There are just over two weeks remaining first phase of the Gaza ceasefire, which began on Jan. 19. The war could resume in early March if no agreement is reached on the more complicated second phase, which calls for the return of all remaining hostages captured in the Oct. 7 attack and an indefinite extension of the truce.
Here's the latest:
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Trump weighs in on release of Israeli hostages
WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump posted on social media that the Israeli hostages freed Saturday “seem to be in good shape.”
“Israel will now have to decide what they will do about the 12:00 O’CLOCK, TODAY, DEADLINE imposed on the release of ALL HOSTAGES. The United States will back the decision they make!” Trump wrote.
Israel has not imposed such a deadline, and it is not part of the ceasefire deal.
Trump’s recent proposal to remove the territory’s over 2 million Palestinians and settle them elsewhere in the region has also rattled the truce.
Lebanese authorities arrest dozens after protesters injure a top UN peacekeeping commander
BEIRUT — Lebanon's interior minister said over 25 people were arrested after protesters attacked a convoy transporting U.N. peacekeepers to Beirut airport on Friday, injuring a top commander.
Ahmad Hajjar, speaking after a security meeting, condemned the attacks and said the investigation is ongoing, with detainees being questioned to release the innocent and prosecute those responsible.
Demonstrators had blocked the airport road to protest Lebanon’s decision to revoke permission for an Iranian passenger plane to land, leaving dozens of Lebanese stranded abroad.
Lebanon banned the Iranian flight after Israel claimed Iran was smuggling cash to Hezbollah. Lebanon’s civil aviation agency cited “additional security measures,” rescheduling some flights until Feb. 18 — the deadline for Israel and Hezbollah’s ceasefire implementation, including a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon.
Hostage families celebrate their release
TEL AVIV, Israel — Chen’s wife, Avital, told Israeli media that every Saturday for the past month her daughters have asked her: “Is Daddy coming home today?”
She said she was overwhelmed with happiness to see Sagui back in Israel where he will meet for the first time his youngest daughter Shachar, born while he was in captivity.
Chen appeared to be limping as he descended the stage during the hostage release.
“Our hearts ache for everything he missed, but now he’s here, unlike many others,” Dekel Chen’s family said.
Troufanov's family said they were “overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude” as he crossed into Israeli territory. Before meeting them, Troufanov was informed his father was killed on Oct. 7, 2023.
Horn's family joyously put stickers that read “I’m back!” on sweatshirts bearing photos of the Argentinian-Israeli brothers Eitan and Iair Horn.
“Our Iair is home after surviving hell in Gaza. Now, we need to bring Eitan back so our family can truly breathe,” the family said.
In the pub that Horn managed at Kibbutz Nir Oz, dozens of people gathered, raising toasts to the return of the three hostages.
Israel begins releasing Palestinian prisoners
RAMALLAH, West Bank — Israel is expected to release 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, including 36 serving life sentences over deadly attacks.
Footage showed a busload of prisoners arriving in the occupied West Bank, where they were met by relatives and cheering supporters.
Most of those released were transported to Gaza, where a large crowd greeted them in Khan Younis, the same town where the hostages had been released hours earlier.
Russian ambassador to Qatar welcomes Trufanov's release
Doha — Dmitry Dogadkin said that Trufanov “was included in the list of hostages to be released in the first, and not the second stage of the agreement between Israel and Hamas, at Russia’s request”, reported Russian state news agency TASS.
He also said: "According to the leadership of the Palestinian movement, this was done as a sign of respect for our country’s position in support of a fair settlement of the Middle East conflict.”
Israel confirms receiving the hostages
JERUSALEM — Israeli authorities confirmed they received the three Israeli hostages on Saturday after Hamas released them to the Red Cross.
They appeared pale and worn but seemed to be in better physical condition than the three men released last Saturday, who had emerged from 16 months of captivity emaciated.
Hamas fighters gather ahead of hostage release
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — Dozens of masked and armed Hamas fighters have gathered in the southern Gaza Strip for the release of three Israeli hostages.
As with previous exchanges, a stage was set up and the area was festooned with Palestinian flags and the banners of militant factions. Nearby was the shell of a heavily damaged multistory building.
The militants are expected to parade the hostages before crowds and cameras before handing them over to the Red Cross.
The truce is holding, but it's still very fragile
The ceasefire appeared dangerously close to collapse in recent days.
Hamas said it would delay the release of the hostages after accusing Israel of not adhering to their agreement by not allowing in enough shelters, medical supplies, fuel and heavy equipment for clearing rubble, while Israel said it would resume fighting Saturday unless hostages were freed.
Trump's proposal to remove some 2 million Palestinians from Gaza and settle them elsewhere in the region threw the truce's future into further doubt.
The idea has been welcomed by Israel's government, whose far-right members are already calling for a resumption of the war after the first ceasefire phase. But it has been strongly rejected by Palestinians and Arab countries, and human rights groups say it could amount to a war crime under international law.
Hamas may be unwilling to release any more hostages if it believes the war will resume. The captives are among the only bargaining chips it has left.
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