The first batch of Israeli hostages held by Hamas has been released. A total of 24 hostages — 13 Israelis, 10 Thais and one Filipino — were handed over on Friday to the Red Cross in Gaza by Hamas, Qatar, which mediated the deal “Those released include 13 Israeli citizens, some of whom are dual…
The long-anticipated four-day pause in the fighting between Israel and Hamas is due to begin now The temporary ceasefire was due to start at 07:00 local time (05:00 GMT) and the first group of 13 hostages held by Hamas will be freed at 16:00, according to Qatari mediators Under the deal, Hamas will release 50…
Qatar has announced key details of the planned pause in fighting and release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas An official says the temporary ceasefire will begin at 07:00 local time on Friday and that the first group of 13 hostages will be freed at 16:00 The pause in fighting was initially due to start…
The agreement reach between Israel and Hamas for a pause in fighting will begin on Thursday The four-day pause in fighting will enable both states begin a prisoner swap Israel has not yet commented on when the pause will begin, but Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said he expected the first hostages to be received on…
A top US official says a deal to release Israeli hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 attacks is “closer than ever before. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said both parties are willing to do a deal. His comments come after US President Joe Biden also said he believed an agreement is close….
The families of Israelis taken hostage by Hamas in the October 7 attack are marching from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem to try to put pressure on the Israeli government to secure their release. Thousands of people are taking part in the march which will end in a protest outside the home of Prime Minister Benjamin…
The Tanzanian government has confirmed the death of its citizen taken hostage in the Hamas attack on Israel. Clemence Felix Mtenga, 22, was one of two Tanzanians taken by the group on 7 October. It is unclear how he died. Mtenga was studying agriculture in Israel before the 7 October attack Another Tanzanian hostage, Joshua…
Head of the Catholic Church Pope Francis has called for an end to the war in the Middle East, Pope Francis urge Israel and the Palestinians to find a solution at the negotiating table. “Every war is a defeat. Nothing is solved by war. Everything is gained with peace and dialogue,” the head of the…
The International Red Cross yesterday confirmed that two hostages taken captive from Israel by Hamas in the ongoing war between the country and the Palestinian militants have been released. An Israeli government official told international media that the names of the freed captives are Nurit Cooper and Yocheved Lifshitz. This brings the total number of…
China has deployed six warships to the Middle East as the conflict between Israel and Hamas escalates. The 44th Naval Escort Task Force – from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theatre – has been involved in routine operations in the region and spent several days in Oman last week. The Chinese warships left Muscat…
