Browsing: Middle East

Senior Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouk asserted that it could take “months” for the group to locate all hostages, living and deceased—a claim Israeli officials flatly reject. A Jerusalem official said Hamas knows the whereabouts of every living captive and can access them, insisting that any delay amounts to a negotiating tactic rather than a logistical challenge. The remarks come as mediators move to finalize a framework that envisions a single-phase release within 72 hours of signing. Israeli assessments cited by local media anticipate Hamas will seek more time for the return of bodies, even as it is required to…

While touring the front lines in Gaza on Thursday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir told his troops that their military pressure on Hamas is what will bring back the Israeli hostages the terrorist group kidnapped. “Due to the substantial military pressure and the powerful and high-quality land invasion, you, the combat fighters, brought about the conditions to return the hostages to their homes,” he said. “The military actions led to the diplomatic achievement.” All soldiers must remain on guard, because “the enemy is still here,” Zamir said. “He has not disappeared.” Continue reading this article on jpost.com

The historic announcement early Thursday by U.S. President Donald Trump of an agreement between Israel and Hamas — marking the first stage of his Middle East peace plan — dominated headlines across the globe, from the United States to Australia, Brazil to Italy. The deal, which includes the release of all hostages held in Gaza in exchange for a partial Israeli withdrawal, was widely described by international outlets as a “historic breakthrough” that could position Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize. Yet, reports also raised doubts over how the plan will be implemented, including Israel’s demand that Hamas disarm and…

The Hostage Families Forum released a statement on Wednesday saying that Nepali hostage Bipin Joshi’s family plans to reveal new footage of Joshi from Gaza, where he has remained hostage since his kidnapping by Hamas on October 7, 2023. The documentation was collected by the IDF as loot and was recently brought to their attention by intelligence officials. The video was estimated to have been shot in November 2023, documenting Bipin in Hamas captivity. “The sign of life found in Gaza, which we share with you today, is for us an anchor of firm faith that he is alive,” the Joshi…

The IDF reported the elimination of Wael Mutrieh, a Nukhba platoon commander in Hamas’s Shati Battalion, citing his role in the October 7, 2023, assault and the infiltration of the Nahal Oz outpost bomb shelter. Briefing reporters, the spokesperson described intensified operations across Gaza City, with multiple divisions maneuvering alongside close air support striking hundreds of targets. The update also referenced humanitarian corridors and ongoing efforts to secure the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas. Beyond Gaza, officials linked the current phase to a broader regional picture. Israeli aircraft struck Houthi command and intelligence sites after a UAV…

Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has released official Hamas documents found by the IDF in the Gaza Strip that prove Hamas’s direct involvement in the funding and execution of the Sumud flotilla to Gaza. While Hamas in the Gaza Strip is responsible for what goes on within its borders, the terrorist organization also has internationally placed branches responsible for its activity abroad. The Palestinian Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA) organization is one such branch, linked to Hamas and serving as a wing of the movement. The PCPA was established in 2018 and functions as Hamas’s representative body abroad, operating as…

Hamas officials want amendments to clauses in US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan including on disarmament, a Palestinian source close to the terror group’s leadership told AFP on Wednesday. Hamas negotiators held discussions Tuesday with Turkish, Egyptian and Qatari officials in Doha, the source said, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters and adding that the group needed “two or three days at most” to respond after Trump stated it had “three or four days” to agree “or pay in hell.” Trump’s plan, which is backed by Israel and has received praise from a range of Arab states and other…

IDF troops of the 401st Brigade are operating in Gaza City as part of the effort to dismantle Hamas’ terror infrastructure in the area. Earlier on Thursday, during the operation, IDF troops located and dismantled a significant, manned Hamas combat compound. Inside, they found large quantities of weapons, including approximately 20 explosive devices of various types, dozens of grenades, and assorted firearms, as well as stolen humanitarian aid. In addition, the troops uncovered an underground passage that connected several operational apartments used by Hamas terrorists. Continue reading this article on israelnationalnews.com

A UAV launched from Yemen struck near a central tourist area in Eilat on Wednesday, leaving 24 people injured, including two in serious condition who were transferred to Soroka Hospital in Be’er Sheva. One person was moderately injured, while the remainder sustained minor injuries or were treated for anxiety. All victims were evacuated by Magen David Adom (MDA) teams to Yoseftal Hospital in the city. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack. The drone went undetected by Israel’s air defense systems until it approached the city’s shores and was first identified by Home Front Command systems. Attempts to intercept the…

Two Israeli divisions continued a slow but steady advance on Gaza City from different directions on the third day of Operation Gideon’s Chariots II, which aims to capture the entirety of the Hamas stronghold. Army Radio cited senior military officials who described the current fighting as a “probing stage,” where Israeli troops are advancing slowly while Hamas terrorists continue to entrench themselves in the city center, largely avoiding direct clashes so far. The Israel Defense Forces said Wednesday that the troops are “targeting and destroying terrorist infrastructure in the Strip and eliminating numerous militants.” “An Israeli Air Force aircraft, guided…