Hamas proposes one-time release of phase two hostages as talks set to begin
Hamas confirms four bodies of slain hostages to be released Thursday • Bibas family: 'Aware of reports, confirmation not yet received'
These are the six hostages set to be freed from Hamas captivity on Saturday
Avera Mengistu, Hisham al-Sayed among six to be freed after over a decade in Hamas captivity • Omer Wenkert, Eliya Cohen, Tal Shoham, Omer Shem Tov to be freed
The families of Gaza hostages Omer Wenkert, Eliya Cohen, Avraham (Avera) Mengisto, Tal Shoham, Omer Shem Tov, and Hisham Al-Sayed have been informed that the six will be released alive on Saturday.
This comes after the Prime Minister's Office confirmed that Hamas will release the six living hostages on Saturday and will also transfer the bodies of four slain hostages from Gaza to Israel on Thursday.
Four of the six will have been in captivity for 505 days, having been taken hostage on October 7. Mengitsu and Al-Sayed have been held in Gaza for around a decade.
Go to the full article >>Ron Dermer to take charge of Israel's Gaza deal phase two talks, 'Post' confirms
Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer will lead the Israeli delegation's negotiations over the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal, The Jerusalem Post independently verified on Tuesday evening.
This is a developing story.
Go to the full article >>Hostages Omer Wenkert and Hisham al-Sayed to be freed Saturday, families informed
The families of Gaza hostages Omer Wenkert and Hisham al-Sayed have been informed that the two will be released on Saturday, Israeli media reported on Tuesday.
This comes after the Prime Minister's Office confirmed that Hamas will release six living hostages on Saturday after the terror group said it will also transfer the bodies of four slain hostages from Gaza to Israel on Thursday.
Go to the full article >>Bibas family: 'Journey not over until we get official confirmation'
The Bibas family released a statement on Tuesday saying that they are aware of reports that Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir will be among the four bodies of slain hostages released on Thursday.
However, the family added that they have not yet received any official confirmation, and until they do, the "journey is not over."
"We ask the media and the public to respect our privacy and refrain from contacting us about this matter," they added.
Girlfriend of hostage Eliya Cohen: 'He's coming home!'
Ziv Abud, the girlfriend of Gaza hostage Eliya Cohen, wrote, "Eliya is coming home!" in a post to her Instagram on Tuesday.
Eliya Cohen is one of the hostages expected to be released in the first phase. Earlier on Tuesday, Israel and Hamas confirmed that the six remaining surviving hostages from Phase 1 would be released on Saturday.
Arab world could contribute $20 billion for alternative Gaza plan, sources say
Arab states to present a $20 billion Gaza reconstruction plan, countering US displacement efforts.
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is expected to travel to Riyadh on Thursday, two Egyptian security sources said, where he is due to discuss an Arab plan for Gaza that may include up to $20 billion from the region for reconstruction.
Arab states are expected to discuss a post-war plan for Gaza to counter US President Donald Trump's proposal to redevelop the strip under US control and displace Palestinians, a prospect that has angered regional leaders.
Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar are set to review and discuss the Arab plan in Riyadh before it is presented at a scheduled Arab summit, which takes place in Cairo on March 4, four sources with knowledge of the matter said.
Go to the full article >>Arab world could contribute $20 billion for alternative Gaza plan, sources say
Arab states to present a $20 billion Gaza reconstruction plan, countering US displacement efforts.
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is expected to travel to Riyadh on Thursday, two Egyptian security sources said, where he is due to discuss an Arab plan for Gaza that may include up to $20 billion from the region for reconstruction.
Arab states are expected to discuss a post-war plan for Gaza to counter US President Donald Trump's proposal to redevelop the strip under US control and displace Palestinians, a prospect that has angered regional leaders.
Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar are set to review and discuss the Arab plan in Riyadh before it is presented at a scheduled Arab summit, which takes place in Cairo on March 4, four sources with knowledge of the matter said.
On Friday, a gathering of Arab state leaders, including Jordan, Egypt, the UAE, and Qatar, was expected in Saudi Arabia, which is spearheading Arab efforts on Trump's plan, although some sources said the date had not been confirmed yet.
Go to the full article >>Israeli former chief rabbi questioned over indecent acts against a minor
Former Ashkenazi chief rabbi of Israel, Yona Metzger, was questioned by Israel Police on suspicion of committing an indecent act against a minor under the age of 16, Israeli media announced on Tuesday.
Metzger, who is 71 years old from Tel Aviv, was released on bail following the questioning.
Go to the full article >>Hamas to release bodies of slain captives on Saturday, Arab media reports
Hamas will release the bodies of four slain Gaza hostages on Saturday in addition to six living hostages, according to a Tuesday report by Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese media Al Mayadeen.
Separately on Tuesday, Hamas' deputy head in Gaza, Khalil al-Hayya, confirmed that Hamas is set to free six living hostages on Saturday, shortly after the release of four bodies on Thursday.
Hayaa did not specify when the remaining four bodies would be released, however, prior reports on Monday alleged that Hamas would release the final four bodies of Israeli hostages next Thursday.
Go to the full article >>Iron Dome interceptor launched at malfunctioning Air Force drone
An Iron Dome interceptor was launched in the area of Mount Hermon area on Tuesday in northern Israel, Israeli media reported.
Army Radio said the interceptor was launched at an Israeli Air Force drone, which was malfunctioning, and that the interception was to prevent it from falling in Lebanon.
This is a developing story.
Go to the full article >>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.
- 73 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 will be released as part of the hostage deal