SOFREP Daily: Netanyahu Warns Hamas as Gaza Truce Wobbles, Zelenskyy Offers Resignation to Secure NATO Membership

Welcome to a new week! It’s Monday, February 24, 2025, and we’ve got your essential briefing on defense and global affairs. Here’s what you need to know.

Israeli Tanks Enter West Bank, Displacing Thousands

Israeli tanks entered the occupied West Bank for the first time in decades, marking a significant escalation in the conflict.

The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, announced plans to maintain a long-term military presence in parts of the territory, preventing displaced Palestinians from returning.

The move follows an intensified Israeli crackdown on Palestinian militants after a ceasefire in Gaza.

Palestinians condemn the operation as an effort to entrench Israeli control over the region, while Israel justifies it as a necessary step to combat terrorism.

Meanwhile, tensions persist as Jewish settlers attack Palestinian areas, Palestinian militant attacks increase, and a US envoy prepares to push for an extended ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

The fragile truce in Gaza faces challenges, with Hamas refusing further negotiations until Israel releases Palestinian prisoners.

Netanyahu, under pressure from far-right allies, is criticized both domestically and internationally for his handling of the crisis.

Netanyahu Warns Hamas as Gaza Truce Wobbles

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday that Israel is ready to resume fighting against Hamas after suspending the release of Palestinian prisoners, a move that Hamas claims endangers the fragile five-week Gaza truce.

The ceasefire, set to expire in early March, has not yet entered its next phase, and tensions are rising.

Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of ceasefire violations.

The US is pushing for an extension of the truce, but Netanyahu, under political pressure, insists Israel will achieve its war objectives either through negotiations or renewed military action.

Sudanese Army Breaks Rapid Support Forces Siege on Key City

The Sudanese Army announced on Sunday that it had successfully broken a paramilitary siege on El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, marking a significant military gain.

The city, a key crossroads linking Sudan’s center to its western region of Darfur, had been blockaded by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since the conflict erupted in April 2023.

Residents celebrated the breakthrough after months of suffering shortages of essential goods and medicine.

This victory is seen as a turning point in Sudan’s civil war between the Army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.

The Sudanese army said on Sunday it had broken a nearly two-year siege imposed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on El Obeid, capital of North Kordofan state, linking its forces advancing from White Nile state with those already stationed inside the city.https://t.co/vQAQ3SWf6C… pic.twitter.com/ZPcUMPVAfD

— Sudan Tribune (@SudanTribune_EN) February 23, 2025

The conflict has killed tens of thousands and displaced over 12 million people.

The Army now aims to lift the siege on El-Fasher, the last major city in Darfur under its control, while continuing a broader offensive to reclaim the capital, Khartoum.

Haiti Mission Suffers Loss as Kenyan Officer Falls

A Kenyan police officer deployed to Haiti as part of an international effort to combat violent gangs was fatally shot during an operation in the Artibonite region.

Kenyan authorities confirmed that the officer was responding to a distress call from residents in an area controlled by the Gran Grif gang when he was attacked.

Despite efforts to save him, the officer succumbed to his injuries after being airlifted for medical treatment.

A Kenyan police officer serving under the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti has died.
Kenyan authorities say the officer sustained gunshot wounds after suspected gang members opened fire on the security team that was on patrol. pic.twitter.com/oCoJ49apiB

— Samira Sawlani (@samirasawlani) February 24, 2025

The incident underscores the dangers faced by the multinational force assisting Haiti’s struggling police in restoring order amid rampant gang violence, which has escalated since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.

Kenya has sent over 800 officers to Haiti, working alongside forces from Jamaica, Guatemala, and El Salvador.

Officials mourned the fallen officer, calling him a hero for sacrificing his life in the fight to protect Haitian citizens.

Zelenskyy Offers Resignation to Secure NATO Membership

On the eve of the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he would be willing to step down if it meant Ukraine could join NATO.

His remarks come amid tensions with US President Donald Trump, who has criticized Zelenskyy and Ukraine’s role in the war.

Zelenskyy urged Trump to meet him before any talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasizing the need for US security guarantees.

Security guarantees are also about economic agreements. There is a lot of media talk about this. About our work with the Americans to reach such an agreement.

We all need peace—long-lasting and reliable one. And we want a good economic deal that will be part of a true security…

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 23, 2025

Meanwhile, European leaders are adjusting to shifting geopolitical dynamics, with Germany calling for stronger defense efforts, and France and the UK preparing to lobby Washington for continued support for Ukraine.

A special European summit on Ukraine is set for March 6.

Russia remains firm in rejecting any territorial concessions, while Putin framed his war efforts as a divine mission.

Overnight, Russia launched a record 267 drone attacks on Ukraine, though most were intercepted.

Ukraine is unlikely to accept any peace agreement based on the Istanbul negotiations as such terms are effectively a full Ukrainian surrender to Russia’s long-term war goals.

The Istanbul negotiations effectively conceded to Russia’s long-standing demands to “denazify” —… https://t.co/xlG9TA9cXm pic.twitter.com/hGLSrSq7fv

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) February 24, 2025

Diplomatic talks between US and Russian officials are set to continue next week.

Japan, Philippines Expand Security Pact Against Regional Threats

Japan and the Philippines are strengthening their security ties in response to an “increasingly severe” regional security environment, Japan’s defense chief Gen Nakatani said Monday after meeting his Philippine counterpart, Gilberto Teodoro Jr., in Manila.

The two nations agreed to enhance defense cooperation, including establishing strategic dialogue between high-level military officials.

The deepening partnership follows recent confrontations between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea, where Chinese coast guard and naval forces have aggressively challenged Philippine sovereignty.

#DNDPHL Sec. Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. and Japan’s Minister of Defense Nakatani Gen held their Defense Ministerial Meeting today in Makati. 🇵🇭🤝🇯🇵

Read full story👉https://t.co/XYSsbtymFB pic.twitter.com/qs7gD2OMHf

— DND Philippines (@dndphl) February 24, 2025

Japan, facing its own territorial disputes with China in the East China Sea, is a key supporter of Manila’s efforts to modernize its maritime defenses.

Both countries, as US allies, are part of a broader regional strategy to counter China’s territorial ambitions.

A recently ratified agreement will allow Japanese and Philippine troops to operate on each other’s soil, expanding joint military exercises.

The pact now awaits approval in Tokyo.

France Deploys Warships, Holds Drills with Philippines

France’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle, along with its strike group, arrived in the Philippines after conducting joint combat drills with Filipino forces in the South China Sea.

The exercises, which included anti-submarine and aerial combat training, highlighted France’s commitment to regional security and freedom of navigation amid tensions with China.

French and Philippine officials emphasized their shared commitment to upholding international law and strengthening military cooperation.

France has been increasing its engagement in the Indo-Pacific, joining other Western allies in countering China’s assertive maritime claims.

⚓️🇫🇷 Historic first! The French Carrier Strike Group around Charles de Gaulle has arrived in the Philippines for an unprecedented stopover, reinforcing an enhanced maritime and defense cooperation between our two countries. Bienvenue aux 🇵🇭 ! Maligayang pagdating ! #CLEMENCEAU25 pic.twitter.com/Sx7Z7GH5OP

— France in the PH 🇫🇷🇵🇭 (@FrenchEmbassyPH) February 23, 2025

The Philippines and France are also negotiating a defense pact that would allow military exercises in each other’s territories, similar to agreements Manila has with the US, Australia, and Japan.

China, which claims most of the South China Sea, has strongly criticized these foreign military activities, warning that they could provoke confrontation.

The region remains a geopolitical flashpoint, with ongoing territorial disputes involving the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, and Indonesia.

Republicans Push Laws to Punish Sanctuary City Officials

US Republican State Lawmakers across more than 20 states are pushing legislation to penalize local officials who resist federal immigration enforcement, escalating efforts to back former President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration.

These bills aim to enforce anti-sanctuary policies by threatening local governments and officials with lawsuits, fines, and even jail time for noncompliance.

Some states, including Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and Wyoming, have introduced or passed laws that punish officials who refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

Measures range from withholding state funds to imposing felony charges.

Critics argue the laws could create fear in immigrant communities and pressure local law enforcement into overextending detentions.

Republican lawmakers in some states are threatening local officials with lawsuits, fines and jail time if they resist President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration. https://t.co/s8D9C3EBDq

— ABC News (@ABC) February 24, 2025

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has taken legal action against sanctuary jurisdictions, with the Department of Justice suing Illinois, Chicago, and Cook County.

Republican lawmakers justify these efforts as a necessary defense against illegal immigration, while opponents see them as political maneuvers meant to align with Trump’s policies rather than address real issues.

Sources: News Agencies