SOFREP Daily: Trump Eyes US Ownership of Gaza, Israel Strikes Hamas Weapons Depot in Southern Syria, Russian Drone Attack Sparks Fire

Good morning! It’s Monday, February 10, 2025, and we’re kicking off the week with your daily briefing on defense and global affairs. Here’s what’s making headlines today.

Trump Eyes US Ownership of Gaza, Suggests Outsourcing Rebuild

US President Donald Trump reaffirmed his commitment to “buying and owning” Gaza, suggesting that while America would take control, rebuilding efforts could be outsourced to Middle Eastern countries.

Speaking aboard Air Force One en route to the Super Bowl, Trump described Gaza as a “demolition site” and insisted Hamas would never return.

He also hinted at considering Palestinian refugee applications on a case-by-case basis.

Hamas swiftly condemned Trump’s remarks, calling Gaza “not a property to be sold” and vowing to resist any displacement plans.

Trump’s proposal, which he has previously floated as a plan to turn Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East,” has drawn widespread international backlash.

Saudi Arabia and Jordan, among others, have rejected the idea outright, with Jordan’s King Abdullah reportedly planning to warn Trump that such a move could destabilize the region.

Meanwhile, Israeli President Isaac Herzog revealed that Trump is set to meet with key Arab leaders, including Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

However, it remains unclear under what authority Trump believes the US could take control of Gaza, and the White House has yet to comment on the proposal.

Drones Reshape War, Push US Army to Adapt

Deep in Bavaria, US troops are training with drones, learning firsthand from Ukraine’s battlefield how modern warfare is evolving.

With drones making battlefields more transparent and movement more critical for survival, the US Army is adapting—keeping its units small, mobile, and harder to detect.

Command posts that once housed 100 people now hold 20 and move frequently to avoid drone strikes.

The Pentagon is also speeding up procurement, testing new military vehicles just months after development begins.

VIDEO: Deep in a Bavarian forest, a black reconnaissance drone buzzes overhead, piloted by US soldiers hoping to put lessons learned from the war in Ukraine into practice. pic.twitter.com/WRi6CQwK9d

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) February 10, 2025

But when it comes to drones, the US faces a problem: China dominates mass drone production, and tensions with Beijing make reliance risky.

The US industrial base has shrunk dramatically over the decades, and some officials believe only Elon Musk has the capacity to mass-produce drones at wartime speed.

To keep up, the US is working to rebuild its drone supply chain, but officials say it’s not just America’s problem—NATO allies need to step up, too.

Indian Forces Kill 31 Maoist Rebels in Major Clash

Indian security forces killed at least 31 Maoist rebels in a major operation on Sunday, marking one of the deadliest clashes since the government ramped up efforts to end the decades-long insurgency.

The battle, which took place in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district—considered the heartland of the rebellion—also left two commandos dead and two others wounded.

Authorities seized assault rifles and grenade launchers from the fallen rebels, signaling a major blow to the Maoist movement.

A clash between Indian forces and Maoist rebels in India’s Chhattisgarh state left 31 insurgents and two Indian commandos dead, police say. The Naxalites, a coalition of Marxist groups, have been in an insurgency in north and central India since 1967. https://t.co/jtZP2sxTHq

— DW News (@dwnews) February 9, 2025

The insurgents, inspired by Mao Zedong, have long fought for land, jobs, and resource rights for marginalized communities in India’s central regions.

India’s Home Minister Amit Shah called the operation a “big success” and reaffirmed the government’s goal of eliminating Naxalism by 2026.

Security forces have already killed over 80 Maoists this year, following last year’s crackdown that left nearly 300 rebels dead.

Despite government efforts, the conflict remains volatile, with frequent attacks on security personnel, including a deadly roadside bombing last month.

Israel Withdraws Troops, Reopens Key Gaza Highway

Israel has fully withdrawn its forces from the Netzarim Corridor in Gaza, reopening a key section of Salaheddin Road to unrestricted traffic. The move came as part of an ongoing ceasefire agreement, according to Hamas officials.

This follows the fifth round of hostage-prisoner exchanges, in which Hamas released three Israeli captives in return for 183 Palestinian prisoners.

For months, Israeli forces had used the corridor to block movement between northern and southern Gaza.

The military had partially reopened it last month, allowing only northbound traffic.

📷: Palestinians wait to cross through a checkpoint run by U.S. and Egyptian security contractors after Israeli forces withdrew from the Netzarim corridor, allowing people to travel in both directions between southern and northern Gaza, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas,… pic.twitter.com/qOjWL8IAUZ

— Voice of America (@VOANews) February 9, 2025

With Sunday’s withdrawal, vehicles and civilians can now travel freely in both directions.

While Hamas claims the withdrawal aligns with the ceasefire deal, Israel has not publicly confirmed the details of the agreement. However, an Israeli security official acknowledged preparations to implement the ceasefire as directed by leadership.

The withdrawal marks a major shift in movement restrictions, offering some relief for displaced Gazans after months of severe travel limitations.

Gaza Strip: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) completed its withdrawal from the Netzarim Corridor in the Gaza Strip on February 9 as part of its obligations under the ceasefire agreement with Hamas. (1/3) https://t.co/B4Jw3Ujm9T pic.twitter.com/siapvqaR2P

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) February 9, 2025

Sudan’s Army Plans New Government After Battlefield Gains

Sudan’s Army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, announced plans for a transitional government as the military gains ground against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Speaking from Port Sudan, he described the upcoming administration as a “caretaker” or “war government” made up of independent experts.

The main goal? Finishing military operations against the RSF and laying the groundwork for elections. Burhan said a constitutional document would be approved before appointing a prime minister, promising not to interfere in his duties.

Al-Burhan Addresses the Conclusion of National Consultations on Sudan’s Future

Port Sudan, February 8, 2025 – General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, addressed the conclusion of national… pic.twitter.com/8k3MgWdyvt

— Sudanese Echo (@SudaneseEcho) February 9, 2025

While the army has recently retaken key areas of Khartoum and other regions, Burhan made it clear that negotiations with the RSF won’t happen unless they withdraw from major conflict zones.

The war, ongoing since April 2023, has devastated Sudan, displacing over 12 million people and triggering what aid groups call the worst humanitarian crisis on record.

Israel Strikes Hamas Weapons Depot in Southern Syria

Israel carried out an airstrike on Saturday, hitting what it says was a Hamas weapons storage facility in southern Syria’s Deir Ali region.

The Israeli military said the strike was part of its ongoing effort to weaken Hamas across all fronts and prevent militant groups from building up their forces.

Israel has long targeted Iranian-linked assets in Syria, but the frequency of strikes has increased since the recent collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government.

Porte-parole de Tsahal :

Des avions de chasse de l’armée de l’air ont récemment attaqué, sous la direction de la branche du renseignement et du commandement du Nord, un dépôt d’armes dans la région de Deir Ali, dans le sud de la Syrie, appartenant à l’organisation terroriste du… pic.twitter.com/SzeYnXE8Ra

— OSINTYB (@OsintYB) February 8, 2025

With Hamas restoring ties with Syria in 2022 after a decade-long rift, Israel remains wary of militant activity in the region.

The strike is the latest in a series of Israeli operations aimed at disrupting the so-called “Axis of Resistance,” an Iran-backed alliance that includes Hezbollah and Hamas.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces have also entered parts of the UN-patrolled buffer zone in the Golan Heights, adding another layer to the ongoing tensions.

Russian Drone Attack Sparks Fire, Injures Woman in Ukraine

Overnight Russian drone attacks triggered a fire in Kyiv and injured a woman in Sumy, Ukrainian officials reported Monday.

Ukraine’s military managed to shoot down 61 out of 83 incoming drones, with electronic warfare likely taking out another 22.

While Kyiv’s attack caused a fire in a non-residential building, no injuries were reported there.

However, in Sumy, a 38-year-old woman was hospitalized, and five houses were damaged in the strike. Photos from the scene showed cars in flames and shattered windows in a high-rise building.

NEW: Russia continues to leverage its partnerships with US adversaries, including North Korea, to offset the resource shortages constraining Russia’s economy and war effort.

The arrival of North Korean workers to Russia demonstrates how Russia, a permanent member of the United… pic.twitter.com/5B9IBZNO1w

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) February 9, 2025

Emergency crews evacuated 65 residents and reported over 300 windows blown out.

Russia has not commented on the attack.

Both sides claim they don’t target civilians, but the war—now in its third year—has killed thousands, with the vast majority of casualties being Ukrainian.

Sources: News Agencies, Reuters