Israeli military claims about 20,900 attacks in Middle East in 2025
Tel Aviv, Jan 1
The Israeli military has reported carrying out about 20,900 attacks across the Middle East in 2025, primarily targeting Gaza, Iran, Syria and Lebanon.
Israel continued multi-front fighting throughout the year, necessitating the mobilisation of additional troops. The military called up about 306,830 reservists, including 54,000 who had previously been exempt from service, according to figures it released at the end of the year.
In Gaza, where a ceasefire took effect on Oct. 10, Israeli forces carried out about 19,530 attacks, the military said.
According to Gaza's health authorities, Israeli assaults have killed at least 415 people and injured 1,152 others since October 11. A total of 71,269 people have been killed by Israeli fire since October 2023, reports Xinhua news agency.
In June, Israel launched a 12-day military campaign against Iran beginning on June 13, with both countries exchanging missile strikes, marking a sharp escalation after years of shadow and proxy conflict.
The military said it attacked about 1,500 sites in Iran and killed 11 nuclear scientists and 30 senior officials, including Hossein Salami, chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces.
The Northern Command carried out about 950 attacks, mainly in southern Lebanon, where Israel says it targets Hezbollah sites despite a ceasefire, and in Syria, where Israeli forces entered Syrian territory at the peak of Mount Hermon in late 2024, followed by frequent air and ground strikes.
Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Wednesday that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state is "an inevitable reality," affirming that Palestinians are moving steadily toward freedom and independence.
In a statement carried by Palestinian news agency WAFA, Abbas stressed the realisation of a fully sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, alongside the return of refugees in line with international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
Israel has, however, not commented on the statement yet.
— IANS
Reader Comments
While every nation has a right to defend itself, these numbers are concerning. 306,830 reservists called up? That's a massive mobilization. It feels like the entire region is a tinderbox. India has to walk a very careful diplomatic line here, maintaining relationships while advocating for peace. 🇮🇳
The attack on Iranian nuclear scientists is a major escalation. Direct conflict between Israel and Iran is a nightmare scenario for global stability, including energy security which impacts all of us. Hope our foreign ministry is closely monitoring.
President Abbas's statement about an "inevitable" Palestinian state is the only hopeful part of this article. A sovereign state living side-by-side in peace is the only long-term solution. The international community, including India, must support this vision practically, not just in words.
With respect, I think the article focuses heavily on one side's claims. "Attacks" is a broad term. How many were retaliatory or pre-emptive against imminent threats from groups like Hezbollah? The situation is complex, and we need more balanced reporting to understand it fully.
This is so depressing. So many ordinary people just want to live their lives in peace, whether in Gaza, Israel, or Lebanon. The numbers are not just statistics; they are families destroyed. As a mother, I can't imagine the pain. 🙏 The world has failed them.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.