FIDF Live Briefing: Maj. Gen. (Res.) Nadav Padan, FIDF National Director - July 20, 2025

FIDF CEO Steven Weil is joined by FIDF National Director Maj. Gen. (Res.) Nadav Padan to discuss what’s been occurring over the last week in Syria. Nadav first explains what is happening in Iran, who are is a state of recovery from the 12-day war. The Iranian regime is filled with internal friction, with checkpoints being set up around the country, and Europe not yet lifting their sanctions until they get the go ahead from the US to do so. To explain what’s happening in Syria, Nadav goes back to the destabilization of the region from French and British colonizers years ago, which led to the creation of Syria. It was set up as an Arab-speaking Arab country, until figures like al-Jolani usurped power to turn the country into a Muslim country. Israel launched attacks to destroy much of Syria’s navy and military equipment, weapons and outposts as the Assad regime was falling. 13,000 Druze have crossed the border from Syria into Israel, and IDF troops have entered Syria to defend the innocent Druze population and enforce stability, while ceasefire talks are underway. Meanwhile, in Gaza, the fighting continues. The IDF is losing soldiers from sniper, IED and rocket launcher attacks as they clear out what remains of Gaza, weathering guerrilla-style attacks from Hamas. Regarding the ceasefire negotiations, Israel has been very flexible with the terms. However, it has been challenging to budge the other side. The main goal is to get back the hostages, both those who are alive and deceased,  without having to release too many Hamas terrorists and without allowing Hamas too much time to regroups during the span of the ceasefire.