Tag: hostages
Hamas says it’s willing to release the five American hostages in Gaza
Russell Lewis TEL AVIV, Israel — Hamas says it’s willing to release the one living Israeli-American hostage and the bodies of four other dual-national Americans it’s been holding in Gaza since the October 7, 2023 attacks in Israel. Hamas put out a statement on its official Telegram channel, saying it’s willing to release “[E]dan Alexander,…
Israel indefinitely delays Palestinian prisoner release as hostages freed
Israel says it is indefinitely delaying the release of more than 600 Palestinian prisoners, in another potentially major setback in the ceasefire process. Benjamin Netanyahu said the release was now going to be delayed until the next handover of hostages by Hamas was guaranteed – and without what the Israeli prime minister called the degrading…
Israel’s ‘hearts lie in tatters’ as Hamas hands over first dead hostages
“The hearts of an entire nation lie in tatters,” Israel’s President Isaac Herzog has said, as the bodies of four hostages taken alive by Hamas in its attack on 7 October 2023 were returned to Tel Aviv. Hamas says the bodies are those of a mother and two children from the Bibas family, whose unknown…
The next Israeli hostages Hamas will release include U.S. and Russian nationals
By Daniel Estrin , Kat Lonsdorf TEL AVIV, Israel — An American and a Russian are among three hostages Hamas says it will release Saturday, resolving a dispute with Israel that had threatened to derail the ceasefire deal. Hamas had previously said it would delay the release, alleging ceasefire violations by Israel, which Israel denied.…
Hamas releases names of hostages due for release on Saturday
Hamas has released the names of three hostages due to be freed on Saturday in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israel, after days of fears over the future of the ceasefire. They are Russian-Israeli Alexander Troufanov, Argentine-Israeli Yair Horn, and US-Israeli Sagui Dekel-Chen. Israel has said it will resume bombing if the three are not…
Israel says Gaza ceasefire will end if Hamas does not free hostages by Saturday
Israel’s prime minister has warned Hamas it will end the ceasefire in Gaza and resume intense fighting if the Palestinian group “does not return our hostages by Saturday noon”. Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered Israeli forces to amass inside and around Gaza in response to Hamas’s announcement that it was postponing freeing more hostages…
Netanyahu Says Fighting in Gaza Will Resume if Hostages Are Not Freed Saturday
Middle East Tensions Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel said the cease-fire would end if Hamas did not release captives held in Gaza. But he did not say how many hostages had to be freed. By Lara Jakes Reporting from Jerusalem Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel warned Hamas on Tuesday that if hostages were…
Trump Issues Cease-Fire Ultimatum After Hamas Postpones Release of Israeli Hostages
Middle East Tensions Stalling the next release of hostages from the Gaza Strip, scheduled for the coming weekend, raises new challenges for the already tenuous six-week truce and chances for a lasting end to the war. By Lara JakesRonen BergmanAdam Rasgon and Johnatan Reiss Lara Jakes reported from Jerusalem, and Johnatan Reiss from Tel Aviv.…
‘Dad, I Came Back Alive!’ Israeli Hostages Start to Give Glimpses of Ordeal.
Middle East Tensions Hostages freed before Saturday’s exchange have expressed relief and joy, while descriptions of the torment they endured are trickling out. By Isabel Kershner Reporting from Jerusalem Doron Steinbrecher vowed that she would never wear pink again when she made her first public comments in a video after being freed from more than…
Thai Hostages Return From Gaza
Middle East Tensions Thais were, after Israelis, the nationality most affected by Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack, with nearly 40 farm workers killed and almost as many captured. By Muktita Suhartono and Hannah Beech Reporting from Bangkok At Gate 10 of the arrivals hall of the Bangkok airport, Wichayada Saeyang stroked her son’s hair, as…
Tears of joy as freed Thai hostages arrive home
Five Thai farm workers released by Hamas in Gaza last month have arrived home in Bangkok, after spending nearly 500 days in captivity. Pongsak Thaenna, Sathian Suwannakham, Watchara Sriaoun, Bannawat Saethao and Surasak Lamnao had all been working in southern Israel when they were kidnapped during the attacks by Hamas on 7 October 2023. There…
Hamas Makes Gaunt Israeli Hostages Thank Captors Before Release
Middle East Tensions The scenes at the latest hostage release in Gaza angered Israelis and created even more uncertainty surrounding the next steps in a phased cease-fire deal. By Aaron Boxerman and Fatima AbdulKarim Aaron Boxerman reported from Jerusalem, and Fatima AbdulKarim from Ramallah, West Bank. Hamas released three Israeli hostages on Saturday in exchange…
Hostage’s British family express joy at his release but concern over gaunt appearance
The British family of an Israeli hostage freed from Gaza on Saturday have described a “pendulum of emotions” as he was released 16 months after his capture. Eli Sharabi’s brother-in-law Steve Brisley, who lives in Bridgend, Wales, expressed joy at his release, but voiced concerns over Mr Sharabi’s gaunt appearance and whether he knew his…
Hamas names next hostages to be freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners
Hamas has released the names of the next hostages to be freed on Saturday in the Gaza Strip in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. They are male civilians Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben Ami and Or Levy. So far, 18 hostages have been freed since the ceasefire began on 19 January with Israel in…
Three Israeli hostages and dozens of Palestinian prisoners released
Three Israeli hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza were released from captivity on Saturday, in exchange for 183 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Yarden Bibas, 34, Ofer Kalderon, 53, and Keith Siegel, 65, were handed over to the Red Cross – the latest hostages to be released as part of a ceasefire deal struck…
Hamas Names 3 Hostages It Says Will Be Freed This Weekend
Middle East Tensions Keith Siegel, an American-Israeli, will be released along with Yarden Bibas and Ofer Kalderon in exchange for about 90 Palestinians being held in Israeli prisons, the group said. By Aaron Boxerman Reporting from Jerusalem Hamas on Friday announced the names of three hostages — including an American citizen — whom it said…
Eight Israeli and Thai hostages released from Gaza
Eight more hostages held by Hamas in Gaza have been released amid chaotic scenes as part of the ceasefire deal with Israel. Three Israelis and five Thai nationals were handed over to the Red Cross by Hamas before being transferred to Israeli forces and taken to Israel. A total of 110 Palestinians were later released…
Six hostages to be freed and Gazans to be allowed north – Israel
Hamas will release six hostages this week and Israel will allow Gazans to return to homes in the north from Monday, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says. The hostages include Arbel Yehud – the civilian at the centre of a row which has led to Israel delaying the return of Gazans to northern Gaza. Hamas…
Hamas releases 4 more hostages as part of ceasefire agreement with Israel
Jerome Socolovsky Four female soldiers taken hostage in the Oct. 7, 2023 incursion into southern Israel by fighters belonging to the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza have won back their freedom. Liri Albag, 19; Karina Ariev, 20; Daniella Gilboa, 20 and Naama Levy, 20, were handed over to representatives of the International Committee of…
Hamas Names Four Hostages It Says Will Be Released Saturday
Middle East Middle East Middle East Hamas identified four female soldiers abducted from a military base as those who will be freed in the next exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. By Aaron Boxerman and Patrick Kingsley Reporting from Jerusalem Hamas said on Friday that it would release four female soldiers held hostage for…
Who are the three Israeli hostages being released by Hamas?
A young woman described as “at her happiest when she dances” is thought to be among the three Israeli women released after 471 days held hostage by Hamas. Romi Gonen, 24, was captured as she tried to escape the Nova music festival when it was targeted by the militant group as part of the 7…
33 hostages are expected to be released by Hamas as part of a ceasefire with Israel
By NPR Staff After more than 15 months of fighting, Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire and hostage deal, raising hopes for families that their loved ones could soon return home. In the first phase of the deal, Hamas is expected to free 33 hostages over six weeks — starting with three on…
U.S. ambassador to Israel makes his final push for release of U.S. hostages from Gaza
Daniel Estrin JERUSALEM — The U.S. is seeking the release of all seven American hostages held in Gaza in negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, the U.S. Ambassador to Israel Jacob J. Lew told NPR on Friday. “We are going to do everything we can in this round to get…
Gazans React to Trump’s Comments About Hostages
Middle East Crisis President-elect Donald J. Trump said “all hell will break out in the Middle East” if hostages captured in the Hamas-led attacks were not freed before he takes office. By Hiba YazbekAbu Bakr Bashir and Lara Jakes For more than a year, millions of Palestinians living in Gaza have been homeless, facing severe…
Trump Warns ‘All Hell Will Break Out’ if Hostages in Gaza Are Not Freed
Middle East Crisis The president-elect did not elaborate on what actions he might take if the captives are not released by the time he takes office. By Michael D. Shear and Michael Crowley Reporting from Washington President-elect Donald J. Trump said on Tuesday that “all hell will break out in the Middle East” if the…
Trump in news conference says ‘all hell will break out’ if Gaza hostages not released
By Franco Ordoñez , Lexie Schapitl PALM BEACH, Fla./WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday repeated his threat that “all hell will break out” if Hamas does not agree to release hostages it has held in Gaza by the time he returns to the White House on Jan. 20. The comments came during a press…
Hamas and Israel are negotiating the release of 34 hostages from Gaza
By Daniel Estrin , Abu Bakr Bashir TEL AVIV, Israel — Hamas has named 34 Israeli hostages in Gaza — including two dual U.S. citizens — it is willing to release in a ceasefire deal under negotiation with Israel. After more than half a year of sporadic ceasefire talks, the offer is the most serious…
Hamas Approves List of Hostages It May Free Under a Cease-Fire Deal With Israel
Middle East Crisis Israel says Hamas has not provided any information about the status of those 34 hostages, dampening any notion that the endorsement is a step toward a deal to stop the war. By Isabel Kershner and Abu Bakr Bashir Reporting from Jerusalem and London As Israeli and Hamas officials continued indirect talks on…
Hamas lists 34 hostages it may free under ceasefire
A senior Hamas official has shared with the BBC a list of 34 hostages that the Palestinian group says it is willing to release in the first stage of a potential ceasefire agreement with Israel. It is unclear how many hostages remain alive. Among those named are 10 women and 11 older male hostages aged…