SOFREP Evening Brief: Hamas Accepts US-Brokered Ceasefire Deal, Russia Launches Record Drone Assault on Ukraine

Good evening! SOFREP’s evening brief is here, wrapping up your Monday with the latest updates on defense and global affairs for May 26, 2025. Here’s a quick rundown: Gaza aid chief resigned after Israeli strike killed 30 at a school. Hamas accepted a US ceasefire plan; Israel hasn’t responded. Trump hinted at progress on Iran nuclear talks. Eleven shot in South Carolina; officer injured by accidental fire. Russia launched a record drone attack on Ukraine during an ongoing prisoner swap. Ukraine deployed its first motorcycle assault unit. King Charles visited Canada to counter Trump’s annexation talk. The Philippines is open to new peace deals with China amid sea tensions.

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US-Backed Gaza Aid Chief Resigns as Israeli Strike on School Kills Dozens

Jake Wood, head of the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, resigned Sunday over the organization’s inability to meet core humanitarian principles amid ongoing Israeli military operations.

Wood’s departure comes as international outrage intensifies over Israeli airstrikes, including one on a Gaza City school that killed at least 30 Palestinians sheltering inside, many of them women and children.

Israel claimed the school was being used by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, but provided no evidence.

Germany, a close Israeli ally, joined the chorus of criticism. Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that Israel’s recent strikes have inflicted unacceptable civilian casualties, saying the scale of harm can “no longer be justified as a fight against Hamas.”

A little Palestinian girl is seen trapped, trying to escape the inferno caused by Israel’s bombing of the Jerjawi school in the Daraj neighbourhood of Gaza City pic.twitter.com/3WHVoKB7R2

— TRT World (@trtworld) May 26, 2025

The new Gaza aid delivery system, involving private contractors under Israeli security supervision, plans to reach one million people this week. Critics, including the United Nations and former aid partners, say the setup lacks neutrality and risks politicizing aid by screening recipients for ties to Hamas—possibly using biometric tools.

While the foundation aims to expand, many logistics remain unclear and major humanitarian organizations continue to boycott the effort, warning it could worsen chaos.

Hamas condemned the system, calling it a deliberate starvation tactic.

🚨BREAKING: Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) Director Resigns

Jake Wood has resigned as Executive Director of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the Israeli plan for aid distribution in Gaza that bypasses established NGO and UN channels.

Wood cites an inability to implement… pic.twitter.com/FTAoxfcnu3

— Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) May 25, 2025

Meanwhile, Israeli forces continue a broad offensive across Gaza, with at least 45 Palestinians killed on Monday, including 15 in a Jabalia home. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports over 53,000 dead since Israel launched its retaliatory campaign following the October 7 Hamas-led attacks that killed 1,200 people in Israel. The war has displaced nearly all of Gaza’s 2 million residents and devastated much of the territory.

Hamas Accepts US-Brokered Ceasefire Deal, Awaits Israeli Response

Hamas has accepted a US-brokered ceasefire proposal led by special envoy Steve Witkoff, potentially paving the way for a halt in the war with Israel, according to a Palestinian official speaking to Reuters.

The deal includes a 70-day truce, the release of 10 Israeli hostages in two phases, and a partial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

In return, Israel would release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including those serving long sentences. Israel has yet to issue an official response.

The agreement, delivered via mediators, follows the breakdown of a previous ceasefire on March 18, after which Israel resumed its offensive and Hamas restarted rocket attacks. Hamas has expressed willingness to release all remaining hostages and end the war permanently if Israel fully withdraws from Gaza.

BREAKING: Hamas agreed to a proposal by US special envoy Steve Witkoff for a Gaza ceasefire, a Palestinian official close to the group told Reuters, paving the way for a possible end to the war https://t.co/edopZZOwtV pic.twitter.com/6vX6VJnaoO

— Reuters (@Reuters) May 26, 2025

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintains that the war will only end with the complete destruction of Hamas and has so far only supported temporary ceasefires tied to hostage releases.

Trump Hints at Progress in US-Iran Nuclear Talks

President Donald Trump signaled potential progress in negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program, suggesting a possible announcement “in the next two days.”

Speaking from New Jersey on Sunday, Trump said recent talks had yielded “serious progress” and hinted at positive developments ahead.

His comments came after the fifth round of US-Iran talks in Rome, mediated by Oman. While Omani officials described the talks as showing “some but not conclusive” progress, Trump expressed more optimism.

🚨 BREAKING: Trump has had talks with Iran this weekend. He says “good news” could be coming soon with Iran on the nuclear front.

“I have a feeling I might be telling you something good. We’ve had some serious progress.” pic.twitter.com/JkKKNqPV28

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 25, 2025

US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff and State Department policy planning director Michael Anton led the American delegation. The discussions center on reducing Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for limited sanctions relief.

No formal agreement has been announced yet.

11 Hospitalized After Shooting Near South Carolina Marina; Officer Injured in Accidental Discharge

At least 11 people were hospitalized after a shooting Sunday night near a boat dock along the Intracoastal Waterway in Little River, South Carolina, according to Horry County Police.

The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m., and additional victims reportedly arrived at hospitals in private vehicles.

Authorities have not disclosed victim conditions or identified any suspects.

⚠In the US state of #SouthCarolina, 11 people were injured in a shooting.

The #shooting incident occurred in the town of Little River at about 21:30 (05:30 Baku time) on Sunday, May 25.

Information about the causes of the incident, as well as the condition of the victims, is… pic.twitter.com/Y9KFB7GFtw

— News.Az (@news_az) May 26, 2025

Police labeled the shooting an isolated incident and stated there was no ongoing threat to the community. No motive or details on what led to the shooting have been released.

Separately, a North Myrtle Beach police officer accidentally shot himself in the leg while responding to the scene at a nearby marina. He remains hospitalized in stable condition.

Little River is located roughly 20 miles northeast of Myrtle Beach.

Russia Launches Record Drone Assault on Ukraine as Trump Calls Putin “Crazy”

Russia launched its largest drone attack of the war overnight Sunday, firing 355 drones at Ukraine, according to Ukrainian air force officials.

The barrage follows a weekend of escalating bombardments, totaling nearly 900 drones from Friday through Sunday, alongside dozens of missiles. The intensifying air campaign appears to undercut US-led peace efforts and signals Moscow’s continued push to gain ground along the 1,000-kilometer (621-mile) front line.

President Donald Trump condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions, calling him “absolutely crazy” and warning that further escalation could “lead to the downfall of Russia.” Trump also expressed frustration with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying his rhetoric isn’t helping the peace process.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy labeled the attacks politically motivated and repeated calls for harsher international sanctions to cut off Russia’s war resources. The European Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called the strikes “totally appalling” and pledged more sanctions.

NEW: Putin is leveraging long-range strikes against Ukrainian cities, aggressive rhetorical campaigns, and excessive pessimism in the West about the battlefield situation in Ukraine in a multi-pronged effort to degrade Ukrainian morale and convince the West that a Russian victory… pic.twitter.com/h9ClR07VLU

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) May 26, 2025

Despite Moscow’s rejection of a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire in March, the two sides completed a major prisoner swap on Sunday—the largest since the war began. A total of 1,000 prisoners were exchanged over three days, marking a rare act of cooperation amid relentless fighting and aerial assaults.

Ukraine Deploys First Motorcycle Assault Unit for Fast-Strike Operations

Ukraine’s military has recently launched its first motorcycle assault company to enhance mobility and rapid engagement capabilities in difficult terrain.

The unit, part of the 425th Separate Assault Regiment “Skala,” is trained for deep raids and fast-penetration missions behind enemy lines.

Each motorcycle carries two fighters—one driver and one gunner—armed with AKS-74U rifles for mobile fire. Operating in swarms, these teams overwhelm enemy positions through speed and dispersion, reducing vulnerability to counterfire. Once dismounted, pairs maneuver on foot to engage, recon, or provide cover.

❗️The Armed Forces of 🇺🇦Ukraine created the first assault motorcycle(!) company, the 425th Separate Assault Regiment “SKALA”. pic.twitter.com/TD8iXsp8LB

— 🪖MilitaryNewsUA🇺🇦 (@front_ukrainian) May 20, 2025

The new formation reflects Ukraine’s adaptation to battlefield conditions where heavier vehicles are limited. Russia previously deployed similar tactics using motorcycles and ATVs. Ukraine’s version has undergone extensive training with no fuel or ammunition restrictions, focusing on high-mobility combat readiness.

Besides direct assault roles, the unit will assist with logistics, including transporting electronic warfare equipment, ammunition, and wounded personnel on the front lines.

King Charles Visits Canada to Underscore Sovereignty Amid Trump Annexation Talk

King Charles III is set to deliver Canada’s speech from the throne in Ottawa this week, a rare move intended to reinforce Canada’s sovereignty in response to US President Donald Trump’s repeated remarks about annexing the country.

Prime Minister Mark Carney invited the monarch to deliver the address, which outlines the government’s legislative agenda, marking only the third time a reigning sovereign has done so in Canadian history.

Carney emphasized the symbolic importance of Charles’ presence, calling the monarch a “steadfast defender” of Canada at a time of global transition.

Today, we are honoured to welcome Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla to Canada.

This #RoyalVisit is a reminder of the bond between Canada and the Crown, one forged over generations. https://t.co/FG9sFXka5p

Photo: Millie Pilkington pic.twitter.com/h9ewmX5Q2z

— Prime Minister of Canada (@CanadianPM) May 26, 2025

The King’s visit highlights Canada’s identity as a constitutional monarchy distinct from the US, a point Carney is eager to stress amid Trump’s controversial comments.

While Trump has expressed admiration for the British royal family, Canadian officials and historians say the visit sends a clear message: Canada remains a sovereign nation with its own political heritage.

The King, who will be escorted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and surrounded by Canadian symbols, will read a speech written entirely by the Canadian government.

1/2 On May 27, His Majesty King Charles III will deliver the Speech from the Throne.

This historic occasion marks the third time the Speech is presented by the sovereign of Canada. It was previously read by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1957 and in 1977. @royalfamily pic.twitter.com/62uXR9AJjv

— House of Commons (@OurCommons) May 20, 2025

The visit comes as some Canadians voiced displeasure over a recent state visit invitation extended to Trump by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Carney criticized the move, saying it was ill-timed and failed to respect Canadian concerns about national sovereignty.

Following his arrival Monday, King Charles will attend public events, meet with officials, and visit the National War Memorial before returning to the UK after Tuesday’s address.

Philippines Open to New Peace Deals With China Amid South China Sea Standoffs

Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo said Manila is open to additional agreements with China aimed at preserving peace in the South China Sea, despite ongoing maritime confrontations.

His comments come amid growing tensions over disputed features in Philippine waters, where China’s coast guard maintains a persistent presence.

The South China Sea, a critical global trade route, remains a flashpoint between China and US ally the Philippines. Recent standoffs—particularly around uninhabited sandbars, fishing grounds, and the Second Thomas Shoal, where the Philippines has stationed troops—have raised concerns of escalation.

While China accuses the Philippines of trespassing, it denies any aggressive actions and continues to push for dialogue. Both nations previously reached a provisional arrangement for resupply missions to the contested shoal, though broader friction persists.

DA-BFAR condemns hostile actions by China Coast Guard against BFAR vessels in the area of the Pag-Asa Cays yesterday. pic.twitter.com/3paEhnagCy

— Jay Tarriela (@jaytaryela) May 22, 2025

Manalo, speaking at the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit in Kuala Lumpur, emphasized that peaceful diplomatic efforts remain a priority. He also urged faster negotiations on a long-stalled code of conduct between ASEAN and China.

ASEAN agreed in 2002 to develop such a code, but talks only began 15 years later.

ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn said all parties aim to finalize the code by 2025, with the Philippines set to chair ASEAN in 2026.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr echoed the urgency, calling for a legally binding code to safeguard maritime rights and prevent dangerous miscalculations. The stakes remain high, as any armed attack on Philippine forces could trigger US intervention under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.

Sources: News Agencies, Reuters