Israel Update 20 March 2025
Former Israeli hostage Eli Sharabi, who was held captive in Gaza, told his brother and the Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, that he was shocked by the remarks of the Palestinian representative at the UN Security Council. According to his brother Sharon, Eli Sharabi felt the Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour offered condolences but also spoke of war crimes, which Eli found to be without shame or humanity given the hostages still in Gaza. Sharon Sharabi stated that one of their goals in coming to the UN was to confront people with the reality of what happened on October 7, which he described as surpassing all humanity.
During his address, Eli Sharabi detailed the inhumane conditions of his captivity, including receiving very little food and water, beatings, and the knowledge that his brother Yossi had been killed. He stated that Hamas operatives consumed unlimited international aid while denying it to the hostages and that he personally saw Hamas terrorists taking boxes with UN and UNRWA emblems into tunnels. Sharabi emphasized that civilians in Gaza witnessed the suffering of the hostages and did nothing. He called on the UN Security Council to bring all the hostages home, asserting that he was not a diplomat but a survivor.
Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour expressed condolences to Sharabi but said that Palestinians could understand such loss because they live it daily. Mansour accused Israel of wiping out entire families through bombings and other actions, claiming there is not a single Palestinian family untouched by death, injury, imprisonment, or displacement. He also referenced Noa Argamani's testimony and used it to accuse Israel of genocide. Mansour stated that those who suffer most on both sides are the strongest advocates for a ceasefire and that their calls should be heard.
The Israeli government unanimously approved the dismissal of Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) chief Ronen Bar during a meeting early Friday morning. The Prime Minister's Office announced that Ronen Bar will conclude his role on April 10, 2025, or when a permanent successor is appointed, whichever comes first.
A diplomatic source stated that the Israeli government had lost confidence in Ronen Bar, accusing him of refusing to step down and improperly using his position. The source questioned Bar's actions on October 7, asking why he did nothing to alert the Prime Minister despite knowing about the Hamas attack beforehand. Minister Gideon Sa’ar criticized Bar for not appearing before the government meeting and instead sending a letter. Minister Ze’ev Elkin described Bar’s letter as shocking and a rejection of the principle that the security echelon is subordinate to the political leadership.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid announced that his party would petition the Supreme Court against the decision, claiming it was intended to halt the ‘Qatar-Gate’ investigation. Benny Gantz, chairman of the National Unity party, called the dismissal politically motivated.
The US has asked Israel not to strike Houthi targets in Yemen. According to a source, the US requested that Israel "leave it to us". Israeli officials are discussing whether to respond to recent missiles launched from Yemen, but the assumption is that Israel will accept the US request. Two missiles were sent from Yemen to Israel on Thursday, the first time in two months that the Houthis had targeted the Tel Aviv and Jerusalem areas, but both were intercepted.
Earlier in the day, the US struck Houthi targets in Yemen's port city of Hodeidah. Sources told Ynet that the US requested Israel refrain from airstrikes in Yemen, believing it has a greater capacity to conduct sustained attacks using aircraft stationed on its aircraft carriers. The US had begun striking Houthi targets in Yemen on Saturday evening, focusing on radars, air defenses, and missile and drone systems, and had informed Israel in advance of these attacks. Despite the US actions, the Houthis stated they would not reduce their actions against Israeli shipping in the Red Sea. Reports also indicated that Iran had sent messages to the Houthis via different channels to de-escalate tensions.