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.
Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and its European services to Amman, Jordan, effective immediately until 15 September due to escalating situation in the Middle East. Also, the air carrier temporarily suspended its flights between Astana, Kazakhstan, and Abu Dhabi.
Several EU Member States have activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) to assist the departure of citizens due to the airspace closures in the Middle East. Slovakia, Lithuania, Greece, Poland and Portugal have requested UCPM support to assist the departure of their nationals.
Iran's foreign minister is expected in Istanbul on Saturday for a key Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) council meeting as regional tensions rise over Israel's strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Egypt and China stress the need for urgent de-escalation and diplomatic efforts to prevent further conflict in the Middle East. Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke on the phone.
China has voiced strong opposition to further escalation between Iran and Israel, and warned that deepening the conflict benefits no one.
Odile Renaud-Basso, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), will visit Kazakhstan on 23–24 June 2025 for meetings with senior government officials and business leaders.
Azerbaijan and Kuwait have formalized plans to cooperate in the field of agriculture through a newly approved memorandum.
Iran has fired a new round of missiles at Israel, with reports of strikes in several locations, as tensions between the two countries continue.
Iranian state media reported that Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, is alive and recovering from serious injuries in hospital.
Ilham Aliyev and UFC president Dana White discussed the upcoming UFC event in Baku, highlighting Azerbaijan's growing role in global sports.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
Peace is no longer a dream. It is a discussion. On the streets of Baku and Yerevan, it is also a question, of trust, of foreign interests, and of who truly wants it.
Israeli strikes have reportedly targeted areas near the residences of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to the New York Times, citing local witnesses.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
The 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit was held June 15–17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, under Canada’s presidency. Prime Minister Mark Carney framed the meeting around priorities of protecting communities, energy and climate security, the digital transition, and future partnerships.
Tajikistan and China have agreed to establish a Joint Working Group on Artificial Intelligence, following high-level talks between President Emomali Rahmon and President Xi Jinping in Astana earlier this week.
Tesla has secured a major agreement to build its first grid-scale battery storage station in China, local media outlet Yicai reported Friday.
Iran has fired a new round of missiles at Israel, with reports of strikes in several locations, as tensions between the two countries continue.
A mine collapse in rebel-held eastern DR Congo has left at least 12 people dead, with others managing to escape. The cause of the disaster remains unknown.
Ilham Aliyev and UFC president Dana White discussed the upcoming UFC event in Baku, highlighting Azerbaijan's growing role in global sports.
Odile Renaud-Basso, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), will visit Kazakhstan on 23–24 June 2025 for meetings with senior government officials and business leaders.
Azerbaijan and Kuwait have formalized plans to cooperate in the field of agriculture through a newly approved memorandum.
Iran has fired a new round of missiles at Israel, with reports of strikes in several locations, as tensions between the two countries continue.
Iranian state media reported that Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, is alive and recovering from serious injuries in hospital.
Ilham Aliyev and UFC president Dana White discussed the upcoming UFC event in Baku, highlighting Azerbaijan's growing role in global sports.
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