Fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas continues as six hostages are released

The Israeli military says the sixth and final hostage was released by Hamas in the latest exchange on Saturday and has arrived back in Israel even as heightened tensions clouded the future of the fragile ceasefire deal. The six included three Israeli men seized from the Nova music festival and another abducted while visiting his family in southern … Read more

Israel says Hamas will pay “full price” for handing over remains of Gazan woman instead of hostage Shiri Bibas

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to make Hamas pay “the full price” for what he called a “cruel and wicked violation” of the tenuous Gaza ceasefire agreement after the Israeli and U.S.-designated terrorist group returned the remains of a Gazan woman instead of an Israeli mother taken hostage with her two young children. Israeli officials … Read more

Hamas frees 3 more hostages, including American-Israeli Sagui Dekel-Chen, as Gaza ceasefire endures

American-Israeli Sagui Dekel-Chen, 36, was among three hostages released by Hamas on Saturday morning after being held in captivity in Gaza for almost a year and a half. The other two hostages handed over to Red Cross personnel in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis were Israelis Sasha Troufanov, 29, and Iair Horn, 46. … Read more

Hamas says it will adhere to Gaza ceasefire after threat to delay next release of Israeli hostages

Hamas said Thursday that it would continue releasing hostages according to the terms of the ceasefire and hostage release deal with Israel, several days after it accused Israel of violating the agreement and said it would delay the next scheduled exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners. Under the terms of the deal between Israel and … Read more

Trump issues ultimatum to Hamas on hostage release, threatening fragile ceasefire

President Trump issued an ultimatum on Monday to Hamas, saying that if all remaining Israeli hostages are not released from Gaza by noon on Saturday, then “all hell is going to break loose.”  Asked by reporters for details on what that meant, Mr. Trump initially responded: “You’ll find out, and they’ll find out, too. Hamas … Read more

Trump’s plan for U.S. to “take over” Gaza amid Israel-Hamas ceasefire rejected by allies and adversaries

Allies and adversaries of the United States reacted with shock and disapproval Wednesday to President Trump’s announcement of plans for the United States to “take over” the Gaza Strip.  Mr. Trump’s suggestion that the Palestinian territory — part of the land that many people hope will eventually become an independent Palestinian state — be redeveloped … Read more

American-Israeli Keith Siegel, 2 other hostages released in Gaza in 3rd exchange of Israel-Hamas ceasefire

Tel Aviv — American-Israeli dual national Keith Siegel was among three hostages released by Hamas militants in the war-torn Gaza Strip on Saturday, more than 15 months after they were taken captive by the group during its Oct. 7, 2023 terrorist attack. Siegel was freed in Gaza City about two hours after Israelis Yarden Bibas and … Read more

American Keith Siegel among hostages set for release in next Israel-Hamas exchange under ceasefire

The group representing the families of Israeli hostages confirmed Friday the names of three more captives whom Hamas is expected to hand over on Saturday, and there’s a dual U.S.-Israeli national among them. Keith Siegel, 65, originally from North Carolina, moved to Israel four decades ago and was among those seized during Hamas’ Oct. 7, … Read more

3 Israeli hostages freed, but Netanyahu blasts Hamas for “shocking scenes,” delays Palestinian prisoner release

Tel Aviv — Three more Israeli hostages — two females and an 80-year-old man — were released in Gaza Thursday as the third hostages-for-prisoners swap agreed to by Israel and Hamas got underway, but the chaotic nature of the handover of two of the Israelis angered Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the extent that he delayed his country’s … Read more

Four more Israeli hostages released by Hamas as ceasefire continues to hold

Hamas released four Israeli hostages in Gaza early Saturday in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners to be released later in the day. It was the second release to occur as part of the ceasefire agreement that began last weekend. Israel followed with the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners. A large crowd gathered in Palestine Square … Read more