Israel at war day 519: What happened in Israel, Gaza, and Syria?

Bashar Masri, a Palestinian-American billionaire, has quietly positioned himself as a key player in the Trump administration’s post-war plans for Gaza. According to diplomatic sources, Masri serves as a close adviser to Adam Boehler, Trump’s envoy on hostage negotiations. While Boehler is working to navigate the complex diplomatic maze involving Hamas, Masri has been flying under the radar—literally—on Boehler’s private jet as he shuttles across the region.

For months, Boehler has been traveling on Masri’s plane to Doha, Cairo, and other regional capitals, engaging in negotiations over hostages and other sensitive matters. Masri himself has reportedly been present on some of these flights, maintaining a discreet presence in high-stakes discussions.

Defense Minister Israel Katz on Sunday publicly confirmed recent reports that Israel will undertake the radical move of allowing Syrian Druze and Circassians to cross into the Israeli side of the Golan for work purposes.

The unusual move of allowing foreign citizens of a hostile state like Syria to work in Israel could have geopolitical ripples across the region and is a testament to how radically the Middle East has changed even just in the last few months.

Until December 7-8, Syria was run by the Assad regime, which while it kept a ceasefire with Israel since 1974, was formally in a state of war with the Jewish state and which was a critical link in the chain of Iranian efforts to smuggle weapons to Hezbollah.

President Donald Trump's hostage envoy, Adam Boehler, said on Sunday that US meetings with Hamas on the release of hostages held in Gaza were very helpful, and he did not rule out additional encounters with the Palestinian terror group. Boehler emphasized that they were acting in US interests, stating that "we're not an agent of Israel."

Boehler said his meetings with Hamas leaders in recent days were designed to pinpoint what the group's end game was with the goal of bringing hostilities to a close.

"I think it was a very helpful meeting. It was very helpful to hear some back and forth," Boehler said in an interview on CNN's State of the Union.

Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. Eyal Zamir, conducted a situational assessment and tour within the security zone in Syria with the Northern Command commander Maj. Gen. Uri Gordin, the Commander of Division 210, Brigadier General Yair Falai, and other commanders, the IDF announced Sunday.

Additionally, the IDF Comptroller is currently conducting inspections to test soldiers’ readiness, discipline, and operational routine throughout the Northern Command.

IDF Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Eyal Zamir conducts situation assessment and tour of security zone in Syria, March 9, 2025. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Hamas told US officials it is open to releasing American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander as part of talks to end the war in Gaza, senior Hamas official Taher Al-Nono said, according to Hamas-run Al-Aqsa TV.

Israel will stop supplying electricity to Gaza, Energy Minister Eli Cohen announced on Sunday.

This is a developing story.

An IDF drone that was observing a mass funeral in Kafr Kila, southern Lebanon, fired shots at several suspects who approached Israeli forces.

One person was killed, and several more were wounded, according to Lebanese media.

The IDF is currently investigating the incident.

Qatar has been increasingly vocal in its critique of Israel. Its foreign minister warned against attacks on Iran in an interview with Tucker Carlson in the US on Friday.

Qatar said the “Persian Gulf states will run out of drinking water in three days if Iran’s nuclear sites are attacked,” according to Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Iran’s official news agency.

This seems to be a talking point aimed at getting the Trump administration to enter a new deal with Iran, rather than pressure the Iranians in a way that could lead to Iran-Israel military clashes.

This appears to be part of Doha’s strategy, which is connected to a string of recent comments. In early March, for instance, Qatar slammed the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) for issuing a report about the October 7 massacre that said financial payments from Doha to Gaza had empowered Hamas.

US President Donald Trump's hostage envoy Adam Boehler said on Sunday that US meetings with Hamas on the release of hostages held in Gaza were very helpful, and he did not rule out additional encounters with the Palestinian terror group. Boehler emphasized that they were acting in US interests, stating that "we're not an agent of Israel."

Boehler said his meetings with Hamas leaders in recent days were designed to pinpoint what the group's end game was with the goal of bringing hostilities to a close.

"I think it was a very helpful meeting. It was very helpful to hear some back and forth," Boehler said in an interview on CNN's "State of the Union."

Defense Minister Israel Katz on Sunday publicly confirmed recent reports that Israel will undertake the radical move of allowing Syrian Druze and Circassians to cross into the Israeli side of the Golan for work purposes.

The unusual move of allowing foreign citizens of a hostile state like Syria to work in Israel could have geopolitical ripples across the region and is a testament to how radically the Middle East has changed even just in the last few months.