More hostages and prisoners released in Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal
Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for January 31, 2025.
Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and
our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.
We collected and mapped 44 events
on Thursday, including the most
recent hostage and prisoner releases
in the Israel-Hamas ceasefire
deal, so let's get started.
Terrorism
"Gaza Strip
Released hostage soldier Agam Berger
has crossed the border into Israel after
being handed over by the Red Cross.
The IDF is bringing her to a facility
near the border for a checkup
and to reunite with her parents
after 482 days in Hamas captivity.
Berger, an IDF surveillance
soldier, was kidnapped by Hamas
terrorists in October 2023."
"Gaza Strip
Former hostages Arbel Yehoud, Gadi
Mozes, and five Thai nationals have been
handed over to IDF troops in the Gaza
Strip by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
The Red Cross facilitated the transfer
in Khan Younis, and the hostages
were then taken to Israeli forces
in the Netzarim Corridor area.
They will undergo an initial
checkup at an army facility near
the border community of Reâim.
Israeli sources report that
Yehoud and Mozes are in good
health after the transfer."
"India
Early Monday morning, Manipur-based
insurgent forces killed four Kuki
National Army Burma (KNA-B) terrorists
during a gun battle in the area of
Yangoupokpi, Kam-jong district."
"Israel
The IDF intercepted a Hezbollah
surveillance drone launched
from Lebanon at Israel.
No sirens sounded during the
incident, as per military protocol."
"Nigeria
On Tuesday, suspected Fulani
herdsmen attacked farm workers
in the Ajegunle-Powerline area of
the Akure North Local Government
Area (LGA), killing five workers."
"Pakistan
On Wednesday, Pakistani forces raided a
Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorist
hideout in the North Waziristan district.
During the raid, a gun battle broke
out, resulting in the deaths of
two soldiers and six militants."
"South Sudan
On Monday, unknown assailants ambushed
and killed a South Sudan Peopleâs Defense
Force (SSPDF) officer as he was walking
in Majak-kol, Rum-Amer County of South
Sudanâs Abyei Administrative Area."
Military Conflict
"India
On Wednesday, the Jammu and Kashmir
Police conducted extensive searches at
25 locations across Rajouri district
as part of an anti-terror crackdown.
The raids were based on warrants received
from the National Investigation Agency
(NIA) Court and aimed to dismantle a
terror network of the Jaish-e-Mohammed
(JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)
terrorist groups and their associates.
The searches occurred in various
district areas, including Rajouri
town, Nowshera, Thanamandi, Darhal,
Koteranka, Budhal, Manjakot, and Chingus."
"Iraq
On Thursday, Turkish airstrikes
targeted Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)
positions in the old Sikeri village
on the slopes of Matin Mountain,
Al-Amadiya district of Duhok province."
"Lebanon
The IDF conducted an airstrike in
southern Lebanon on Hezbollah's
engineering equipment used for
rebuilding its ""terror infrastructure.""
The military will continue to adhere
to the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire
agreement and eliminate any threats
to Israel and its citizens."
"Myanmar
On Tuesday, a junta airstrike targeted
a small-scale gold mine near the
villages of Oe Bo Ka Tauk and Nat Set
villages along the Chindwin River,
between Homalin and Paungbyin Townships.
The attack killed a civilian
worker and injured three others."
"Myanmar
Early Tuesday morning, two junta
motorized paragliders dropped six
bombs on Ywa Tan Shei, a village
adjacent to Mahlaing Township
located east of Taungtha Township.
The strikes hit a house, killing a
woman and critically injuring her
husband and three-year-old daughter."
"Sudan
On Wednesday, Rapid Support Forces
(RSF) shelled the Abu Souk refugee
camp in El Fasher, killing seven
people and injuring 12 others.
Eyewitnesses also reported clashes
between Sudanese troops and RSF occurred
in the Al-Salam neighborhoods south
of El Fasher, near the city's main
market, and in the Al-Azma neighborhood.
The army and its allies reportedly
repelled the attack, forcing the
Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to retreat
towards the El Fasher Children's
Hospital and the stock exchange
in the city's eastern area."
"Sudan
On Wednesday, the Sudanese army
continued its rapid advance against
Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in
central and southern Khartoum Bahri.
The army reportedly took control
of the Qatar Diyar Towers and the
entrance to the Mak Nimr Bridge
from Khartoum Bahri, located at
the southernmost tip of the city.
This strategic bridge connects Khartoum
Bahri to the capital city of Khartoum.
Soldiers posted photographs of
themselves at the Khartoum Bahri locality
headquarters, situated on the periphery of
the historic Hillet Hamad neighborhood."
"Syria
New airstrikes by Turkish fighter
jets were reported in the Kobane area.
Turkish forces and their proxy
factions also targeted silos in Um
Al-Kaif and Al-Kuzaliyah villages.
Turkish forces stationed in Bab
Al-Khair and Al-Dawudiyah bases
fired artillery shells on villages
in the Abu Rasin countryside."
"Syria
Russia has increased its military
withdrawal from Syria, removing vehicles
and containers from the Tartous port.
Satellite images show that
much of the military hardware
stored there has disappeared.
Russian officials have been in discussions
with the new government in Damascus.
There are reports that the new Syrian
government has canceled Russia's lease at
the port, but this has not been confirmed.
Tartous has been a key base for Russia,
allowing them to refuel, resupply, and
repair vessels in the Mediterranean."
"Syria
Turkish fighter jets and drones have
attacked civilian gatherings near Teshreen
Dam, coinciding with popular protests
against Turkish attacks on the region.
Casualty figures were not
reported in the attacks."
"Taiwan
Taiwan tracked six Chinese military
aircraft, five vessels, and three spy
balloons around its country between 6 a.m.
on Wednesday and Thursday.
Three of the aircraft crossed the median
line of the Taiwan Strait and entered
the countryâs northern and southwestern
Air Defense Identification Zone."
"Turkey
On Thursday, Turkish counterterrorism
operations destroyed a dozen hideouts,
bunkers, and depots used by the PKK
terrorist group in a total of 16 cities.
The raids raid occurred in the
provinces of Bitlis, Diyarbakır,
ElazıÄ, Hakkari, and Van.
During the operations, security forces
seized 5 kilograms of explosives, a
Dragunov semi-automatic sniper rifle,
24 grenades, four Kalashnikov rifles,
two RPF-7 rocket launchers, a M16 rifle,
a grenade thrower, 86 rocket launcher
munitions, set-ups for eight improvised
explosive devices, five binoculars and
8,903 units of munitions, weapons and
explosives of various sizes and scales."
"Ukraine
A drone attack on a residential
high-rise in Sumy has injured
seven civilians, including a child.
The attack caused damage
to a ten-story building.
Emergency services are on
the scene, assisting victims
and assessing the damage."
"Ukraine
Since Wednesday night, Ukraine's Defense
Forces have successfully downed 37
drones launched by Russian forces.
An additional 39 decoy drones
disappeared from the radar.
Aviation, defense units,
e-warfare teams, and mobile
fire groups repelled the attack.
The enemy attack damaged regions including
Chernihiv, Sumy, Odesa, and Poltava."
"Ukraine
Russian troops shelled the civilian
infrastructure of Kramatorsk, Donetsk
region, injuring one civilian.
The consequences of the shelling
are currently being investigated."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,270 Russian
soldiers over the past day.
Over 180 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."
"Ukraine
In Ukraine's Kharkiv region, three people
were injured due to Russian attacks.
An FPV drone hit an ambulance
crew in Kupiansk, and a house
was damaged in the same area.
In the village of Cherkaski
Tyshky, power lines were damaged
by a Russian Geran-2 UAV.
37 people were evacuated from
the Kupiansk and Borova areas.
Additionally, a stable in the Poltava
region was destroyed by a Geran-2 drone."
"Ukraine
The Russian army conducted over 400
strikes on nine settlements in Ukraine's
Zaporizhzhia region on January 29.
Governor Ivan Fedorov reported
that the attacks included
airstrikes and UAV attacks.
There were also artillery strikes,
resulting in damage to residential
buildings and infrastructure, but no
civilian casualties were reported."
"Ukraine
Two couples were killed in a
Russian attack on a high-rise
apartment building in Sumy.
The attack also damaged two
apartment buildings and 23 vehicles.
Five victims are receiving inpatient
treatment, while three are being
treated on an outpatient basis."
"Ukraine
On January 30, the Russian army injured
five civilians in the Donetsk region.
An FPV drone in Pokrovsk wounded three
civilians, and one car was damaged.
In Bilytske, a 500-kilogram guided
bomb caused injuries to two women
and damaged several buildings."
"Ukraine
In Sumy, a Russian Shahed drone struck
an apartment building, resulting
in nine deaths and 13 injuries.
The rescue operation lasted 19 hours, with
bodies being recovered from the rubble.
Two apartment buildings and
over 20 vehicles were damaged."
"West Bank
Police in Israel's Yamam anti-terror unit
have killed a wanted Palestinian, Qasim
Aklik, in the West Bank city of Nablus.
Aklik was involved in planning terror
attacks against Israeli targets.
When the officers tried to
arrest him, Aklik attempted to
flee and was shot and killed.
The Palestinian Authority health
ministry has been informed of his death."
"West Bank
The IDF confirms that 10 Palestinians
killed in a drone strike in Tamun
were all terror operatives, including
two responsible for a bombing attack.
The pair were also involved in
other attacks in the West Bank.
Hamas claims that five of those
killed were members of their group."
"West Bank
An Israeli soldier was killed, and five
were wounded during an exchange of fire
with Palestinian gunmen in the Jenin
refugee camp in the northern West Bank.
The soldier killed was Staff Sgt.
Liam Hazi and the wounded troops include
one in serious condition, three moderately
hurt, and one in good condition.
The incident occurred during a major
Israeli anti-terror operation in the area.
The troops exchanged fire with
several gunmen after entering
a building in the Jenin camp,
according to an initial IDF probe."
Political Conflict
"Israel
Israel has delayed the release of
Palestinian prisoners in protest
of the chaotic scenes during the
handover of hostages in Khan Younis.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and
Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the
delay until the safe passage of hostages
can be guaranteed in future releases."
"Philippines
The Philippine National Bureau
of Investigation announced the
arrests of five Chinese nationals
allegedly conducting espionage
operations in the country.
The individuals reportedly used drones
to capture images of military facilities
and Philippine Coast Guard vessels."
"Philippines
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
has proposed a deal to China, offering
to remove a US Typhon mid-range missile
system in the northern Philippines if
China halts its âaggressive and coercive
behaviorâ in the disputed South China Sea.
During a press conference in central
Cebu province, Marcos outlined the
conditions for the deal, which include
stopping territorial claims, harassment
of fishermen, ramming of boats, and
firing lasers at Philippine citizens."
"Philippines
On Wednesday, six Bangsamoro Islamic
Freedom Fighters (BIFF) rebels surrendered
to police in the Bangsamoro Autonomous
Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The rebels turned over
a homemade .50-caliber
Barrett sniper rifle, a .30-caliber
Garand rifle, an M79 grenade launcher, a
homemade rocket-propelled grenade, a Uzi
machine pistol, and a 12-gauge shotgun."
"Philippines
On Monday, six Bangsamoro Islamic
Freedom Fighters (BIFF)-Karialan
rebels surrendered to police
in Maguindanao del Sur.
The militants turned over a
homemade sniper barret, M1
Garand, M79 grenade launcher,
homemade RPG, Uzi, and a shotgun."
"West Bank
The Israel Prison Service has
released 110 Palestinian prisoners.
Some were sent to the West Bank and East
Jerusalem from Ofir prison near Ramallah,
while others were freed from Ketziot
prison in southern Israel and brought
to the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza.
The release is in line with a
diplomatic deal for the return
of hostages and is being done in
coordination with all security services.
In Ramallah, the former inmates were
welcomed by large crowds and celebrated,
with one seen wearing a Hamas headband."
Cyber
"Russia
Cyber specialists from Ukraine's Military
Intelligence (HUR) launched a DDoS attack
on the digital infrastructure of Russian
energy giants Gazprom and Gazpromneft.
The attack targeted online services
used by these companies to support the
operations of the Russian armed forces.
Customers have been unable to access
their personal accounts, use online
services, pay for fuel with fuel cards,
or manage bonuses since Tuesday."
Weapons
"India
On Thursday, police uncovered a
suspected Garo National Liberation
Army (GNLA) terrorist arms cache from
a forest near the village of Chibilbanc
in the East Garo Hills district.
The cache included two live mortar
shells, a country-made pistol, and
428 rounds of AK rifle ammunition."
Accidents
"Nepal
A tragic plane crash occurred at
Tribhuvan International Airport
in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Wednesday.
The accident resulted in multiple
fatalities and injuries."
"Syria
A civilian died, and another
was injured in the explosion of
a landmine in the Duwaizin area
in the eastern Hama countryside.
Two civilians also died in a landmine
explosion near Khalkhala Airport in
the northern Al-Suwaydaa countryside.
Another civilian was killed
in a landmine explosion in
Al-Fatatra in Idlib countryside."
"United States
A small plane crashed in an open field in
Goleta near the Santa Barbara Municipal
Airport on Wednesday, seriously injuring
two professional pilots on board.
The plane caught fire upon impact.
An investigation was underway."
"United States
All 64 passengers on the plane from
Wichita, Kansas, and three people on
the helicopter are feared dead after a
collision near Reagan National Airport.
So far, 28 bodies have been recovered."
"Thanks for joining us for the January
31, 2025 Geopolitical Report Daily.
As a reminder, complete reports with
casualty information, interactive web
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