SOFREP Evening Brief: Over 250 Killed in Israeli Strikes as Gaza, First Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks in Years Yield Prisoners Swap

Good evening! End your week with SOFREP’s evening brief, bringing you the latest updates on defense and global affairs for Friday, May 16, 2025. Over 250 killed in Israeli strikes as Gaza offensive expands. Israel also hit Yemen’s ports and threatened Houthi leaders. ISWAP killed five troops in Nigeria. Three US Navy sailors died at the Great Lakes base. Finland plans to raise reservist age to 65 amid Russia tensions. Ukraine lost another US-made F-16; Russia-Ukraine talks produced a prisoners of war swap but no ceasefire. US to fund boat repair site at Philippine base near South China Sea. Indonesian forces killed 18 rebels in Papua clashes.

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Over 250 Killed in Israeli Strikes as Gaza Faces Escalation and Famine Threat

Israeli air and artillery strikes on Gaza have killed more than 250 people since Thursday morning, making it one of the deadliest phases since the collapse of the March truce, according to Gaza health authorities on Friday.

Heavy bombardment targeted northern areas, including Beit Lahiya and Jabalia, where many civilians remain trapped under rubble. The Israel Defense Forces said it struck over 150 targets across the enclave.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved an expanded ground offensive aimed at eliminating Hamas, potentially involving full control of Gaza and aid distribution. Israeli forces dropped evacuation leaflets in Beit Lahiya as tanks advanced southward toward Khan Younis.

The renewed offensive follows the conclusion of US President Donald Trump’s Middle East tour, which ended without progress on a ceasefire. Trump acknowledged Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, saying, “a lot of people are starving,” but expressed hope for “good things” in the coming month.

The Biden-era ceasefire framework remains stalled, despite US and international pressure for Israel to lift its blockade and resume talks.

🇵🇸🇮🇱 #Israeli air strikes killed at least 80 in #Gaza on Wednesday as hostage talks continued in Doha during President #Trump’s visit.

📞 PM #Netanyahu spoke with US envoy Steve #Witkoff amid rising global concern over the humanitarian crisis pic.twitter.com/MY9g4fSHQm

— FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) May 15, 2025

Since the start of the war in October 2023, more than 53,000 Palestinians have been killed, and nearly the entire population has been displaced. The humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating Washington is “troubled” by the situation.

Netanyahu has sent negotiators to Doha for talks mediated by Qatar but insists on no concessions. Families of hostages held by Hamas criticized Israel’s leadership for risking a “historic opportunity” to secure their release as Trump wraps up his regional diplomacy.

Israel Strikes Yemen Ports, Warns Houthi Leader Could Be Targeted

Israel launched airstrikes Friday on Yemen’s Red Sea ports of Hodeidah and Salif, targeting Houthi military infrastructure used to transfer weapons.

The Israel Defense Forces said it dropped more than 30 munitions in its eighth round of strikes, as part of a broader campaign to curb Houthi attacks on Israel.

The Houthis, aligned with Iran and part of the “Axis of Resistance,” have continued firing missiles at Israel in support of Palestinians in Gaza, despite halting strikes on US ships.

Israeli officials confirmed that one person was killed and nine wounded in the latest strikes, according to the Houthi-run health ministry.

⭕️ The IDF struck and dismantled terrorist infrastructure sites belonging to the Houthi terrorist regime in the Hudaydah and Salif Ports in Yemen.

These ports are used to transfer weapons and are a further example of the Houthi’s systematic and cynical exploitation of civilian… pic.twitter.com/PGJAB0YenL

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 16, 2025

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a joint warning to the Houthis, threatening to target their top leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, if attacks persist. They said he could face the same fate as other militant leaders killed by Israel, including Hamas’ Yahya Sinwar and Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah.

Houthi official Mohammed Ali al-Houthi dismissed the threats as “illusions” aimed at delaying progress.

Since October 2023, the Houthis have launched dozens of missile and drone attacks toward Israel, though most have been intercepted or failed to reach their targets.

ISWAP Raid Kills Five Multinational Troops at Nigerian-Cameroon Border Base

Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants launched a pre-dawn assault Friday on a Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) base in Wulgo, northeast Nigeria, killing four Nigerian soldiers and one Cameroonian, according to military sources.

The jihadists overran the base after a fierce gunfight, forcing troops to withdraw. Nine ISWAP fighters were also killed. The militants torched two mine-resistant vehicles, five military trucks, and seized several motorcycles used by local hunter auxiliaries.

The attack marks the second major raid on the Wulgo base in two months, following an assault in March that killed 25 Cameroonian troops. The MNJTF—comprising forces from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Benin, and Niger—continues to face operational strain following Niger’s withdrawal and Chad’s threat to do the same.

ISWAP and Boko Haram have stepped up attacks in Borno state, the epicenter of Nigeria’s Islamist insurgency since 2009.

Three Sailors Die Within a Month at US Navy’s Great Lakes Training Command

Three American Sailors assigned to Recruit Training Command (RTC) Great Lakes have died over the past month, prompting separate investigations, according to the Naval Education and Training Command (NETC).

The deceased are Chief Gunner’s Mate Daniel Dlask, Chief Damage Controlman Reba Miller, and Machinist’s Mate First Class Jacob Lavold. NETC has not disclosed the cause of death for any of the three.

Dlask died on April 18, Miller on April 28, and Lavold on May 15. Rear Adm. Robert Nowakowski has been appointed as the investigating officer to examine potential contributing factors. Each case remains under independent review.

Dlask, a Wisconsin native who enlisted in 2006, previously served on multiple commands, including USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB-3) and at Guantanamo Bay. Lavold, from Minnesota, enlisted in 2013 and served aboard USS Rushmore (LSD-47) and USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75). Miller, a Texas native, enlisted in 2017 and served aboard USS Gladiator (MCM-11) and USS Lassen (DDG-82) before joining RTC as an instructor.

A fourth sailor, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Makaio Bartle, died in a car accident on May 4. His death is unrelated to the ongoing investigations at RTC.

NETC said the deaths have deeply impacted the command and the wider Navy community. No further details have been released.

Finland Proposes Raising Reservist Age to 65 Amid Russia Tensions

Finland recently announced its plans to raise the maximum age for military reservists to 65 in response to growing security concerns with Russia.

The proposal, if approved, would increase the country’s total reserve force by 125,000, reaching one million by 2031.

Currently, Finnish enlisted soldiers serve in the reserve until age 50, and non-commissioned officers and reserve officers until 60. The new plan would extend all reservists’ service by five years. The change would take effect gradually over the next five years.

Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen said the move reinforces Finland’s commitment to national defense and signals to NATO allies that the country is actively strengthening its military posture following its NATO accession in April 2023. The proposal is under public consultation until the end of next month before heading to parliament.

Minister of Defence @anttihakkanen has published the draft proposal on raising the maximum age of reservists to 65 years.

The new upper age limit would apply to all persons liable for military service born in 1966 or later.

Press release

🔽https://t.co/A08X5wuIES

— Puolustusministeriö (@DefenceFinland) May 14, 2025

Finland, which shares an 830-mile border with Russia, has maintained mandatory military service for men since age 18, training nearly 900,000 conscripts to date. The country closed its border with Russia in December 2023 over concerns that Moscow was facilitating migrant flows to destabilize Finnish territory.

Ukraine Confirms Loss of Another US-Made F-16 in Battle with Russia

Ukraine’s Air Force confirmed the loss of another US-supplied F-16 fighter jet on Friday, marking at least the second confirmed destruction of the Western-provided aircraft.

The jet went down during a combat mission to repel a Russian attack, during which the pilot successfully downed three aerial targets before an onboard emergency forced an ejection.

The pilot survived, and an investigation is underway.

❗️Ukraine lost an F-16 at night, the pilot successfully ejected, – Ukrainian Air Force

Before that, he destroyed three air targets. pic.twitter.com/AtjFrU75lR

— 🪖MilitaryNewsUA🇺🇦 (@front_ukrainian) May 16, 2025

The incident is a significant setback for Kyiv, which has relied on the F-16s for missile interception and air superiority missions against Russian forces.

The crash adds to earlier losses: one F-16 was confirmed destroyed in August 2024 during a Russian missile strike, and another was possibly downed in April 2025, though Ukraine did not officially confirm it.

Meanwhile, Russia continues heavy drone assaults. In the latest attack, it launched 112 drones, with Ukraine reporting 73 shot down and 36 lost from radar, though none caused damage.

First Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks in Years Yield POW Swap but No Ceasefire

Russia and Ukraine held their first direct peace talks in over two years on Friday in Istanbul, agreeing to a major prisoner swap but making no progress on key issues like a ceasefire.

Each side will exchange 1,000 prisoners in what will be their largest swap to date. However, the talks ended after less than two hours, with both delegations still far apart on conditions to end the war.

Ukraine, backed by the US and European allies, pushed for an immediate 30-day ceasefire as a starting point for negotiations. Russia refused, instead presenting new territorial demands deemed “unacceptable” by Kyiv. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhii said Moscow has yet to agree to a basic ceasefire, calling into question its seriousness in negotiations.

Russian delegate Vladimir Medinsky claimed the outcome was satisfactory and said Moscow was willing to continue talks. Ukraine’s delegation, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, called for a presidential-level meeting—something Russia is “considering.” President Donald Trump, who has pressured both sides to resolve the war, said a direct meeting with Putin is essential and signaled readiness to meet.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy briefed US and European leaders from Albania, warning that failure to achieve a ceasefire should prompt tougher sanctions on Moscow. France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Poland expressed support but condemned Russia’s continued stonewalling.

The first 🇷🇺 Russia-🇺🇦 Ukraine peace talks in three years ended in 🇹🇷 Turkey after just two hours.

With Putin absent, no progress was made as Kyiv rejected “unacceptable demands” from Moscow, including a pullback from key territories. pic.twitter.com/rpTpxivXtC

— FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) May 16, 2025

On the battlefield, Russian forces continue their offensive. Ukrainian officials reported a drone strike killed one civilian and wounded four in Kupiansk. Moscow is also boosting its presence in Belarus, sparking fears of another front.

The talks come amid increased diplomatic maneuvering, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Keith Kellogg holding side meetings with Turkish and Ukrainian officials.

Rubio said a breakthrough hinges on a Trump-Putin summit.

2/ Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Toretsk, and Russian forces recently advanced near Lyman, Novopavlivka, and Velyka Novosilka.

Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 15, 2025: https://t.co/GBadF4GnvU pic.twitter.com/D6AsELODfA

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

Despite low expectations, officials described the POW swap as a “confidence-building measure,” and Turkey confirmed plans for future meetings. Still, with Russia rejecting ceasefire terms and advancing militarily, prospects for peace remain bleak.

US to Fund Boat Repair Facility at Strategic Philippine Navy Base Facing South China Sea

The US will invest up to $5 million to build a boat repair and maintenance facility at Naval Detachment Oyster Bay, a key Philippine military base supporting operations in the contested South China Sea.

The project includes a 5-ton gantry crane, multipurpose rooms, and improvements to the existing boat launch to better support Philippine Navy and civilian vessels damaged during frequent confrontations with Chinese forces.

Oyster Bay, located on Palawan’s western coast, serves as a launch point for missions to Second Thomas Shoal and other disputed areas. The base currently hosts Cyclone-class patrol ships transferred from the US Navy, Marine Corps assault boats, and American-supplied unmanned surface vessels. It also supports joint operations with US, Japanese, and Australian warships.

The repair facility responds to repeated damage inflicted on Philippine vessels by Chinese Coast Guard actions, including ramming and water cannon attacks. In 2023, a Philippine Navy SEAL lost a finger in a close encounter near Second Thomas Shoal.

The project operates outside the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement and represents a broader US strategy to bolster Philippine defense capabilities closer to maritime flashpoints. Additional US-funded infrastructure is underway, including a planned Navy storage facility at either Clark or Subic Bay.

Indonesia Clashes with Papua Rebels, 20 Dead in Latest Violence

Indonesian security forces recently clashed with separatist rebels in Papua’s Intan Jaya region, killing at least 18 insurgents, according to military officials on Friday.

Two police officers were also killed in a separate rebel attack.

The fighting began when armed fighters from the West Papua Liberation Army ambushed troops preparing to deliver health and education services.

Military spokesperson Lt. Col. Iwan Dwi Prihartono said government forces responded with a “measured and professional action operation,” seizing weapons, ammunition, arrows, and a separatist flag. No government casualties were reported during the initial clash.

Rebel spokesman Sebby Sambom disputed the military’s death toll, claiming only three fighters were killed and accusing security forces of killing civilians. He confirmed the group retaliated by killing two police officers in nearby Puncak Jaya.

Guerrilla fighters from the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) ambushed Indonesian military forces. The TPNPB is the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement, which seeks independence for West Papua from Indonesia.

The Papua conflict is a low-intensity guerrilla war that… pic.twitter.com/YHLAx19OU4

— red. (@redstreamnet) April 29, 2025

Papua’s decades-long insurgency, rooted in opposition to Indonesia’s 1969 annexation, has escalated in recent years. Last month, the rebels claimed responsibility for killing 17 people at a gold mining site, alleging they were undercover Indonesian soldiers—an assertion rejected by authorities.

Sources: News Agencies, USNI News