HOSTAGE TAKING
Hamas accepts US proposal on talks over Israeli hostages, Hamas source says
Hamas has agreed to engage in talks with the U.S. to release Israeli hostages, including soldiers and men, as part of an agreement to end the Gaza war. The group has dropped a demand for a permanent ceasefire prior to negotiations. Efforts to secure a ceasefire and hostage release have intensified, with active diplomacy among Washington, Israel, and Qatar. Israeli forces have increased military strikes in Gaza, resulting in casualties.
Hamas agrees to proposal on talks to free Israeli hostages 16 days after first phase, source says
The source said that the proposal ensures that mediators would guarantee a temporary ceasefire, aid delivery, and withdrawal of Israeli troops as long as indirect talks continue to implement the second phase of the agreement.
Hamas official says expects quick Israeli response to ceasefire 'ideas'
Hamas official Osama Hamdan expects an Israeli response to new ideas for ending the nine-month Gaza war and freeing hostages. Mossad's David Barnea is in Doha for talks. Benjamin Netanyahu insists on hostages' freedom. The conflict, sparked by October 7 attacks, left 1,195 dead. Joe Biden discusses a prisoner exchange and US pressure continues.
Israel sends delegation to negotiate hostage release deal with Hamas
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu informed U.S. President Biden about resuming talks with Hamas for a hostage release deal, led by Mossad. Mediated by Egypt and Qatar, the talks stalled but resumed after Hamas showed flexibility. Netanyahu insists on achieving all objectives before a ceasefire. Gaza’s health ministry reported 38,000 deaths. Israeli airstrikes in Khan Younis, Rafah, and Shejaia worsen the humanitarian crisis. Evacuation orders have displaced many Palestinians. Mossad leads the delegation, per Israeli Channel 12.
Israel: Thousands of people hold anti-govt protests, demand new elections and return of hostages
Tens of thousands protested across Israel on Saturday, demanding new elections and the return of hostages held in Gaza. In Tel Aviv, author David Grossman and former Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu, calling for immediate elections. Demonstrations also occurred outside Likud party headquarters and Netanyahu’s residence. Protests included calls to end the Gaza conflict and highlighted the plight of hostages. Hostages and Missing Families Forum held rallies nationwide, demanding hostages' release. Protests have persisted since the war began on October 7.
The fate of the latest cease-fire proposal hinges on Netanyahu and Hamas' leader in Gaza
The proposed cease-fire deal for Gaza is influenced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas' leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar. Both leaders face significant political and personal pressures that may influence their decision-making. Hamas has accepted the broad outline of the plan but requested "amendments," while Netanyahu has publicly disputed aspects of it, even though the U.S. has framed it as an Israeli plan.
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Russian forces kill Islamic State-linked hostage takers at detention centre
State media said that some of the men had been convicted of terrorism offences and were accused of affiliation with the Islamic State militant group, which claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on a Moscow concert hall in March. The six hostage takers, one of whom wore a headband with the flag used by the Islamic State that bears an Arabic inscription, knocked out window bars and climbed down several floors by rope before taking the guards hostage with a knife and fire axe.
Men claiming to be ISIS supporters take hostages in Russian detention centre, Baza reports
Five men claiming allegiance to ISIS took hostages at a detention center in Russia's Rostov region, as reported by the Baza Telegram channel with ties to Russian law enforcement. The Federal Penitentiary Service confirmed the incident, stating the facility is operating normally with law enforcement responding.
Gaza's Health Ministry says 274 Palestinians were killed in Israeli raid that rescued 4 hostages
274 Palestinians killed in Israeli rescue operation in Gaza. 700 wounded. Largest since October. Hostages held by Hamas rescued.
Gaza hospital reports 37 dead in strike on UN school Israel says used by Hamas
A UN-run school in central Gaza was bombed by Israel, killing at least 37 people. US, Qatari, and Egyptian mediators are working on securing a truce and hostage release deal after Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7.
Israeli troops launch attacks in central Gaza, possibly widening their offensive
The Israeli military has expanded its ground offensive in Gaza, intensifying operations in Deir al-Balah and Bureij. This escalation comes amid worsening humanitarian conditions, with UN agencies warning of potential mass starvation. Tensions are also high in Jerusalem as an annual march through Palestinian neighborhoods proceeds. Meanwhile, Israel seeks to extend the shutdown of Al Jazeera's local offices, and Prime Minister Netanyahu has vowed to restore security along the Lebanese border following Hezbollah rocket attacks.
PM Netanyahu aide: Joe Biden's Gaza plan 'not a good deal' but Israel accepts it
In an interview with Britain's Sunday Times, Ophir Falk, chief foreign policy advisor to Netanyahu, said Biden's proposal was "a deal we agreed to — it's not a good deal but we dearly want the hostages released, all of them". "There are a lot of details to be worked out," he said, adding that Israeli conditions, including "the release of the hostages and the destruction of Hamas as a genocidal terrorist organisation" have not changed.
Israel far-right ministers threaten to quit if Biden plan goes ahead
Far-right Israeli ministers threaten to quit Netanyahu's government over a potential hostage release deal with Hamas militants outlined by Biden, risking coalition instability amid Gaza war tensions.
What's in the new Israel ceasefire proposal Biden announced?
U.S. President Joe Biden proposed a three-phase ceasefire plan to end the war in Gaza, involving a ceasefire, release of hostages and prisoners, and Gaza reconstruction, amidst a humanitarian crisis.
Joe Biden presents new Israel ceasefire plan, calls on Hamas to accept it
An earlier hostage proposal put forward earlier this year called for the release of sick, elderly and wounded hostages in Gaza in exchange for a six-week ceasefire that could be extended to allow for more humanitarian aid to be delivered into the enclave.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad group releases video of Russian-Israeli hostage Sasha Trufanov alive in Gaza around 200 days after abduction
All Eyes on Rafah (Google Trends): The Palestinian Islamic Jihad released a 30-second video of hostage Alexander (Sasha) Trufanov in Gaza, showing him identifying himself and mentioning future updates. Trufanov was abducted during an October 7 Hamas-led attack, which killed 1,200 in Israel and captured 252 hostages. His family, partially released, still awaits his return amid renewed Israeli negotiations with Hamas.
Palestinian medics say Israeli airstrikes kill 35 in Gaza's Rafah as displaced people are hit
Israeli airstrikes in Rafah, Gaza, killed at least 35 people, mainly women and children, and hit tents for displaced people. The attack came two days after the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to end its offensive in Rafah. Israel's military confirmed targeting a Hamas installation, killing two senior militants. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society warned the death toll might rise as rescue efforts continued. Meanwhile, Gaza's aid situation worsens amid continued conflict and restricted humanitarian access.
Hamas rocket attack from Gaza sets off air raid sirens in Tel Aviv for the first time in months
Hamas' military wing claimed the attack, and rocket launches could be heard in central Gaza. The Israeli military said eight projectiles crossed into Israel after being launched from the area of the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where Israeli forces recently launched an incursion. It said "a number" of the projectiles were intercepted.
Israeli Army recovers bodies of three more hostages. Will Benjamin Netanyahu negotiate with Hamas now?
The Israeli military has claimed to have recovered the bodies of Hanan Yablonka, Michel Nisenbaum and Oryon Hernandez Radoux, the 30-year-old boyfriend of Louk. The remains of former Israeli international footballer Lior Assouline have also been found.
Palestine: Ireland, Spain and Norway recognize the state as countries push for Israel-Hamas war solution
The leaders of Ireland, Spain, and Norway announced their countries' recognition of Palestine as a state, intending to support a two-state solution and push for peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel's reaction was negative, warning of potential consequences. This move aligns with several European countries considering similar recognition.
Israel says it's recalling ambassadors from Ireland and Norway over Palestinian state recognition
Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz recalls ambassadors from Norway and Ireland as they plan to recognize a Palestinian state, potentially impacting hostage negotiations with Hamas and Iran. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store supports recognition, echoing EU countries' push for a two-state solution post-Oslo agreement.
"Simply unacceptable": India condemns dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza as Israel-Hamas war intensifies
Reiterating India's stand on the two-state solution of the matter, she also urged the conflicting parties to engage as soon as possible for direct peace negotiations. "My leadership has repeatedly emphasized that only a Two-State solution, achieved through direct and meaningful negotiations between both sides on final status issues, will deliver an enduring peace," she said.
Israeli tanks have rolled into Rafah. What does this mean for the Palestinians sheltering there?
Israeli tanks entering Rafah raised concerns of a potential offensive endangering over a million Palestinian civilians. The move dimmed hopes for an immediate cease-fire deal. Palestinians in Rafah face evacuation with uncertain shelter plans. Israel has directed evacuees to Muwasi, but its conditions are described as squalid and inadequate. The UN warns that an attack on Rafah could collapse aid operations, pushing Gaza into greater crisis. The international community, including the US and Egypt, has urged Israel to avoid actions that could harm civilians.
Israel sends tanks into Rafah and seizes key crossing
Israeli forces entered Rafah in southern Gaza, taking control of the border crossing with Egypt, amid escalating tensions. This operation, following a warning to evacuate, disrupted UN humanitarian access. Tanks flew Israeli flags as they secured the area, but no sign of specific targets. The region faced heavy bombardment overnight, resulting in casualties. Hamas claimed responsibility for attacks, further fueling conflict. Negotiations for a ceasefire are ongoing, with international concern mounting over civilian safety and the potential for broader escalation.
Israel bombards Rafah ahead of talks aimed at sealing truce
Israel carried out airstrikes on Gaza's city of Rafah, aiming to pressure Hamas ahead of truce talks in Egypt. This followed reports of a Chinese fighter jet firing flares near an Australian navy helicopter in the Yellow Sea. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned China's actions as "unprofessional and unacceptable." The Australian Defence Department reported the incident occurred during UN sanctions enforcement on North Korea. Albania said Australia's concerns were raised with China through diplomatic channels.
Hamas accepts a Gaza cease-fire proposal, but Israel hasn't commented
Hamas has accepted an Egyptian-Qatari proposal for a cease-fire to halt the seven-month-long war with Israel in Gaza. The deal follows Israel ordering 100,000 Palestinians to evacuate from Rafah, signaling a potential ground invasion. The cease-fire would take place in stages, with Hamas releasing hostages in exchange for Israeli troop pullbacks from Gaza. It is unclear whether the deal will meet Hamas' key demand of bringing about an end to the war and complete Israeli withdrawal.
For families of hostages, it's a race against time as Israel's war reaches six-month mark
Noa Argamani was abducted from a music festival Oct. 7 when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostage. The video of her abduction was among the first to surface, images of her horrified face widely shared - Noa detained between two men on a motorcycle, one arm outstretched and the other held down as she screams "Don't kill me!" There's been little news about Noa, 26.
Israel agrees to US-proposed prisoner-hostage exchange deal with Hamas
The proposed exchange will "definitely include some" American hostages, because it will include the release of men over the age of 50.
UN Security Council to vote on new Gaza ceasefire resolution
The UN Security Council is set to vote on a new draft resolution on an "immediate" ceasefire in Gaza, following Russia and China's veto of an earlier text proposed by the United States. The Council has been divided over the Israel-Hamas war since the October 7 attacks, approving only two of eight resolutions, mainly dealing with humanitarian aid to the devastated Gaza Strip.
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