Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Thursday, February 13, 2025
From the Liveblog of
Thursday, February 13, 2025
In Gaza, Shin Bet chief says forces ready to escalate if hostage deal with Hamas collapses
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar is seen in the Gaza Strip, February 13, 2025. (Shin Bet)
Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, during a tour of the Gaza Strip today with the head of the security agency’s southern district, says forces are prepared for an escalation if the hostage deal with Hamas collapses.
The pair held an assessment and met with IDF and Shin Bet officers deployed there, the agency says.
In remarks provided by the Shin Bet, Bar says that alongside efforts to complete the hostage release deal with Hamas, “the forces on the ground are at a high level of readiness to deal with various scenarios, including preparations for an escalation in the area.”
