IDF eliminates Hezbollah terrorist rebuilding infrastructure in southern Lebanon

Author: Published: October 25, 2025

Earlier on Friday, the IDF struck in the area of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah a Hezbollah terrorist who was involved in efforts to reestablish Hezbollah’s military capabilities in southern Lebanon.

The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said in a statement that the terrorist’s activities constituted a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon.

“The IDF will continue to operate in order to remove any threat posed to the State of Israel,” it added.

(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News’ North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)

Putin envoy Dmitriev says US, Ukraine and Russia close to ‘diplomatic solution’ on war

Author: Published: October 25, 2025

Despite the Russian rejection of an immediate ceasefire proposal put forward on Tuesday, Dmitriev said that the solution is ‘reasonably’ close.

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin following a meeting to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, in Anchorage, Alaska, August 15.
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin following a meeting to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, in Anchorage, Alaska, August 15.
(photo credit: KEVIN LAMARQUE/REUTERS)
ByREUTERS
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy for investment and economic cooperation, Kirill Dmitriev, said on Friday he believes his country, the United States, and Ukraine are close to a diplomatic solution to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Speaking to CNN after arriving in Washington for talks with US officials, Dmitriev said that a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Putin had not been canceled, as the US president described it, and that the two leaders will likely meet at a later date.

The planned summit was put on hold on Tuesday, as Russia’s rejection of an immediate ceasefire cast a cloud over attempts at negotiations. Trump said he canceled the planned meeting with Putin in Budapest because of a lack of progress in diplomatic efforts toward ending the war and a sense that the timing was off.

Dmitriev did not offer details of what this would entail in his comments.

A car burns in front of an apartment building damaged during overnight Russian drone and air strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine October 5, 2025. (credit: Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Zaporizhzhia region/Handout via REUTERS)
A car burns in front of an apartment building damaged during overnight Russian drone and air strikes, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine October 5, 2025. (credit: Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Zaporizhzhia region/Handout via REUTERS)

European nations are working with Ukraine on a new proposal for a ceasefire in the war along current battle lines, European diplomats told Reuters this week, mainly incorporating ideas already under discussion while pressing to keep the United States in a central role.

“It’s a big move by President Zelenskiy to already acknowledge that it’s about battle lines,” Dmitriev said. “You know, his previous position was that Russia should leave completely – so actually, I think we are reasonably close to a diplomatic solution that can be worked out.”

Russia launched its large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Putin unwilling to concede

Trump had announced last week that he and Putin would meet soon in Hungary to try to bring an end to the war. But Putin has been unwilling to consider concessions. Russia has long demanded that Ukraine agree to cede more territory before any ceasefire.

Dmitriev’s visit to the United States for a long-planned meeting takes place against the backdrop of newly announced US sanctions on two of Russia’s biggest oil companies – a move aimed at pressing Putin to end the war.

Despite the move, Dmitriev said dialog between Russia and the United States will continue.

“It is certainly only possible if Russia’s interests are taken into account and treated with respect,” Dmitriev earlier told Reuters.

Dmitriev declined to say who he was meeting and predicted that the US oil sanctions would backfire.

“They will only lead to gasoline costing more at American gas stations,” Dmitriev said.

The US news outlet Axios reported that Dmitriev would meet Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff in Miami on Saturday. The Russian state TASS news agency quoted Dmitriev as saying he would also meet other people who he did not name.

Israel Katz tells JD Vance that over 60% of Hamas tunnels left undestroyed

Author: Published: October 25, 2025

Defense Minister Israel Katz added that demolishing the tunnels is the most important joint mission in demobilizing Gaza in accordance with Trump’s ceasefire plan.

An Israeli soldier secures a tunnel underneath Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, in Northern Gaza Strip, November 22, 2023.
An Israeli soldier secures a tunnel underneath Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, in Northern Gaza Strip, November 22, 2023.
(photo credit: RONEN ZVULUN/REUTERS)
ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
More than 60% of Hamas tunnels were left undestroyed during the war, Defense Minister Israel Katz revealed to US Vice President JD Vance during his visit to Israel, according to a Friday N12 report.

The remaining tunnels are located on both sides of the yellow line, the marking that signals the IDF’s partial withdrawal following Israel’s ceasefire deal with Hamas. This means that tunnels still remain in the area where the IDF is currently operating.

Katz said that “demolishing the tunnels is the most important joint mission in demilitarizing Gaza in accordance with the Trump plan.”

The IDF reported six months ago in internal security discussions that the Israeli military had only destroyed about 25% of Hamas’s tunnels in the Gaza Strip, according to N12. 

 

A Palestinian worker takes a break inside a smuggling tunnel between Egypt and Rafah, southern Gaza Strip on December 31, 2009. (credit: ABED RAHIM KHATIB/FLASH90)
A Palestinian worker takes a break inside a smuggling tunnel between Egypt and Rafah, southern Gaza Strip on December 31, 2009. (credit: ABED RAHIM KHATIB/FLASH90)

 

gypt

The military also estimated that at the time, there were a significant number of smuggling tunnels crossing from Egypt to the Gaza Strip, causing concern of weapon distribution to Hamas. Israel’s refusal to withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor, however, would not prevent smuggling, warned the security officials. 

According to Senior INSS researcher Ofir Winter, part of Hamas’s military buildup before October 7 came from Egypt. Israel now faces the challenge of formulating new and reliable security arrangements for monitoring the Philadelphi corridor, he added.

Israel has made attempts to bolster security cooperation with Egypt. On October 21, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Hassan Rashad, Egypt’s intelligence chief, for talks focused on Gaza and border security.

Newer Posts Older Posts