Four wounded in Tel Aviv stabbing attack, Israel's military chief resigns
Hamas confirms next round of hostage deal • Israeli military launches Operation 'Iron Wall' in West Bank
WATCH: Ex-hostage Romi Gonen reunites with mother for first time after Hamas captivity
IDF fires warning shots on Hamas forces in Gaza moving in its vicinity
Hamas terrorists began approaching IDF soldiers, testing the boundaries of the ceasefire.
The IDF fired warning shots on Hamas forces operating in the vicinity of its new defensive ceasefire lines during the late morning, the Jerusalem Post learned on Monday.
Go to the full article >>Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff in spotlight after hostage deal - analysis
“We had a great team, but it doesn't happen without Donald Trump…The president was responsible for this release, and we all owe him a debt of gratitude, as to all the families,” Witkoff said.
US President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, is in the spotlight as the first phase of the hostage deal began this week. The first three hostages were released on Sunday, a day before Trump’s inauguration.
Go to the full article >>Watch: IAF preparing for the return of the hostages
The IDF released videos on Monday showing the Israeli Air Force preparing for the hostages who were returned to Israel on Sunday from Hamas captivity.
Wasserlauf pledges to remove Ayman Odeh from Knesset over X post on hostage deal
Odeh wrote on X, "Happy about the release of the hostages and prisoners. From here, both nations must be freed from the burden of occupation. We were all born free."
Outgoing Negev and Galilee Minister MK Yizhak Wasserlauf pledged on Sunday to initiate proceedings to expel MK Ayman Odeh (Hadash-Ta’al) from the Knesset over a post by Odeh on X in response to the beginning of the implementation of the hostage deal between Israel and Hamas.
Odeh wrote on X, "Happy about the release of the hostages and prisoners. From here, both nations must be freed from the burden of occupation. We were all born free."
שמח על שחרור החטופים והאסירים. מפה חייבים לשחרר את שני העמים מעול הכיבוש. כולנו נולדנו בני חורין.
— איימן עודה أيمن عودة Ayman Odeh (@AyOdeh) January 19, 2025
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Emily Damari: 'The happiest girl in the world' after Hamas captivity, mother says
Emily is "doing much better than any of us could ever have anticipated," her mother Mandy said.
Mandy Damari, the mother of Emily Damari, who was released from Hamas captivity on Sunday as part of the hostage deal, shared heartfelt messages on Monday after finally reuniting with her daughter after 470 days of being held in captivity by Hamas terrorists.
Mandy stated that she was "finally able to give Emily the hug that I have been dreaming of" in a statement put out by the Hostage Families Forum and thanked everyone involved in bringing Emily home, restating that they are "all Emily's family."
Emily is "doing much better than any of us could ever have anticipated," and Mandy expressed her happiness that the world was "given a glimpse of her feisty and charismatic personality" upon her release from captivity.
The statement adds that Emily is "the happiest girl in the world" and that "she has her life back."
Go to the full article >>Released hostage Emily Damari's first Instagram post out of Hamas captivity
Released Hostage Emily Damari made a thank you post on Instagram on Monday after being released from Hamas captivity.
Ceasefire takes effect belatedly; 3 hostages returned
90 Palestinian security prisoners released, IDF deploys reinforcements across West Bank
Three Israeli hostages were returned to Israel by Hamas and 90 Palestinian security prisoners were released by Israel as the ceasefire took effect at 11:15 a.m. – almost three hours later than planned.
Go to the full article >>Who are the mysterious hostages braiding hair for released captives?
Released hostages appearing with distinctive braids have drawn attention to the female IDF soldiers still in captivity, who reportedly style the hair of those being freed while remaining behind.
When the videos of Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, and Doron Steinbrecher were released in Gazan media on Sunday, during their release, it was difficult to not realize that they all had one thing in common: braids in their hair.
'This is Romi, back from captivity': Romi Gonen's message hours after returning from captivity
Released hostage Romi Gonen published on Sunday a voice recording hours after returning from captivity.
"This is Romi, back from captivity. Thank you all so much. I still have no idea what you’ve done. I saw just a tiny glimpse, but there’s no one like you in the world. I appreciate you more than words can say and send you all hugs and kisses. God willing, we’ll meet soon," she was heard saying to residents of Kfar Vradim.
Israel at War: What you need to know
- Hamas launched a massive attack on October 7, with thousands of terrorists infiltrating from the Gaza border and taking some 240 hostages into Gaza.
- Over 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals were murdered, including over 350 at the Re'im music festival and hundreds of Israeli civilians across Gaza border communities.
- 94 hostages remain in Gaza.
- 49 hostages in total have been killed in captivity, IDF says.
- The IDF launched a ground invasion of Lebanon on September 30.
- The Israel-Lebanon ceasefire came into effect on November 27 at 4:00 a.m.
- Netanyahu confirmed the first phase of the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire on January 17, 2025
- 735 terrorists that will be released as part of the hostage deal