Hostage families criticize Netanyahu's Shin Bet pick, aid trucks looted in Gaza
Israelis report receiving calls from alleged hostages • IDF strikes Hamas, PIJ office, will expand Gaza ops.
Mia Schem's hostage headband confiscated at Cannes Film Festival - report
A headband with "Bring Them Home" written on it was confiscated from former hostage Mia Schem by security guards at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday, N12 reported.
Go to the full article >>Former hostage Agam Berger: Diplomatic solutions 'won't work' when confronting Hamas
Former hostage Agam Berger met with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Saturday, where she stated that diplomatic solutions won't work when confronting Hamas, Israeli media reported.
"If it were possible not to choose war, we wouldn't choose it. But the moment there is a war for the survival of our land, that's what we will do."
Go to the full article >>Einav Zangauker calls Netanyahu's pick for Shin Bet chief 'un-Jewish, inhumane'
Einav Zangauker, the mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's choice of Shin Bet chief was "un-Jewish" and "inhumane" on Saturday night.
"Netanyahu wants to appoint as head of the Shin Bet, which is responsible for returning my son, a person who declared that he is against returning my son," Zangauker said. "This is un-Jewish, inhumane, and will not pass."
Maj. Gen. David Zini, Netanyahu's pick for the new Shin Bet chief, had expressed strong opposition to hostage exchanges in internal military discussions, Channel 12 reported on Friday. Zini reportedly said behind closed doors, “I am against hostage deals; this is an eternal war.”
Go to the full article >>Gaza doctor's nine children killed in IDF strike on Khan Yunis home - report
Nine of a Gaza doctor's children were killed in an Israeli strike on their home on Friday night, Israeli media reported on Saturday.
Dr. Alaa al-Najjar, a pediatrician, was working at the al-Tahrir Clinic at the time of the attack on her southern Khan Yunis home.
The IDF has not responded to the event.
Go to the full article >>ISIS activity may return in southern Syria amid Israeli incursions - report
Other Syrian opposition groups will reportedly take action against the leadership of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the report added, noting feelings of discontent rising among residents in the area.
Concerns are rising that the ISIS terrorist organization may resurge and begin attacks in the Daraa Governorate in southern Syria, sources at the scene told the Hezbollah-affiliated source Al-Akhbar on Saturday.
Other Syrian opposition groups will reportedly take action against the leadership of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the report added, noting feelings of discontent rising among residents in the area.
These reports come amid speculation that Syria may join the Abraham Accords, which started after Shaara's meeting with US President Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia.
Go to the full article >>Looters take over five aid trucks in Gaza, sell stolen goods at inflated prices - report
Five aid trucks in Gaza were taken over by looters on Saturday, Israeli media reported, citing reports within the Gaza Strip.
The stolen goods were sold to Gazans at inflated prices in areas such as Deir al-Balah and the Nuseirat refugee camp.
The humanitarian aid trucks that entered Gaza contained flour, sugar, and sesame seeds. Flour was sold by the looters for 40 NIS, Israeli media noted.
Go to the full article >>Deal to release Israeli-Russian hostage Elizabeth Tsurkov progresses - report
According to the proposed deal, Tsurkov's release would be in exchange for the release of an Iranian detainee in Iraq along with six other individuals.
Progress has been made in a deal to release the Israeli-Russian hostage Elizabeth Tsurkov, who is being held in Iraq, sources told Iraqi channel Al-Rabiaa on Saturday.
Go to the full article >>Israelis nationwide report calls from alleged hostages asking for help
According to the Israel National Cyber Directorate, the suspicious calls have been traced to three main phone numbers.
Israelis across the country received phone calls from local numbers in which alleged hostages are heard pleading for help, accompanied by the sounds of explosions and alarms, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, as well as the Israel National Cyber Directorate, said on Saturday.
Go to the full article >>IDF thwarts attempted stabbing attack in Hebron
Most recently, two weeks ago, a terrorist attempted to ram into a soldier in the Hebron Hills, then exited his vehicle and attempted to stab him.
The IDF thwarted an attempted stabbing attack in the area of Tel Rumeida in Hebron in the West Bank on Saturday afternoon, the IDF said.
The terrorist was killed, and there were no casualties reported among IDF troops.
Go to the full article >>Fifth round of Iran, US nuclear talks conclude in Rome, with inconclusive progress
US officials have indicated that, in the absence of an agreement, they may consider other measures—including military options—to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
The fifth round of nuclear talks between the United States and Iran concluded on Friday in Rome, with Iranian and Omani officials issuing positive statements about the future of the talks.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff held more than two hours of talks with an Iranian delegation in Rome on Friday about Tehran's nuclear program and agreed to meet again in the near future, a senior US official said.
"The talks continue to be constructive – we made further progress, but there is still work to be done. Both sides agreed to meet again in the near future. We are grateful to our Omani partners for their continued facilitation," the official said.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi agreed that there was potential for progress in nuclear negotiations with the US after mediator Oman made several proposals, adding that the talks were complicated and more discussions were needed.
"We've just completed one of the most professional rounds of negotiations," Araqchi said.
Go to the full article >>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 Supernova music festival and hundreds of Israeli civilians across Gaza border communities.
- 58 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 a.m.
- Netanyahu confirmed the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire on January 17, 2025.