SOFREP Evening Brief: Israeli Drone Strike Kills Jamaa Islamiya Commander South of Beirut, Russian Drone Strike Hits Odesa as Ceasefire Ends

Good evening! Welcome to SOFREP’s evening brief. Here’s a quick roundup of defense and global affairs for Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Israeli drone strike killed a Jamaa Islamiya commander near Beirut. Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed 14 and destroyed aid equipment. Syria arrested two Islamic Jihad members. US State Secretary Rubio announced major deparment cuts. Russia hit Odesa with drones after ceasefire ended. Croatia marked 80 years since the Jasenovac breakout. Serbian students got a hero’s welcome after cycling to protest corruption. Gunmen killed 24 tourists in Kashmir’s deadliest attack in years.

—

Israeli Drone Strike Kills Jamaa Islamiya Commander South of Beirut

An Israeli drone strike on Tuesday killed Hussein Atoui, a senior military leader from Jamaa Islamiya, near the coastal town of Damour, about 12 miles south of Beirut.

Atoui, also described as an academic and university professor, was reportedly traveling to his workplace when the strike hit his vehicle, according to a statement from the group.

A Lebanese security official confirmed Atoui’s role as a commander in Jamaa Islamiya’s armed wing, the Al-Fajr Forces. Civil defense teams recovered his body from the charred vehicle, while the Lebanese army cordoned off the area for forensic examination.

Israeli drone attack kills al-Jamaa al-Islamiya leader, Hussein Atoui, in Lebanon’s coastal town of Damour https://t.co/pXHXSyMBSO pic.twitter.com/hRhKZWEtvW

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) April 22, 2025

Jamaa Islamiya maintains close ties with Hamas and Hezbollah and has claimed responsibility for past attacks against Israel. Tuesday’s strike marks another escalation in the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Lebanese-based militant groups, despite a November 2024 ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah intended to reduce cross-border violence.

Separately, Lebanon’s health ministry reported another death from an Israeli strike in the Tyre district the same day.

Under the terms of the truce, Hezbollah was expected to withdraw fighters north of the Litani River and dismantle military positions in the south. However, Israeli forces have maintained a presence in five southern Lebanon positions it considers strategic.

Israeli Strikes Kill 14 in Gaza, Target Equipment Supplied for Rubble Clearance

Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip killed at least 14 Palestinians on Tuesday, most of them women and children, and destroyed vital heavy equipment supplied by Egypt and Qatar to clear rubble and support humanitarian efforts.

The Jabaliya municipality in northern Gaza reported that an Israeli strike destroyed nine bulldozers parked in a municipal garage. The bulldozers had been provided to assist in clearing debris caused by Israel’s ongoing 18-month campaign against Hamas. The airstrike also destroyed a water tanker, sewage truck, and generator provided by international aid groups.

Israel has not commented on the strike but maintains it targets militants and blames civilian casualties on Hamas’ use of populated areas for operations.

During the last ceasefire in Gaza, Israel allowed dozens of bulldozers and engineering vehicles to enter the Strip. Now, with Hamxs refusing to release more hostages or agree to a deal, Israel struck those vehicles last night.

Targets included:
• 5 CAT 950B bulldozers… pic.twitter.com/ariYEtMZ5j

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) April 22, 2025

In southern Gaza, an Israeli airstrike leveled a multistory home in Khan Younis, killing nine people, including four children and their parents. Another strike in the Jabaliya refugee camp killed three children and their parents.

Gaza’s Health Ministry reports more than 51,000 Palestinians killed since the war began—most of them women and children—though it does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Israel claims it has eliminated around 20,000 militants but has provided little public evidence.

The conflict began after Hamas-led militants launched an October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Of those, 59 remain in captivity, with 24 believed to be alive.

Hamas has demanded a full Israeli withdrawal and a lasting ceasefire in exchange for releasing the remaining hostages. Israel has rejected those terms, pledging to continue its campaign until Hamas is dismantled and hostages are recovered.

Islamic Jihad Members Arrested in Syria

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad group said two of its senior members were detained in Syria without explanation.

The Syrian government has not commented.

BREAKING:

The new Syrian government has arrested the head of the Syrian branch of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) Khaled Khaled.

PIJ was the second-largest terrorist organization after Hamas to attack Israel on October 7th 2023. pic.twitter.com/BJVDOFfejd

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) April 22, 2025

The arrests follow Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ recent visit to Damascus—his first since Syria’s 2011 uprising and the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad last year.

Islamic Jihad, backed by Iran and aligned with Hamas, has maintained a presence in Syria and has supported Hezbollah during its ongoing conflict with Israel.

Rubio Unveils Sweeping State Department Overhaul, Cuts Staff and Global Offices

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a major reorganization of the State Department on Tuesday, outlining plans to cut US-based staff by 15% and consolidate or close over 100 international bureaus.

The overhaul aligns with the Trump administration’s “America First” agenda and aims to streamline US foreign policy operations while shrinking the federal bureaucracy.

The restructuring will reduce the department’s 734 bureaus and offices to 602 and relocate 137 others internally. The initiative includes phasing out the Office of Global Women’s Issues, dismantling diversity and inclusion programs, and eliminating the bureau responsible for deploying crisis response teams.

A new office for foreign and humanitarian affairs will oversee the remaining overseas aid programs, following the near-total dismantlement of USAID.

Rubio emphasized that the reform will not trigger immediate layoffs but represents a roadmap to modernize the State Department.

“We cannot win the battle for the 21st century with bloated bureaucracy that stifles innovation,” he wrote in an internal email.

The plan comes amid broader Trump administration efforts to downsize the federal government, including proposals to slash the State Department budget by 50% and cut funding to the United Nations and NATO. While these budget measures are still in early stages and face opposition in Congress, the restructuring plan received initial backing from Senate Republicans.

Critics argue the changes threaten US diplomatic reach and national security. Democratic lawmakers warned that dismantling long-standing foreign policy structures—many supported by Rubio during his Senate tenure—could undermine global leadership and humanitarian efforts.

Humanitarian organizations also raised concerns about the impact on US aid response capabilities.

It remains unclear whether the overhaul will be enacted through an executive order or administrative channels. Embassies were not explicitly listed among the facilities affected, though rumors of closures, particularly in Africa, have raised alarms.

This reorganization follows recent administration moves to defund other soft power assets such as the Voice of America, Radio Free Asia, and other international broadcasters, signaling a broader shift away from US engagement through diplomacy and public messaging.

Russian Drone Strike Hits Odesa as Ceasefire Ends Ahead of London War Talks

Russian forces launched a large-scale drone assault on the Ukrainian port city of Odesa overnight, local officials said Tuesday, less than 24 hours after a unilateral Easter ceasefire declared by Moscow expired.

The strike injured at least three civilians and damaged a residential building, an educational facility, and critical infrastructure, according to Odesa regional head Oleh Kiper.

Right now, Odesa is in flames after a deadly wave of Russian drone strikes. The city is burning. pic.twitter.com/414LMzNebb

— KyivPost (@KyivPost) April 22, 2025

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia deployed 54 Shahed and decoy drones across the country, continuing a pattern of long-range attacks targeting urban centers. The attack marks a renewed escalation in drone warfare, as Russia refines its use of Iranian-made Shahed systems, according to a recent analysis from the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

The assault came just over a day before Ukrainian, British, French, and US officials are scheduled to meet in London to discuss the war’s trajectory and diplomatic options. The gathering follows recent negotiations in Paris that produced tentative steps toward peace. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that the US may withdraw from talks if meaningful progress is not made.

President Donald Trump, whose administration is overseeing current negotiations, said last week that the peace process is “coming to a head” and insisted he won’t be manipulated by either side. Rubio called the upcoming London meeting potentially decisive for America’s future involvement.

2/ Russian forces recently advanced near Lyman and Toretsk.

Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 21, 2025: https://t.co/iATI2YMNxa pic.twitter.com/AmytWE9q33

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) April 21, 2025

Despite Moscow’s ceasefire declaration over the Easter weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of violating the truce more than 2,900 times. The Associated Press could not verify conditions across the 1,000-kilometer front line. Russia has rejected a U.S.-proposed 30-day full ceasefire, demanding conditions that Kyiv and Western allies deem unacceptable.

Meanwhile, both sides are reportedly preparing for spring and summer offensives, with no signs of a broader de-escalation.

Croatia Marks 80th Anniversary of Jasenovac Concentration Camp Breakout

Croatia held a solemn commemoration on Tuesday to honor the victims of the Jasenovac concentration camp, marking 80 years since a failed prisoner breakout attempt on April 22, 1945.

The ceremony brought together Croatian leaders and representatives of Serb, Jewish, Roma, and antifascist organizations at the site of what is widely known as the “Balkan Auschwitz.”

Out of approximately 600 prisoners who attempted to escape the camp that day, only 92 survived, according to the Jasenovac Memorial Center. Victims included men, women, and children. The camp, located about 100 kilometers southwest of Zagreb, was operated by Croatia’s pro-Nazi puppet regime during World War II. Prisoners were subjected to brutal conditions, torture, and execution.

Survivors who were imprisoned as children recounted harrowing experiences. Slavko Milanovic recalled being separated from his mother and witnessing his sister die in her arms. Milanko Cekic described drinking contaminated water from a lake filled with corpses.

Official Croatian data estimates over 83,000 people were killed at Jasenovac, though Serbian sources claim the true number may reach into the hundreds of thousands.

Today, we remember and honor all victims of the Jasenovac Concentration Camp as we mark 80 years since its liberation. The Jasenovac Memorial stands as a reminder of the suffering endured by its prisoners and the horrors of the Holocaust. We must never forget. pic.twitter.com/t3LPYIgaSm

— U.S. Embassy Zagreb (@USEmbZagreb) April 22, 2025

The ceremony included a memorial walk along the original rail path used to transport prisoners, along with wreath-laying, candle-lighting, and public addresses.

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic emphasized the importance of remembrance, stating, “Such crimes must never be forgotten, and they must never be repeated.”

Plenkovic’s government has previously faced criticism for insufficiently addressing resurgent pro-Nazi sentiment. This year’s inclusive attendance marked a notable change after years of boycotts by Serb and Jewish communities. Ognjen Kraus, head of Croatia’s Jewish municipalities, said the commemoration was “as it should be.”

Croatia, now part of the European Union (EU), emerged from the dissolution of Yugoslavia in the 1990s amid ethnic conflict and rising nationalism—a legacy still shaping its political and cultural landscape.

Serbian Students Return to Hero’s Welcome After 1,300-Kilometer Ride Against Corruption

Thousands of people gathered in the northern Serbian city of Novi Sad on Tuesday to welcome home a group of university students who cycled over 1,300 kilometers (780 miles) to Strasbourg, France, to spotlight corruption in Serbia and demand EU support for their cause.

Eighty students were celebrated with fireworks, drums, and a red carpet ceremony after their 13-day ride aimed at drawing attention to ongoing student-led protests demanding justice for 16 people killed in the collapse of a train station canopy in Novi Sad on November 1. The tragedy has been widely blamed on government corruption and negligence.

“We symbolically showed the determination and persistence of our generation to fight for a better tomorrow,” one student told the crowd.

The group’s activism has evolved into a broader national anti-corruption movement, posing a growing challenge to the administration of President Aleksandar Vučić, whose government faces criticism for its increasingly authoritarian stance.

During their journey through Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany en route to France, the students met with European Parliament and Council of Europe officials in Strasbourg. Despite this outreach, the European Union has largely refrained from criticizing Vučić or publicly supporting the protests, frustrating many of the movement’s supporters.

VIDEO: 🇷🇸 🇫🇷 Serbian students cycle 1,400km to call out corruption

Dozens of students completed the two-week journey from the Serbian city of Novi Sad to Strasbourg in France to draw Europe’s attention to their fight against corruption in their country pic.twitter.com/vHTJJM5FJk

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) April 20, 2025

Serbia is a formal candidate for EU membership, but critics say the country has regressed on democratic freedoms, judicial independence, and civil rights. Protesters continue to demand accountability for the canopy collapse and an end to what they describe as systemic corruption and government intimidation.

The students’ return sparked a major show of solidarity in Novi Sad and reaffirmed the growing momentum of a grassroots movement gaining support across the Balkan region.

Gunmen Kill At Least 24 Tourists in Kashmir’s Deadliest Civilian Attack in Years

At least 24 people were killed Tuesday in Indian-administered Kashmir when gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists in the popular mountain retreat of Pahalgam, officials said.

The assault, which Indian authorities called the worst attack on civilians in years, targeted visitors roughly 55 miles south of Srinagar.

A senior regional police officer, speaking anonymously, described the incident as a massacre. Eyewitnesses, including a local tour guide, reported hearing gunfire and seeing bodies on the ground. Some survivors were transported on horseback due to the terrain.

No group has claimed responsibility, but the region has seen a decades-long insurgency by militants seeking either independence or a merger with Pakistan. India blames Pakistan for supporting the insurgents — a charge Islamabad denies.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the “heinous act,” promising justice for the victims. He stated the government’s commitment to defeating terrorism remains “unshakable.” Interior Minister Amit Shah announced he would travel to the attack site, vowing harsh retribution.

I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected.

Those behind this heinous act will be brought…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 22, 2025

The attack came a day after Modi met with US Vice President JD Vance, who is currently visiting India.

At least two gunshot victims were admitted to a hospital in nearby Anantnag, including one with a neck injury.

Despite decreased insurgent activity since India revoked Kashmir’s autonomous status in 2019, this latest attack highlights the enduring volatility of the region. In 2024, over 3.5 million tourists visited Kashmir, a region increasingly promoted as a domestic vacation destination by Indian authorities.

The attack is the deadliest against civilians in the region since the 2000 Chittisinghpura massacre and marks the most significant terror incident since the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing that killed 40 paramilitary personnel.

Sources: News Agencies