Four Thai nationals were freed in the second round of hostage releases from Gaza, Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on social media on Sunday.
“Everybody is safe, on the whole in good mental health and are able to speak normally,” he said on social media platform X of the release late on Saturday.
Thirteen Israeli hostages were released from captivity late on Saturday, 50 days after being kidnapped to Gaza in Hamas’ October 7 assault on southern Israel.
The release was delayed for a few nerve-racking hours, after Hamas claimed Israel was not fulfilling its obligations regarding aid to Gaza. U.S. President Joe Biden and Egyptian and Qatari officials intervened to ensure the hostage release took place as planned after a delay of several hours.
The Prime Minister’s Office said early Sunday that Israel had received the list of hostages expected to be released later on Sunday and that the information was relayed to the relevant families.
Al Jazeera TV broadcast live footage late on Saturday of a bus that it says was carrying Palestinian prisoners released from an Israeli prison passing in the West Bank town of Beitunia, among celebrating Palestinian crowds.
Separately, a number of newly released Palestinian prisoners have arrived in Jerusalem, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA.
U.S. President Joe Biden spoke on Saturday with Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani about the implementation of the hostage deal and humanitarian pause in Gaza.
The leaders discussed hurdles to implementation of the deal and mechanisms for resolving those hurdles as soon as possible. They agreed to remain in close contact to ensure the deal is fully implemented according to its terms.
The 17 hostages, who include 13 Israeli citizens and four Thai citizens, entered Israel from the Kerem Shalom crossing, and left in a convoy towards Soroka, Sheba and Assaf Harofeh hospitals, where their families are waiting.
Hostage Maya Regev, who was wounded and abducted from the music festival in Re’im, was rushed to Soroka Hospital and is being treated there.
Aviv Habaron, whose niece Adi Shoham and her children Neve, 8, and Yahel, 3, were released from captivity in Gaza on Saturday evening told the Israeli news agency Channel 13, “As happy as we are, and there is no one happier than us right now, we are still in the fight for the return of everyone as soon as possible.”
“To see Shoshan, Adi, Neve, Yahel, Sharon, Noam, everyone from our family, along with the fact that Tal is not back yet together with over 200 hostages… We really hope that the next groups will arrive in the coming days,” Aviv said.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin acknowledged the group of hostages released by Hamas on Friday in a call on Saturday with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and expressed the need for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, the Pentagon said.
“Secretary Austin shared his view that humanitarian aid must increase, and that civilians must have safe areas to receive aid across Gaza, which will require deconfliction with the United Nations and communication with governments and international organizations coordinating delivery of aid,” a readout of the call provided by Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder read.
Austin also reaffirmed the necessity of preventing the conflict from expanding into Lebanon and condemned the cross-border attacks from Lebanon into Israel. He also “expressed his support for the safe return of Israeli civilians to their homes in the north,” according to the readout.
21-year-old Maya Regev was released on Saturday night, and is the first hostage who was taken from the music festival in Re’im to be released. She came to the party together with her brother Itay and their friend Omer Shem Tov, who were also kidnapped and are still being held captive in Gaza.
Some of the 13 Israeli released on Saturday evening have relatives who still remain in Hamas captivity.
12-year-old Hila Rotem was released today, but her mother Raya remains held hostage. The father of siblings Noam and Alma Or who were released Saturday, Dror, is also still being held captive. The husband of Adi Shoham who was released Saturday, Tal, is still in captivity. Husband of Shiri Weiss and father of Noga Weiss who were released Saturday, Ilan, is still missing.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that Israel has begun releasing 39 Palestinian prisoners and detainees in exchange for the release of the hostages Sunday evening.
He added that Qatar hopes that “the momentum of the last 48 hours will make it possible to extend the ceasefire even when the current deal expires.”
The IDF says that the 13 Israeli hostages and four Thai citizens that were held hostage have been transferred to Egypt. Residents of the Gaza border community Be’eri identified the released hostages Sharon Avigdori and her daughter Noam, and the brothers Alma and Noam Or in the records of the Red Cross convoys.
The IDF reported that an air force fighter jet intercepted a drone over the Red Sea, which was on its way to Israeli territory.
According to the IDF, the drone did not succeed in infiltrating Israeli territory.
An estimated 100,000 people rallied in Tel Aviv on Saturday night to support hostages’ families, commemorating 50 days since the October 7 massacre and the kidnapping of around 240 individuals to the Gaza Strip. The crowd gathered at the square outside the Tel Aviv Museum of Art that demonstrators have dubbed Hostages’ Square.
Druze community leaders attending the rally were warmly welcomed with enthusiastic applause from the crowd The rally came after Israel and Hamas reached a limited cease-fire deal that saw 13 hostages released on Friday, with more expected to be released on Saturday night.
Alon Hadar, the grandson of Yaffa Adar, who returned Friday night from Hamas captivity said, “She gives us the hope that all will return, but we know we have to fight for the release of all,” he said. “My grandmother wanted to come here tonight, but we thought, ‘too soon’ – but I’m sure she’s watching now and is proud of all of us … You have become my new family. We are together. We are strong.”
IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari stated that efforts to release the hotsages are progressing, noting “significant progress.” He further added that the army is prepared for it, stating, “Sunday’s plan will unfold as it needs to happen.” Hagari also mentioned that if the agreement is not fulfilled, they will “return to fighting.”
The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that two young men were killed, and seven others injured, two of them critically, in clashes with Israeli security forces in Jenin.
The killed were identified as 21-year-old Amar Abu Aloufa and 20-year-old Ahmed Abu Alhega. An Israeli military source told Haaretz that IDF soldiers and Border Police are currently operating in the city to apprehend suspects. According to the source, the Israeli forces engaged in gunfire with armed individuals who threw explosive devices toward them near the Abu Snan Hospital, resulting in injuries among several Palestinians.
U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with the Qatari emir, in an attempt to solve the crisis, according to a U.S. official.
U.S. officials followed up with Qatari, Israeli, and Egyptian officials over the next three and a half hours to close any remaining gaps. Qatari officials eventually informed the U.S. that the gaps were resolved, and Biden was briefed on the developments.
Israeli sources indicated that the “U.S. played a significant role in resolving the crisis.”
Sources involved in the negotiations between the parties informed Haaretz that the issues with Hamas weren’t resolved, but a decision was made to complete Saturday’s planned release and resolve the crisis afterward. According to one of the sources, both sides are expected to engage in significant discussions throughout the night to solidify the groundwork for continuing the deal in the coming days.
“If the groundwork isn’t laid tonight, we’ll witness a repeated broadcast of today’s events tomorrow,” the source stated.
Be’eri evacuees staying in a hotel by the Dead Sea celebrated the announcement that the second phase of the hostage deal, involving several Be’eri residents, is expected to take place later Saturday evening.
According to a spokesperson from the Qatari Foreign Ministry, following the delay in implementing the release of hostages and prisoners, “we managed to overcome all obstacles through Qatari and Egyptian contacts.”
“Tonight, 39 Palestinian prisoners will be released in exchange for the release of 13 Israeli captives, in addition to 7 foreigners who are outside the agreement,” the ministry spokesperson said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently holding a phone consultation with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Minister Benny Gantz, and heads of the security establishment regarding Hamas’ decision to delay the release of the Israeli captives, claiming that Israel breached the agreement. Israel aims to implement the release by midnight.
The Prime Minister office said that Netanyahu is holding consultations “to ensure that the second phase progresses as planned.”
Israeli officials have dismissed Hamas’ claim that the number of aid convoys reaching the northern Gaza Strip is only half of what Israel committed to, stating that the responsibility for this lies with the UN.
The Palestinian Health Ministry in the West Bank reported two killed and two severely injured in Jenin. The IDF carried out an arrest operation in the city, leading to gunfire exchanges in the area near the Ibn Sina Hospital. The IDF stated that it had identified Palestinian casualties.
The release of the second tranche of Israeli hostages, according to the Israel-Hamas cease-fire deal, was delayed by Hamas who claimed Israel was not standing by its obligations on aid to Gaza. A Qatari delegation visited Israel on Saturday “to ensure that the deal continues to progress smoothly.” Egypt said on Saturday it had received positive signals from all parties about extending the truce for one or two days.
Here’s what you need to know 50 days into the war.
■ 13 further Israeli hostages are set to be freed Saturday from Hamas captivity. U.S. President Joe Biden said he expects American citizens to be released in the ongoing hostage deal.
■ Early Saturday evening, Hamas delayed the second hostage release, claiming Israel had not fulfilled its obligation to allow aid trucks to reach northern Gaza.
■ Israeli security sources said it’s unclear why Hamas is delaying the release, adding that Hamas head “Sinwar is embarrassing himself in front of the international community.”
■ Most of the hostages set to be released were taken captive from Kibbutz Be’eri. Despite Israel’s request to add another hostage to the list, Hamas claimed it couldn’t comply.
■ Israel is set to release 42 Palestinian prisoners as part of the hostage exchange agreement on Saturday.
■ The Israel-Hamas cease-fire went into effect on Friday at 7 A.M. local time. 13 Israeli and 11 foreign national hostages were released by Hamas on Friday evening. Israel said 200 humanitarian aid trucks entered Gaza. Israel released 39 Palestinian prisoners on Friday: 17 minors and 22 women.
■ The cease-fire is set to last for four days, during which 50 Israeli hostages in total are expected to be released in four consecutive groups as well as 150 Palestinian prisoners.
■ Egypt said on Saturday it had received positive signals from all parties about possibly extending the truce for one or two days.
■ The IDF will cease aerial activity over southern Gaza, and limit activity in the north. Hamas will use the pause in fighting to locate other hostages taken captive from Israel.
■ The four younger women and four children released from Hamas on Friday are in good medical condition, say doctors who examined them. The five elderly women freed are being treated at Holon’s Wolfson Medical Center and are reported to be in a stable condition.
■ Four of the 10 Thai citizens released Friday had not been officially listed as abducted, Thailand’s Foreign Ministry announced.
■ Hamas claims to have located an additional 10–20 hostages that it can release in exchange for further days of cease-fire.
■ A Qatari delegation arrived in Israel on Saturday “to coordinate between the parties in the field and their counterparts in Doha to ensure that the deal continues to progress smoothly,” according to a Qatari official.
■ IDF Chief of Staff Herzl Halevi stated that following the ceasefire, the IDF will resume military operations in Gaza with the aim of dismantling Hamas.
■ Thousands of Israelis are attending a rally in Tel Aviv’s ‘Hostages Square’ marking 50 days since Hamas’ October 7 massacres and its abduction of some 240 people to Gaza.
■ Israel will be German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s first stop on a Middle East trip starting Sunday which will also include Oman and Qatar.
■ In the last 24 hours, the IDF said it shot down a surface-to-air missile launched from Lebanon and intercepted a “suspicious target” crossing the border, and attacked Hezbollah infrastructure in response.■ The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said that one of its patrols was hit by Israeli gunfire in southern Lebanon, adding there were no casualties.
■ An Israeli-owned cargo ship was attacked by a suspected Iranian drone in the northern Indian Ocean overnight into Friday, according to a U.S. defense official.
■ On Saturday, Israel shot down two aerial objects heading towards Eilat, similar to previous launches by Yemen’s Houthis against Israel.
■ A 25-year-old Palestinian man was shot and killed by IDF forces conducting arrests near Jenin in the West Bank, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
■ Members of Hamas and Fatah in the West Bank have killed two residents of Tul Karm accused of collaborating with Israeli intelligence, according to Palestinian reports.
During a tour in the Gaza Strip, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that the IDF would remain in the war zone until all the hostages are returned.
He emphasized that any negotiation for their release would occur during “times when the bombs are falling and the forces are fighting.”
According to him, “Israel’s ability to bring back the first group of hostages stems from the military pressure applied. When pressure is exerted – they want a ceasefire; when you increase the pressure – they seek another ceasefire; when you escalate further – they are willing to come up with a proposal, and when you increase it even more – they’re ready to offer something acceptable. That’s the whole approach.”
Qatar is in ongoing talks with Israel and Hamas to resolve the delay in hostage releases “as soon as possible,” according to an official briefed on the situation who spoke to Reuters.
Osama Hamdan, a senior Hamas figure in Lebanon, stated in a press conference in Beirut that “Israel is the one violating the agreement, both regarding the entry of convoys and security operations, and it’s also playing with the names of the prisoners to be released.”
“However,” Hamdan added, “despite everything, we agree to continue discussions and mediation efforts, primarily led by Qatar and Egypt.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen slammed the Prime Ministers of Spain and Belgium following a statement from Hamas that expressed appreciation at the two leaders for their remarks made at the Rafah crossing on Friday.
Hamas said it “appreciated the clear and bold positions” of the Belgian leader, “who affirmed rejection of the destruction of Gaza and the killing of civilians” and of the Spanish prime minister, who “condemned the indiscriminate killing practiced by the occupying state against civilians in the Gaza Strip.”
Cohen said that “The terror organization Hamas’s congratulations to the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium are shameful and disgraceful. We will not forget who stands with us in these times and who supports a murderous terrorist organization that holds over 200 hostages.”
Tens of thousands of people participate in a rally commemorating 50 days since the October 7 massacre and the kidnapping of around 240 individuals to the Gaza Strip, at the ‘Hostages Square’ outside the Tel Aviv Museum of Art.
Druze community leaders attending the rally were warmly welcomed with enthusiastic applause from the crowd.
Israeli security sources stated their confusion over why Hamas is delaying the release of the captives tonight and mentioned that “Sinwar embarrasses himself in front of the international community.”
They further added that the IDF are currently awaiting government directives on how to proceed should Hamas breach the agreement.
Many evacuees in the Dead Sea hotel from Kibbutz Be’eri left their seats in front of the news broadcast following Hamas’ statement about the delay in the hostage release deal.
Several were staring blankly at their phone screens, trying to grasp any piece of information about their neighbors’ anticipated release. “It’s tough. I have nothing more to say. We can’t breathe anymore,” said a resident who preferred not to disclose her name. “My father was murdered, but my daughter’s best friend is supposed to be released today, and I know them all,” she shared. “Hamas is playing with us, and we’re torn, simply torn.”
A senior Hamas figure in Lebanon, Osama Hamdan, told Al-Mayadeen channel that “there is an effort to resolve the issues” regarding the continuation of the deal to release the Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
He claimed that Israel breached the agreement on Friday by targeting Palestinian civilians attempting to reach the northern Gaza Strip, also accusing Israel of violating terms related to the entry of humanitarian aid convoys into Gaza and the release of prisoners. “There were violations yesterday, and today it repeats itself,” he argued.
Larger celebrations are being prepared in the West Bank and East Jerusalem on Saturday compared to Friday’s due to the release of prisoners who were sentenced to long periods of imprisonment.
On Friday, the atmosphere in the West Bank was festive but somewhat restrained. Thousands waited for the buses carrying the released individuals in the open area near the Beitunia municipality, close to Ramallah. However, the reception was spontaneous and not pre-organized.
Some prisoners released on Friday acknowledged Hamas for the deal but emphasized that their joy is mixed with sadness due to the ongoing conflict and the number of casualties in the region. Other statements included words of encouragement for Hamas’ Gaza chief, Yahya Sinwar, and his military commander, Mohammed Deif. Additionally, in several locations in the West Bank, sweets were distributed, and fireworks were set off.
The Palestinian Authority has so far refrained from direct involvement in crowd dispersal due to concerns that it might lead to clashes. However, in Ramallah, efforts were made to present the reception of the released prisoners as local celebrations rather than a national day of festivities.
Hamas said that “The release of the second group of hostages is delayed due to Israel’s non-compliance with the agreement’s terms.”
According to Hamas’ armed wing, they have decided they will delay the release “until Israel commits to allowing aid trucks to enter northern Gaza.”
IDF Chief of Staff Herzl Halevi stated that following the ceasefire, the IDF will resume operations in the Gaza Strip with the aim of dismantling Hamas.
According to him, “The ceasefire did not happen in this agreement if not for the pressure exerted by the IDF. We have no intention, desire, or readiness to halt this effort before bringing back all the hostages.”
He further added that the military leverages the halt in fighting to learn and prepare its capabilities. “We will return to create immense pressure to bring back as many captives as quickly as possible, every last one of them. We have a duty to fight and endanger our lives so that they can return and live securely in their homes,” stated Halevi.
A protester was arrested Saturday in London on suspicion of inciting racial hatred, as tens of thousands of people turned out on central London’s streets for a pro-Palestinian march calling for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza.
The National March for Palestine, which aimed to finish in Whitehall, central London, was the latest in several huge protests that have dominated the British capital’s streets every weekend since the Israel-Hamas war began last month.
The Metropolitan Police said it arrested a man on suspicion of inciting racial hatred “near the start of the protest.”
“Officers spotted him carrying a placard with Nazi symbols on it,” police said.
Officers handed out leaflets at the march that sought to clarify what would be deemed an offense, after the force faced pressure from senior government officials to be tougher on alleged displays of antisemitism at the protests.
“Anyone who is racist or incites hatred against any group should expect to be arrested. As should anyone who supports Hamas or any other banned organization,” said Deputy Assistant Police Commissioner Ade Adelekan.
“We will not tolerate anyone who celebrates or promotes acts of terrorism – such as the killing or kidnap of innocent people – or who spreads hate speech,” he added.
Israel will be German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s first stop on a three-nation wartime trip to the Middle East that gets under way on Sunday.
Steinmeier will fly to Israel with his wife, Elke Büdenbender, for a two-day visit that comes at the invitation of Israeli President Isaac Herzog. He will then travel on to Oman and Qatar.
Steinmeier said he wanted to show support for Israel in the wake of the October 7 attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas that killed 1,200 people and Israel’s subsequent air and ground attacks on Gaza.
But, in a video message released on Saturday, he also said more needed to be done for Gaza’s civilians.
Dozens of evacuees from Kibbutz Be’eri have gathered in the lobby of a Dead Sea hotel, facing a massive screen broadcasting television updates, eagerly awaiting news of the 13 hostages set to be released on Saturday, most of whom were taken from Be’eri.
Lotan Alon, the community coordinator for the kibbutz, told Haaretz that “today we finally have a moment of joy after 50 days of sorrow, pain, and loss. We can finally smile and remember that we still have more families that need to return, and the country needs to ensure their return. It’s a great joy tinged with great hope.”
Alon added, “The full responsibility for the return of all the hostages rests on Benjamin Netanyahu: children, women, and men. We want results here. Not 90 percent, not 95 percent. Only 100 percent, and there is one person responsible for this, and he needs to make it happen.”
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said on Saturday that one of its patrols was hit by Israeli gunfire in the vicinity of Aytaroun of southern Lebanon, although there were no casualties.
UNIFIL condemned the attack on its peacekeepers, calling it “deeply troubling”.
“We strongly remind the parties of their obligations to protect peacekeepers and avoid putting the men and women who are working to restore stability at risk,” it said in a statement.
In the past day, Hamas conveyed a message claiming to have located an additional 10–20 hostages that it can potentially release. If this development materializes, Israel is expected to extend the ceasefire by another day or two. Israeli estimations suggest that Hamas might have the capacity to bring forth around 30 more hostages beyond the initially agreed-upon 50 within the current negotiation framework.
Hamas is due to release 13 Israeli hostages on Saturday, most of whom were taken from Kibbutz Be’eri. Despite Israel’s request to add another captive to the list, Hamas claimed it couldn’t comply. After receiving the planned list of releases, Israel identified the possibility of including another captive who meets the agreement’s terms: the release of mothers and children together if the children are under 19 years old.
According to foreign sources familiar with the negotiations, Israel pushed for the release of 14 hostages on Saturday in exchange for 42 prisoners. However, the negotiations did not succeed, and the second phase of the deal will proceed with the planned 13 hostages.
The Israeli ambassador to Spain, Rodica Radian-Gordon, has been summoned for a reprimand by the Spanish government. This follows the condemnation issued by the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday regarding Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s statement, suggesting that “he did not hold Hamas fully responsible for crimes against humanity committed, the massacres of Israeli civilians, and the use of Palestinians as human shields.”
Egypt said on Saturday it had received positive signals from all parties over a possible extension of the Gaza truce for one or two days.
Diaa Rashwan, the head of Egypt’s State Information Service (SIS), said in a statement that the country was holding extensive talks with all parties to reach an agreement over extending the four-day truce, which “means the release of more detainees in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.”
Netanyahu knows that it is the IDF and its soldiers who will get the credit for crushing Gaza, and he understands that the hostage deal is the first thing that will be able to help him climb out of the political abyss he has fallen into.
Progress on the deal and the potential for some public sympathy led Netanyahu back to his long-time obsession: rewriting history. During the cabinet meeting, when he was challenged over the 2011 Gilad Shalit deal, he replied that there had been considerations that people didn’t know about, such as satisfying American interests at the time.
According to the announcement made by the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories unit (COGAT), the 200 trucks entered the Gaza Strip with cabinet approval, and they contain food, water, shelter equipment and medical supplies.
The family members of the Israeli women who were freed from Hamas hostage Friday have begun uploading social media photos and impressions of their reunions with their loved ones, calling for the complete release of all those are still held in Gaza.
Carmit Palty Katzir, the daughter of released hostage Hanna Katzir, wrote on Facebook: “My mother, the hero, is with us! She is so awe-inspiring and amazing, and she has so much to digest.”
The adviser to the head of Hamas’s political bureau, Taher al-Nunu, told Al Jazeera on Saturday that “there are many violations of the agreement on the part of Israel”, and noted: “We are open to proposals from mediators and are ready to examine proposals for new deals.” His words were said against the background of the arrival of the Qatari delegation to Israel, which is supposed to discuss possible developments in the deal for the release of the abductees.
According to him, Israel did not comply with the understandings related to the release of the prisoners and the entry of trucks with humanitarian aid into the Strip. “If Israel does not commit to providing aid to northern Gaza, it threatens the entire agreement,” he said, adding that “Israel also violated the agreement by having soldiers open fire in several locations, which led to the death of two people.”
Aviv Asher, 2.5 years old, her sister Raz Asher, 4.5 years old, and mother Doron, returned to Israel last night to the designated complex at the Schneider Children’s Medical Center In the photos: the first meeting with Yoni, Raz and Aviv’s father and Doron’s husband. Photo credit: Schneider Children’s Medical Center Spokesperson. The photos and video are at the request and with the permission of the family.
A “suspicious target” that crossed into Israel from Lebanon was intercepted by the IDF. Earlier, alarms were activated in northern Israel’s Western Galilee.
A limited Qatari delegation arrived in Israel to advance the deal for the release of the abductees and to ensure that the outline reached so far will be realized. A visiting diplomat said that “part of the Qatari mission team arrived for a visit designed to coordinate between the parties in the field and their counterparts in Doha to ensure that the deal continues to progress smoothly and to discuss more details about the ongoing deal.”
I wake up in a fright from a nightmare in which terrorists parachute into my garden, and I have nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. I get out of bed, my mouth dry, and grope my way to the kitchen. I am greeted by my 10-year-old son, who has also woken up and says: “Mom, I had the worst dream in the world.” I look at him in despair and wonder why we left Israel and went all the way to New Jersey, if in the end he shares my nightmares – when he says: “I dreamed that I was late returning a book to the school library.”
For weeks now, my heart and my mind have been in Israel, though my body and my brain are in North America. Since getting up on that Saturday morning, October 7 – when it was already afternoon in Israel and I realized that I wasn’t there when reality fell apart – I’ve been glued to the phone 24/7. I get breaking news from Israeli websites and IDF Home Front air-raid siren alerts flashing on my phone, and I continuously refresh the feed on X, read commentators’ texts, and watch civil organizations’ and politicians’ video clips.
The first days I didn’t sleep at all. I lay in bed in my room, surrounded by New Jersey’s lovely nature, and imagined them arriving in white Toyota pickups. I used a double lock on a door that’s never locked. I locked the car doors before starting to drive, but that didn’t stop the panicked thought of terrorists spraying cars and their occupants with bullets. I stopped walking the dog after dark. A while ago, when I was in Central Park, I noticed chemical toilets that had been placed along one of the main streets ahead of the New York marathon on November 5. All I could see in my mind’s eye was terrorists opening fire at the long row of mobile toilets. How could it be that I was walking through the middle of Manhattan with anxiety that’s more prevalent among people living in communities near the Gaza Strip, who experienced the attacks in a far more palpable way?
Palestinian reports said Saturday that members of the Hamas and Fatah affiliated West Bank Tul Karm battalion, have killed two of the city’s residents after the latter have supposedly admitted to collaborating with Israeli intelligence.
According to the reports, the two were executed in the city center and their bodies were hung for display on an electric pole.
The reports further stated that the two were accused of disclosing Israel with the location of four wanted Palestinians whom the IDF had later killed. Among the dead were Fatah member Jihad Shahada and the commander of the Hamas Tul Karm unit Ezadin Awad.
The Al Jazeera news agency reported Saturday the full list of the Palestinian prisoners Israel released Friday.
Among the released are 17 minors:
Yousef Mohammad Mustafa Ata, Qusai Hani Ali Ahmad, Jibreel Ghassan Ismail Jibreel, Mohammad Ahmad Suleiman Abu Rajab, Ahmad Nu’man Ahmad Abu Na’im, Baraa Bilal Mahmoud Rabee, Aban Iyad Mohammad Said Hammad, Moataz Hatem Moussa Abu Aram, Iyad Abdul Qader Mohammad Khateeb, Hazma Laith Khalil Othman Othman, Mohammad Mahmoud Ayoub Dar Darwish, Jamal Khalil Jamal Barahmeh, Jamal Yousef Jamal Abu Hamdan, Mohammad Anis Saleem Tarabi, Abdul Rahman Abdul Rahman Suleiman Rizq, Zeina Raed Abdou, Noor Mohammad Hafez al-Tahir.
The list consists also of the following 22 women:
Rawan Nafez Mohammad Abu Matar, Marah Joudat Moussa Bakeer, Malak Mohammad Yousef Suleiman, Amani Khaled Nu’man Hasheem, Nihaya Khader Hussein Sawan, Fayrouz Fayez Mahmoud al-Baw, Tahreer Adnan Mohammad Abu Suriya, Falasteen Fareed Abdul Latif Najm, Walaa Khaled Fawzi Tanja, Maryam Khaled Abdul Majid Arafat, Asil Muneer Ibrahim al-Tayti, Azhar Thaer Bakr Assaf, Raghd Nashat Salah al-Fanni, Fatima Nu’man Ali Badr, Rawda Moussa Abdul Qader Abu Ujaima, Sara Ayman Abdul Aziz Abdullah al-Suweisa, Fatima Ismail Abdul Rahman Shahin from Bethlehem, Samira Abdul Harbawi, Samah Bilal Abdul Rahman Souf, Fatima Bakr Moussa Abu Shalal, Hanan Saleh Abdullah al-Barghouthi andf Fatima Nasr Mohammad Amarnah.
“It’s a wonder I haven’t abandoned all my ideals, they seem so absurd and impractical. Yet I cling to them because I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart. It’s utterly impossible for me to build my life on a foundation of chaos, suffering and death. I see the world being slowly transformed into a wilderness, I hear the approaching thunder that, one day, will destroy us too, I feel the suffering of millions. And yet, when I look up at the sky, I somehow feel that everything will change for the better, that this cruelty too shall end, that peace and tranquility will return once more.”
– Anne Frank, “The Diary of a Young Girl”
It’s best to start this article from the end: This war too will reach its conclusion, however remote and uncertain that prospect may seem at present. Andreas Wimmer, one of the most prominent and prolific scholars in the fields of nationalism and ethnic conflicts, even hints – cautiously – at a possible peace after the guns fall silent in Israel and the Gaza Strip.
“I am optimistic about you. Even if it seems impossible to imagine an end to the cycle of bloodshed right now, it will eventually happen one way or another,” Prof. Wimmer says. “The big question is whether the solution will be one that we can support politically and morally. It is indeed difficult under the current conditions look through the fog of war for a path that leads to the end of the conflict. But the research literature shows that it is possible to establish a stable peace even between parties that have been fighting each other for a long time.”
The 25 year old Palestinian man was shot dead by IDF fire in Kabatia near Jenin during an arrest operation, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. According to local reports, the deceased is Dr. Sameh Kamal Abu Al-Rub, the son of the acting governor of the Jenin district.
According to testimonies and a report in the Palestinian news agency Wafa, Abu Al-Rub left his house during an exchange of fire between Palestinians and soldiers who surrounded a building for the purpose of arresting wanted persons. He was hit in the stomach and died of his wounds a short time later in the hospital in Jenin. Two others, including his brother, were hit by gunfire and evacuated for medical treatment.
According to the army, as part of the operation, two wanted persons were arrested, including one who tried to escape and was shot in the lower body. The army also said that Palestinians shot at the soldiers on the spot and threw explosives at them, and that as a result the soldiers shot at suspects and wounded several of them.
Vetoon Phoome’s family feared the Thai farmworker had been killed by Hamas in last month’s attack on Israel, until they learned on Saturday he had been free as a hostage in Gaza.
“He told me not to cry, to tell mother I’m coming back,” Roongarun Wichagern told Reuters of her younger brother after an emotional reunion on a video call.
Vetoon, 33, who has been living in Israel for five years, is one of 10 Thai hostages freed by Hamas during the first truce of a seven-week-old war that started with the Palestinian militant group’s attack.
The 10 Thais are among 24 hostages freed on Friday in exchange for 39 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. Thailand’s government said 20 of its nationals remain captive.
The freed hostages will return home after 48 hours in hospital, Thailand’s foreign ministry said in a statement. Four of them had not previously been confirmed by Israel to be in captivity.
“I’m very happy to hear about the confirmation of the release of 10 Thai workers who are being treated at Shamir Medical Center in Israel under the coordinated effort of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin posted on social media.
Vetoon told his family he had cried out “Thailand, Thailand!” when militants approached on Oct. 7, and was captured and held in tunnels, though not injured or tortured, Roongarun recounted. He was given food and water and did not appear to have lost weight, she said.
His friends believed he had died, but the family followed the news “without sleeping,” hoping he had been taken hostage. “I saw the news hostages would be released, and then someone sent a photo,” Roongarun said. “It was clearly my little brother.”
The released captives included the only Thai woman known to be held by Hamas, a factory worker and mother from an impoverished rural area that many leave to seek opportunities abroad.
The transfer of the fuel trucks was done in coordination with Israel as a part of the cease-fire agreement, mediated by the U.S., Qatar and Egypt.
The fuel was transferred to UN facilities in the southern Gaza Strip, and is intended for the operation of essential humanitarian infrastructure in Gaza.
The residents of the Gaza border community of Kibbutz Be’eri decided in a vote Friday to remain in the two Dead Sea hotels where they are staying for the next few months.
According to the Kibbutz Secretary Gili Molcho, the community will probably move to Kibbutz Hatzerim near the southern city of Be’er Sheva at the beginning of the summer, where new temporary housing will be provided for them.
Talking to Haaretz, Molcho said that “Zionism and solidarity” are at the basis of Kibbutz Hatzerim’s willingness to host the Be’eri survivors at their community. “Hatzerim is a very idealistic kibbutz,” he said. “They’re humble people and a caring community which voted with a large majority in favor of taking us in. We’re now establishing joint-work teams.”
The Be’eri community had two options for temporary residence, Molcho said. One was at the in the Kedma Youth Village in central Israel and the other one was at Kibbutz Hatzerim. They have eventually decided to stay in the Dead Sea hotels and move to Hatzerim in the upcoming months.
Lebanon’s and Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Mayadeen news station reported that an Israeli cargo ship was attacked in the northern Indian Ocean overnight into Friday, a few hours before the cease-fire began.
An American defense official reported that the container ship is owned by an Israeli billionaire and came under attack by a suspected Iranian drone.
The defense official, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters, said the Malta-flagged vessel was suspected to have been targeted by a triangle-shaped, bomb-carrying Shahed-136 drone while in international waters. The drone exploded, causing damage to the ship but not injuring any of its crew.
For over a year before Hamas’ massive attack on Israel last month, Military Intelligence had detailed information on the group’s plan to breach the Gaza border at dozens of points and attack dozens of communities and army posts, defense officials say.
Most of this information was shared with the Shin Bet security service, the officials said in the weeks since the war erupted, adding that the political leadership, which changed at the end of last year, was familiar with at least some of the intelligence. But Israel didn’t properly prepare for the threat and didn’t seem to believe that the Hamas leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, intended to implement the plan.
The intelligence failure, combined with insufficient defense along the border fence and an errant policy on the Palestinians in general, triggered a total surprise – and massive civilian and military casualties.
The Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Petah Tikva issued a statement on Saturday, saying that the 4 women and 4 children released from Hamas hostage and being treated at the establishment are in a good medical condition.
The other 5 freed Israelis, all women, are being treated at the Wolfson Medical Center in the city of Holon and are reported to be in a stable condition.
The ten freed Thai nationals were identified as Natthawaree Moonkan, Santi Boonphrom, Boonthom Phankhong, Mongkhol Phajuabboon, Withoon Phumee, Wichai Kalapat, Bancha Kongmanee, Buddee Saengboon, Uthai Thunsri and Uthai Sangnuan.
The Wolfson Medical Center in central Israel issued a statement Saturday morning, saying that the 5 freed Israeli hostages being treated at the establishment are in a stable medical condition.
The other freed hostages, 4 women and 4 children, are being treated at the Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Petah Tikva, central Israel.
13 Israeli hostages were released from Hamas captivity on Friday, 49 days after being kidnapped into Gaza in Hamas’ October 7 attack on southern Israel. These are their stories.
Alarms were activated on Saturday in communities in the Upper Galilee Regional Council due to possible infiltration of hostile aircraft from Lebanon.
Hamas freed 10 Thai nationals on Friday alongside Israeli hostages who were part of the first swap under a new cease-fire deal – including four Thai citizens who had not been officially listed as abducted, Thailand’s Foreign Ministry announced. The release of the four Thai citizens previously not known to be held by Hamas leaves 20 currently listed as being held captive.
The Israeli army shot down a surface-to-air missile launched from Lebanon at an Israeli drone overnight into Saturday, a statement by the IDF said.
The statement further noted that the missile did not cross into Israeli territory and the Israeli drone was not hit. An Israeli interceptor missile has also been launched.
Following the launch from Lebanon, the IDF attacked Hezbollah infrastructure.
Twenty Thai nationals were still being held by Hamas after 10 were freed on Friday, Thailand’s foreign ministry said.
The first group of Israeli hostages was released on Friday after a cease-fire took effect earlier in the day. Hamas has reportedly refused to allow the Red Cross to visit Israeli hostages still in captivity. The hostages are now being treated in hospitals across the country. Israel released 39 Palestinian detainees as part of the deal, and a second list of hostages set to be released on Saturday has been received by Israel and the families notified.
To read updates from day 49 of the war, click here.
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