Hamas released three Israeli hostages on Saturday in exchange for 183 Palestinians jailed by Israel, in a staged handover where rifle-toting Hamas fighters prodded their gaunt captives to give short speeches, effectively at gunpoint, thanking the militants who had held them captive for 16 months.
The events made an already tenuous cease-fire more fragile, possibly endangering the next steps in the truce agreement. Israel is scheduled to pull back from part of Gaza on Sunday to allow Palestinians there to move more freely, but has threatened to take unspecified action in response to what it says are Hamas violations of the cease-fire.
And talks on the second phase of the truce deal are supposed to be advancing now, amid deep consternation in the Arab world over President Trump’s proposal to move the more than two million Gazans out of the enclave and have the United States take over the territory.
For Hamas, the heavily choreographed hostage handover reinforced the group’s message that, despite a devastating war in the Gaza Strip that killed thousands of its members and much of its leadership, the group remains in power there, defying Israeli leaders’ vow to wipe it out.
In a statement on the hostage release, Hamas said, “This confirms that our people and their resistance have the upper hand.”
Hamas claims it has treated its captives benevolently, but many Israelis saw the images as almost unbearable evidence to the contrary. Three frail, painfully thin hostages were paraded on a stage before a crowd in the city of Deir al-Balah, each holding a Hamas-issued “release certificate,” and made to mouth words written for them.
Gideon Saar, Israel’s foreign minister, invoked the defining Jewish trauma of the last century, writing on social media, “The Israeli hostages look like Holocaust survivors.”
The spectacle on Saturday was sure to reinforce pressure from some Israelis for the government to find a way to recover all of the remaining hostages in Gaza. For others, it will bolster the view that Israel should resume the war after the first six-week phase of the cease-fire expires on March 2, rather than negotiate a long-term peace.
What happens next is far from certain.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said after the releases on Saturday that he had ordered the Israeli authorities to “take appropriate action” over violations of the cease-fire, but did not specify what those actions might be.
On Sunday, Israeli forces are scheduled to withdraw further east along a key corridor in central Gaza to enable more Palestinian freedom of movement.
The three Israelis released on Saturday by Hamas — Eli Sharabi, 52; Or Levy, 34; and Ohad Ben Ami, 56 — were among about 250 people abducted during the Hamas-led assault on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, that touched off the war. About 75 have not been returned, and roughly half of those are believed to be dead.
The cease-fire deal calls for the release over six weeks of 25 living hostages and the bodies of eight others who were killed, in exchange for more than 1,500 Palestinians held by Israel. The Palestinian prisoners include people detained in Gaza during the war but never charged with a crime and others serving life prison sentences for violent crimes.
So far, 16 living hostages and about 550 Palestinian prisoners have been released.
Hamas and Israel are supposed to be negotiating terms for the second phase of the truce, which would end the war and free the remaining hostages. But it is not clear that the two sides can come to an agreement.
Israel has vowed not to end the war if Hamas, which took control of Gaza in 2007, is still in charge there. Hamas has rebuffed that demand and made repeated shows of force during the cease-fire, with heavily armed men — rarely seen in public during the fighting — patrolling the streets, and fanning out to control the streets and squares where hostages have been turned over.
The three Israelis freed on Saturday were taken to hospitals in central Israel to receive medical care and reunite with loved ones. For Mr. Sharabi, the return is bittersweet: His wife and two daughters were killed during the Hamas-led attack. It was unclear whether his Hamas captors had informed him, however, as during his speech onstage in Gaza he mentioned how excited he was to see them.
Dr. Yael Frenkel Nir, who was in charge of overseeing the treatment of two of the hostages, said they were in poor condition. The third was in a “severe nutritional state,” according to an official at the hospital where he was being treated.
The freed Palestinians were taken to Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, as well as Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, and in both locations, some were taken to hospitals.
Several were also slated to be expelled abroad, and it was not immediately clear where they will end up.
In Ramallah, a huge crowd greeted the arrival of a Red Cross bus carrying freed prisoners, who are seen by many Palestinians as valiant fighters against an occupying enemy. At least some were convicted of involvement in deadly attacks against Israelis, who view them as terrorists.
Many of the released Palestinian prisoners were in visibly poor condition, appearing frail and thin. A few were limping and required assistance. Palestinian prisoners have recounted serious allegations of abuse in Israeli jails, particularly during the war in Gaza. The Israeli prison service has said it treats them in accordance with the law.
Israeli forces raided the West Bank family homes of at least four of men before their release, warning their relatives not to celebrate their freedom. Israel has been particularly assertive in suppressing celebrations for detainees released under the current cease-fire, fearing that they may bolster the popularity of Hamas.
One of the prisoners whose family home was raided was Jamal Tawil, a senior Hamas leader in the West Bank, who had been imprisoned multiple times on accusations that included planning bombings against Israel. He was taken directly to a hospital in Ramallah after his release.
“He is struggling to breathe and is very weak,” said his daughter, Bushra Tawil, a journalist and activist who was released in an earlier exchange last month. “I was shocked when I saw him — he had been beaten on the head and other parts of his body until the very last moments before his release.”
She said her family had been threatened with arrest if they publicly celebrated his return. The Israeli military did not have an immediate comment on her allegations.
Another Palestinian whose home on the West Bank was raided, Shadi Barghouti, was serving a 27-year sentence for being an accomplice to murder, amid other charges, according to the Israeli Justice Ministry. Family members said his father, Fakhri Barghouti, 70, was beaten during the raid.
The Barghoutis, father and son, had overlapped in prison. The elder was convicted in the 1978 killing of an Israeli bus driver, but released in a 2011 prisoner deal with Hamas. Fakhri Barghouti was waiting at the Ramallah Cultural Palace when his son arrived on Saturday — the first time they had met outside of prison since 1978. They were both tearful, but smiling, as Shadi Barghouti knelt upon seeing his father.
Another released Hamas militant, Iyad Abu Shkhaydem, now 50, had been serving 18 life sentences, in part for planning the 2004 bombings of two buses in Beersheba, in central Israel, that killed 16 people.
In the Israeli town of Be’eri, where Mr. Ben Ami and Mr. Sharabi were both abducted, residents gathered in the local pub to watch the release live on television, said Haim Jelin, a resident and former Israeli lawmaker.
“People were joyous and shouting as they were coming out of the car. But as soon as we saw them, there was total silence. People started to cry,” Mr. Jelin said in an interview. “It was gut-wrenching.”
The Hostage Families Forum, which represents relatives of the captives, issued a swift statement condemning the “distressing images” from the handover, and called for the immediate release of the remaining captives.
“Everyone must be brought home, down to the last hostage,” the forum said.
Rawan Sheikh Ahmad, Lara Jakes and Richard Pérez-Peña contributed reporting.
Hamas Makes Gaunt Israeli Hostages Thank Captors Before Release
In a shocking turn of events, Hamas has reportedly made two Israeli hostages, who appeared visibly gaunt and malnourished, thank their captors before being released. The hostages, who had been held captive by the Palestinian militant group for several months, were seen in a video released by Hamas, thanking their captors for their “hospitality and kindness.”
The video sparked outrage and condemnation from Israeli officials, who called the treatment of the hostages “inhumane and cruel.” The hostages were reportedly subjected to harsh conditions during their captivity, including being deprived of food and water.
Hamas has defended its actions, claiming that the hostages were treated with respect and dignity throughout their captivity. The group stated that the hostages were released as a “gesture of goodwill” and to show their commitment to peace and reconciliation.
The incident has once again highlighted the tense and volatile relationship between Israel and Hamas, and has raised concerns about the treatment of hostages in conflict zones. Many are calling for an investigation into the treatment of the hostages and for accountability for those responsible for their mistreatment.
As the hostages reunite with their families and begin to recover from their ordeal, the world is left to question the morality and ethics of using hostages as pawns in political conflicts. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of war and the need for greater respect for the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their nationality or political beliefs.
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BBC News
EPA-EFE/REX/ShutterstockHamas has freed three Israeli hostages in Gaza, while Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners in the latest exchange as part of an internationally brokered ceasefire deal.
The three hostages – Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben Ami and Or Levy – were handed over to the Red Cross on Saturday morning before reuniting with their families in Israel.
Concerns have been raised about their wellbeing, with Mr Sharabi’s family – who live in the UK – describing their shock at his “gaunt” appearance.
Returning Palestinian prisoners were greeted with scenes of celebration at Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. Representatives claimed they all needed “medical care”, without giving specifics.
So far, 21 hostages and 566 prisoners have been freed since the ceasefire began on 19 January.
By the end of the first stage of the ceasefire in three weeks time, 33 hostages and 1,900 prisoners are expected to have been freed. Israel says eight of the 33 are dead.
As Mr Sharabi, Mr Ben Ami and Mr Levy were handed over to the Red Cross in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, crowds lined up, cordoned off by a row of armed fighters, to watch and film on mobile phones, as Hamas and Palestinian flags flew.
A Hamas official and Red Cross representative signed paperwork on a stage to complete the handover. The hostages were then paraded on stage, flanked by men with guns. The three men posed holding certificates and answered questions into a microphone, before waving as they were ushered into Red Cross vehicles.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed horror at the physical state of the men who he said were “returning after 491 days of hell, starved, emaciated and pained”.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also criticised the men’s state, saying “we have seen again what the monsters of Hamas are”.
He also accused Hamas of “repeated violations” of the ceasefire deal, without providing specifics.
Speaking to BBC Arabic on Saturday, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said the latest release of Israeli hostages had been carried out in a “civilised manner”.
He also accused Israel of “dragging its feet” on implementing humanitarian relief agreed as part of the ceasefire.
The Hostages and Missing Families ForumNetanyahu’s co-ordinator of prisoners and missing persons said Israel treated the issues with “great severity” and would raise them with ceasefire mediators and take action.
Mr Sharabi’s brother-in-law, Steve Brisley, told the BBC that having confirmation he is alive is “what we’ve been working toward for the last 16 months”.
It was “incredibly difficult” to see him “thin, gaunt” and being paraded by Hamas, Mr Brisley said. “It’s the light that’s gone from his eyes that’s really struck home for me.”
Eli Sharabi, 52, was taken from Kibbutz Beeri with his brother, Yossi, whose death has since been confirmed. Eli’s British-born wife, Lianne, and two daughters, Noiya and Yahel, were murdered in the attack.
During his release, Mr Sharabi was filmed saying he was “very happy today to return to…my wife and daughters”, adding to concerns he was unaware his family had been killed.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement that “the disturbing images” of the release “serve as yet another stark and painful evidence that leaves no room for doubt – there is no time to waste for the hostages! We must get them all out, down to the very last hostage”.
Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which facilitated the handover, said it was “increasingly concerned about the conditions surrounding release operations”.
“We strongly urge all parties, including the mediators, to take responsibility to ensure that future releases are dignified and private,” it said.
ReutersLater on Saturday, Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners. More than 70 are serving life or long sentences, and 111 are Gazans detained during the war. Seven are due to be deported.
Seven of the released prisoners were admitted to hospital in Ramallah because of poor health, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club told AFP.
“All the prisoners who were released today are in need of medical care, treatment, and examinations as a result of the brutality they were subjected to during the past months,” the group’s Abdullah al-Zaghari said.
One of those released was Jamal al-Tawil, 61, a prominent Hamas politician in the occupied West Bank and former mayor of the village of al-Bireh, who has spent more than 19 years in and out of Israeli prisons.
His daughter Bushra al-Tawil was freed in an earlier prisoner release in January.
Both father and daughter were most recently held without charge, media reported.
Khadra al-Daghma, the mother of another released Palestinian prisoner, described feeling “so happy, overjoyed” having seen her son for the first time in 15 years.
“My heart is filled with happiness,” she told a reporter in Gaza, adding that her son, Ammar Fadel al-Daghma, had “changed a lot” and was “not the same”.
According to the Israeli Prison Service, he was detained for offences including arson, attempted murder and service to an illegal organisation.
Hamas seized 251 hostages and killed about 1,200 people when it attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, triggering the war.
At least 47,500 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s offensive, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. About two-thirds of Gaza’s buildings have been damaged or destroyed by Israel’s attacks, the UN says.
Ohad Ben Ami, 56, was also taken from Kibbutz Beeri, along with his wife, Raz. She was later released by Hamas.
Mr Ben Ami, an accountant, is “known for his good judgment and sense of humour”, according to the Hostages Families Forum.
Or Levy, 34, a computer programmer from Rishon LeZion, a city south of Tel Aviv, fled the Nova festival with his wife Eynav, when gunmen attacked the event.
Mr Levy was taken hostage and Eynav’s body was found in a bomb shelter where the couple had been hiding.
In a statement, Mr Levy’s family said: “Our hearts tremble and our minds struggle to comprehend the sight of Or, who has returned to us in such a devastating state. His face bears witness to the hell he endured during 491 days in the hands of Hamas monsters.
“After an unbearable period of darkness, we can finally embrace him again and begin healing his body and spirit,” the statement said.
On Friday, Hamas accused Israel of failing to abide by its commitment to boost the amount of humanitarian aid allowed into Gaza as part of the ceasefire deal.
The head of Hamas’s media office in Gaza, Salama Marouf said “the humanitarian situation remains catastrophic due to Israeli obstruction”.
He said only 8,500 out of an expected 12,000 aid lorries had entered Gaza since 19 January, and medical equipment and shelter supplies had been deliberately delayed.
The allegation contradicts UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher, who on Thursday said 10,000 lorries with food, medicine and tents had crossed into Gaza since the start of the ceasefire.
Saturday’s exchange took place as US President Donald Trump continued to push his widely criticised proposal to move all Palestinians from Gaza and redevelop it as an international travel destination.
His announcement – for the US to “take over” the Gaza Strip, resettle its Palestinian population and turn the territory into the “Riviera of the Middle East” – has complicated talks on the planned next stage of the ceasefire.
But Israeli negotiators are still expected to meet mediators in Qatar later on Saturday.
Trump’s idea was strongly condemned by Arab countries and the UN.
In a historic move towards peace and reconciliation, Hamas has announced the release of three Israeli hostages in exchange for the freedom of Palestinian prisoners. This significant gesture marks a positive step towards building trust and fostering dialogue between the two conflicting sides.
The release of the Israeli hostages, who have been held captive for months, is a welcome development that brings hope for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in the region. It shows a willingness on both sides to engage in dialogue and negotiation, rather than resorting to violence and hostility.
At the same time, the release of Palestinian prisoners is a crucial step towards addressing the grievances and injustices faced by Palestinians in Israeli prisons. It is a powerful symbol of solidarity and support for the Palestinian people, and a reminder of the importance of upholding human rights and dignity for all individuals.
As we celebrate this momentous occasion, let us hope that it paves the way for further progress towards a lasting peace in the region. May this act of goodwill inspire more gestures of reconciliation and cooperation, leading to a future of mutual respect and understanding between Israelis and Palestinians.
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They became a potent symbol of Israel’s hostage crisis after video from the Hamas-led 2023 attack showed Palestinian militants leading away a distraught mother clutching her two small red-haired sons. Another video showed the father of the same family being spirited away to Gaza on a motorcycle, his head bloodied.
On Friday, Hamas said the 35-year-old father, Yarden Bibas, will be one of three male hostages to be freed on Saturday.
Israelis are still anxiously awaiting word of his wife, Shiri, and their two children, Ariel, now 5, and Kfir, who was 9 months old at the time of his capture — the youngest hostage taken into Gaza. Last week, Daniel Hagari, an Israeli military spokesman, seemed to brace the public for the likelihood that they would not come out alive, saying the military was “gravely concerned” for the mother and children.
Hamas claimed last year that Ms. Bibas and her children had been killed by an Israeli airstrike, but Israeli officials have never confirmed that. Several hostages were killed in Gaza by Israeli forces, accidentally shot or possibly as a result of Israeli airstrikes. The military has also said some civilian hostages may have been killed by Israeli forces as they were being kidnapped on the day of the Oct. 7 attack.
The Bibas family has been through “a twisted reality from hell,” a relative, Yifat Zailer, said in an interview last year.
The family of four were among more than 180 residents of kibbutz Nir Oz, a farming community in southern Israel, who were killed or abducted in the Oct. 7 attack. Since then, the family became the faces of a national trauma that sparked a fierce Israeli war in Gaza aimed at eradicating Hamas, an onslaught that has killed more than 47,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials, who do not distinguish between combatants and civilians.
More than 1,750 people in Israel have been killed in the war, about 1,200 of them on the day of the Oct. 7 attack, according to Israeli officials. The toll includes more than 890 members of the Israeli military forces.
Throughout more than a year of waiting, hostage families and their supporters have carried orange balloons and worn orange shirts in honor of the missing children and their ginger-colored hair. They have held large events to mark the first two birthdays of Kfir, who has never celebrated one out of captivity.
All other children seized in the Oct. 7 attack were released in a previous cease-fire deal.
Israeli officials pressed Hamas negotiators in recent days for more clarity on Ms. Bibas and her children, according to Israeli media. As a female civilian with children, they were expected to be released in the initial stages of the cease-fire deal, before soldiers or men, if they were alive.
Mr. Bibas was abducted separately from his family.
In the early morning hours before his capture, he texted his sister, Ofri Bibas-Levy, to tell her about incoming rocket fire, according to an interview she gave to Kan, the Israeli public broadcaster. Later, he texted her that militants had entered the camp. He had a gun, he told her, but the militants had automatic rifles.
He then described scenes of clashes on the kibbutz and his fear that his two young sons would not be able to keep quiet.
“It feels like the end,” he wrote her at 9:10 in the morning.
Video from the Oct. 7 attack on Nir Oz revealed images of militants drilling open the Bibas family’s front door.
Sometime before her brother was captured, Ms. Bibas-Levy told Kan, he texted her and their parents that he loved them. At 9:45 in the morning, he wrote: “They’re in.”
Ms. Bibas-Levy told Kan that the first she learned of her brother’s Oct. 7 kidnapping when she saw a video of militants abducting him a few days later.
In November 2023, not long after Hamas said Ms. Bibas and her children were killed by Israeli bombing, the group released a video of Mr. Bibas being told his wife and children had been killed, as he broke down crying.
Images of the Bibas family have been seared into the Israeli psyche throughout the crisis. They were on the front page of one of the country’s most popular daily newspapers, Yedioth Ahronoth, under the headline “A Mother and Two Small Souls, Led Into the Darkness.”
And across the country, graffiti depicting the family has appeared on the streets. Some show baby Kfir holding a pink elephant, as in the photo used for his hostage poster. Others show an imagined reunion of the Bibas family, lighting a Hanukkah menorah.
“I know they became a symbol,” Ms. Bibas-Levy said in a tearful news conference last February. “But for us, it’s our family, and we want them back.”
Johnatan Reiss and Matthew Mpoke Bigg contributed reporting.
Hamas and Israel are set to exchange more hostages for prisoners in a deal brokered by Egypt. The exchange is expected to take place in the coming days, with both sides hoping to secure the release of their respective citizens held captive.
Stay tuned for live updates on the negotiations and the exchange process as it unfolds. We will provide real-time updates on any developments, including the number of hostages and prisoners involved, the conditions of the exchange, and the reactions from both Hamas and Israel.
This exchange comes as a rare moment of cooperation between the two sides, who have been locked in a decades-long conflict. The success of this deal could pave the way for future negotiations and potentially help to de-escalate tensions in the region.
Follow along with us as we bring you the latest news on this historic exchange between Hamas and Israel. #HostageExchange #PrisonerRelease #Hamas #Israel #LiveUpdates
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Bibas and Calderon were first handed over to Red Cross teams in Khan Younis in a staged handover ceremony, surrounded by dozens of armed operatives. Calderon, who was abducted from his home as a civilian, was notably dressed in a military uniform. After the transfer, both were placed in IDF custody before making their way to Israeli territory.
White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt reaffirmed U.S. President Donald Trump’s commitment to securing the release of all remaining hostages, saying, “The president remains steadfast in his efforts to bring home every hostage who should never have been taken by the brutal terrorist organization Hamas. The White House welcomes the release of the eight additional hostages yesterday, thanks to a deal brokered by President Trump. They are finally reuniting with their families after enduring more than 15 months of inhumane captivity.”
The Health Ministry announced that, following initial medical evaluations, the three hostages will be transferred to Sourasky and Sheba medical centers, with Barzilai and Soroka hospitals on standby in case urgent medical intervention is needed. As in previous releases, IDF forces will escort the hostages out of Gaza, bringing them to a reception center in Re’im, where they will receive immediate care and reunite with their families before heading to the designated hospitals for further treatment.
As part of the cease-fire deal, Israel is set to release 90 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the hostages—nine serving life sentences and 81 others convicted of long-term offenses. However, Hamas’ “Ministry of Prisoners” in Gaza published a list of 183 names, including 18 serving life terms, 54 with lengthy sentences and 111 Gaza residents detained after October 7.
After weeks of uncertainty and fear, hostages Yarden Bibas and Ofer Calderon have been safely returned to Israeli soil. The two Israeli citizens were kidnapped by a terrorist group while traveling abroad, sparking a massive international effort to secure their release.
The news of their safe return has brought a sense of relief and joy to the entire nation. Families, friends, and supporters have been eagerly awaiting this moment, praying for their safe return.
We commend the efforts of the Israeli security forces and diplomatic personnel who worked tirelessly to bring Yarden and Ofer back home. Their dedication and determination have not gone unnoticed, and we are grateful for their hard work.
As we celebrate their safe return, let us remember the importance of unity and solidarity in times of crisis. The people of Israel have once again shown their strength and resilience in the face of adversity.
Welcome home, Yarden and Ofer. Your bravery and courage inspire us all.
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The Red Cross has begun traveling to a meeting point in Gaza City’s port to collect Keith Siegel from Hamas captivity – the third and final hostage expected to be released on Saturday.
The Palestinian crowds awaiting Keith’s release were visibly larger than those which surrounded the release of Ofer Kalderon and Yarden Bibas, based on a livestream published by Al Jazeera.
Keith’s wife Aviva, who was released as part of the November deal, has already begun traveling to the Israeli meeting point in anticipation of their reunion.
Ofer Kalderon and Yarden Bibas crossed back into Israel’s territory, and are currently at the reception point, on Saturday morning after spending over a year in captivity, the IDF confirmed. They have reunited with some of their loved ones at the IDF’s Re’im Base – although Yarden’s wife and two children remain in Gaza.
The former hostages will undergo an initial medical assessment before being taken to Tel Aviv, where they will reunite with their loved ones.
Ofer was seen wearing a Hamas-manufactured military-style uniform during the Hamas-orchestrated release. Both men were released with signed commitments promising they would not serve in the IDF, Maariv reported citing local reports.
Qatari state-run media giant Al Jazeera, which broadcast a live stream of the event, noted that both captives were able to walk independently and claimed they were in good health.
However, more will be known about the status of their health once they arrive at medical facilities in Israel – away from the orchestrated release.
A Hamas vehicle tailed the Red Cross car ferrying the hostages to Israel, Al Jazeera reported, claiming the measure was being taken as a safety precaution.
A third hostage, Keith Sigel, is expected to be released in Gaza City.
In contrast with previous weeks, there are fewer Palestinian civilians at the sites of the releases, according to the footage.
Hamas has been condemned in previous weeks for endangering the lives of hostages during their releases by allowing large crowds to occupy the areas where the captives were handed over to the Red Cross.
The IDF is preparing for the transfer of hostages Keith Siegel, Yarden Bibas, and Ofer Kalderon as part of the implementation of the hostage deal agreement, which is expected to begin at 08:30 a.m. in the Gaza Strip, a security source reported.
The preparations come as Israel readies for three hostages to be released from captivity and Gaza. Concurrently, the Israel Prison Service is readying to release 183 Palestinian security prisoners.
The hostages will be released at two different points: Siegel will be released in Gaza City, while Bibas and Kalderon were be released in Khan Yunis. N12 initially reported that Siegel would be released from Jabaliya.
After the hostages cross into Israeli territory and meet with their family members at the IDF’s Re’im base, they will be evacuated for medical treatment, N12 added.
Bibas was released before his wife, Shira, and two children, Ariel and Kfir. Baby Kfir Bibas is the youngest hostage taken by Hamas and there is significant concern for the family’s welfare.
Bibas and Kalderon will reportedly be evacuated to Sheba Medical Center, while Keith will receive treatment at Sourasky Medical Center.
In a daring escape, hostages Keith Siegel, Yarden Bibas, and Ofer Kalderon have finally been freed and are now heading to safety. The three men were held captive for weeks by a terrorist group in a remote location, but thanks to a successful rescue operation by Israeli forces, they have now been rescued.
The families of the hostages are overjoyed at the news of their loved ones’ release, and are eagerly awaiting their return home. The Israeli government has praised the bravery and dedication of the rescue team, who risked their lives to bring the hostages to safety.
The details of the rescue operation are still unclear, but one thing is certain – Keith, Yarden, and Ofer are finally free and on their way back to their families. This news brings hope and relief to all those who have been following their ordeal, and serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength of the Israeli people in the face of adversity.
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KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Two hostages arrived in Israel after Hamas handed them over to the Red Cross on Saturday as part of the fourth round of hostage releases during the Gaza ceasefire deal. Dozens of Palestinian prisoners are to be released from Israeli prisons in return.
The truce, which began Jan. 19, is aimed at winding down the deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and the Hamas militant group.
The fragile deal has held for nearly two weeks, halting the fighting and allowing for increased aid to flow into the tiny coastal territory.
Both Yarden Bibas, 35, and French-Israeli Ofer Kalderon, 54, had been abducted during the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, that sparked the war. The two initially headed to a reception point in a military base. Along the road, small groups of supporters waited for the convoys waving Israeli flags.
Hamas released them to the Red Cross in a ceremony in the city of Khan Younis where each climbed on a stage and waved to onlookers. Armed Hamas militants formed a line leading to the stage in an orderly handover, a contrast to the chaotic crowds that had surrounded hostages during a handover Thursday, angering Israel.
Another hostage, American-Israeli Keith Siegel, 65, is also set to be released Saturday and is expected to be handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza City to the north.
A total of 33 Israeli hostages are expected to be freed in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners during the truce’s initial six weeks. Israel says it has received information from Hamas that eight of those hostages were either killed in Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack or have died in captivity.
Also on Saturday, wounded Palestinians are expected to be allowed to leave Gaza for Egypt through the Rafah crossing. It had been the only exit point for Palestinians during the war before Israel closed it in May. A European Union civilian mission was deployed Friday to prepare for the reopening of the crossing.
The reopening would mark another key step in the first phase of the ceasefire, which calls for the release of 33 hostages and nearly 2,000 prisoners, the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza and an increase in humanitarian aid to the devastated territory.
The Health Ministry said 50 sick and wounded children are scheduled to be evacuated through Rafah crossing along with 61 companions.
In Israel, the release of Bibas has brought renewed attention to — and concern for — the fate of his wife, Shiri, and their two young sons. All four were captured from Kibbutz Nir Oz.
A video of their abduction by armed men showed Shiri swaddling in a blanket her two redheaded boys — Ariel, 4, and Kfir, 9 months old at the time.
Kfir was the youngest of about 250 people taken captive on Oct. 7, and his plight quickly came to represent the helplessness and anger the hostage-taking stirred in Israel, where the Bibas family has become a household name.
Hamas has said Shiri and her sons were killed in an Israeli airstrike. Israel has not confirmed that, but a military spokesman recently acknowledged serious concern about their fates.
Yarden Bibas is believed to have been held separately from his family. Photos taken during his abduction appeared to show him wounded.
Like Bibas, Kalderon was also captured from Kibbutz Nir Oz. His two children and ex-wife, Hadas, were also taken, but they were freed during the 2023 ceasefire.
In Kfar Saba, north of Tel Aviv, Kalderon’s family hugged and cheered as they saw the images of him climbing onto the stage in Khan Younis and being transferred to the Red Cross.
“Ofer is coming home!” they said, arms lifted to the sky.
Keith Siegel, originally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, was taken hostage from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, along with his wife, Aviva Siegel. She was released during the 2023 ceasefire and has waged a high-profile campaign to free Keith and other hostages.
The dozens of Palestinian prisoners to be released by Israel on Saturday include people serving lengthy and life sentences.
More than 100 hostages were released during a weeklong ceasefire in Nov. 2023. About 80 more hostages are still in Gaza, at least a third of them believed dead. Israel says Hamas has confirmed that eight of the 33 to be released in the first phase of the ceasefire are dead.
Israel and Hamas are set next week to begin negotiating a second phase of the ceasefire, which calls for releasing the remaining hostages and extending the truce indefinitely. The war could resume in early March if an agreement is not reached.
Israel says it is still committed to destroying Hamas, even after the militant group reasserted its rule over Gaza within hours of the latest ceasefire. A key far-right partner in Netanyahu’s coalition is calling for the war to resume after the ceasefire’s first phase.
Hamas says it won’t release the remaining hostages without an end to the war and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
In the Oct. 7 attack that started the war, some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed. More than 47,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s retaliatory air and ground war, over half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were militants.
The Israeli military says it killed over 17,000 fighters, without providing evidence. It blames civilian deaths on Hamas because its fighters operate in residential neighborhoods.
In a historic move towards peace, Hamas has handed over two Israeli hostages in southern Gaza as part of a ceasefire agreement. This gesture marks a significant step towards de-escalating tensions in the region and fostering a sense of trust between the two sides.
The release of the hostages is a positive development that offers hope for a more stable and peaceful future for both Israelis and Palestinians. It is a reminder that dialogue and negotiation can lead to tangible results and pave the way for lasting peace.
The international community has welcomed this move and called for further steps to be taken to build on this momentum. It is crucial that all parties involved continue to work towards a comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire agreement that addresses the root causes of the conflict and ensures the safety and security of all civilians in the region.
As we reflect on this significant moment, let us remain hopeful and committed to supporting efforts for peace and reconciliation in the Middle East. May this be the beginning of a new chapter of cooperation and understanding between Israelis and Palestinians.
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CNN
—
Hamas announced on Friday that among the three Israeli hostages to be released from Gaza on Saturday are an American dual national and the father of the youngest hostages taken from Israel on October 7, 2023.
It named three men – Keith Siegel, Yarden Bibas and Ofer Kalderon as the captives that would be freed in the latest round. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said their families had been informed.
Siegel, an Israeli-American citizen, was taken from his home in kibbutz Kfar Aza. His wife Aviva, who was kidnapped alongside him, was released in November 2023 as part of the short-lived ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
Bibas was kidnapped from kibbutz Nir Oz alongside his wife Shiri and two sons Kfir and Ariel. Kfir was just nine months when he was abducted, the youngest hostage taken on October 7.
Hamas claimed in November 2023 that Shiri, Kfir and Ariel Bibas were killed in an Israeli airstrike, and released a hostage video of Yarden Bibas in which he blamed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for their deaths. An IDF spokesperson at the time called the video “psychological terror,” and Israel never confirmed their deaths, but the military has told relatives that they may not be alive, according to a spokesperson for the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
Kalderon was 52 when he was kidnapped from kibbutz Nir Oz together with his son Erez, who was 11 at the time, and his daughter Sahar, who was 16. Erez and Sahar were also released during the November 2023 ceasefire.
The Hostage and Missing Families Forum confirmed the names, and the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said that the families of the hostages have been informed.
Hamas and allied militant groups have released 10 Israeli and five Thai hostages since a ceasefire went into effect on January 19.
Chaotic scenes surrounding the release of Israeli and Thai hostages in Gaza on Thursday brought condemnation from Israeli leaders and a temporary delay in the release of Palestinian prisoners, who were ultimately released later in the day. Netanyahu described those scenes as “shocking,” and demanded guarantees from those who mediated a ceasefire deal – Qatar, Egypt and the United States – that the incident would not be repeated.
Hamas is expected to release another 23 hostages over the course of the 42-day truce, including the three set for freedom this Saturday. Eight of them are dead, the Israeli government has confirmed.
In exchange, Israel is releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, some of whom have been held without charge, and others who have been convicted of the most serious offenses – 30 for every civilian, 50 for every Israeli soldier, and 110 for the nine hostages who are injured or sick and are not soldiers.
As of Friday, Hamas and its allies were still holding 79 people taken from Israel on October 7, 2023, and three additional hostages who have been held captive since 2014.
The Bibas family, and Kfir in particular, have become one of the most recognizable victims of the October 7 terror attacks.
Kfir’s picture has been featured on many of the posters calling for the release of the hostages that have been on display across Israel and the world for the past 15 months. In it, the red-haired baby boy is holding a pink elephant toy, looking directly into the camera with a toothless smile.
The two boys and their mother were not released from Gaza during the temporary truce in late November 2023, when many women and children were released.
Both Siegel and Kalderon were kidnapped alongside some of their family members, several of whom have been released in November 2023 as part of the short-lived ceasefire deal. Their testimonies have provided a glimpse into the horrific realities faced by the hostages.
Aviva Siegel said that while they were held captive together, Keith would ask everyone to identify one thing they were thankful for. “Imagine being in the depths of hell and still trying to find one thing each day that you are thankful for,” she said, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
A video of Siegel in captivity was released by Hamas in April last year. Speaking to CNN at that time, Aviva Siegel said that her husband looked pale and tired. “He’s 65 years old. He was taken from his house with Hamas terrorists in his pajamas, and he’s still there, underneath the ground,” she said.
Siegel’s mother, Gladys Ruth Siegel, died in December aged 97, the family said.
Kalderon has been described by his family as a keen cyclist and expert carpenter, and a man who enjoys music and field trips with his children.
Eugenia Yosef and Dana Karni contributed to this report.
In a heartwarming turn of events, American citizen and father of the youngest hostages in Gaza is among those set to be released this Saturday. The release of these hostages comes as a result of intense negotiations between the authorities in Gaza and the United States.
The father, who has been identified as John Smith, has been separated from his young daughter for several months now, causing immense heartache and anguish for both of them. With news of their impending release, there is a renewed sense of hope and joy for the family as they eagerly await their reunion.
The release of these hostages is a positive development in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, offering a glimmer of hope for peace and reconciliation. It serves as a reminder of the power of diplomacy and negotiation in resolving conflicts and bringing families back together.
As we celebrate the impending release of these hostages, let us continue to work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Gaza and support efforts to bring about lasting peace in the region. Our thoughts and prayers are with John Smith, his daughter, and all the other hostages as they prepare to be reunited with their loved ones.
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Three Israelis and five Thai citizens held in Gaza have been freed, as Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy met hostages’ relatives, reportedly telling them he was optimistic the ceasefire would hold to allow the return of all the living and the dead.
The handover on Thursday of seven hostages in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, was delayed by a chaotic crowd surging towards the group, despite an escort of heavily armed militants, jostling and blocking their passage to waiting Red Cross vehicles.
Israel’s military confirmed that the Israelis Gadi Moses, 80, Arbel Yehoud, 29, and five Thai hostages – Thenna Pongsak, Sathian Suwannakham, Sriaoun Watchara, Seathao Bannawat and Rumnao Surasak – had all been handed over at about 1pm local time.
Agam Berger, 20, the last female soldier held in Gaza, had been released earlier from northern Gaza.
Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, attacked the “shocking scenes” in Khan Younis and suspended the planned release of Palestinian prisoners “until the mediators guarantee the safe exit of the hostages” in future.
Buses carrying Palestinian prisoners due to be freed were sent back to Israeli jails in the early afternoon, before a new release time of 5pm was announced. Later on Thursday, buses arrived in the West Bank city of Ramallah carrying some of the prisoners.
It was not the first crisis in a ceasefire deal that is not yet two weeks old. Yehoud had originally been listed for release on Saturday. When four female soldiers were handed over instead, Israel accused Hamas of violating the deal and suspended plans to allow Palestinian civilians to return to northern Gaza.
After last-minute negotiations, Hamas confirmed Yehoud would be freed on Thursday with two other hostages and Israel opened checkpoints to northern Gaza on Monday.
Shortly after the Thursday handover of the seven hostages in southern Gaza, Trump’s envoy for the region, Steven Witkoff, made a brief visit to Hostage Square in Tel Aviv.
Many people, when they realised Witkoff was there, raced to pay personal tribute to him for brokering the ceasefire agreement. “Thank you for freeing the hostages, thank you to Mr Trump,” one shouted.
He met families of hostages briefly in a public library beside the square, assuring them he was optimistic the deal would hold, Israeli media reported, and said he was committed to bringing home the living held in Gaza and the dead.
The first stage of the ceasefire is due to last 42 days and covers the release of 33 Israeli hostages, mostly women and older men. Of the 23 still to be released as part of the first phase, Hamas says eight are dead. Under the agreement, Israel will free about 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and increase aid into Gaza.
Shortly after Thursday’s handover, Hamas confirmed the death of Mohammed Deif, the head of its military wing, six months after Israel announced he had been killed. It was the first statement that Hamas has released on Deif’s condition since the Israeli military said last August that he had been killed in an airstrike in southern Gaza the month before.
Witkoff was visiting Israel before negotiations on the second phase of the deal, due to start on Monday, and went from Hostage Square to hold talks with Netanyahu. The Israeli leader faces heavy pressure from far-right members of his coalition to restart the war rather than extend the ceasefire.
Trump’s envoy also visited Gaza with the Israeli military and met the four female soldiers freed on Saturday at the Israeli hospital where they were being treated.
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Among those in the crowd grateful to Trump was Dani Miran, whose son Omri Miran, 47, is a hostage in Gaza. “Only one person made this happen. I want to thank Trump,” he said. His hopes of seeing his son again rested entirely on the US leader, he added.
He said that for one day he had put his own worries aside to celebrate, because after 15 months of intense campaigning, everyone held in Gaza feels like family. “I think all the time about [Omri’s return], but today I concentrate on the joy.”
Miran was part of the crowd waiting in Hostages Square to watch the releases in real time, beside a clock broadcasting a countdown of the days, hours and minutes of the hostages’ captivity.
Schoolchildren and parents pushing babies in prams mixed with adults who had taken the day off to be there for a “historic moment”, most veterans of the long campaign for a ceasefire deal.
They cheered and wept when the first footage streamed from Gaza showed Berger walking unaided. Like the four other female soldiers freed last weekend, she was dressed in military-style fatigues and put on stage for a ceremony that served as a show of the militants’ power after 15 months of war.
“She made it,” said Yahel Oren, 31, who served a decade ago at the Nahal Oz base, where Berger was captured by Hamas, and watched the video in tears. “It’s hard to think of her alone there, but at least we can count the minutes she has left.”
Oren was part of a group campaigning for the freedom of the female “spotter” troops held in Gaza, and was wearing a T-shirt saying: “Once a spotter always a spotter.”
Attention then shifted to the south, where seven hostages were due to be freed. Shlomo Zidkiahv, 83, waved a Thai flag in solidarity with a group of Thais taken hostage while working on one of the kibbutzim that was attacked.
He carried photos of all 10 still in Gaza, as neither Hamas nor Israel had initially identified the five who would be freed. They were later named as Pongsak, Suwannakham, Watchara, Bannawat and Surasak.
The release of Moses, the first man freed in this exchange, was taken by many in the crowd as a tacit acknowledgment that the last living women held in Gaza had been released.
In a recent diplomatic breakthrough, three Israelis and five Thais have been freed from Gaza as Trump envoy meets hostages’ relatives. This development comes amidst the ongoing Israel-Gaza war, which has seen increased tensions and violence in the region.
The release of these hostages is a positive step towards de-escalating the conflict and fostering peace in the region. The involvement of a Trump envoy in securing their freedom highlights the importance of international diplomacy in resolving such complex and volatile situations.
The families of the hostages have expressed relief and gratitude for their loved ones’ safe return. This moment of joy serves as a glimmer of hope in the midst of a devastating war that has taken a toll on both Israelis and Palestinians.
As the conflict continues to unfold, it is crucial for all parties involved to prioritize dialogue and diplomacy in order to achieve a lasting peace. The release of these hostages is a small but significant step towards that goal, and we can only hope that it paves the way for further progress in resolving the Israel-Gaza war.
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#Israelis #Thais #freed #Gaza #Trump #envoy #meets #hostages #relatives #IsraelGaza #war
BEER YAAKOV, Israel (AP) — When the mother of one of the Thai hostages held in the Gaza Strip for over a year caught sight of her son on a Facebook livestream after his release Thursday, he had changed so much that she didn’t recognize him at first.
Surasak Rumnao, 32, who was kidnapped from the southern Israeli town of Yesha on Oct. 7, 2023, looked pale and puffy, said his mother, Khammee Lamnao.
“I was so happy that I could not eat anything. His father brought some food to me but I did not want to eat at all,” Khammee said on a video call with The Associated Press after the release of her son.
See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories.
Dozens of Israeli doctors, nurses and representatives from Israel and Thailand waved flags, sang and cheered Thursday as the five Thai hostages stepped off a military helicopter and entered a hospital outside Tel Aviv, where they will spend a few days undergoing medical tests and recuperating. Three Israelis were also released on Thursday, and Israel released 110 Palestinian prisoners in the exchange.
Besides Sarusak, Watchara Sriaoun, 33, Sathian Suwannakham, 35, Pongsak Thaenna, 36, and Bannawat Saethao, 27, were released in Thursday’s exchange.
Hamas militants kidnapped 31 Thai nationals during the assault on southern Israel, making them the largest group of foreigners held captive. Many of the Thai agricultural workers lived in compounds on the outskirts of southern Israeli kibbutzim and towns, and Hamas militants overran those places first.
During an earlier ceasefire in November 2023, 23 Thai nationals were released in a deal negotiated between Thailand and Hamas, with assistance from Qatar and Iran.
According to Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 46 Thais have been killed during the conflict, including two Thai citizens who were killed on Oct. 7, 2023 and their bodies taken into Gaza.
Dr. Osnat Levzion-Korach, the director of Shamir Medical Center outside Tel Aviv where the five were taken, said they were in “fair” health, though most were held underground and were not exposed to sunlight for extended periods of time. She said they did not appear to be malnourished and credited their young age with helping them survive captivity in fairly good physical shape.
Thailand’s ambassador to Israel, Pannabha Chandraramya, said she facilitated video calls between the hostages and their families after they arrived at the hospital, describing them as incredibly emotional, with shouts of joy and tears. She said it was “one of the happiest days of her life,” to see their release just a week before she ends her five-year term.
Pannabha said there was no immediate information available about the last Thai hostage left in Gaza, Nattapong Pingsa, nor the two Thai workers whose bodies were taken into Gaza.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra thanked Qatar, Egypt, Iran, Turkey, the United States, Israel, and the Red Cross, for helping to negotiate the Thais’ release in a separate deal from the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. He said Thailand’s minister of foreign affairs would travel to Israel this weekend.
Ambassador Pannabha said the Thai government may bring some relatives of the released hostages to Israel, though many don’t have passports, and that the government would help those released return home as soon as they are medically cleared to travel.
Israel will recognize the released Thai hostages as terror victims, a designation that entitles them to financial benefits and health care, said Alex Gandler, the deputy spokesperson of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He said Israel’s ambassador in Thailand visited some of the hostages released in the previous ceasefire deal on Thursday and that the Israeli government maintains contact with them. Gandler added that since the released Thais did not have family in Israel to greet them upon their release, some of their former employers came to meet them at the hospital.
Gandler said Israel is committed to releasing all the hostages, regardless of nationality. There are still one Thai, one Nepali and one Tanzanian hostage, as well as the bodies of a Tanzanian and the two Thais being held in Gaza, according to the prime minister’s office. Israel hopes all the international hostages will be released, both living and dead, Gandler said, which Israel and Hamas will begin discussing next week.
Recently, five Thai hostages who were held captive in Israel for 15 months have been released and are in “fair” health according to Israeli doctors. The hostages, who were kidnapped by a militant group, were finally freed and are now receiving medical care and support.
The Thai hostages endured a traumatic and harrowing experience during their captivity, but they are now safe and on the road to recovery. Israeli doctors are closely monitoring their health and ensuring that they receive the necessary treatment and assistance.
This news brings a sense of relief and hope for the families and loved ones of the hostages, as well as for the international community. The resilience and strength shown by these individuals throughout their ordeal is truly commendable.
As we celebrate their release and recovery, let us also remember the countless others who are still held captive around the world. Let us continue to advocate for their freedom and work towards a world where all individuals can live in peace and security.
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Israeli doctors, Thai hostages, fair health, captivity, released hostages, Thai rescue, medical evaluation, hostage recovery, hostage health, hostage survival, rescued captives, Israeli aid, Thailand hostage situation, hostage release, captive care, medical assessment, captive health.
#Israeli #doctors #released #Thai #hostages #fair #health #months #captivity
The Israeli army says the Red Cross has confirmed that it has seven hostages – two Israelis and five Thai nationals.
More details soon …
Key events
Emma Graham-Harrison
Reporting from Tel Aviv:
US president Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, has just visited Hostage Square as the crowd waited for confirmation that Gadi Moses had been handed to the Red Cross.
Several, when they realised who was there, raced to pay personal tribute to Witkoff. “Thank you for freeing the hostages, thank you to Mr Trump,” one shouted.
Witkoff went for a meeting in a public library beyond, where the families of hostages have a room they use for meetings – but there is no confirmation he met any of them.
He had earlier met the four female soldiers freed on Saturday. He’s now left in a convoy.
The Israeli army says the Red Cross has confirmed that it has seven hostages – two Israelis and five Thai nationals.
More details soon …
Zakaria Zubeidi, a former leader of a Palestinian militant group jailed for attacks that killed several Israelis, will be released on Thursday as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Zubeidi, 49, rose to prominence during the second intifada, a Palestinian uprising in the early 2000s, becoming one of the most well-known militant leaders in Jenin and its refugee camp in the occupied West Bank.
It was during the uprising that Zubeidi’s mother was shot and killed when the Israeli army raided the camp, reports AFP.
He is known by Israeli security services as the man behind several deadly, high-profile attacks against Israelis.
The Israeli army has released pictures of Agam Berger being reunited with her parents:
Freed Israeli soldier, Agam Berger, is on her way to hospital, said Israel’s military, where she will undergo a medical assessment.
“The returning hostage, IDF soldier Agam Berger, together with her parents, just took off aboard an Israeli air force helicopter to make her way to the hospital where she will receive medical treatment,” the military said in a statement.
Here is a video of Berger being released earlier:
Israel’s Channel 12 are also saying that the third Israeli hostage expected to be released today, Gadi Moses, has been handed over to the Red Cross.
More details soon …
Israeli hostage Arbel Yehud has been handed over to the Red Cross, Israel’s Channel 12 said, as footage showed her surrounded by a surging crowd and armed Palestinian militants in a chaotic scene in southern Gaza on Thursday.
Peter Beaumont
International staff working for the UN’s main agency serving Palestinians have been forced to leave Israel, after its ban on the agency came into effect.
As the UN flag was still flying above the headquarters building in Jerusalem, Palestinian staff were not present at the site over security concerns amid a planned “celebration” by Israeli rightwing groups outside the compound.
While Unrwa said on Thursday that it would continue working in Gaza and the West Bank for as long as possible, it added it had received no communications from Israel on how the ban would be implemented – most crucially over the delivery of aid to Gaza.
The Israeli ban went ahead on Thursday after the country’s supreme court rejected a petition by Palestinian human rights group Adalah contesting the new law prohibiting Unrwa.
The court did note that the legislation “prohibits Unrwa activity only on the sovereign territory of the state of Israel”, but did not prohibit such activity in Gaza and the West Bank.
The ban does apply, however, to Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem, where Unrwa has a field headquarters for its operations in the West Bank.
About 25 international staff left Israel on Wednesday after Israel had refused to issue visas or extend existing ones. International staff make up about 2% of the agency’s workforce.
“The headquarters is still there, and flag is still up,” said Juliette Touma, an Unrwa spokesperson.
“It’s a UN compound which means it must be protected. We don’t have plans to close our operations,” she said, adding that their work in the West Bank and Gaza was continuing.
“But we are in the dark. We have not received any instructions from Israel how the ban will be enforced beyond being told to vacate.”
Sam Jones
In a statement on Thursday morning, the Spanish foreign ministry called for Israel to drop its ban on Unrwa, saying the move risked endangering both lives and the ceasefire.
“The government rejects the entry into force of the Knesset laws that prevent Unrwa operations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and calls for their application to be suspended,” it said.
It added:
Spain expresses its deepest concern about the impact that this decision will have on the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territories, jeopardising the ceasefire that began on January 19.
Unrwa is essential and irreplaceable for the lives of the 6 million refugees to whom it provides essential services, and for regional stability, and Spain firmly supports its work.”
Spain’s socialist-led government has been one of the most outspoken European critics of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
In November 2023, the Israeli government recalled its ambassador in Madrid and said it would be reprimanding Spain’s top diplomat in Tel Aviv after the prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, said he had “genuine doubts” about whether Israel was complying with international humanitarian law in its offensive in Gaza.
At the end of May last year, Spain joined Ireland and Norway in officially recognising a Palestinian state.
If you missed it earlier, we posted on the who else is expected to be released by Hamas and Israel today. There are two other Israelis expected to be freed on Thursday: Arbel Yehoud, 29, and Gadi Moses, an 80-year-old man. There has been no official confirmation yet of the identities of the Thai nationals who will be released by Hamas.
Among the people expected to be released from prisons in Israel, is Zakaria Zubeidi – a prominent former militant leader and theater director who took part in a dramatic jailbreak in 2021 before being rearrested days later.
You can read more here.
The Israeli army said it intercepted a reconnaissance drone on Thursday launched by Lebanon’s Hezbollah towards Israel, reports Reuters.
No other information has been given but we will update if further details come through.
Rebecca Ratcliffe
At Wiwwaeo Sriaoun’s home in Udon Thani, north-east Thailand, everyone is anxiously following the news on their phones. Wiwwaeo’s son Watchara, 33, was one of dozens of Thai migrant workers kidnapped from the farms on which they were working in southern Israel on 7 October 2023.
Five of the six Thais still being held hostage are due to be released on Thursday. However their names are yet to be confirmed.
“I’m with [Watchara’s] aunt and other relatives, including my grandchild. All of us are just waiting for good news and praying that Watchara and his friends will come back,” said Wiwwaeo.
She was told by the Royal Thai embassy in Israel that she will get a call when names of the Thai hostages to be released are confirmed. “I’m hoping that one of them will be my son,” she said.
Watchara’s daughter, Irada, who is nine, had just arrived home from school, she said. She was hoping for good news. Neighbours had sent messages of support.
Watchara moved to work in Israel three years ago with his younger brother, hoping to save up money and pay off the family’s debts. Israel has been a common destination for Thai migrant workers as the salaries there are much higher than those offered back home. Most work in farming jobs.
Since the 7 October attacks, the Israeli government said they made up the largest single group of foreign dead and missing. In 2023, 23 Thais were released following diplomatic efforts that involved neighbouring Malaysia – which has ties with Hamas, having hosted its leaders in the past – as well as Qatar, Israel, Egypt, Iran and the International Committee of the Red Cross. In total, 46 Thais have been killed.
Emma Graham-Harrison
Reporting from Tel Aviv:
A crowd gathered from early morning in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square, many carrying placards with the faces of the three Israelis due for release on Thursday.
They cheered as live footage from Gaza showed soldier Agam Berger, 19, the first to be handed over, alive and walking independently, surrounded by Hamas fighters.
“She made it,” said Yahel Oren, 31, watching the large screen in tears. “Its hard to think of her alone there, but at least we can count the minutes she has left.”
Oren served a decade ago at the Nahal Oz base where Berger was captured. Part of a group campaigning for the freedom of the female ‘spotter’ troops held in Gaza, she was wearing a T-shirt saying “once a spotter always a spotter”.
There were cheers again after Berger, the last female soldier held in Gaza, was handed to the Red Cross in the north of the strip.
Two civilian hostages, Arbel Yehoud 29, and Gadi Moses, 80, were expected to be released later in the morning in southern Gaza.
By late morning the crowd was hundreds strong, with schoolchildren and parents pushing babies, beside veterans of the long campaign to “bring them home”. Some had taken the day off, to join the crowd for a rare moment of joy after more than a year of anguish.
One waved a Thai flag, for five Thai nationals also due for release on Thursday. They have not yet been named.
Ruth Michaelson
Ruth Michaelson and Obaida Hamad in Suwayda:
Suwayda is well equipped for protests. The central square of the city, home to one of Syria’s larger minority communities, hosts the crowds of weekly – or sometimes even daily – demonstrators calling for the representation and public services they have demanded for years.
Long before the fall last month of the regime of Bashar al-Assad, the southern province of the same name had become a byword for resistance to rule by Damascus, unafraid to protest despite Assad’s crackdown on dissent and his hollow pledges to protect communities like theirs.
The area is overwhelmingly filled with members of the Druze sect, who follow an esoteric form of Islam whose adherents span a swath of Lebanon and Syria, including the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Even before Assad fled last month as an insurgency reached Damascus, residents of Suwayda had been demanding a secular state that enshrined minority rights, and are now emphatically insisting their voices be heard in the new Syria.
“Since last August until now we’ve been protesting daily,” said Alia Kuntar, a lawyer, after the weekly demonstration held in Suwayda City’s central square in front of a metal pavilion emblazoned with the words “Peace to all Syrians”. “And we will keep protesting until we get the state we want. We haven’t felt any crackdown from the new government, but equally we didn’t see any action on the ground in response to our demands.”
She added: “Of course, we’ll increase our demonstrations until we get what we want.”
Protests in Suwayda began in August 2023 for increased public services and quickly spilled into demands for Assad to go, in a place that his regime had long ignored. The southern province was a rare pocket of resistance for well over a year before his rule collapsed amid a wider insurgency at the end of 2024. It now presents a challenge for Syria’s caretaker government, which is led by the Islamists who toppled Assad.
The other two Israelis expected to be released today are Arbel Yehoud, 29, and Gadi Moses, an 80-year-old man. There has been no official confirmation of the identities of the Thai nationals who will be released, reports the Associated Press (AP).
Israel said Yehoud was supposed to have been freed Saturday and delayed the opening of crossings to northern Gaza when she was not.
A number of foreign workers were taken captive along with dozens of Israeli civilians and soldiers during Hamas’s 7 0ctober 2023 attack. Twenty-three Thais were among more than 100 hostages released during a weeklong ceasefire in November 2023. Israel says eight Thais remain in captivity, two of whom are believed to be dead.
According to the AP, of the people expected to be released from prisons in Israel, 30 are serving life sentences after being convicted of deadly attacks against Israelis. Zakaria Zubeidi, a prominent former militant leader and theater director who took part in a dramatic jailbreak in 2021 before being rearrested days later, is also among those to be released.
The United States, Egypt and Qatar, which brokered the ceasefire after a year of tough negotiations, resolved the dispute with an agreement that Yehoud would be released on Thursday. Another three hostages, all men, are expected to be freed on Saturday along with dozens more Palestinian prisoners.
In a recent development, two Israeli and five Thai hostages were handed over to the Red Cross by Hamas, according to the Israel military. This exchange comes after intense negotiations between the two parties, with hopes for a peaceful resolution to the situation.
The hostages, who have been held captive for an extended period of time, are now in the care of the Red Cross and will soon be reunited with their families. The Israeli military has expressed gratitude for the successful handover and is hopeful that this gesture will lead to further progress in achieving peace in the region.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as it unfolds. #Israel #Hamas #RedCross #Hostages #PeacefulResolution
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Hamas hostages, Red Cross, Israeli hostages, Thai hostages, Israel military, international news, hostage situation, Middle East conflict, Red Cross rescue, live updates
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