Israel has delayed the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners until Hamas meets its conditions, highlighting tensions over the fragile Gaza ceasefire.
Israel said on Sunday it was postponing the planned release of 620 Palestinian prisoners until it received assurances from Hamas about the next hostage release and the absence of public ceremonies. The move follows concerns over Hamas’ recent handovers, which UN officials criticised as violating international law.
On Saturday, Hamas freed six hostages as part of the ceasefire agreement. These were the last living captives set for release under the first phase of the truce, with the bodies of four more hostages expected next week.
Hamas has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire by failing to release Palestinian detainees as scheduled, though the truce has held since its start on 19 January. Both sides have frequently blamed each other for breaches.
Talks on the next phase of the ceasefire continue, with mediators aiming to secure the release of all remaining hostages and a potential Israeli troop withdrawal. Over 60 captives remain in Gaza, fewer than half of whom are believed to be alive.
The war began with Hamas’ 7 October attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages taken, according to Israeli authorities. Israel’s subsequent military campaign has killed at least 48,000 people, according to Palestinian health officials, leaving much of Gaza in ruins.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 11th of February, covering the latest developments you need to...
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Norway’s Sturla Holm Laegreid, who won bronze in the men’s biathlon at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Tuesday (10 February) in Italy, stunned viewers by publicly admitting he had cheated on his girlfriend and pleaded for another chance during post-race interviews.
Kyiv is preparing to outline a simultaneous return to the ballot box and a public vote on a potential peace settlement, marking a pivotal shift in the country's political landscape four years into the conflict.
Mexican Alpine skier Lasse Gaxiola will have his mother for company on his Olympic debut but she will not be cheering him from the finish area in Saturday's giant slalom in Bormio because she will be three hours away preparing her own race.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 11th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
JD Vance arrived in Armenia on Monday (9 February), becoming the first sitting U.S. Vice President to visit the country, as Yerevan and Washington agreed to cooperate in the civil nuclear sector in a bid to deepen engagement in the South Caucasus.
The United States and Azerbaijan signed a strategic partnership in Baku on Tuesday (10 February) encompassing economic and security cooperation as Washington seeks to expand its influence in a region where Russia was once the main power broker.
António José Seguro’s decisive victory over far-right challenger André Ventura marks an historic moment in Portuguese politics, but analysts caution that the result does not amount to a rejection of populism.
Buckingham Palace said it is ready to support any police investigation into allegations that Prince Andrew shared confidential British trade documents with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as King Charles expressed “profound concern” over the latest revelations.
Iran’s atomic energy chief says Tehran could dilute uranium enriched to 60 per cent if all international sanctions are lifted, stressing that technical nuclear issues are being discussed alongside political matters in ongoing negotiations.
The United States and Azerbaijan signed a strategic partnership in Baku on Tuesday (10 February) encompassing economic and security cooperation as Washington seeks to expand its influence in a region where Russia was once the main power broker.
A scheduled visit to Ankara this week by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will seek to “resolve all our problems at the table,” Ömer Çelik, a spokesman for Türkiye’s ruling AK Party, has said.
The European Union is preparing a further expansion of its sanctions against Russia, with Central Asia emerging for the first time as a distinct point of focus.
Azerbaijan and the United States signalled closer economic ties on Monday (9 February) as President Ilham Aliyev hosted a delegation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, highlighting the country’s investment appeal and growing interest from American companies.
“Peace is not just about signing treaties - it’s about communication, interaction and integration,” Sultan Zahidov, leading adviser at the AIR Center, told AnewZ, suggesting U.S. Vice President JD Vance's visit to the South Caucasus could advance the peace agenda between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
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