IDF Strikes Dozens of Hamas Vehicles Used in October 7 Attack
In a coordinated overnight operation, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel’s Shin Bet security agency targeted roughly 40 Hamas vehicles believed to have played a key role in the October 7, 2023, assault on southern Israel.
Military sources stated that the vehicles, part of Hamas’s engineering arsenal, were used to breach Israel’s border, plant explosives, and facilitate the movement of armed militants during the coordinated attack that left more than 1,200 dead and 251 kidnapped. These machines, including bulldozers and transport vehicles, enabled Hamas to tear down barriers and construct makeshift bridges, helping militants infiltrate deep into Israeli territory.
According to the IDF, dismantling this equipment is part of an ongoing effort to cripple Hamas’s operational abilities and prevent future large-scale attacks. The military says this is a continuation of broader strikes that have already destroyed over 100 Hamas vehicles since the start of 2024.
“These engineering tools are not just construction vehicles—they’re instruments of terror,” said the IDF in a statement. “Israel will continue acting decisively to eliminate threats against its citizens.”
China and Egypt Launch Unprecedented Joint Military Drill Near Israel
China and Egypt have kicked off a landmark joint military exercise close to Israel’s southern border, marking the first time Chinese warplanes have operated on Egyptian soil.
Named Eagles of Civilization 2025, the exercise began this week at Egypt’s Wadi Abu Rish Air Base, situated about 100 kilometers from the Gulf of Suez. The drill includes advanced Chinese J-10C fighters, KJ-500 early warning aircraft, and refueling planes, alongside Egyptian-operated MiG-29s.
Beijing’s decision to deploy its KJ-500 aircraft abroad for the first time signals a strategic shift. Analysts say it underscores China’s intent to bolster its military footprint in the Middle East and Africa, especially amid shifting U.S. engagement in the region.
“This shows that regional players are diversifying their defense partnerships,” said former CENTCOM Commander Gen. Joseph Votel. “China is making a clear pitch as an alternative strategic partner.”
While the Chinese Defense Ministry described the exercise as a trust-building measure, Israeli officials are watching closely. With Egypt’s military buildup in the Sinai and growing foreign military presence nearby, Jerusalem sees evolving security dynamics on its doorstep.
This drill comes on the heels of a recent naval collaboration between China, Russia, and Iran—another indicator of shifting alliances in the region.
Global Antisemitism Spiked After October 7, Then Eased—But Remains Elevated
The world saw a surge in antisemitic incidents following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel, according to Tel Aviv University’s newly released 2024 Annual Antisemitism Worldwide Report. Although numbers have dropped from their late-2023 peak, they still hover above pre-war levels.
The 160-page study, published by the university’s Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry in collaboration with the Irwin Cotler Institute, offers a detailed global snapshot. Australia saw the sharpest rise, logging 1,713 incidents in 2024 compared to just 490 in 2022. The U.S., Italy, Brazil, Argentina, and Canada also reported significant spikes, especially in major cities like Chicago, Denver, and Austin.
Some countries, such as France and Germany, recorded overall declines in 2024, but noted troubling increases in physical assaults or hate-related activity during specific months. In the U.K., incidents dropped from 4,103 in 2023 to 3,528 in 2024, but remain nearly double 2022 levels.
The report criticizes weak law enforcement responses, noting that fewer than 10% of reported antisemitic crimes result in arrests. Researchers also examined how Hamas propaganda, such as a prison-penned novel by leader Yahya Sinwar, perpetuates antisemitic narratives.
Former Canadian Justice Minister Irwin Cotler, who contributed to the report, warned that countries like Russia, China, and Iran are manipulating antisemitism for political ends. He also called for clearer policies to hold political movements accountable for hate rhetoric.
While antisemitism may have receded from its 2023 highs, the report makes clear: the threat is far from over.
