Hamas frees 6 more hostages, but Gaza ceasefire’s future unclear
Global News
Hamas on Saturday released the last six living hostages expected under the first phase of its ceasefire with Israel with a week remaining before the deadline.
Hamas on Saturday released the last six living hostages expected under the first phase of its ceasefire with Israel with a week remaining, as growing questions over the next phase clouded the fragile deal ‘s future.
The hostages included three Israeli men seized from the Nova music festival and another taken while visiting family in southern Israel when Hamas-led militants stormed the border in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered Israel’s 16-month military campaign in Gaza. The two other hostages were held for a decade after entering Gaza on their own.
Five were handed over in staged ceremonies that the Red Cross and Israel have condemned as cruel and disrespectful, escorted by masked, armed Hamas fighters in front of hundreds of Palestinians.
Omer Wenkert, Omer Shem Tov and Eliya Cohen were posed alongside Hamas fighters. A beaming Shem Tov kissed two militants on the head and blew kisses to the crowd.
Cohen’s family and friends in Israel chanted “Eliya! Eliya! Eliya!” and cheered.
“You’re heroes,” Shem Tov told his parents as they later embraced, laughing and crying. “You have no idea how much I dreamt of you.”
Earlier Saturday, Tal Shoham, 40, and Avera Mengistu, 38, were freed. Mengistu, an Ethiopian-Israeli, entered Gaza in 2014. His family told Israeli media he has struggled with mental health issues.
Later, Israel’s military said Hisham Al-Sayed, 36, was released. The Bedouin Israeli entered Gaza in 2015. His family has told Israeli media he was previously diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Marine experts have given up hope of rescuing more than 150 false killer whales are stranded on a remote beach on Australia’s island state of Tasmania, officials said on Wednesday.
Hochhalter was found in her home in suburban Denver on Sunday. Her family suspects she died of natural causes stemming from her injuries in the 1999 shooting,
Residents of an English village were evacuated as a large sinkhole swallowed parts of the town’s main street up to the edge of homes.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he “would like Trump’s team to be more truthful" after Trump suggested Ukraine “should have never started” the war.
Ukraine was not involved in either high-level meeting on its future and a possible end to the war, and it remains unclear when all sides will be at the same table in the future.
Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet alleges that Bolsonaro and 33 others participated in a plan to remain in power despite losing to current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Moscow's Ambassador to Canada Oleg Stepanov says "Russia has no interest" in joining the Group of Seven, which he calls an "outdated structure."
Authorities in Sicily say tourist vehicles are clogging up streets leading to the volcano, potentially blocking emergency services and rescue efforts.
In a statement, Pope Francis noted that any bishop who turns 75 is automatically requested to offer his resignation, the Pope then decides whether to accept the offer.
The warring sides have yet to negotiate the second and more difficult phase, in which Hamas says it will release dozens more hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire.
U.S.-Russia agreed to restore embassy staffing and create a high-level team to negotiate peace in Ukraine peace and promote economic cooperation.
The U.S. State Department removed the phrase "we do not support Taiwan independence” from the fact sheet last week, drawing ire from Beijing.
The talks, scheduled for Tuesday in Saudi Arabia, mark another consequential step by the Trump administration to reverse U.S. policy on isolating Russia.