, 38 weapons were seized (including Airsoft pistols) plus military gear and ISIS flags. Illegal structures in the two villages of the terrorists were demolished and their homes were sealed. The Chief of Staff ordered a full closure of the area; measures include clearing vegetation and potentially uprooting olive groves near roads and along the seam line to remove dead ground. Defense Minister Katz imposed a closure on ~70,000 residents, applied family/village sanctions, and ordered demolition of illegal buildings.

• Menashe (Jenin) and Yehuda (Hebron) Brigades launched parallel ops: 21 arrests, weapons and tens of thousands of shekels in terror funds seized. 

• On Fri, Sep 12, an Arab-Israeli (25) from Shuafat working at a Kibbutz Tzova hotel stabbed two Jewish-Israelis. An off-duty police officer subdued him without firing. 

• The Hebron mayor (arrested previously for supporting terror) was moved to four months of administrative detention. 

• An IDF “Panther” vehicle struck an IED near Tulkarm, lightly wounding two soldiers—the first IED on that successfully targeted the IDF there since April; a curfew followed and hundreds were detained in the manhunt to disrupt the terror cell there.

Lebanon

• The Lebanese Army raided Nabatieh apartments belonging to the SSNP militia, seizing RPGs, Kalashnikovs, hunting rifles, M-16s, grenades, and ammunition. On Thu, Sep 11, the IDF conducted at least four strikes inside Lebanon, sustaining pressure on Hezbollah and Beirut to curb its arsenal.

• Naim Qassem vowed no disarmament and listed four priorities: blocking Israeli operations, forcing IDF withdrawal from five outposts, securing prisoner releases, and leading national reconstruction. He criticized the Lebanese government and the U.S. over IDF non-withdrawal after the Nov 2024 ceasefire’s 60-day mark.

• Contrary to earlier reports that suggested that the Lebanese Army will initially focus on Dahieh, they will instead spend the next three months south of the Litani, erecting river checkpoints to block northbound weapons smuggling and collecting Hezbollah arms south of the Litani before shifting to Beirut, the Bekaa, and elsewhere. The U.S. DoD approved military equipment transfers to the LAF valued at $14.2B, and a French delegation met senior LAF officers about assistance; France also seeks an international reconstruction summit.

• Israel inaugurated a northern training site, the “Lebanon Facility,” mirroring Shiite villages and terrain (akin to “Little Gaza”) to prepare for a new maneuver and routine operations while holding five outposts.

• Fatah security forces transferred truckloads of weapons from the Ain al-Hilweh and al-Beddawi Palestinian refugee camps to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). This fourth-phase handover is a confidence-building step toward camp demilitarization and bolstering state authority, though enforcement and follow-through will determine its durability.

Syria

• In Damascus, CENTCOM Commander Bradley Cooper and Special Envoy Tom Barak met President al- Sharaa alongside Syria’s defense and foreign ministers to discuss bilateral cooperation and the joint fight against ISIS.

• President al-Sharaa (in Damascus) claimed that Israel lamented the fall of the prior regime, sought to turn Syria into a perpetual conflict arena, and misread the fall as a departure from the 1974 disengagement deal.  He insisted that Syria remained committed from the outset. He alleged Israeli designs to partition Syria, said Israel was surprised by the regime’s fall, and confirmed talks on a security agreement to return to 1974 parameters or similar, noting negotiations are ongoing and not concluded.

• Al-Sharaa argued Israel chose the “safer” option—striking civilian and military sites—and called such actions unjustified, maintaining the public case for international sympathy and legal positioning.

• Syrian security forces arrested five Hezbollah operatives, seizing 19 Grad rockets, grenades, AT missiles, ammunition caches, and Kalashnikovs; the suspects are accused of plotting against the Syrian state.

• Israeli strikes. The IAF struck an air-defense battalion in Homs and a Latakia site storing Russian air-defense systems in Syrian army custody; Damascus condemned the strikes.

• Turkish-Syrian security track. Eye of the Middle East reported Turkey is training 300 Syrian security personnel in central/eastern Turkey, with plans for 5,000 in the short term and 20,000 over time, following a security cooperation agreement (Aug 13); Turkish-made air-defense systems are reportedly being transferred to the new Syrian army.

Yemen

• Houthi UAV alerts sounded around Ramon Airport; with 3 UAVs shot down by the IAF and one drone striking the Ramon Airport near Eilat.

• Following the Ramon incident and continued launches, the IAF launched Operation “Ringing Bells”: 10 jets, 2,350 km round-trip (longest of the war), 30 munitions on 15 targets including Houthi propaganda HQ, oil facilities, training camps, and reportedly homes of senior Houthis. 

• The U.S. Treasury sanctioned 32 individuals/companies/vessels tied to oil smuggling that funds the Houthis.

Iran

•  Iran and the IAEA signed an Egypt-mediated cooperation accord granting facility access; within one month, Iran will submit a comprehensive nuclear report and pledged greater transparency and limits on enrichment capabilities. FM Araghchi said Iran is open to U.S. talks, warning sanctions enforcement could undermine them. The analysis here holds that June strikes caused greater-than-expected damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities, leaving Tehran weakened and dragged back to negotiations with few leverage cards to play.

• Reporting indicates the accord won’t halt the E3 from triggering their ‘snap-back mechanism” because it lacks full transparency, a disarmament timetable, and complete inspector access.  Activation is planned for Sep 27.

• A spokesperson for Iran’s parliament National Security & Foreign Policy Committee announced committee approval of a plan to enhance the security forces’ defensive capabilities, indicating continued institutional investment in internal and external deterrence.

• FM Abbas Araghchi arrived in Cairo for meetings with FM Abd al-Ati and President al-Sisi on bilateral ties and regional developments. The move—coordinated with the U.S. and the European “E-3” (UK, Germany, France)—helps Egypt assert itself as a regional mediator, while Iran seeks better bargaining positions and time, and looks to exploit any regional frictions (e.g., Israel–Egypt tensions) to expand influence.

• Araghchi stated snapback would harm Iran “to a degree,” though less than “exaggerated” claims, and warned that if snapback is triggered, Iran’s response will be unequivocal—a coercive signal aimed at shaping European and U.S. calculations.

• Araghchi emphasized that “Hezbollah is an integral part of Lebanon’s political structure,” affirming Iran’s support while denying interference. He told Lebanese counterparts that Israel prefers its neighbors weak and divided, urging heightened vigilance—a narrative designed to legitimize Hezbollah’s role and counter Israeli pressure.

International

• The Scottish parliament became the first in the world to declare support for the BDS movement—a symbolic escalation with potential procurement and reputational ripple effects.

• Canadian FM Anita Anand said Canada is re-examining relations with Israel in light of the Doha strike, signaling possible policy recalibration within a key G7 state.

• PM Pedro Sánchez argued Spain lacks nuclear weapons, carriers, or oil reserves, meaning it cannot alone stop Israel’s offensive, yet “some causes are worth fighting for” even without assured victory. PM Netanyahu replied that invoking nuclear weapons in this context amounts to “a genocidal threat against Israel.” The exchange underscores sharp rhetorical escalation feeding into EU debates.

• The Dutch FM announced a ban on imports of goods produced in Judea and Samaria settlements. 

• The Netherlands announced that it will join Slovenia, Iceland, Spain, and Ireland in boycotting Eurovision next year if Israel participates—extending political censure into cultural arenas.

• Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s coalition partners reportedly oppose EU Commission leadership’s suggested measures against Israel, lowering the odds of German support for such steps and revealing coalition constraints.

• CENTCOM Commander Gen. Brad Cooper visited Egypt, met President al-Sisi and the Defense Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Abdel Majeed Saqr, and observed “Bright Star 25”—a 40-nation exercise billed as one of the world’s most complex multinational drills—reinforcing U.S.–Egypt security ties amid regional turbulence.

Fallen Soldiers

• Lieutenant Matan Abramovitz z"l

• Sergeant Amit Arye Regev z"l

• Staff sergeant Uri Lamed z"l

• Sergeant Gadi Cotal z"l