WEEKLY UPDATE - 04.18.2025

Jordan Thwarts Attacks Targeting the Kingdom

Jordanian security services said that it had thwarted a plot against the kingdom on Tuesday. According to authorities it had arrested 16 individuals plotting to carry out attacks in Jordan. Details of the plot included plans to manufacture rockets locally and carrying out rocket and drone attacks across the kingdom. The Jordanian General Intelligence Directorate (GID) claimed in a video posted on social media that the multiple cells throughout Jordan worked in concert to manufacture short-range rockets. The GID posted video of one of the workshops and claimed that there were enough material to manufacture around 300 rockets. The GID also posted video of confessions from cell members, at least two of whom said they had traveled to Lebanon for instructions on rocket manufacturing.

According to local reporting, several of those arrested were affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood a long time opposition group in Jordan. The Islamic Action Front, the political wing of the Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood, denied the allegations asserting that it had nothing to do with the plot.

Hamas claims it has lost contact with hostage after Israeli strikes

Hamas’ al-Qassam Martyrs Brigade claimed that they lost contact with the group holding Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander after Israeli strikes targeted the area in which he was being held. The news comes days after Hamas released a video of Alexander appealing to President Trump to secure his release. Hamas has previously blamed Israeli strikes for the deaths of hostages in their custody.

Israel continued its bombardment of Gaza. On Sunday it again targeted the Al-Ahli hospital, one of the last functioning hospitals in Gaza. On Wednesday, Israeli strikes killed at least 35 people. Israeli Defense Minister threatened to escalate its strikes on Gaza if the hostages were not released soon. Meanwhile Hamas rejected a proposal for a six-week ceasefire in exchange for the group disarming and releasing the hostages on the grounds that the proposal would not end the war. Sporadic protests against Hamas continued in the city of Beit al-Lahiya, Gaza. Videos circulating online showed protesters chanting “we want freedom.”

A report on Thursday in the Wall Street Journal said that Hamas’ finances are severely depleted and has resulted in the groups’ inability to pay full salaries to its soldiers. The war has transformed Gaza into a cash economy and destroyed much of the cash on hand. According to the report, Israel’s restrictions on humanity aid deliveries to Gaza have further exacerbated the cash shortages.

In Other News

• Anti-government protests in Turkey entered their fourth week as activists vowed to continued to fight on.

• Iran state television announced that it will hold the next round of nuclear talks with the US in Rome this Saturday. According to a report in the New York Times, President Trump waived off an Israeli strike on Iran in an effort to pursue negotiations.

• France expelled twelve Algerian diplomats on Wednesday in response to Algeria’s decision to twelve French diplomats on Tuesday. The tensions revolve around the kidnapping of an Algerian dissident in France last year.

• A large sandstorm hit areas of central Iraq and left more than 1000 Iraqis dealing with respiratory problems.

• The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) shot and killed two Palestinians in the West Bank who were suspected of throwing stones.

Recommended:

• “Memories of the Past will Define Syria’s Future” New York Times

• “The World’s Most Anticipated Museum is Finally Open (Well Mostly)” New York Times

• “How Iran is Weaponizing Europe’s Criminal Underworld” Newlines Magazine

• “How Israeli settlers are able to seize Palestinian with impunity in the West Bank” Arab News