[VIDEOS/PICTURES] Bloodshed in the land of Palestine - 2023 Edition

Hamas is backed by what international law? Exactly what freedom winning idea did they execute?

In fact if you told me that Hamas was an Israeli proxy willing them on to take over Gaza, I'd believe that argument. Hamas gave them a reason and broadcast it all over the world. Wasn't Hamas Nethenyahu's pet project? Didn't Hamas leadership serve reduced sentences and be released by the IDF to become political activists.

It'd be interesting to see how much more 'freedom' Hamas are able to gain in the form the occupiers by resorting to more stupid acts.

Im happy to help educate you but please try educating yourself if you want to debate.

ALL people who occupied HAVE A right to resist inc armed resistance. If you look back at this thread Ive posted a video from a UN lawyer who confirms this. On Oct 7th they conducted a extoriandary resistance attack against those holding them in an concentration camp, showing the occupiers they will never be safe too if we arent.

YOU ARE LYING. Show me where I stated Hamas is an Israeli proxy???
 
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It seems, everyone in Gaza at the moment is a hostage. The situation looks that bad.

Spot on. Over 2 million in Gaza alone are hostages, add the thousands in Israeli jails, inc women, elderly and small children. And lets not forget the West Bank which is also occupied, people can work out the numbers.

The problem is too many are brainwashed esp those living in the West or those living in nations hostile to Muslims.

They must accept ALL life is equal. 200 hostages in Israel are NO more important than any Palestinian hostages. In fact it could be argued half or more of these 200 are prisoners of war, as all adults must serve in the IDF, ie serve in occupation.
 
Im happy to help educate you but please try educating yourself if you want to debate.

ALL people who occupied HAVE A right to resist inc armed resistance. If you look back at this thread Ive posted a video from a UN lawyer who confirms this. On Oct 7th they conducted a extoriandary resistance attack against those holding them in an concentration camp, showing the occupiers they will never be safe too if we arent.

YOU ARE LYING. Show me where I stated Hamas is an Israeli proxy???
We'll hamas is behaving very much like a proxy.

What exactly have they shown the occupiers? That they can kill tens of thousands and get away with it or loose half their land in a matter of days? What exactly has this 'resistance' achieved?
 
We'll hamas is behaving very much like a proxy.

What exactly have they shown the occupiers? That they can kill tens of thousands and get away with it or loose half their land in a matter of days? What exactly has this 'resistance' achieved?

This is genuinely becoming a tyring stupid argument. There will always be resistance when there is decades long of occupation and genocide. What has West Bank achieved without resistance? Exactly the same as Gaza, get slaughtered, land grabbing, kidnapping of men women children, losing homes and all other barbaric behaviours. Honestly why do you guys act like broken record with your biases?
 
We'll hamas is behaving very much like a proxy.

What exactly have they shown the occupiers? That they can kill tens of thousands and get away with it or loose half their land in a matter of days? What exactly has this 'resistance' achieved?

well?

You made a claim , now please prove this by showing where I wrote Hamas is an Israeli proxy?

The resistance has a legal and moral right to resist by armed resistance. Why dont you write to your friends and ask them for a fair fight if you're concerned? Hamas has shown far more respect for human life than any others.
 
This is genuinely becoming a tyring stupid argument. There will always be resistance when there is decades long of occupation and genocide. What has West Bank achieved without resistance? Exactly the same as Gaza, get slaughtered, land grabbing, kidnapping of men women children, losing homes and all other barbaric behaviours. Honestly why do you guys act like broken record with your biases?
The PLA were strategic and smart when it came to targeting Israel, as well as formed alliances in the neighborhood in the meantime. Hamas is currently either acting rabid and clueless OR doing exactly what they're told.

Anyways let's see where this armed struggle will take them.
 
Anticipation builds as Gaza truce to begin
  • Four-day Gaza truce agreed by Hamas and Israel takes effect for first time after seven weeks of war.
  • The Gaza Strip endures night of intensified bombardment from “air, land, and sea” ahead of start of Qatar-mediated truce, UN says.
  • Another Palestinian journalist, Amal Zuhd, and family members killed in Gaza City, according to the Wafa news agency.
  • Israeli military raid continues overnight across the occupied West Bank were some 211 Palestinians have been killed since October 7.
  • More than 14,800 people killed in Gaza since October 7. In Israel, the official death toll from Hamas’s attacks stands at about 1,200.
Aljazeera
 
Israel-Hamas war: Temporary truce period begins, with hostages due to be released later today

A temporary truce period between Israel and Hamas has begun - with the first group of Israeli women and children due to be released later today.

There has been no official word from either side as to whether there has been a pause in the fighting - however, the truce period was due to start at 7am local time (5am UK).

However, sirens were sounded just minutes into the truce in Israel, warning two villages close to the Gaza border of possible rocket attacks fired from Gaza, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said.

The IDF said it had "completed its operational preparations according to the combat lines of the pause".

"Earlier this morning, IDF troops destroyed the terror tunnel that was revealed in the area of the Shifa Hospital.

"Over the last day and night, IDF troops on the ground, in the air, and at sea continued to strike terror targets, operate in different areas to locate suspicious structures and engage with terrorists.

"In addition, the forces struck a terror tunnel route, which was identified over the past few days."

The handover of up to 50 Israeli captives is expected to be carried out in stages as the temporary pause in hostilities got under way.

The agreement - brokered by Qatari mediators - will see a halt to the IDF bombardment of Gaza to allow a swap of hostages for Israeli prisoners.

As many as 30 Palestinians being held in Israeli jails are due to be sent in the opposite direction.

The temporary truce is expected to last for four days.

Avichay Adraee, the IDF's spokesperson for Arab media, reiterated the truce will only last four days, saying in a video on X (formerly Twitter): "The war is not over yet."

He added: "The northern Gaza Strip is a dangerous war zone, and it is forbidden to move north."

"For your safety, you must remain in the humanitarian zone in the south."

Alongside the exchange of hostages and prisoners, aid will be allowed into Gaza after the seven-week siege saw fuel and medical supplies cut off.

The first hostages are due to be freed at 4pm local time (2pm UK) this afternoon, followed by the next stages of the agreement.

The deal was finalised after weeks of negotiations involving Qatari mediators and backed by US President Joe Biden.

Israel launched its war in Gaza after Hamas gunmen stormed across the border fence on 7 October - killing 1,200 people and seizing about 240 hostages.

More than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed since Israel's bombardment began, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in the territory.

SOURCE: SKY NEWS​
 
Hamas thought that the conflict would spark a world war III. They hoped that all Arab nations and Muslim nations in the world would unite and fight Israel. But their plans backfired. No one is daring to help them let alone go to war for Hamas.

This whole situation is all because of Hamas and their brainless attack on Israel. Not even Iran is stepping up for Hamas.

Once again either your ignoring facts or you need educating.

Isr have been terrorising the Palastanians for the past SEVEN DECADES therefore this so called war did not commence on the 7th of October .

And it's the zionists who are holding five thousand and more hostages in their prisons, mostly children and women .
 
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Thirteen Israeli hostages have been released by Hamas and are on their way to Egypt, according to local media, as part of a truce deal.

Twelve Thai nationals have also been released by Hamas, its Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has said.

The temporary truce period agreed by Israel and Hamas will see Palestinian prisoners freed from Israeli jails and fighting paused for four days in Gaza.

Some 50 women and children being held by Hamas are set to be freed over four days - during which there will be a pause in Israeli strikes in Gaza.

Israel said it would stop its offensive on the Gaza Strip for an extra day for every 10 additional hostages released.

It is expected to free a total of 150 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails during the truce period in exchange for the hostages, though officials have published a list of 300 in case the deal is extended.

As part of the temporary truce, humanitarian relief, medical and fuel aid are to be allowed into the entirety of the Gaza Strip.

Israel will also halt surveillance in southern Gaza for four days and curtail it to six hours a day in the north.

Source: Sky News

 
Thirteen Israeli hostages released by Hamas have now crossed into Egypt, according to local media, as part of a truce deal with the militant group.

Twelve Thai nationals have also been freed by Hamas, Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has said.

The Times of Israel and Haaretz said the first group of Israeli hostages have arrived in Egypt.

Sky News understands no British nationals held hostage are set to be released today.
 
Freed Palestinian prisoner says detainees suffered ‘high level of medical neglect’

Marah Bakeer, who was arrested in 2015 when she was 16 years old, has just been released from Ofer Prison.

She is among the first batch of Palestinian women and children who were released as part of the truce agreement.

Bakeer tells Al Jazeera many of the released prisoners need medical attention.

“All of the prisoners suffered a high level of medical neglect [while detained],” she said. Bakeer was shot in the arm while being arrested.

She said she is looking forward to spending time with her family, and is considering enrolling in a university to pursue a degree in law.


AlJazeera
 
The hypocrisy of the media. So the israeli children and women who are freed today are hostages, yet the Palastanian women and children who were freed today after being abducted since 2015 are prisoners.
 
Thirteen Israeli hostages released by Hamas have now crossed into Egypt, according to local media, as part of a truce deal with the militant group.

Twelve Thai nationals have also been freed by Hamas, Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has said.

The Times of Israel and Haaretz said the first group of Israeli hostages have arrived in Egypt.

Sky News understands no British nationals held hostage are set to be released today.

Hamas, are so dumb in so many ways. And doing a disservice to the region.
Also, why take Thai hostages? What sense does that make?
 
Israel releases 39 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons

A total of 39 Palestinian detainees have been released from Israeli prisons in exchange for a group of hostages held by Hamas.

The deal - mediated by Qatar - includes a four-day pause in the fighting.

They are accused of a range of offences, from throwing stones to attempted murder. Some were convicted while others were awaiting trial.

The group of 24 women and 15 teenage boys was released across the Beituniya checkpoint in the occupied West Bank.

They will then be allowed to return home, according to Israel's prison service.

The detainees were chosen from a list of 300 women and minors compiled by Israel.

Less than a quarter of those on the list have been convicted - the vast majority are being held on remand while awaiting trial. Most of those listed are teenage boys - 40% of them under the age of 18. There is also one teenage girl and 32 women.



 

Israeli forces fire tear gas at West Bank crowds celebrating release of Palestinian prisoners​

The Israeli military has fired tear gas and stun grenades at crowds in the West Bank - as they celebrated the release of Palestinian prisoners in a hostage deal.

It came as thousands gathered near Ramallah on Friday evening to await the release of 39 women and children following a truce agreement in which Hamas also freed 24 hostages.

Sky's international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn, speaking from the scene, said there had been tension and chaos as a coach carrying some of the prisoners arrived.

The Israeli military were seen firing tear gas, stun grenades and possibly rounds of live ammunition as they attempted to push people back.

He said it came in response to some members of the crowd waving green Hamas flags and chanting pro-Hamas slogans as they celebrated.

There were also angry scenes as protesters shouted "we want our prisoners" as they waited for the release.

But there was also "jubilation" and a "carnival atmosphere" as the detainees were freed.

Sky News' team at the scene witnessed some of the prisoners, mostly women and teenage boys, in a coach, some making V for victory signs and smiling as they were driven past.

Several of those released were then lifted onto the shoulders of jubilant members of the crowd.

Israel is expected to release 150 Palestinian prisoners over the four-day truce - all of them women, children and teenagers.

Most will return to homes in the West Bank and Jerusalem following periods of incarceration lasting between a few months and several years.

Source: Sky News
 
What kind of ceasefire is this? There should be no fighting for at least 4 days that is promised by both parties.
 
Spain denounces ‘indiscriminate’ Gaza deaths, angering Israel

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Friday denounced what he called the indiscriminate killing of Palestinians in Gaza, drawing an angry response from Israel which said the remarks gave terrorism a boost.

Speaking on a visit to Gaza’s Rafah border with his Belgian counterpart Alexander De Croo, Sanchez also called for a lasting humanitarian ceasefire “to reverse the catastrophic situation that the people of the (Gaza) Strip are going through.”

“The indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians, including thousands of boys and girls, are completely unacceptable,” he said.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen later issued a statement accusing Sanchez and De Croo of “false claims” that “give terrorism a boost” and said he had summoned the Spanish and Belgian ambassadors to explain the comments.


 
Spain denounces ‘indiscriminate’ Gaza deaths, angering Israel

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Friday denounced what he called the indiscriminate killing of Palestinians in Gaza, drawing an angry response from Israel which said the remarks gave terrorism a boost.

Speaking on a visit to Gaza’s Rafah border with his Belgian counterpart Alexander De Croo, Sanchez also called for a lasting humanitarian ceasefire “to reverse the catastrophic situation that the people of the (Gaza) Strip are going through.”

“The indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians, including thousands of boys and girls, are completely unacceptable,” he said.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen later issued a statement accusing Sanchez and De Croo of “false claims” that “give terrorism a boost” and said he had summoned the Spanish and Belgian ambassadors to explain the comments.


Now Israel going into the warm waters.
 
Day two of truce to see 13 more Israeli captives released from Gaza

On day two of this truce, we can expect the same number of Israeli captives, which is 13, to be released at 4pm local time [14:00 GMT].

The Israeli prime minister’s office has confirmed that they received the list of names of those expected to be released from the Gaza Strip, and they have notified those families.

The Red Cross will facilitate the transfer to the Rafah Crossing where the captives will then go into the hands of the Israeli military. They will go to an airbase in southern Israel for an initial medical check and they will then be flown by helicopter to several different hospitals around Tel Aviv.

While there is a sigh of relief on day two of this ceasefire, there is still anguish because, remember, this deal that we are discussing is only for four days.

SOURCE: ALJAZEERA
 
Israel’s military says it shot down surface-to-air missile launched from Lebanon

Israel’s military says it has shot down a surface-to-air missile fired from Lebanese territory at an Israeli remotely manned aircraft.

The aircraft was not damaged and continued its mission, and the missile did not cross into Israeli territory, Israel’s military said in a post on Telegram on Saturday.

Israeli fighter jets attacked “terrorist infrastructure” belonging to Lebanese group Hezbollah in response to the attack, the military said.

SOURCE: ALJAZEERA​
 
This conflict will resume again after this cease-fire ends. Even now when the contract has been made and hostages have been released from both side, still Israel is not stopping in making lives hell for the local residents in gaza.
 
Tens of thousands are expected to gather in London for the latest pro-Palestinian demonstration calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

Around 1,500 officers will be deployed for the protest, which comes amid a temporary truce in the Israel-Hamas conflict and the release of 24 hostages by Hamas in exchange for 39 Palestinians held by Israel.

Around 100,000 people are expected to march on Saturday from Park Lane to Whitehall.

Organisers rejected the label of “hate march” deployed by Mrs Braverman before she was sacked by Rishi Sunak, after a previous rally on Armistice Day saw scenes of violent disorder when far-right protesters clashed with officers.

The Met said that officers would be handing out leaflets to provide “absolute clarity” on what will be deemed an offence.

Deputy assistant commissioner Ade Adelekan said: “This sets out that anyone who is racist or incites hatred against any group should expect to be arrested. As should anyone who supports Hamas or any other banned organisation.”

Organisers Stop the War coalition said that such a measure was “intrusive”, but asked anyone attending to avoid “any actions that might leave you or others around you open to arrest”.

“We ask that all attending our marches respect these clear anti-racist principles, including in any signs or placards they choose to bring to the march,” the group said in a statement.

A 90-minute march organised by the charity Campaign Against Antisemitism is also due to take place on Sunday, with around 40,000-50,000 people expected to attend.

New Home Secretary James Cleverly said that he expected the Met to address the concerns from the Jewish community.

“What we saw over the last few weeks is the Jewish community in the UK telling us over and over and over again they felt vulnerable,” he told The Times.

“The police have to respond to that. In the conversations I have had with senior police officers in the Met and more broadly and in the conversation I had with the mayor of London I’ve made clear it is my expectation that they address those concerns.”

Foreign Secretary David Cameron used a two-day trip to the region to warn Benjamin Netanyahu’s government that Israel’s long-term security depends on the Palestinians also being able to live in “peace and stability and security”.

He told the BBC: “Ultimately, there won’t be long-term safety and security and stability for Israel unless there is long-term safety, security and stability for the Palestinian people.”

Among those released by Hamas on Friday were 13 Israelis who had been held in the Gaza Strip since the militant group staged a raid on Israel nearly seven weeks ago.

They are the first of 50 people to be released from Gaza during a four-day truce that began on Friday. The freed Israeli hostages included eight women – six in their 70s and 80s – and three children.

Israel also confirmed that it had released 39 Palestinians from prisons, including women and children, as part of the agreement.

Source: The Independent

 
This sounds global call for peace and stability in the region. Casualties in Gaza need attention.
 

Israel's Palestinian prisoner release a 'window of hope' in West Bank​

By nightfall, the road in front of the Beitunia checkpoint had the feel of a restive festival, the sting of politics and tear gas mingling in the air.

Small campfires flickered in front of a handful of green Hamas flags; there were many more Palestinian ones.

The return of 39 Palestinians from Israeli prisons to their homes in the occupied West Bank was never just going to be a family affair.

Israel's jailing of large numbers of people on security grounds is widely seen by Palestinians as a tool of the occupation.

Charges range from murder and violent attacks on Israelis to stone-throwing. Many Palestinians say Israel is criminalising acts of resistance by an occupied people - the Israeli Prison Service (IPS) told the BBC all prisoners are detained "according to and under the provisions of the law".

A quarter of the population of the West Bank has spent time in an Israeli jail; it is a shared experience.

And more than 3,000 people have been arrested since the 7 October attacks - including almost 900 children - according to the Palestinian Prisoners' Club president, Abdallah Zughary. Many of these detainees have been placed in administrative detention without charge, he says.

"Most of them are civilians, not affiliated with any kind of political party or militant group," Mr Zughary told me.

"Since 7 October, there have been no visits by families or lawyers to prisoners. And six prisoners have died." He accuses Israel of using the justice system as a "revenge policy".

A spokesperson for the IPS told the BBC that over the past few weeks, "four national security prisoners died" in different circumstances and on different days. "We have no knowledge of the causes of death," they added.They refused to comment on the suggestion that families and lawyers had not been allowed to visit prisoners.

There is little faith here in Israel's military courts, which are responsible for policing an occupied population, and which human rights groups have accused of handing down guilty verdicts to Palestinians 99% of the time.

The release of 39 women and teenagers is a tiny drop in the ocean of prisoners, but a massive symbol for Palestinians of their ability to - occasionally - force Israel's hand.

Mustafa Barghouti, a senior Palestinian politician, told me that prisoners were a key part of the deal agreed between Israel and Hamas, and a key part of why that deal was good for Palestinians.

It should also be taken as a sign, he said, that a permanent ceasefire was possible, despite Israel's insistence on resuming the war after the hostage deal has run its course.

"Israel has said many things before," Dr Barghouti told me. "They said they would kill Hamas. Now they are negotiating with them."

Israel has said its goals of eliminating Hamas and getting the hostages back are not in conflict, but some in its army worry that the deal could allow their enemy to regroup.

It has also strengthened the political standing of Hamas here in the West Bank - many of those gathered to wait for the returning prisoners at Beitunia checkpoint credited the group, though others stressed that this moment belonged to all Palestinians.

"We would like that this happened without the hostages taken by Hamas," human rights lawyer Mohammed Khatib said. "But Israel doesn't want [to do] this without paying the price. Without the Hamas hostages, Israel would not allow these people out."

But, he said, it was also a "window of hope" for both Palestinians and Israelis.

"The end [goal] is that they must accept us as people, they must accept our right to exist.

"We are humans: we have names, families, lives. I see all of this in the eye of a child released from prison today."

The return of prisoners here has been paved by a brutal attack, a devastating war and a hostage crisis.

"There's a joy in this release but it is incomplete joy," Abdallah Zughary told me, "because there's a big price Palestinians have paid over past 45 days."

Eman Barghouti, welcoming home her sister-in-law Hanan today, told me her family would not celebrate the release publicly, out of respect for Palestinians killed, injured and displaced by Israel's bombardment of Gaza.

She said all the families she knew were doing the same.

But the crowds swarming around the prisoners' bus as it crossed into Beitunia had no such reserve; a moment of happiness for prisoners' families is also a moment of victory for Palestinians across the West Bank.

Behind the darkened windows, some of the prisoners could be seen dancing - one wrapped in a Palestinian flag.

To Israel the prisoners it released today are a security threat.

To the Palestinians gathered to greet them, they are victims of Israel's occupation - and their release is symbolic of a wider goal.

Source: BBC
 

Hamas delays second release of hostages until Israel lets aid into northern Gaza​

CAIRO, Nov 25 (Reuters) - The armed wing of the Palestinian militant group Hamas said on Saturday that it had decided to delay the second round of hostage releases until Israel is committed to letting aid trucks enter northern Gaza.

Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades added that the hostage releases would be delayed if Israel does not adhere to the agreed terms for the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Source: Reuters
 
Both parties must follow the deal that they've agreed on. Otherwise, things will get even worse in the region.
 
Spain denounces ‘indiscriminate’ Gaza deaths, angering Israel

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Friday denounced what he called the indiscriminate killing of Palestinians in Gaza, drawing an angry response from Israel which said the remarks gave terrorism a boost.

Speaking on a visit to Gaza’s Rafah border with his Belgian counterpart Alexander De Croo, Sanchez also called for a lasting humanitarian ceasefire “to reverse the catastrophic situation that the people of the (Gaza) Strip are going through.”

“The indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians, including thousands of boys and girls, are completely unacceptable,” he said.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen later issued a statement accusing Sanchez and De Croo of “false claims” that “give terrorism a boost” and said he had summoned the Spanish and Belgian ambassadors to explain the comments.




Give terrorism a boost? What did Eli Cohen mean by that?

Is Mr. Eli saying the 14000+ dead Palestinians were all terrorists?

What an idiot!
 
The IDF, Hamas and Qatari officials have confirmed 13 Israeli hostages have been handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza and are on their way to the Rafah crossing.

A number of foreign nationals have also been released, however there has been some discrepancy in how many have been freed.

Qatar is reporting that four nationals have been released, while the IDF and Hamas says seven have been handed over.


BBC
 
17 hostages released by Hamas arrive in Israel
Thirteen Israelis and four Thai nationals released from Hamas captivity arrived in Israel on Sunday in the second step of the crucial hostage deal, Reuters reports.

The agreement briefly risked falling apart due to a dispute over the delivery of aid supplies into Gaza.

The short-lived dispute that threatened the temporary ceasefire to free captives was overcome with the mediation of Qatar and Egypt, but it underscored the fragility of the agreement, under which a total of 50 Israeli hostages are to be exchanged for 150 Palestinian prisoners over four days.

Television footage showed hostages on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing after leaving Gaza, as Hamas handed over the captives to the International Committee of the Red Cross late on Saturday.

Of the 13 Israelis released, six were women and seven were children and teenagers.

The Israel Defence Forces said in a statement:

The released hostages are on their way to hospitals in Israel, where they will reunite with their families.

In exchange, 39 Palestinian prisoners were released from two Israeli prisons – six were women and 33 were minors, the Palestinian news agency Wafa reported.

The Guardian
 
Deadly Israeli raids continue in occupied West Bank

Israeli raids in the occupied West Bank have continued overnight and this morning, with one Palestinian killed in Jenin from a drone attack, according to the Palestine Red Crescent and another Palestinian killed in a raid in the village of Yatma, south of Nablus.

In total, six Palestinians are reported to have been killed since last night.

Since October 7, at least 229 Palestinians, including 52 children have been killed. More than 3,000 people have been detained by Israeli forces.

SOURCE: ALJAZEERA​
 
Cease-fire?

What type of cease-fire are we talking about here?

This is not how a cease-fire works. Continuing the attacks on one end and talking about the release of hostage on the other end is nothing but a deception.
 
Another captive release is expected today

Hamas is set to release a third group of Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners on Sunday.

On Saturday, it released 13 Israelis and four Thai hostages. Israel said it, in turn, freed 39 Palestinian prisoners.

PM Netanyahu’s office said it had since received a list of captives due to be released by Hamas on Sunday. The list was being checked by security officials, it said, and families had been informed.
SOURCE: ALJAZEERA
 
Tommy Robinson, founder of the English Defence League was escorted away by police as thousands attended a march against anti-Semitism in London.

Police later confirmed a 40-year-old man had been arrested close to the Royal Courts of Justice, from where the demonstration began on Sunday afternoon.



 
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Tommy Robinson, founder of the English Defence League was escorted away by police as thousands attended a march against anti-Semitism in London.

Police later confirmed a 40-year-old man had been arrested close to the Royal Courts of Justice, from where the demonstration began on Sunday afternoon.




Good.

This clown should be kept locked up.

Behaves like a mosquito.
 
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Egypt receives list of people to be released today

Third batch of exchange scheduled to take place across Rafah crossing later on Sunday.

At least six Palestinians have been killed in Israeli raids in occupied West Bank since last night.

Source: Al Jazeera
 
Hamas releases third group of hostages in Gaza as part of truce

Hamas militants on Sunday freed 17 more hostages, including 14 Israelis, in a third set of releases under a ceasefire deal.

Red Cross representatives transferred the hostages out of Gaza late Sunday. Some were handed over directly to Israel, while others left through Egypt.

The army said one of the hostages was airlifted directly to an Israeli hospital.

Israel was to free 39 Palestinian prisoners later Sunday as part of the deal.

It was the third consecutive day in which Hamas released Israeli hostages it has been holding in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

A fourth exchange is expected to take place on Monday – the last day of the four-day cease-fire between the enemies. A total of 50 hostages and 150 Palestinian prisoners are to be freed.




 
The good thing would be a permanent cease fire or else israel would dig a hole for itself by prolonging the war.
 
A Muslim civil rights and advocacy group in the US is offering a $10,000 (£7,900) reward for information on the perpetrators of a shooting that targeted three Palestinian university students.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) also urged authorities to investigate a possible "bias motive" for the shooting, citing an "unprecedented spike in anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian hate and violence".

Hisham Awartani, Tahseen Ahmed and Kinnan Abdalhamid were confronted and shot by a man near the University of Vermont Campus while on their way to a family dinner, Burlington Police said.

Officers are investigating a possible motive, but said they were wearing keffiyeh - a traditional scarf - and speaking Arabic when attacked.

Burlington police chief Jon Mura said two of the victims are in a stable condition; the third has suffered much more serious injuries.

Police are searching for the suspect.

BBC
 
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg calls for a halt in the fighting in Gaza to be prolonged to allow for more aid and the release of hostages held by terrorists in the Strip.

“I call for an extension of the pause. This would allow for much needed relief to the people of Gaza and the release of more hostages,” Stoltenberg tells journalists.

Source: Times of Israel

 
Pro-Palestinian protesters were escorted out of a Belfast City Council subcommittee meeting on Friday.

It happened at Belfast City Hall during a meeting of the council's strategic policy and resources committee.

A number of people in the public gallery unfurled banners and flags, and read out a short speech.

Security staff were called and the group was escorted from the building before the meeting went ahead as planned, the council said.

Green Party councillor Brian Smyth, a member of the committee, said the protest lasted "literally a minute or two" and involved a "handful of young people".

"They called for a ceasefire, before being ushered out of the room," he said.

"At no point did I feel any threat or at risk. I totally get and am supportive of the calls for a ceasefire amid the horrific scenes that we are witnessing from Gaza and the huge loss of life, particularly children."

Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) councillor Carl Whyte said they "fully support" people campaigning for a ceasefire in Gaza.

"The council has and will again debate these issues at the monthly full council meeting, where those interested can request to address the council directly," he added.

"That is the appropriate forum where these and other groups can make their voice heard."

The demonstration comes as police investigate how a meeting of Derry and Strabane District Council on Wednesday was disrupted by a pro-Palestinian protest.

Protesters held up a banner saying: "Expel the Israeli ambassador."

The S letters were written like the symbol of the SS, a Nazi military unit that ran concentration and death camps and killed millions of Jews during the Holocaust.

Some unionists on the council condemned the protest as antisemitic.

People Before Profit councillor Shaun Harkin described the scenes in the council chamber as a "side issue" and said there was "absolutely nothing antisemitic" about the wording of the banner.

Demonstrations have been held across the UK in recent weeks in response to the Israel-Gaza war.

The Palestinian militant group Hamas - designated as a terrorist group by the UK and many other countries - launched an attack on Israel on October 7 with gunmen infiltrating communities near Gaza.

Israel said some 1,200 Israelis were killed and about 240 people taken hostage.

Since then Israel has bombed Gaza relentlessly, which the Hamas-run health ministry says has killed more than 14,500 people.

Some Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners have been released under a temporary four-day truce deal brokered by Qatar.

Source: BBC

 
The third batch of 39 Palestinian prisoners was freed on Sunday, as the exchange of captives for prisoners between Hamas and Israel continued for a third day under the four-day truce deal.

Under the deal, 13 Israeli captives were freed in the Palestinian territory, along with three Thais and a Russian-Israeli dual citizen.

Large crowds of Palestinians took to the streets in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank, on Sunday night as they waited for Red Cross buses carrying the prisoners.

Some waved Palestinian flags, alongside the flags of the two main Palestinian political parties: Hamas and Fatah. Some youths climbed on top of a white bus mostly transporting young men but also carrying some released female prisoners.

“At first we did not believe it,” Shakir Mahajna told Al Jazeera while he waited with his family for his son Omar, who recently turned 18.

“The last time I visited him he was frustrated, he told me ‘Dad I want to leave’,” said Mahajna. His son was 16 when he was arrested and had had four months left in his sentence.

"After what happened in October, I was even more scared,” Nour Ara’ar, whose 17-year-old brother Zeid was arrested in July, told Al Jazeera.

“Everything was suspended because of the war,” she added. “The trial did not take place.”

“We are happy, but we are experiencing mixed feelings. Our joy is incomplete because of what is happening in Gaza,” she added.

Source: Al Jazeera

 
The reported war crimes in Gaza, especially involving the loss of innocent lives, are deeply distressing me. Israel should be held accountable for its war crimes in Gaza.
 
Israel-Hamas truce in Gaza extended by two days, says mediator Qatar

A humanitarian pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas will extend by two days, mediator Qatar said Monday as an initial four-day truce in Gaza was set to expire.

“The State of Qatar announces that, as part of the ongoing mediation, an agreement has been reached to extend the humanitarian truce for an additional two days in the Gaza Strip,” Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari said on X, formerly Twitter.

Over the course of the humanitarian pause and in weeks prior, Qatar, with the support of the United States and Egypt, has been engaged in intense negotiations to establish and prolong the truce in Gaza, which mediators had said was designed to be broadened and expanded.

Over the course of the initial truce a total 50 civilian hostages, women and children, were expected to be freed by Hamas.

In exchange, 150 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel were to be released and humanitarian aid allowed into Gaza.

During its first three days, 39 Israeli hostages were freed by the militant group in exchange for 117 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails as part of the deal between the two sides.

As a result of parallel negotiations led by the Gulf state, 17 Thais, one Filipino and one dual Russian-Israeli national have also been released by the Palestinian militants.

The figure set for release is by far the largest since Hamas gunmen stormed across Gaza’s militarised border on October 7 and staged the deadliest attack in Israel’s history.

Israel says the attack killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and around 240 more were taken hostage, among them elderly people and children.

In response, Israel launched a relentless bombing campaign and ground offensive in Hamas-ruled Gaza, which the Hamas government says has killed 15,000 people, thousands of them children.


 
US Biden admin concerned about journalists exposing devastation in Gaza amid ceasefire with Israel

The United States government, under President Joe Biden’s administration, is reportedly concerned over the potential for journalists to reveal the extent of Israel’s devastation in Gaza during the agreed temporary ceasefire, according to a senior official in a report which sheds further light on Washington’s protection of Israel and its narrative.

In an article published by the outlet, Politico, titled ‘Biden admin officials see proof their strategy is working in hostage deal’, it is speculated that the US government was right in its stance to support Israel’s brutal response to the 7 October operation carried out by Palestinian Resistance group, Hamas, in that Washington can easily maintain influence over Tel Aviv in doing so.

Furthermore, the article highlighted the temporary ceasefire deal – agreed upon this week – as a success for the Biden administration, calling it “a rare bright spot in a dark time”. The deal stipulates that, from Thursday morning, a ceasefire between Hamas and Israeli occupation forces will come into force, in return for the release of 50 Israeli hostages held by Hamas and 150 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

The ceasefire is to last four to five days, and aims to allow aid and urgent supplies to enter into the besieged Gaza Strip, as well as pausing the Israeli bombardment of civilians and hospitals.

Although the deal is seen by the Politico article’s authors as a victory for the Biden administration, they cited the government’s concerns that it would enable journalists to witness the extent of Israel’s devastation of Gaza and the war crimes it has committed.

According to an unnamed senior US official who spoke to them, “there was some concern in the administration about an unintended consequence of the pause: that it would allow journalists broader access to Gaza and the opportunity to further illuminate the devastation there and turn public opinion on Israel.”

The admittance of those concerns held by authorities in Washington come at a time when many hail the fact that although Israel may hold military and technical superiority in its current invasion of Gaza, it is losing the information war and failing to maintain support on the front of public relations and public opinion, even within the West.


 
How Israel bombing campaign endangers Gaza’s archaeological treasures

Steeped in more than 5,000 years of history, Gaza has long been an archaeological treasure trove, with workers at construction sites regularly uncovering ancient gems.

Discoveries such as the monastery of Saint Hilarion, and Tel Umm el-Amr, arguably Gaza’s largest archaeological site, are perhaps unsurprising given Gaza’s proximity to holy places of Christianity, Islam and Judaism, three of the world’s biggest religions.

Gaza’s historical significance stems also from its location on ancient trade routes between Egypt and the Levant.

But with the past seven weeks of Israeli bombardment, there is growing concern over the future for both those sites uncovered and the ones yet to be discovered.



 
A Muslim civil rights and advocacy group in the US is offering a $10,000 (£7,900) reward for information on the perpetrators of a shooting that targeted three Palestinian university students.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) also urged authorities to investigate a possible "bias motive" for the shooting, citing an "unprecedented spike in anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian hate and violence".

Hisham Awartani, Tahseen Ahmed and Kinnan Abdalhamid were confronted and shot by a man near the University of Vermont Campus while on their way to a family dinner, Burlington Police said.

Officers are investigating a possible motive, but said they were wearing keffiyeh - a traditional scarf - and speaking Arabic when attacked.

Burlington police chief Jon Mura said two of the victims are in a stable condition; the third has suffered much more serious injuries.

Police are searching for the suspect.

BBC​

Man arrested over shooting of three Palestinian students in US

NEW YORK: Police said on Monday a man has been arrested in connection with the Burlington, Vermont shooting of three university students of Palestinian descent, as authorities investigated what they believe was a “hate-motivated crime.”

Burlington Police Chief Jon Murad said the suspect, 48-year-old Jason Eaton, was arrested on Sunday and was expected to appear before a judge on Monday.

Evidence collected during a search of Eaton’s apartment, outside of which the shooting took place on Saturday, as well as additional data collected “gave investigators and prosecutors probable cause to believe that Mr Eaton perpetrated the shooting,” Murad said in a statement.

Police had earlier described the shooter as “a white man with a handgun.” “Without speaking,” police said, “he discharged at least four rounds from the pistol and is believed to have fled on foot.” The incident occurred amid high tensions, and occasional violence, on college campuses and elsewhere in the United States over the unrest in the Middle East.

A police statement said two of the victims were in stable condition, and the third suffered “much more serious injuries.” It said two are US citizens and one a legal resident.

While there has been no conclusion of the shooter’s motive, the police confirmed that two of the young men were wearing keffiyehs, the traditional black and white Palestinian scarf.

“In this charged moment, no one can look at this incident and not suspect that it may have been a hate-motivated crime,” Murad said in a statement.

The families identified the victims as Hisham Awartani, a student at Brown University in Rhode Island; Kinnan Abdel Hamid, a student at Haverford College in Pennsylvania; and Tahseen Ahmed, who attends Trinity College in Connecticut.

The White House said Monday that “The president and the first lady were horrified,” Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters. “These students were taking part in a uniquely American tradition, gathering with family and loved ones to celebrate Thanksgiving. They should be back in school with their classmates, not in a hospital room.”

All three victims were graduates of the Ramallah Friends School, a private Quaker school in the West Bank, and are now attending different universities in the northeastern United States, according to a statement from a spokesman for the victims’ families.

“As parents,” it read, “we are devastated by the horrific news that our children were targeted and shot…. We call on law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation. We will not be comfortable until the shooter is brought to justice.”

The Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee said, “We have reason to believe this shooting occurred because the victims are Arab.” It called on Vermont authorities to investigate the shooting as a hate crime.

Bernie Sanders, the independent US senator from Vermont and a past presidential candidate, called the attack “shocking and deeply upsetting,” adding, “Hate has no place here, or anywhere.”

The shooting came as civil rights groups have warned of a rise in hate crimes against Arab and Muslim Americans — as well as growing anti-Semitism.

Last month, a six-year-old Palestinian-American boy was stabbed to death in Illinois and his mother was wounded. A 71-year-old suspect has pleaded not guilty.

 
Hamas senior official invites Elon Musk to visit Gaza

A Hamas senior official invited US billionaire Elon Musk on Tuesday to visit the Palestinian Gaza strip to see the extent of destruction caused by the Israeli bombardment.

“We invite him to visit Gaza to see the extent of the massacres and destruction committed against the people of Gaza, in compliance with the standards of objectivity and credibility,” Hamas’ senior official Osama Hamdan said in a press conference in Beirut.

On Monday, Elon Musk, the social media mogul assailed for his endorsement of an anti-Jewish post, toured the site of the Hamas assault on Israel and declared his commitment to do whatever was necessary to stop the spread of hatred.



Arab News
 

Hamas has released another group of 12 hostages, Israel says.​

Twelve hostages, including 10 Israelis and two Thai nationals, were released from Gaza and delivered into Israeli territory, the Israeli military said on Tuesday, on the fifth day of the cease-fire between Hamas and Israel.

Not long afterward, the Israeli authorities said they had released another 30 imprisoned Palestinians, in keeping with the terms of the cease-fire agreement.

The hostages released on Tuesday included three members of one family, according to a list released by the Israeli prime minister’s office: Gabriela Leimberg, 59, Mia Leimberg, 17, and Clara Marman, 63. The other hostages were Israeli women ranging in age from 36- to 84-years-old, the list showed.

Before the latest transfer, Hamas had released 50 Israeli hostages and Israel had freed 150 Palestinian prisoners. Nineteen other hostages in Gaza — 17 Thais, one Filipino and one Russian-Israeli dual citizen — had been released since Friday through separate negotiations. A vast majority of hostages released since the cease-fire began are women and children.

Israel has generally referred to dual nationals as Israelis in discussing the hostages. A number of agricultural workers were seized along with Israeli citizens and dual nationals during Hamas-led terrorist attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, and some of whom have been freed through talks held separately from those between Israel and Hamas.

The cease-fire has held since Friday, despite Israel and Hamas accusing one another of violating the cease-fire terms, and with each day a group of hostages has been released from captivity in Gaza, paired with the release of larger groups of Palestinians from Israeli imprisonment or detention.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Israeli military said that three explosive devices were detonated near its troops in two locations in Northern Gaza and militants opened fire at Israeli troops at one of those locations. Hamas said they had engaged in a “field clash” provoked by Israel.

And over the weekend, Israeli officials expressed concern to Qatari mediators that some children were being released without their mothers who were also being held captive, going against the agreement according to an official briefed on the talks. The official said that Hamas claimed that in those cases, mothers and children were being held by different groups.

Still, neither Hamas nor Israel has said it would pull out of the agreement.

Source: The New York Times
 
US tells Israel any military operation in Gaza must avoid further civilian displacement

The Biden administration has told Israel that it must work to avoid “significant further displacement” of Palestinian civilians in southern Gaza if it renews its ground campaign aimed at eradicating the Hamas militant group, senior US officials said.

The administration, seeking to avoid more large-scale civilian casualties or mass displacement like that seen before the current temporary pause in the fighting, underscored to the Israelis that they must operate with far greater precision in southern Gaza than they did in the north, the officials said, briefing reporters on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House.

Amid mounting international and domestic pressure about the rising Palestinian death toll, the White House has begun to put greater pressure on Israel that the manner of the coming campaign must be “carefully thought through,” according to one of the officials. The Israelis have been receptive when administration officials have raised these concerns, the official said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made clear that Israeli Defense Forces will eventually restart military operations after the conclusion of the current, temporary ceasefire that has allowed for an exchange of hostages taken by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The two sides agreed Monday to extend the truce for an additional two days and to continue swapping hostages for prisoners.

President Joe Biden has said he would like to see the pause — which has also allowed a surge of much-needed humanitarian aid to get into Gaza — continue as long as feasible. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will return this week to the Middle East as the US hopes to find a way to extend the ceasefire and get more hostages released, the State Department said Monday. It will be his third trip to the region since Israel’s war with Hamas began last month.

Still, Biden and top officials have also been clear-eyed about Israel’s desire to continue operations focused on Hamas that over the last seven weeks have largely focused on the north. They have said they support Israel’s goal of eliminating Hamas’ control over Gaza and the threat it poses to Israeli civilians, but have grown more vocal about the need to protect the lives of Palestinian civilians. Hamas has been known to seek shelter among the territory’s civilian population, and Israeli officials have released videos from northern Gaza of what they said are weapons stockpiles and firing locations placed among civilian infrastructure.

More than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed since the war began on Oct. 7, roughly two-thirds of them women and minors, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. More than 1,200 people have been killed on the Israeli side, mostly civilians killed in the initial attack. At least 77 soldiers have been killed in Israel’s ground offensive.

The US believes roughly 2 million Palestinians are now in south and central Gaza. Biden administration officials have made clear to the Israelis that an already stretched humanitarian support network would be unable to cope with the sort of displacement that those from northern Gaza have endured in Israel’s retaliatory strikes and ground operations.

Biden administration officials have also told the Israelis they expect them to conduct operations in a way that will be “maximally deconflicted” with the operation of humanitarian aid facilities, United Nations-supported shelters and core infrastructure, including electricity and water.

The World Health Organization has warned that the war has caused a burgeoning public health crisis that is a recipe for epidemics as displaced Palestinians have been forced to take shelter in cramped homes and camps.

One administration official said vaccines are among the medical goods flowing into Gaza, but there has also been a focus on potable water supplies and sanitation to prevent outbreaks of typhoid and cholera. To that end, the White House has also pushed to get as much fuel into Gaza as possible — something the Israelis resisted, particularly in the first weeks of war, citing concerns that it would be siphoned by Hamas.

The officials said the US on Tuesday would dispatch the first of three US military humanitarian aid flights to northern Egypt carrying medical supplies, food aid and winter items for Gaza’s civilian population.


 
Look at the destruction Israel has caused in Gaza. Now, who will take accountability for Israel's mass killings and destruction in Gaza !!!!!

Pictures Courtesy: Al Jazeera

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Palestinians shocked by scale of Israeli raid on Jenin

At the refugee camp inside the city of Jenin, people are very shocked at the sheer scale of the Israeli military’s raid. They’re describing it as the largest raid since October 7.

Bear in mind Jenin is raided by the Israeli military virtually every night, but that kind of show of force and confidence by the Israeli army is something the people here say they have never seen before.

We spoke to the owner of a house that was destroyed. He said that it was about 5am this morning when Israeli soldiers surrounded the house. He then became aware of potentially at least one Palestinian fighter – possibly two – hiding in his home.

What subsequently happened is that the Palestinian fighters were killed as the house was destroyed.

According to a statement put out by the Israeli military, one of those killed was a top leader here in the armed resistance groups that operate from inside Jenin.

Source: Al Jazeera
 
Hamas says 3 captives killed in previous Israeli bombing of Gaza

The group’s armed wing, Qassam Brigades, made the announcement in a Telegram post.

Source: Al Jazeera
 
Several Gaza border communities refuse to send reps to meeting with Netanyahu

Representatives of several Gaza border communities said Wednesday they won’t attend a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and regional council heads, amid criticism of the premier and government over their treatment of victims of the devastating October 7 onslaught by Hamas-led terrorists.

Netanyahu said Tuesday he would meet with the local leaders of southern areas four kilometers from the frontier, but some kibbutzim, including Be’eri, Kfar Aza, Nir Oz, Nahal Oz, Re’im, Or Haner, Ein Hashlosha, and Kerem Shalom said they won’t send representatives, due to scheduling issues or lack of interest.

Communities sending representatives include Carmia, Mefalsim, Netiv Ha’asara, Yad Mordechai, and Zikim, the Haaretz daily reported.

In response to criticism of the prime minister for not meeting with survivors of the October 7 massacre earlier, those close to Netanyahu have said that he had been busy managing the war. The government has also been criticized for what many call lackluster support for those forced from southern communities, with civil society groups forced to pick up the slack.

The heads of the regional councils set to meet with the prime minister said in a statement that the timing of the meeting didn’t work for two or three of the kibbutzim, and that “nobody said officially that they were boycotting the meeting.”

"Everyone should do what is right for them. We don’t boycott anyone. We, as heads of the councils, will go to the meeting of course,” they said.

Kibbutz Be’eri also said it was not boycotting the sit-down, adding: “If and when the prime minister wants to come to Kibbutz Be’eri, see the atrocities committed on October 7 and have a conversation about the efforts to restore Be’eri, we are always happy to host him with prior arrangement and without media teams.”

Nir Oz’s administration said in a statement that Netanyahu should meet with all members of the kibbutz and that the planned meeting on Wednesday was not acceptable to them.

Source: Times of Israel

 
UN chief says Gaza in midst of ‘epic humanitarian catastrophe’

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday warned that the Gaza Strip was in the midst of an “epic humanitarian catastrophe,” as calls grew for a cease-fire to replace the temporary truce between Israel and Palestinian Hamas militants.

“Intense negotiations are taking place to prolong the truce – which we strongly welcome — but we believe we need a true humanitarian cease-fire,” he told a meeting of the UN Security Council, chaired by China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi because China is president of the 15-member council for November.

Last-minute talks continued between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas on Wednesday to extend a truce in Gaza.

“We should work for a comprehensive and lasting cease-fire with the greatest urgency,” Wang told the council. “There is no firewall in Gaza either. Resumed fighting would only, most likely, turn into a calamity that devours the whole region.”

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan — standing with counterparts from Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, Turkiye, Indonesia and Malaysia — told reporters at the United Nations that aid entering Gaza was “far less than is needed.”

“The danger is that if ... this truce expires we will return to the killing at the scale that we have seen, which is unbearable,” he said. “So we are here to make a clear statement that a truce is not enough. What is needed is a cease-fire.”

Addressing the Security Council, Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan accused the ministers of supporting “a terror organization that aims to annihilate Israel.”

“Anyone who supports a cease-fire basically supports Hamas continued reign of terror in Gaza. Hamas is a genocidal terror organization — they don’t hide it — not a reliable partner for peace,” Erdan said.


 
GAZA/JERUSALEM, Nov 29 (Reuters) - A convoy of vehicles with two Israeli-Russian hostages released by Hamas arrived in Israel on Wednesday on the final day of a two-day extension of a truce in the war between the Palestinian militants and Israel.

As part of an exchange deal, more Palestinians held by Israel were expected to be released from Ofer prison in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday night.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu identified two women freed on Wednesday night as Yelena Trupanov, 50, and Irena Tati, 73. Video from Hamas' armed wing showed the women being handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross and driven out of the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, an ally of Hamas, said earlier it had handed over several civilian hostages.

Gaza's Hamas rulers were expected to free at least 10 hostages on Wednesday under the terms of the truce agreement.

The handover of hostages was overshadowed by an unconfirmed claim by Hamas, the largest militant group in Gaza, that a family of Israeli hostages including the youngest hostage, baby Kfir Bibas, had been killed during earlier Israeli bombardment.
 

Hamas says 10-month-old hostage Kfir Bibas was killed in Israeli bombing​


A 10-month-old baby who was the youngest hostage kidnapped and taken to Gaza has reportedly been killed in an Israeli bombing alongside his mother and brother, Hamas has claimed.

Kfir Bibas was taken from the Nir Oz kibbutz along with his four-year-old brother, Ariel, and their mother, Shiri. His father, Yarden, was also abducted during the 7 October Hamas attacks on Israel, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 240 taken hostage.

Footage of the family’s abduction showed a terrified Shiri clutching her two sons as they were bundled away. Yarden appeared in a separate video with an apparent head injury.

Their relatives have been campaigning for their release after the brothers were not included in groups of those freed under the temporary ceasefire.

Earlier on Wednesday relatives said their loved ones were not among the hostages due to be released as negotiations to extend the truce continued.

Shortly before Wednesday’s planned release of women and children, the military wing of Hamas said Kfir had been killed in an earlier Israeli bombing in the Gaza Strip, along with his brother and their mother. Yarden was not mentioned.

In a statement released through the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, the relatives said: “Our family has learned of Hamas’s latest claims. We are waiting for the information to be confirmed and hopefully refuted by military officials. We thank the people of Israel for their warm support but kindly request privacy during this difficult time.”

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it was trying to verifying the claims. It said in a statement: “IDF representatives spoke with the Bibas family following the recent reports and are with them at this difficult time. The IDF is assessing the accuracy of the information.

“Hamas is wholly responsible for the security of all hostages in the Gaza Strip. Hamas must be held accountable. Hamas’s actions continue to endanger the hostages, which include nine children. Hamas must immediately release our hostages.”

Hours earlier, the relatives of the four hostages had released a heartfelt statement in which they spoke of their devastation that they were not among those to be freed on Wednesday.

“Those last days, since the beginning of the ceasefire, have been unbearably difficult for us. We’re waiting and hoping to see and to hug our family again,” they said.

“Time is critical – any single day in captivity is a major risk for their life and could irreversibly damage their bodies and minds. We demand their immediate release due to the humanitarian emergency reasons that cannot be ignored. They must be released NOW!”

In a press conference on Tuesday, Yarden’s sister, Ofri Bibas Levy, and cousin, Eylon Keshet, said they were “worried sick” about the family and living in a “complete nightmare”.

Israeli authorities on Tuesday said they believed the family had been handed over by Hamas to another Palestinian militant group in a possible complication of efforts to free them.

The latest claims are likely to add to the anguish of other families whose loved ones are still being held hostage.

The families of two young men who were abducted from the Supernova music festival have travelled to London to campaign for their release.

Orit Meir, 61, wept as she told how she had watched the footage of her son, Almog Meir Jan, 21, in a hostage video released by Hamas.

“I saw him lie on the floor with four other young guys. My son is covering his face with his hands and he looks scared, terrified. It’s horrible; I want to shout, I want to cry,” she said.

The mother of two, who was due to meet MPs in Westminster, said she wanted the Red Cross to check on her son and tell her is he is alive. “The first goal is to bring Almog back. It’s why we came here,” she said.

Ilay David, 26, said he had watched several “horrifying” Hamas videos featuring his brother, Evyatar, 22.

“But we have had no signs of life from most of the hostages for more than 54 days, and we are clueless about their wellbeing, it can cost their lives,” he said.

David said he also wanted to raise awareness about the male hostages who have not been included in the current deal.

“We are very afraid that the world will forget our loved ones after the release of children and women, that the global community will feel like: ‘That’s it, mission accomplished,’ he said.

“That they will forget about more than 100 men, and that the only crime they committed was celebrating in a party or just living their lives in their homes and so that’s the most important thing.”

Source: The Guardian
 
The killings of innocent children is the worst part of this fight between Hamas and Israel.
 
Four Palestinians, including an 8-year-old boy and a 15-year-old male as well as two senior militant commanders, were killed on Wednesday by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin, Palestinian official news agency WAFA said.

"The two children, Adam Samer Al-Ghoul (8 years old) and Basil Suleiman Abu Al-Wafa (15 years old), were shot dead by occupation forces in the city of Jenin," the Palestinian health ministry said.

The Islamist movement Hamas claimed Al-Wafa as a member.

Unverified video circulating on social media appeared to show the 8-year-old being hit but the footage did not show who fired the shot.

Asked to comment on the footage, the Israeli military said: "Earlier today, during IDF activity in the Jenin Camp, a number of suspects hurled explosive devices toward IDF soldiers. The soldiers responded with live fire toward the suspects and hits were identified."

The raid into the Jenin camp, one of the most active centres of militant activity in the West Bank which was heavily damaged by a major Israeli operation in July, left piles of smashed rubble and damaged houses.

WAFA said Palestinians Muhammad Jamal Zubaidi and Wissam Ziad Hanoun from Jenin camp were killed by Israeli forces, adding that "the occupation forces took their bodies".

The Israeli army said in a statement Zubeidi and Hanoun were killed during "counterterrorism activity conducted in the Jenin Camp" jointly by the military, national security agency and border police.



 
The killings of innocent children is the worst part of this fight between Hamas and Israel.

Its not equal. Israel abducts 5 year olds for throwing stones. Hamas is resisting with the means it has. Give them both the same military hardware, Hamas or any other Palestinians resistance wouldnt target children or civilians.

There is only one evil here.
 
Mediator Qatar confirms truce extended until Friday

Mediating country Qatar has confirmed the truce will be extended by one day, just as the six-day humanitarian pause in Gaza was set to end.

“Palestinian and Israeli sides reached an agreement to extend the humanitarian truce in the Gaza Strip for an additional day under the same previous conditions, which are a ceasefire and the entry of humanitarian aid, within the framework of the joint mediation of the State of Qatar,” Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said in a statement.


Aljazeera
 
More Palestinians arrested across occupied West Bank

Forty-five more Palestinians are now in Israeli custody following raids that have been ongoing overnight throughout the occupied West Bank – mostly arrested from Biddu, near Jerusalem.

We are expecting those numbers to perhaps rise in the coming hours because there are raids ongoing in Tubas, Jericho, and Bethlehem, but the flashpoint at the moment is Tulkarem – the city and the camp.

There is a heavy military presence there. Israeli forces are on the ground with search dogs going from house to house – drones flying low over the city and the camp.

It sounds similar to the raids we saw in Jenin yesterday that resulted in several deaths. They were heavy-handed and lasted for hours. Tulkarem now seems to be the next target for Israeli forces here in the occupied West Bank.

This will no doubt be a major issue that is raised by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during his meeting which is expected later today amid a visit by Blinken.

Aljazeera​
 
Israel regime isn't backing down from its underhand tactics. Releasing hostages from gaza end and capturing double the number of people from West Bank is just a malignant hypocrisy.
 
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Israeli civilians shot Jerusalem gunmen, says deputy mayor

Israeli civilians shot the gunmen who opened fire at a Jerusalem bus stop, said the city's deputy mayor.

Fleur Hassan-Nahoum confirmed Israeli media reports that three people were killed by the attackers.

Another five people remain in hospital "very badly injured", she said.

Some are in surgery and the "death toll might climb", the deputy mayor added.

"People just going about their day, waiting for the bus, got cruelly shot by two gunmen with long guns, indiscriminately, and the hospital is now full of injured as well," she said.

Nothing is known about the gunmen "but we probably know that they're coming from the sleeper cells that we have around here," said Ms Hassan-Nahoum
 
Three Israelis were killed and 16 injured after two Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a crowded bus stop in West Jerusalem, Israeli police say.

CCTV video showed the attackers getting out of a car on a highway and shooting people standing on the pavement with a rifle and a pistol.

Off-duty soldiers and a civilian at the scene killed the gunmen, who police said were from occupied East Jerusalem.

Israel's national security minister said they were "Hamas operatives".

There was no immediate comment from Hamas, which only hours earlier had agreed with Israel to extend a truce in the Gaza Strip for a seventh day and allow another exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meanwhile arrived in Tel Aviv as part of efforts to prolong the pause in the devastating war, which was triggered by Hamas's deadly attack on Israel on 7 October.

On Thursday morning Mr Blinken held talks with Israel's President Isaac Herzog, who told him that the Jerusalem shooting was another example of "the endless war that we are fighting against terrorist organisations, especially Hamas, in these very complicated and challenging times".

Mr Blinken said the attack was a reminder "of the threat from terrorism that Israel and Israelis face every single day".

Israeli police said they received reports of gunfire at Givat Shaul junction, on the main highway from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, at about 07:40 (05:40 GMT).

"A car approached with two armed terrorists - one with an M16 rifle and the other with a handgun," Jerusalem District Commander Doron Turgeman told reporters at the scene.

"At a bus stop they opened fire at people who were waiting there," he said. "The quick response of two soldiers and a civilian, who were close to the stop, neutralised the attackers."

A large amount of ammunition was later found by officers who searched the gunmen's vehicle.

Magen David Adom (MDA) ambulance service paramedic Moshe Hemed rushed to the scene.

"I saw a number of casualties... Some were lying and some were walking. Along with large numbers of MDA teams we assessed and treated them," he said.

"Unfortunately, we had to pronounce a 24-year-old female deceased, and evacuated a further eight casualties in varying conditions to hospitals across the city."

Later, police announced that two other victims of the attack had died and that three more were in a serious condition in hospital.

Israel media identified the 24-year-old woman as Livia Dickman and the two others killed as Rabbi Elimelech Wasserman, 73, and Hana Ifergan, 67.

Police said the attackers were two brothers in their 30s from the Sur Baher area of East Jerusalem.

The Shin Bet security service named them as Murad and Ibrahim Namer and said they were affiliated to Hamas and had previously served prison sentences for involvement in terrorist activities, according to Israeli media.

Visiting the site of the attack, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said: "Hamas is speaking with two voices here.

"This event proves again how we must not show weakness, that we must speak to Hamas only through the [rifle] scopes, only through the war."

Mr Ben-Gvir also said the Israeli government would continue to ease regulations for issuing gun licences to citizens.

Israel launched a major military campaign in Gaza in response to an unprecedented cross-border attack by Hamas gunmen almost eight weeks ago, in which 1,200 people were killed and about 240 taken hostage.

Gaza's Hamas-run government says more than 15,000 people have been killed in the territory since the war began.

A deal mediated by Qatar has led to a pause in the fighting since last Friday.

During that time, Hamas has freed 78 Israeli women and children among the hostages and Israel has released 210 Palestinian women and youths from its jails in return. Ten hostages and 30 prisoners should be freed on Thursday.

Twenty-seven foreign hostages, three of them with Israeli dual citizenship, have also been handed over under separate arrangements.

Source: BBC

 
Nothing wrong with hosting their top brass who are a creation of decades of opression on the Palastanians. In other words, freedom fighters.
Harboring terrorists is not okay. Hamas would not function without Qatar pouring money into Hamas.
 
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Truce in Gaza extended another day but talks over remaining hostages held by Hamas could get tougher

Israel and Hamas agreed at the last minute Thursday to extend their ceasefire in Gaza by another day. But any further renewal of the deal that has seen dozens of hostages and prisoners released could prove more challenging since Hamas is expected to demand greater concessions for many of the remaining captives.

As word of the extension came, gunmen opened fire on people waiting for buses along a main highway entering Jerusalem, killing at least three people and wounding several others, according to police.

The two attackers, brothers from a Palestinian neighborhood in annexed east Jerusalem, were killed. Hamas said they were members of its armed wing and celebrated the assault, but called it “a natural response” to Israel’s actions in Gaza and elsewhere. It was unclear if the attack had been ordered by Hamas’ leaders or if it would have an impact on the truce.

International pressure has mounted for the cease-fire to continue as long as possible after nearly eight weeks of Israeli bombardment and a ground campaign in Gaza that have killed thousands of Palestinians, uprooted more than three-quarters of the population of 2.3 million and led to a humanitarian crisis.

During the pause in fighting, Palestinians in Gaza have been consumed by the search for aid and horror at the extent of destruction.
Residents described entire residential blocks as leveled in Gaza City and surrounding areas in the north. The smell of decomposing bodies trapped under collapsed buildings fills the air, said Mohmmed Mattar, a 29-year-old resident of the city who along with other volunteers searched for the dead.

In the south, the truce has allowed more aid to be delivered from Egypt, up to 200 trucks a day. But humanitarian officials say it is not enough, given that most now depend on outside aid. Over 1 million displaced people have sought refuge in UN-run shelters, with many forced to sleep outside in cold, rainy weather because of overcrowding.

At a distribution center in Rafah, large crowds line up daily for bags of flour but supplies run out quickly.
“Every day, we come here,” said one woman in line, Nawal Abu Namous. “We spend money on transportation to get here, just to go home with nothing.”



 

Hamas frees 2 Israeli women, with 6-8 more set for return Thursday alongside 3 bodies​

Two Israeli women were freed from Hamas captivity Thursday afternoon ahead of the expected release of several more later in the evening. Reports varied as to whether six or eight more would be freed.

The two women transferred to Israel first were French-Israeli citizen Mia Schem, 21, and Amit Soussana, 40, let go after 55 days of captivity in Gaza.

Hamas’s agreement with Israel for Thursday’s release, the seventh such handover so far, was for eight hostages and three bodies. But Hamas has indicated it could also free an additional two Russian-Israeli citizens, as it has done in previous days as a gesture to Moscow.

The release came after a deal to extend the ongoing truce was reached early Thursday morning, just ahead of a 7 a.m. deadline for it to expire. The agreement was made after Israel reportedly rejected an early list of hostages sent by Hamas which it deemed unacceptable.

Shortly before 7 a.m., the IDF said that “in light of the mediators’ efforts to continue the process of releasing the hostages and subject to the terms of the agreement, the ceasefire will continue.”

It remained unclear Thursday night whether the truce would be extended for another, eighth day on Friday. Channel 12 news cited unnamed Israeli sources as saying Israel was preparing for the possibility of resuming its military offensive in the morning should no deal be reached.

Israel has insisted Hamas release all children and civilian women held hostage by the terror group. Hamas-led terrorists took about 240 hostages of all ages during the October 7 shock assault when some 1,200 people were massacred in southern Israel.

The temporary ceasefire agreement has so far seen 97 civilians released from Hamas captivity in Gaza as of Wednesday: 73 Israelis, 23 Thai nationals and 1 Filipino.

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Two Israeli women were freed from Hamas captivity Thursday afternoon ahead of the expected release of several more later in the evening. Reports varied as to whether six or eight more would be freed.

The two women transferred to Israel first were French-Israeli citizen Mia Schem, 21, and Amit Soussana, 40, let go after 55 days of captivity in Gaza.

Hamas’s agreement with Israel for Thursday’s release, the seventh such handover so far, was for eight hostages and three bodies. But Hamas has indicated it could also free an additional two Russian-Israeli citizens, as it has done in previous days as a gesture to Moscow.

The release came after a deal to extend the ongoing truce was reached early Thursday morning, just ahead of a 7 a.m. deadline for it to expire. The agreement was made after Israel reportedly rejected an early list of hostages sent by Hamas which it deemed unacceptable.

Shortly before 7 a.m., the IDF said that “in light of the mediators’ efforts to continue the process of releasing the hostages and subject to the terms of the agreement, the ceasefire will continue.”

It remained unclear Thursday night whether the truce would be extended for another, eighth day on Friday. Channel 12 news cited unnamed Israeli sources as saying Israel was preparing for the possibility of resuming its military offensive in the morning should no deal be reached.

Israel has insisted Hamas release all children and civilian women held hostage by the terror group. Hamas-led terrorists took about 240 hostages of all ages during the October 7 shock assault when some 1,200 people were massacred in southern Israel.

The temporary ceasefire agreement has so far seen 97 civilians released from Hamas captivity in Gaza as of Wednesday: 73 Israelis, 23 Thai nationals and 1 Filipino.

Source: The Times of Israel
 
Hamas freed eight Israeli hostages Thursday in exchange for Israel’s release of more Palestinian prisoners under a last-minute deal to extend their cease-fire in Gaza by another day. But any further renewal of the truce, now in its seventh day, could prove more daunting since Hamas is expected to set a higher price for many of the remaining hostages.

Hamas freed six of the hostages hours after releasing two Israeli women Thursday afternoon. All were handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza and were being brought to Israel to be taken to hospitals and reunited with their families, the Israeli military said.

At least 10 Israelis a day, along with other nationals, have been released during the truce, in return for Israel’s release of at least 30 Palestinian prisoners. Asked why Hamas on Thursday was releasing fewer than 10 hostages, as outlined in the cease-fire agreement, the military’s chief spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, noted that 12 Israeli citizens had been released the day before, implying that the overall total had met Israeli demands.



 
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