Israel vowed yesterday to continue fighting in Gaza until all hostages are returned, as it unleashed its most intense strikes since a ceasefire. The health ministry in the Hamas-run territory reports that more than 400 people have been killed. Hamas accused Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu of deciding to “resume war” after an impasse in truce negotiations, and warned that the return to fighting could be a “death sentence” for hostages still alive in Gaza. The strikes were by far the biggest and deadliest since a truce took effect in January. Netanyahu warned Hamas this month of consequences it “cannot imagine” if it does not free hostages still in Gaza, and Israeli media reported on plans aimed at ramping up pressure on Hamas dubbed the “Hell Plan”. The White House
Tag Archives: HostageCrisis
Hamas’s failure demonstrates how quickly years of diplomatic work can be jeopardized by chaos on the ground, which could derail future releases. By JPOST EDITORIAL JANUARY 31, 2025 06:01 Updated: JANUARY 31, 2025 06:07 Palestinian terrorist surround hostage Arbel Yehoud, held in Gaza since the deadly October 7 2023 attack, on the day they hand her to members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as part of a ceasefire and a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Khan Yunis. (photo credit: Ramadan Abed/Reuters) Our ceasefire and hostage exchange deal is hanging by the thinnest of threads, and no instance proved that more than Thursday’s hostage return. On yet another emotional and miraculous occasion, Israel saw the release of eight hostages: three Israelis and five Thai
It’s important to understand how abuse of women is a key part of how Hamas remains in power. By SETH J. FRANTZMAN JANUARY 20, 2025 14:43 Updated: JANUARY 20, 2025 15:26 Hamas terrorists parade as they prepare to hand over hostages. (photo credit: Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters) When Hamas prepared to release Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher on Sunday, they purposely choreographed the event. Large numbers of armed Hamas members formed a line around a large parking lot in the back of a row of buildings. Hundreds of men came to watch. When it was time to bring the hostages out, they were brought in a Hamas vehicle that was parked two meters from a Red Cross SUV. The hostages were then taken out of the back seat of

Pic: Reuters
Oct
A general strike brought much of Israel to a standstill on Monday, reflecting escalating public anger over the Netanyahu government’s failure to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. The strike follows the deaths of six captives in Gaza over the weekend, marking one of the most significant expressions of public discontent since Hamas’s […]