Three Israeli hostages have been released by Hamas as part of the ongoing ceasefire deal. In response, Israel has freed dozens of Palestinian prisoners.
On Saturday, Hamas released three Israeli hostages—Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi, and Or Levy—who had been taken during the October 7 attacks. Upon their return, they appeared visibly weak. The release came as part of a ceasefire agreement, though the way Hamas conducted the handover, on a podium under armed guard, raised questions.
The families of the hostages were overjoyed to reunite with their loved ones. Or Levy’s mother, overcome with emotion, expressed her relief and happiness, saying how much she had missed her son.
In exchange, Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners, including some convicted of deadly attacks. As buses arrived in Gaza and the West Bank, large crowds gathered to greet the freed detainees. Some shared their painful experiences in detention, with one reflecting on the suffering endured but expressing gratitude for the freedom.
During the handover, Ohad Ben Ami made a plea, speaking between two armed gunmen: "I plead, I am being released now because of a deal, the deal is because of negotiations. I plead that the second and third deals be implemented, this framework, that the war end and that us, all of the prisoners, return home safely."
Eli Sharabi also spoke, saying: "I know and I am very sorry that, as I am being released today, my brother Yossef Sharabi is not here, next to me today."
Discussions for further exchanges are ongoing, though concerns about the long-term stability of the ceasefire remain.
Several nights a week, Daria Slavytska packs a stroller with blankets, food, and a yoga mat. Then she heads into the Kyiv subway with her two-year-ol...
Russian political analyst Sergey Markov praised President Ilham Aliyev as one of the most experienced and wise leaders of the modern world, highlighti...
The 3rd Shusha Global Media Forum has officially opened under the theme “Digital Pathways: Strengthening Information and Media Resilience in the Age...
The Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 rebels have agreed on a declaration of principles in Qatar on Saturday. The ceasefire aims to halt fighting a...
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that more than 300 Russian attack drones and more than 30 missiles of various types were launched against peaceful ...
Is Syria turning to the West or striving to preserve geopolitical balance?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday told President Donald Trump he had nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize, handing Trump a nomination letter during a meeting at The White House. The two leaders met for the first time since the US launched strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
By any objective measure, the European Union should be a major player in the Middle East. It is the largest donor to the Palestinians, a top trade partner for Israel, and home to both deep historical ties and geopolitical proximity.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has officially suspended Tehran's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), following a parliamentary law amid escalating tensions with the United Nations nuclear watchdog after recent military clashes with Israel and the U.S.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will send an upgraded ‘version 3.0’ free-trade agreement to their heads of government for approval in October, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday after regional talks in Kuala Lumpur.
Germany's export slump since 2021 is largely driven by deep-rooted competitiveness issues, the Bundesbank warned in its latest report, calling for urgent structural reforms.
Israeli researchers have unveiled an artificial intelligence tool that can determine a person’s true biological age from tiny DNA samples with remarkable precision.
Two Harry Potter actresses, Emma Watson and Zoe Wanamaker, have each received a six-month driving ban after separate speeding offences, both sentenced on the same day at a Buckinghamshire court.
Several nights a week, Daria Slavytska packs a stroller with blankets, food, and a yoga mat. Then she heads into the Kyiv subway with her two-year-old son Emil, to sleep.
The Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 rebels have agreed on a declaration of principles in Qatar on Saturday. The ceasefire aims to halt fighting and pave the way for broader peace talks, though major challenges remain.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that more than 300 Russian attack drones and more than 30 missiles of various types were launched against peaceful Ukrainian cities overnight, in one of the largest air assaults in recent weeks.
A mass Russian drone strike hit the Ukrainian port city of Odesa early Saturday, killing at least one resident and igniting a multi-storey apartment building, the city’s mayor said.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 19th July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment