Page 4 - Gaza Conflict

Gaza ceasefire: Who are the four Israeli soldiers freed by Hamas?

Hamas released four young female Israeli soldiers on Saturday after more than 15 months in captivity. The release of the four comes days into a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and is part of a long and uncertain process aimed at eventually ending the war. Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag were captured when Hamas-led militants overran the Nahal Oz military base during the Oct 7, 2023 attack that ignited the war, killing over 60 soldiers there. A fifth female soldier in their unit, Agam Berger, 20, was abducted with them but not included in the release. Video of the abduction of the five female soldiers, who had worked as spotters monitoring threats along the border, was widely circulated. Israel and Hamas have agreed in the ceasefire's first phase to a gradual release of 33 hostages in Gaza, in exchange for almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Three hostages were released previously during this truce in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners held by

Israel, Hamas set to swap more hostages for prisoners in latest exchange

Israel and Hamas were expected to swap more hostages for Palestinian prisoners on Saturday, the second such exchange since a ceasefire began in the Gaza Strip last weekend and another test for the deal. The truce is aimed at winding down the deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and the militant group. The fragile deal has so far held, quieting airstrikes and rockets and allowing for increased aid to flow into the tiny coastal territory. When the ceasefire started Sunday, three hostages held by the militants were released in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners. On Saturday, four hostages are expected to be freed for 200 prisoners, including 120 who are serving life sentences after being convicted of deadly attacks on Israelis. They will likely be released into Gaza or sent abroad. The four Israeli soldiers, Karina Ariev, 20; Daniella Gilboa, 20; Naama Levy, 20; and Liri Albag, 19, were captured in Hamas' Oct 7, 2023 attack that ignited the war. They were .

Hamas names 4 hostages it plans to release today in new ceasefire exchange

The Hamas militant group on Friday published the names of four hostages it said it would release the following day as part of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. There was no immediate confirmation of the names from Israel. The hostages are to be freed Saturday in exchange for the release of dozens of Palestinians imprisoned or detained by Israel. Relatives of hostages still being held by militants in Gaza had earlier Friday called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to ensure that all remaining captives are freed, while also appealing to US President Donald Trump to continue pressing for their release. As a fragile six-week ceasefire between Israel and Hamas entered its sixth day, Israelis were waiting anxiously for the names of the next four hostages who will be released from among the more than 90 still held in Gaza. In the Palestinian enclave, civilians in the central and southern part of the Gaza Strip faced an agonising wait before they can return to the remnants of the

Hamas publishes names of 4 hostages to be released from Gaza on Saturday

The Hamas militant group has published the names of four hostages it says it will release on Saturday as part of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. There was no immediate confirmation of the names from Israel. Hamas released the names on Friday. The hostages are to be freed Saturday in exchange for the release of dozens of Palestinians imprisoned or detained by Israel. Relatives of hostages still being held by militants in Gaza called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Friday to ensure all remaining captives are freed, while also appealing to US President Donald Trump to continue pressing for their release. As a fragile six-week ceasefire between Israel and Hamas entered its sixth day, Israelis waited anxiously for the names of the next four hostages who will be released from among the more than 90 still held in Gaza. In the Palestinian enclave, civilians in the central and southern part of the Gaza Strip hoping to return to the remnants of their home in the battered north

As ceasefire holds up, Air India to start Tel Aviv-Delhi flights from Mar 2

With ceasefire holding up in the north and south of Israel, several major international airlines, including Air India, have announced plans to resume flights to Israel expanding connectivity to the war-torn region. "It's official now. We are resuming flights from March 2, 2025, a representative for Air India in Israel told PTI. Several Indians staying in Israel felt a sigh of relief as the Indian carrier's website opened bookings on the said route. Travelling to Israel had become challenging with most of the major international airlines cancelling their operations to the Jewish state in view of the war in the north against Hezbollah and in the south against Hamas in Gaza, since October 23, 2023 when the Palestinian Islamic group carried out a brutal attack on the Jewish state. Air France announced that it will resume daily flights on the Paris-Tel Aviv route starting Saturday this week. The carrier also plans to increase its daily flight frequency in the coming months. Transavia

Donald Trump considering to visit Middle East, but 'not immediately'

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he is considering going to the Middle East, but not immediately amid the return of hostages, as he reiterated that the attack on Israel by the Hamas on October 7, 2023, should not have happened. "We're thinking about going to the Middle East. But not yet, as hostages are coming back right now. Some of them have been very, very damaged. You look at the young lady with her hand practically blown off -- you know how that happened, right? Did you know how that happened," Trump said during a joint news conference at the White House with Oracle CTO Larry Ellison, Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son, and Open AI CEO Sam Altman. "When you find out, you're not going to be too happy because it was terrible. But the hostages are starting to come back," Trump said, as he took credit for the return of the hostages. "If I weren't here, they would have never come back. They would have all died. If this were done a year earlier, if (Joe) Biden would have done this .

Israel's top general resigns citing security failures during Oct 7 attack

Israel's top general resigned on Tuesday, citing the security and intelligence failures related to Hamas' surprise attack that triggered the war in the Gaza Strip. Israel meanwhile launched a large military operation in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin on Tuesday that the Palestinian Health Ministry said had killed at least six people and wounded 35. Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi is the most senior Israeli figure to resign over the security breakdown on October 7, 2023, when thousands of Hamas-led militants carried out a land, sea and air assault into southern Israel, rampaging through army bases and nearby communities for hours. The attack killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting another 250. More than 90 captives are still being held in Gaza, around a third of whom are believed to be dead. In his letter of resignation, Halevi said the military, under his command, had "failed in its mission to defend the State of Israel. Halevi, who began what was meant to be a ...

Will target only Israel-linked vessels after Gaza ceasefire: Yemen's Houthi

The Iran-backed Houthis have carried out more than 100 attacks on ships since November 2023 and sunk two vessels

Three Israeli women freed after 471 days captivity by Hamas: Who are they?

Gaza ceasefire: Israel released 90 Palestinians after Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari, crossed back into the country

From TikTok to Israel-Hamas: What Donald Trump said at Maga rally

US President-elect Donald Trump vowed swift action upon assuming office on Monday, pledging to prevent World War III and halt what he described as the 'invasion' of the nation's borders

Israel committed to getting all hostages: Netanyahu after 3 women released

Three women who had been in captivity for 471 days since October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel killing over 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting over 200 others

Palestinians prepare to welcome relatives to be released from Israel

Ahead of the first day of the ceasefire, some Palestinians in the West Bank are preparing to welcome home their relatives, some of whom have spent years in Israeli prisons. Israel's justice ministry has published a list of 95 Palestinian prisoners set to be released on Sunday. Most of them are accused of crimes such as incitement, vandalism, supporting terror activities or attempted murder. In the village of Kafr Niema in the West Bank, the Ataya family is hoping to mark their son's birthday on Sunday with his release. "He will turn 19 and begin his 20th year. It will be a celebration of both a new year of his life and God willing, his release," his father, Nasser Ataya, said. His son Osama's name is on the list. He was arrested after the war broke out in October 2023, accused of conducting terror activities, Ataya said. Israel's Prison Services has said it will carry out the transportation of the prisoners when they're released, rather than the International Red Cross, to avoid .

Biden's final days in office: Ceasefire deal, Ukraine, clemency, and more

From clemency to forgiving student debt: Here's all the policies that outgoing US President Joe Biden pushed ahead during his last days in the White House

Qatar says Israel-Hamas ceasefire to go into effect at 8:30 am on Jan 19

The ceasefire between Hamas and Israel will go into effect in less than 24 hours, Qatar's foreign ministry said on Saturday. In a post on X, foreign minister Majid al-Ansari said the ceasefire will go into effect at 8:30 am (6:30 GMT) on Sunday, and advised people to exercise caution and wait for directions from officials. Early Saturday morning, Israel's Cabinet approved the deal for a ceasefire in Gaza that would release dozens of hostages and pause the 15-month war with Hamas, bringing the sides a step closer to ending their deadliest and most destructive fighting ever. Under the deal, 33 hostages are set to be released over the next six weeks, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. The remainder, including male soldiers, are to be released in a second phase that will be negotiated during the first. Hamas has said it will not release the remaining captives without a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal. Key questions remain about the ceasefir

Israel's Cabinet approves deal for ceasefire in Gaza, release of hostages

Israel's Cabinet approved a deal early Saturday for a ceasefire in Gaza that would release dozens of hostages held there and pause the 15-month war with Hamas, bringing the sides a step closer to ending their deadliest and most destructive fighting ever. Mediators Qatar and the US announced the ceasefire Wednesday, but the deal was in limbo for more than a day as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted there were last-minute complications that he blamed on the Hamas militant group. The ceasefire just the second achieved during the war will go into effect Sunday, though key questions remain, including the names of the 33 hostages to be released during the six-week first phase of the ceasefire and who among them is still alive. The Cabinet met well past the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath, in a reflection of the moment's importance. In line with Jewish law, the Israeli government usually halts all business for the Sabbath except in emergency cases of life or death. Netanyahu ...

Israel's security Cabinet recommends Gaza ceasefire, awaits full approval

Israel's security Cabinet on Friday recommended approval of a ceasefire that would pause the fighting in Gaza and release dozens of hostages held by militants. The deal will now go to the full Cabinet. The prime minister's office said Friday that if the deal is passed, ceasefire could start as soon as Sunday with the first hostages released then.

Israel delays Gaza ceasefire deal approval, as strikes on enclave kill 77

Hamas senior official Izzat el-Reshiq said that the group remained committed to the ceasefire deal that was scheduled to take effect from Sunday to bring an end to months of bloodshed

India welcomes Gaza ceasefire agreement with release of hostages: MEA

India on Wednesday welcomed the announcement on a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas. Israel and Hamas have agreed a deal which would halt the war in Gaza and see the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, the US and mediators Qatar have said. The deal between Israel and Hamas came after months and it is expected to come into effect on Sunday if both sides fully approve it. In its reaction, India hoped that the agreement would lead to a safe and sustained supply of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. "We welcome the announcement of the agreement for the release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. "We hope this will lead to a safe and sustained supply of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza," it said in a statement. The MEA added: "We have consistently called for release of all hostages, ceasefire, and return to a path of dialogue and diplomacy." The full details of th

Israeli strikes kill 72 since ceasefire announced: Gaza health ministry

Gaza's Health Ministry said Thursday Israeli strikes have killed at least 72 people since a ceasefire deal was announced. In previous conflicts, both sides stepped up military operations in the final hours before ceasefires took effect as a way to project strength. The ministry said the toll from Thursday's strikes only includes bodies brought to two hospitals in Gaza City, and that the actual toll is likely higher. "Yesterday was a bloody day, and today is bloodier," said Zaher al-Wahedi, head of the ministry's registration department. Earlier, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a "last-minute crisis" with Hamas was holding up Israeli approval of a long-awaited ceasefire that would pause the fighting in the Gaza Strip and release dozens of hostages. Netanyahu began signaling there were issues with the deal just hours after US President Joe Biden and key mediator Qatar announced it was complete. The deal announced Wednesday is expected to see scores of hostages held in

'Last minute crisis' with Hamas holding up Gaza truce approval: Netanyahu

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that a "last-minute crisis" with Hamas was holding up Israeli approval of a long-awaited ceasefire that would pause the fighting in the Gaza Strip and release dozens of hostages. Israeli airstrikes, meanwhile, killed at least 72 people in the war-ravaged territory. Netanyahu began signalling there were issues with the deal just hours after US President Joe Biden and key mediator Qatar announced it was complete. The objection created a dual reality: War-weary Palestinians in Gaza, the relatives of hostages held there and world leaders all welcomed an agreement, expected to begin Sunday, even as Netanyahu said it was not yet finalised. It was not yet clear if Netanyahu's statements merely reflected jockeying to keep his fractious coalition together or whether the deal was at risk. Netanyahu's office said his Cabinet won't meet to approve the deal until Hamas backs down, accusing it of reneging on parts of the agreement in an attempt to