BREAKING: Just a Few Minutes Ago ā Israel Finishes Major Operation in Gaza Strip
June 25, 2025 ā Tel Aviv, Israel
By: International Correspondent Desk
Just moments ago, Israel officially announced the completion of a major military operation in the Gaza Strip, marking what could be a turning point in the ongoing conflict with Hamas and other militant groups. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed in a joint press briefing with government officials that “Phase Three” of Operation Iron Resolve has concluded after several weeks of intense urban warfare, airstrikes, hostage recovery missions, and diplomatic efforts.
The announcement came at 12:04 p.m. local time, catching much of the international community by surprise due to the secrecy surrounding the final stages of the mission.
A Historic Operation Comes to an End
For the past six weeks, the Israeli military has been engaged in one of the most aggressive operations in recent memory. The campaign, launched in response to escalating rocket attacks and cross-border raids, focused on dismantling underground tunnels, destroying weapons caches, and neutralizing high-value targets within Hamasā leadership network.
According to IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, “The operation has successfully achieved its strategic objectives. Hamas’ ability to carry out large-scale attacks has been severely diminished.”
Throughout the operation, Israeli forces relied on advanced surveillance drones, precision-guided missiles, and elite ground units that moved house-to-house through densely packed neighborhoods in southern Gaza.
Humanitarian Toll and Civilian Displacement
But the conclusion of the operation comes amid intensifying humanitarian concerns. The Palestinian Health Ministry reports that over 4,300 people have been killed since the operation began, the majority believed to be civilians. Hospitals in Gaza remain overwhelmed, and thousands of families have been displaced, many now living in makeshift shelters or overcrowded U.N. facilities.
Mahmoud al-Khatib, a Palestinian Red Crescent volunteer, described the situation as “beyond catastrophic,” stating, “Entire neighborhoods are rubble. We are working around the clock with no electricity, limited medicine, and people still trapped under debris.”
Israel claims it has made efforts to reduce civilian casualties, including dropping leaflets and issuing text warnings before strikes. Nevertheless, critics argue that the scale of the bombing was disproportionate to the threat and lacked sufficient regard for human life.
Hostage Recovery and Psychological Impact
One of the key goals of Operation Iron Resolve was the recovery of Israeli hostages, many of whom were believed to be held in underground facilities beneath Gaza. Earlier this week, the IDF confirmed the successful rescue of 12 hostages, including three children, in a daring nighttime operation conducted by Sayeret Matkal, Israel’s elite special forces.
The rescue was hailed as a “miracle” by Israeli Prime Minister Yaakov Ben Shimon, who spoke with the freed hostages shortly after their return to Tel Aviv.
“No effort is too great to bring our people home. This mission, though costly, has brought light to many grieving families,” he said.
But the psychological scars remain. Dr. Lior Harari, a trauma specialist at Tel HaShomer Medical Center, noted, “These children were in captivity for over a month. The long-term impact on their mental health will need years of support and therapy.”
International Reaction: Relief, Concern, and Criticism
The international community has responded with a mixture of cautious relief and intensified scrutiny.
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United States President Linda Marshall issued a brief statement:
“We recognize Israel’s right to defend itself, and we urge continued dialogue to ensure lasting peace and prevent further suffering of innocent civilians.” -
United Nations Secretary-General AntĆ³nio Guterres called for an immediate humanitarian corridor, stating:
“Now that the fighting has ceased, the priority must shift to rebuilding and humanitarian access. The suffering of the Palestinian people must end.”
Meanwhile, protests erupted across major citiesāfrom London and Paris to Jakarta and Istanbulāas images of destroyed homes and wounded civilians circulated online. Demonstrators are calling for international investigations into possible war crimes and for stronger sanctions against Israeli arms manufacturers.
In Israel: A Divided Nation Breathes
In Israel, the mood is mixed. In Tel Avivās Rabin Square, hundreds gathered to celebrate the return of hostages and what they see as a necessary blow against terrorism. Israeli flags waved in the air as songs of unity played late into the afternoon.
But not everyone is celebrating.
Tamar Elbaz, a mother who lost her sonāan IDF medicāto sniper fire in Gaza, expressed both pride and pain. “He died doing what he believed in. But I still ask, how many more mothers must bury their children?”
Meanwhile, within Israelās Knesset, opposition lawmakers are calling for an immediate review of the operationās long-term implications. Avi Rosenberg, leader of the centrist Unity Party, warned, “We may have won this battle, but at what cost? We must prevent a cycle of retaliation and vengeance that destroys future generations.”
What’s Next? Ceasefire or More Conflict?
With Operation Iron Resolve declared over, attention now turns to whether a lasting ceasefire can be establishedāor whether this pause will only serve as a prelude to further violence.
Egyptian and Qatari mediators are reportedly in Cairo meeting with Israeli and Palestinian representatives behind closed doors. An early draft of a ceasefire agreement has been circulating but has yet to be finalized.
Political analysts remain skeptical. Dr. Reem Khalidi, a professor of Middle East policy at the University of Oxford, notes:
“This isnāt a war that ends with a handshake. This is a generational conflict rooted in trauma, memory, and geography. The end of this operation doesnāt mean peace is near.”
The People Caught in the Middle
As political leaders debate and militaries strategize, itās the ordinary people on both sides who continue to suffer.
In a destroyed village in southern Gaza, a father named Youssef holds the hand of his daughter, Nura, who survived a bombing that took the lives of her mother and two siblings.
“She asks me where Mama is,” he said, voice trembling. “What do I say? That she died in a war she didnāt start?”
In Israel, 9-year-old Lior Avrahami sleeps for the first time in her own bed after spending 32 days in a Hamas tunnel. Her father, Oren, watches over her and whispers, “Sleep, baby girl. The soldiers brought you home.”
Final Word: A Moment of Silence in a Noisy World
As the dust settles, the world is left to grapple with the human cost of war. The conclusion of this Israeli operation might offer a brief silenceābut whether it will grow into peace or be shattered by more violence remains to be seen.
In the words of journalist Amira Levin, reporting live from the Gaza-Israel border:
“For a few minutes today, the guns have gone quiet. In those minutes, may we remember the lives lost, the families broken, and the fragile hope still burning in the hearts of those who survive.”
