Mass protests against Hamas continued in Gaza on Wednesday—following two days of demonstrations last week, marking the most significant unrest in 18 months—as the terror group tortured and killed two protesters, threatened a crackdown, and drew vows of revenge from the victims’ families.

Between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, the Israeli Air Force carried out widespread strikes across Syria, targeting military bases and facilities from the Assad regime era — a move widely seen as a warning to Turkey.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Wednesday that Israel is expanding its Gaza operations after heavy overnight strikes, with troops set to clear terrorists and infrastructure and seize territory for expanded security zones.

In a joint statement, the IDF, Shin Bet, and Mossad confirmed an overnight airstrike in Beirut killed a Hezbollah and Iranian IRGC Quds Force operative who coordinated with Hamas to carry out an imminent attack on Israeli civilians. This marks Israel’s second strike in Beirut in four days.

Turkey’s military rushed to take over Syria’s Tiyas air base, also known as T4, to deter Israeli strikes in Syria, well-informed Arabic sources confirmed Tuesday.

Two senior aides to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were arrested Monday over alleged financial ties to the Qatari government. As part of the “Qatargate” probe, the Attorney General has requested Netanyahu submit to questioning. In a video statement, Netanyahu dismissed the investigation as politically driven, claiming his aides are “being held hostage.”

Israeli troops have dismantled a one-kilometer Hamas tunnel in northern and central Gaza, part of the group’s underground warfare network. The Israel Defense Forces also reported killing 50 Hamas terrorists in the area.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel’s military pressure on Hamas is proving effective as his security cabinet decided to increase operations against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas operatives kidnapped, tortured, and executed 22-year-old Oday Nasser Al Rabay after he joined anti-Hamas protests in Gaza last week, his family said Sunday.

The House Judiciary and Foreign Affairs Committees are investigating six Israeli and U.S. groups that received federal funding under the Biden administration, suspecting the money was used to undermine Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israel’s elected government during the 2023 judicial reform protests.

Israel’s parliament passed a controversial law Wednesday morning that reshapes the committee that selects judges, a key part of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s judicial reform plan.

“Israel is and will remain a democracy,” Prime Minister Netanyahu told opposition lawmakers Wednesday, rejecting claims his government is eroding the rule of law. Meanwhile, thousands protested outside the Knesset as lawmakers moved toward final votes on a contentious judicial bill.

For the second consecutive day, rare and growing protests spread across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, as thousands of residents took to the streets to demand that Hamas immediately end the war with Israel and relinquish control over Gaza.

Defying fierce opposition, the coalition pushed the 2025 budget through its final Knesset reading on Tuesday, averting a political crisis and securing a crucial victory for Prime Minister Netanyahu. Failure to pass the budget by the March 31 deadline would have automatically triggered new elections, threatening the government’s survival.

In a rare and courageous act of defiance, Gazan civilians have taken to the streets to protest against Hamas, the Iranian-backed terrorist organization that controls the Gaza Strip.