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Israel-Hamas War highlights: US will ‘watch closely’ the release of hostages
Israel-Hamas War highlights: A fourth exchange is anticipated on Monday during which another batch of hostages and Palestinian prisoners will be released.
Israel-Hamas War highlights: Hamas released 17 hostages, including a 4-year-old American girl, in Gaza on Sunday. Simultaneously, Israel freed 39 Palestinian prisoners on the third day of their truce. The International Committee of the Red Cross helped in the successful transfer of the hostages from Gaza. According to Hamas, the released individuals include 13 Israelis, three Thais, and one person with Russian citizenship. A fourth exchange is anticipated on Monday, marking the final day of the ceasefire, during which a total of 50 hostages and 150 Palestinian prisoners, mostly women and minors, are set to be released....Read More
International mediators, led by the US, Egypt, and Qatar, are working to extend the ceasefire initiated on Friday. In a significant shift, Hamas expressed its intention to extend the deal by releasing a larger number of hostages.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in communication with US President Joe Biden, offered to extend the ceasefire by an additional day for every 10 hostages released by Hamas. However, he emphasised that Israel would resume its offensive vigorously once the truce concludes. Prior to the last release, Netanyahu, wearing body armour, visited the Gaza Strip, engaging in discussions with troops. “At the end of the day, we will return everyone. We are continuing until the end, until victory. Nothing will stop us.”
Israel receives list of final 11 hostages set to go free today
Israel has received the list of the final 11 hostages scheduled for release today after being held captive by terrorists in the Gaza Strip for 52 days, Times of Israel reports.
Hamas has already released 39 abductees in the first three days of the temporary ceasefire deal. The agreement stipulates the release of 50 hostages within four days in exchange for 150 Palestinian security prisoners. Additionally, the deal allows for a one-day extension for every 10 additional hostages released.
US Navy seizes attackers who held Israel-linked tanker. Missiles from rebel-controlled Yemen follow
Armed assailants seized and later let go of a tanker linked to Israel off the coast of Yemen on Sunday before being apprehended by the United States Navy, officials said. Two ballistic missiles fired from Houthi-controlled Yemen then landed near a U.S. warship aiding the tanker in the Gulf of Aden, raising the stakes amid a series of ship attacks linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
Yemen's internationally recognized government blamed the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels for the attack, though the rebels in control of the capital, Sanaa, did not acknowledge either the seizure or the missile attack.
The attackers seized the Liberian-flagged Central Park, managed by Zodiac Maritime, in the Gulf of Aden, the company, the U.S. and British militaries and private intelligence firm Ambrey said.
AP
Biden says 4-year-old US hostage in Gaza is released
A 4-year-old American girl captured after seeing her parents slain by Hamas fighters who stormed southern Israel from Gaza on Oct. 7 was among 17 hostages released on Sunday as part of an Israeli-Hamas prisoner exchange, President Joe Biden said.
Abigail Edan, who turned four while in captivity, became the third person with U.S. citizenship freed by Hamas during seven weeks of bloodshed between the Iranian-backed Palestinian militia that controls the Gaza Strip and the Israeli military.
Relatives told CBS News last week the toddler, in the event that she were released, would go to stay with family members in Israel who have already taken in her two older siblings.
Reuters
Israeli military releases video said to show humanitarian aid entering Gaza
Israeli military releases video said to show humanitarian aid entering Gaza.
Reuters
Three students of Palestinian descent shot in Vermont in suspected hate-crime
Police and federal agents searched on Sunday for a gunman who shot and wounded three college students of Palestinian descent in Burlington, Vermont, in what investigators suspect was a hate-motivated crime, authorities said.
A man with a pistol shot the three victims on the street near the University of Vermont on Saturday evening and then ran away, Burlington police said in a statement.
Two victims are US citizens and the third is a legal US resident, all 20 years old, police said. Two of the men were wearing a keffiyeh, the traditional black-and-white checkered scarf of Middle Eastern dress, at the time of the attack, police said.
Reuters
Israel's Mossad hosts Qatari Intelligence for talks on Gaza truce
Israel's Mossad intelligence service is currently hosting Qatari intelligence counterparts to discuss matters related to the recovery of hostages held by Hamas and the broader elements of the Gaza truce, mediated by Doha, Reuters reports.
According to an Israeli security official, the Qatari intelligence officers arrived on Saturday for an indefinite stay, highlighting the traditionally close cooperation between the agencies, despite the absence of formal relations between the two countries.
A separate official previously indicated that a Qatari delegation visited Israel on Saturday to explore a potential extension of the truce, with the involvement of intelligence officials yet to be confirmed.
Thai Prime Minister confirms good health of three released hostages from Gaza
In a social media update on Monday, Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin shared the positive news that the latest three Thai hostages, released by Hamas militants in Gaza, are in good health and do not require urgent medical attention. The Prime Minister expressed happiness over their well-being, Reuters reports.
A total of 17 Thai hostages, initially kidnapped during Hamas raids into Israel in early October, are now slated to return to Thailand at the earliest opportunity, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"For the remaining 15 Thai hostages, the Royal Thai Government continues to exert all efforts towards their safe release at the earliest opportunity," the statement said.
