SOFREP Daily: Hamas Offers Hostage Deal, Israel Doubts Move; Iraq, US Kill ISIS Leader in Deadly Airstrike

Good morning! It’s Saturday, March 15, 2025. Start your weekend informed with the latest briefing on defense and global affairs.

Hamas Offers Hostage Deal, Israel Doubts Move

Hamas announced Friday that it had accepted a proposal to release one American-Israeli hostage, Edan Alexander, and the bodies of four deceased captives, though Israel cast doubt on the offer, calling it a manipulation tactic.

Negotiations in Qatar remain tense, with Hamas publicly claiming flexibility but reportedly making unrealistic demands.

The US, Egypt, and Qatar continue mediation efforts, proposing a ceasefire extension in exchange for hostage releases and increased aid to Gaza.

Hamas says it has agreed to release Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old American-Israeli hostage – along with the bodies of four dual US nationals – if Israel begins the second phase of ceasefire talks.

Israel described it as ‘psychological warfare’. pic.twitter.com/TsPbZzzTrb

— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) March 14, 2025

Meanwhile, Israel’s negotiating team has returned from Qatar to assess the next steps. Hostage families urge a comprehensive deal, fearing for those still held.

Separately, restrictions on Muslim worshippers at Al-Aqsa mosque during Ramadan have intensified tensions, with Hamas accusing Israel of religious suppression.

Iraq, US Kill ISIS Leader in Deadly Airstrike

Iraq’s Prime Minister announced the killing of Abdallah Maki Mosleh al-Rifai, also known as “Abu Khadija,” the head of ISIS in Iraq and Syria, during an Iraqi intelligence and US-led coalition operation.

The airstrike in Anbar province took place Thursday night, with his death confirmed Friday.

The announcement coincided with a visit from Syria’s top diplomat, during which Iraq and Syria pledged to strengthen counterterrorism efforts.

U.S. Central Command forces, in cooperation with Iraqi Intelligence and Security Forces, conducted a precision airstrike eliminating the Global ISIS #2 leader, Chief of Global Operations and the Delegated Committee Emir Abdullah Maki Musleh al-Rifai, known as Abu Khadija. pic.twitter.com/piQtx0QUof

— OSINTWarfare (@OSINTWarfare) March 15, 2025

Concerns about an ISIS resurgence have grown following the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Meanwhile, the US and Iraq plan to wind down the American-led military coalition’s mission in Iraq by September 2025, though some Iraqi leaders are reconsidering their stance due to regional instability.

Pakistan Suspends Trains After Balochistan Attack

Pakistan’s military accused India of sponsoring insurgents in Balochistan following a deadly train hijacking by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) that killed 26 people.

The unprecedented attack, which lasted 36 hours, saw militants ambush a train, take hundreds hostage, and execute military personnel and ethnic minorities before security forces ended the standoff, killing 33 hijackers.

Survivors described harrowing scenes of targeted killings.

While Islamabad also pointed to Afghanistan, no evidence was provided for its claims, which both Kabul and New Delhi rejected.

The attack has drawn international condemnation, with the UN calling for accountability.

In response, Pakistan suspended train services in Balochistan as it searched for the remaining assailants.

UN Chief Blasts West for Slashing Rohingya Aid

UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned recent humanitarian aid cuts by the US and European nations to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, calling them “a crime.”

During a four-day visit to Bangladesh, he highlighted the dire situation in Cox’s Bazar, where over a million Rohingya refugees rely on international aid. With food assistance at risk of being slashed in half due to funding shortfalls, Guterres pledged to push for global support.

In Cox’s Bazar, #Bangladesh, UN Secretary-General @AntonioGuterres warns that funding cuts threaten critical aid programmes supporting Rohingya refugees and host communitieshttps://t.co/H93NxdMi9i pic.twitter.com/PoKmtB5Kze

— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) March 14, 2025

Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, urged the UN to mobilize aid and support the refugees’ repatriation to Myanmar.

Guterres reiterated that returning home remains the Rohingya’s ultimate goal, but warned that worsening conditions could lead to further suffering and loss of life.

Putin Discusses Ceasefire, Asks US for Clarifications

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with US envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss a proposed 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, agreeing in principle but requesting clarifications before moving forward.

US President Donald Trump described the talks as “productive” and suggested that peace could soon be within reach. However, Putin’s military advantage, bolstered by North Korean troops, may make him reluctant to halt fighting.

Trump also urged Putin to spare thousands of reportedly encircled Ukrainian troops, though Ukraine denies such a situation exists.

The US and Russia may arrange a Trump-Putin phone call to finalize details.

Meanwhile, Trump has pressured both Ukraine and Russia to negotiate by adjusting military aid and sanctions policies, signaling a shift in US relations with both nations.

Separately, Russian air defenses shot down Ukrainian drones over Moscow, causing minor damage.

NEW: ISW has observed no geolocated evidence to indicate that Russian forces have encircled a significant number of Ukrainian forces in Kursk Oblast or elsewhere along the frontline in Ukraine. ⬇️

Putin seized on a statement by US President Donald Trump about the supposed… pic.twitter.com/p7asJU8aEs

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) March 15, 2025

G7 Supports Ukraine, Debates Trump’s Ceasefire Plan

G7 diplomats reached a joint agreement Friday backing Ukraine and a US-led ceasefire proposal in its war with Russia, despite tensions over President Donald Trump’s trade policies and controversial comments about Canada.

The communique reaffirmed Ukraine’s sovereignty and urged Russia to agree to a ceasefire but stopped short of condemning Russia’s invasion.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended Trump’s approach, while concerns grew over Trump’s desire to reintegrate Russia into the G7.

G7 foreign ministers–including U.S. Secretary of State Rubio–release a statement supporting Ukraine’s “territorial integrity and right to exist, and its freedom, sovereignty and independence” as the U.S. pushes negotiations to end Russia’s war. pic.twitter.com/UeyNxMcbCH

— Alex Salvi (@alexsalvinews) March 14, 2025

Meanwhile, tensions flared between the US and Canada over Trump’s remarks about Canada becoming the “51st state,” prompting Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly to firmly reject the notion.

Other key topics included Middle East conflicts and Chinese activity in the South China Sea.

Federal Aviation Administration Bans Helicopters Near D.C. Airport After Crash

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced Friday a permanent restriction on helicopter flights near Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National Airport following a deadly midair collision between an Army Black Hawk and a passenger jet that killed 67 people.

The decision follows federal investigators’ warnings that the crowded airspace posed an “intolerable risk” after years of near misses.

Exceptions will be made for presidential, law enforcement, and emergency medical flights.

Two planes aborted landings at DCA due to helicopters in flight path in week before crash: report https://t.co/tj579V0QfL

— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 31, 2025

The FAA is also reviewing helicopter operations in other busy metro areas.

The US Army, which regularly used the now-restricted route for government transport and training, supports the FAA’s safety efforts.

The impact of the restrictions is expected to be a key topic in a Senate hearing on March 27, where Army and aviation officials will testify.

UK Charges Russian Captain Over Fatal Ship Collision

British police have charged Russian cargo ship captain Vladimir Motin with gross negligence manslaughter after a deadly collision between his vessel, Solong, and a US military tanker in the North Sea.

The crash left Filipino crew member Mark Angelo Pernia missing and presumed dead.

Motin, 59, was arrested in northeast England and is set to appear in court.

BREAKING: Vladimir Motin, the Russian captain of the container vessel MV Solong that rammed a U.S. oil tanker MV Stena near Hull, has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter. https://t.co/HAsavttDl5 pic.twitter.com/NOiUE4ROro

— Intel Tower🗽 (@inteltower) March 14, 2025

Investigations by UK, US, and Portuguese authorities are underway, but no national security links have been found.

Past inspections revealed Solong had multiple safety deficiencies, including steering issues and inadequate alarms, raising concerns about the vessel’s condition before the crash.

International Criminal Court Tries Duterte Over Deadly Drug War

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appeared before the International Criminal Court (ICC) via videoconference after his arrest on murder charges linked to his deadly “war on drugs.”

Prosecutors accuse him of overseeing thousands of extrajudicial killings as both mayor of Davao and later as president.

His lawyer called the arrest illegal, while Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, denounced it as politically motivated.

Families of victims and human rights groups hailed his ICC appearance as a step toward justice.

Meanwhile, Duterte’s legal team argued that the ICC lacks jurisdiction since the Philippines withdrew from the court in 2019.

A pretrial hearing is set for September 23, and if convicted, Duterte faces life imprisonment.

Sources: News Agencies