Hamas has begun releasing hostages from Gaza on Saturday in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, as Israel confirmed that a body handed over earlier was that of hostage Shiri Bibas.
Hamas transferred two Israeli hostages, Tal Shoham, a Mossad operative, and Avera Mengistu, who was captured in 2014, to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Rafah, southern Gaza, on Saturday as part of the seventh prisoner exchange under the January 19 ceasefire agreement.
The handover was formalized by Red Cross representatives signing a transfer protocol with the Al-Qassam Brigades, ensuring the captives' safe passage.
Following this, the Israeli military confirmed their release and announced their transport to Tel Aviv for an initial medical evaluation.
Additionally, Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem Tov, and Omer Wenkert were recently handed over to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, located in the center of the Gaza Strip, as part of the latest hostage release by Hamas.
In total, six Israeli captives were released on Saturday in exchange for 602 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli detention.
Israel has accused Hamas of violating a ceasefire agreement after discovering that one of the bodies handed over during Thursday’s exchange did not belong to any known hostage. The military is demanding the return of the missing remains.
Hamas handed over the bodies of Israeli infant Kfir Bibas and his four-year-old brother Ariel, along with their mother Shiri Bibas and hostage Oded Lifschitz, on Thursday under the Gaza ceasefire agreement. Red Cross vehicles carried the four black coffins, each bearing a photo of the hostages.
A senior Hamas official has said the group will release on Saturday the six remaining hostages who are alive within the first phase of the Gaza hostage deal. In addition, four bodies will be handed over on Thursday.
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) has announced that Muhammed Shaheen, the Head of Hamas’ Operations Department in Lebanon, was eliminated in a precise airstrike on a car in the Sidon area today.
Vatican City, February 17, 2025 – Pope Francis remains in critical condition after suffering a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis that required high flows of oxygen, according to a statement from the Vatican.
Cupertino, CA, February 17, 2025 – Apple today released the first developer beta for iOS 18.4, unveiling a new “Priority Notifications” feature powered by Apple Intelligence.
BERLIN, Feb 22 (Reuters) - NATO is planning to build a pipeline system from Germany to Poland and the Czech Republic to ensure a rapid supply of jet fuel for fighter aircraft in the event of a war with Russia, weekly German magazine Der Spiegel reported.
Catholic faithful gathered in Vatican City on Saturday (February 22) to pray for Pope Francis as he continues receiving treatment for double pneumonia. Concerns over his health persist, though doctors assure there is no immediate life-threatening risk.
Menlo Park, CA, February 17, 2025 – Newly unsealed court documents from the case Kadrey v. Meta shed light on internal discussions among Meta employees about the use of copyrighted materials to train the company’s artificial intelligence models.
A tragic crowd crush at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night left 18 dead and 10 injured as thousands of people, many heading to the Kumbh Mela festival, attempted to board delayed trains. The incident highlights the ongoing risks of overcrowding at public transportation hubs in India.
A Delta Air Lines regional jet flipped upside down upon landing at Toronto Pearson Airport on Monday, injuring 18 people. Officials are investigating whether strong winds and snow played a role in the incident.
Berlin, February 21, 2025 – German citizens will head to the polls on Sunday, February 23, for a snap general election after the coalition government collapsed late last year.
Vatican City, February 17, 2025 – Pope Francis remains in critical condition after suffering a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis that required high flows of oxygen, according to a statement from the Vatican.
BERLIN, Feb 22 (Reuters) - NATO is planning to build a pipeline system from Germany to Poland and the Czech Republic to ensure a rapid supply of jet fuel for fighter aircraft in the event of a war with Russia, weekly German magazine Der Spiegel reported.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is asking Congress for nearly $40 billion in disaster funding to help Los Angeles recover and rebuild areas scorched by last month's devastating wildfires, the Washington Post reported on Friday citing a letter.
A second meeting between representatives of Russia and the United States is planned for the next two weeks, the RIA state news agency reported on Saturday, citing Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.
Washington, D.C., February 21, 2025 – U.S. negotiators have reportedly raised the possibility of cutting Ukraine’s access to SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service unless Kyiv reaches an agreement to grant the United States greater access to its critical minerals.
Vatican City, February 17, 2025 – Pope Francis remains in critical condition after suffering a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis that required high flows of oxygen, according to a statement from the Vatican.
Cupertino, CA, February 17, 2025 – Apple today released the first developer beta for iOS 18.4, unveiling a new “Priority Notifications” feature powered by Apple Intelligence.
BERLIN, Feb 22 (Reuters) - NATO is planning to build a pipeline system from Germany to Poland and the Czech Republic to ensure a rapid supply of jet fuel for fighter aircraft in the event of a war with Russia, weekly German magazine Der Spiegel reported.
Catholic faithful gathered in Vatican City on Saturday (February 22) to pray for Pope Francis as he continues receiving treatment for double pneumonia. Concerns over his health persist, though doctors assure there is no immediate life-threatening risk.
Menlo Park, CA, February 17, 2025 – Newly unsealed court documents from the case Kadrey v. Meta shed light on internal discussions among Meta employees about the use of copyrighted materials to train the company’s artificial intelligence models.
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