Latest news with #Eliya
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Israel delays release of Palestinian prisoners, citing ‘humiliating' handovers of hostages
Israel says the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners is delayed 'until the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without the humiliating ceremonies' at handovers of Israeli captives in Gaza. The statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office came early Sunday as military vehicles that normally move in advance of the buses carrying prisoners left the open gates of Ofer prison, only to turn around and go back in. The release of 620 Palestinian prisoners had been delayed for several hours and was meant to occur just after six Israeli hostages were released on Saturday. It was meant to be the largest one-day prisoner release in the Gaza ceasefire's first phase. Israel's announcement abruptly put the future of the truce into further doubt. The Palestinian Authority's commission for prisoners' affairs confirmed the delay 'until further notice.' Associated Press video in the West Bank showed prisoners' families, waiting outdoors in near-freezing weather, apparently dispersing. One woman was shown walking away in tears. Five of the six hostages freed Saturday had been escorted by masked, armed militants in front of a crowd — a display that the U.N. and Red Cross have criticized as cruel after previous handovers. The Israeli statement cited 'ceremonies that demean the dignity of our hostages and the cynical use of the hostages for propaganda purposes.' It was likely a reference to a Hamas video showing two hostages who have yet to be released watching a handover in Gaza on Saturday and speaking under duress. The six were the last living hostages expected to be freed under the ceasefire's first phase, with a week remaining in the initial stage. Talks on the ceasefire's second phase are yet to start. The six included three Israeli men seized from the Nova music festival and another taken while visiting family in southern Israel during the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered the 16-month war in Gaza. The two others were held for a decade after entering Gaza on their own. Five were handed over in staged ceremonies. In one, Omer Wenkert, Omer Shem Tov and Eliya Cohen were posed alongside Hamas fighters. A beaming Shem Tov, acting under duress, kissed two militants on the head and blew kisses to the crowd. They wore fake army uniforms, though they were not soldiers when abducted. Cohen's family and friends in Israel chanted 'Eliya! Eliya! Eliya!' and cheered. 'You're heroes,' Shem Tov told his parents as they later embraced, laughing and crying. 'You have no idea how much I dreamt of you.' His father, Malki Shem Tov, told public broadcaster Kan his son was held alone after the first 50 days and lost 17 kilograms (37 pounds). Earlier Saturday, Tal Shoham, 40, and Avera Mengistu, 38, were freed. Mengistu, an Ethiopian-Israeli, entered Gaza in 2014. His family told Israeli media he has struggled with mental health issues. The Israeli-Austrian Shoham was taken from Kibbutz Be'eri. His wife and two children were freed in a 2023 exchange. Later, Israel's military said Hisham Al-Sayed, 36, was released. The Bedouin Israeli entered Gaza in 2015. His family has told Israeli media he was previously diagnosed with schizophrenia. Israel's government didn't respond to questions about the delay in releasing prisoners. Hamas accused Israel of violating the ceasefire deal, with spokesperson Abdel Latif Al-Qanou accusing Netanyahu of 'deliberately stalling.' The hostage release followed a heartrending dispute when Hamas on Thursday handed over the wrong body for Shiri Bibas, an Israeli mother abducted with her two young boys. The remains were determined to be those of a Palestinian woman. Netanyahu vowed revenge for 'a cruel and malicious violation.' Hamas suggested it was a mistake. Israeli forensic authorities confirmed a body handed over on Friday was Bibas. Dr. Chen Kugel, head of the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, said they found no evidence Bibas and her children were killed in an Israeli airstrike, as Hamas has claimed. Kugel did not give a cause. Hamas denied the Israeli military claim, based on forensic evidence and unspecified 'intelligence,' that its militants killed the children 'with their bare hands,' calling it a lie aimed at justifying Israeli military actions against civilians in Gaza. The ceasefire deal has paused the deadliest and most devastating fighting ever between Israel and Hamas, but there are fears the war will resume. Negotiations on the ceasefire's second phase are likely to be more difficult. Hamas had said it will release four bodies next week, completing the truce's first phase. After that, Hamas will hold over 60 hostages — about half believed to be alive. Hamas has said it won't release the remaining captives without a lasting ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Netanyahu, with the backing of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, says he's committed to destroying Hamas' military and governing capacities and returning all hostages, goals widely seen as mutually exclusive. An Israeli official had said Netanyahu would meet with security advisers on Saturday evening about the ceasefire's future, focusing 'on the goal of returning all our hostages, alive and dead.' The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the meeting had not been formally announced. Wenkert, Cohen, Shoham and Shem Tov had an 'extremely difficult period in captivity,' the Beilinson hospital said, but it did not give details at the families' request. Niva Wenkert, Omer's mother, told Israel's Channel 12 that 'on the surface, he looks OK, but there's no telling what's inside.' 'This is an unforgettable moment, where all emotions are rapidly mixing together,' Shoham's family said, and called for a deal to free all hostages still held. Families and others rallied again Saturday night in Tel Aviv to pressure Netanyahu's government for a deal. 'How is it possible that President Trump and special envoy (Steven) Witkoff are more committed to the return of Israeli hostages than you are?' said Naama Weinberg, cousin of deceased hostage Itay Svirsky. 'Netanyahu, these are your citizens who were abandoned on your watch!' Hamas later released a video showing two hostages still held, Evyatar David and Guy Gilboa Dallal, as they sat in a vehicle and spoke under duress at the handover for Shem Tov, Cohen and Wenkert. A group representing hostages' families called the video 'sickening.' The 620 Palestinian prisoners meant to be freed include 151 serving life or other sentences for attacks against Israelis. Almost 100 would be deported, according to the Palestinian prisoners' media office. A Palestinian prisoner rights association said they include Nael Barghouti, who spent over 45 years in prison for an attack that killed an Israeli bus driver. Also meant to be released are 445 men, 23 children aged 15 to 19, and a woman, all seized by Israeli troops in Gaza without charge during the war. Israel's military offensive has killed over 48,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't distinguish between civilians and combatants. Israel says it has killed more than 17,000 fighters, without providing evidence. The offensive destroyed vast areas of Gaza, reducing entire neighborhoods to rubble. At its height, the war displaced 90% of Gaza's population. The Oct. 7 attack killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Hundreds of Israeli soldiers have died in the war. ___ Shurafa reported from Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, and Jahjouh from Rafah. Associated Press writers Tia Goldenberg in Tel Aviv, Israel; Abdel-Kareem Hana in Nuseirat, Gaza Strip; and Samy Magdy in Cairo contributed to this report. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
CBS News
23-02-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Israel delays release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners after 6 hostages freed
Israel says the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners is delayed "until the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without the humiliating ceremonies" at handovers of Israeli captives in Gaza. The statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office came early Sunday local time as military vehicles that normally move in advance of the buses carrying prisoners left the open gates of Ofer prison, only to turn around and go back in. The release of 620 Palestinian prisoners had been delayed for several hours and was meant to occur just after six Israeli hostages were released on Saturday. It was meant to be the largest one-day prisoner release in the Gaza ceasefire's first phase. Israel's announcement abruptly put the future of the truce into further doubt. The Palestinian Authority's commission for prisoners' affairs confirmed the delay "until further notice." Associated Press video in the West Bank showed prisoners' families, waiting outdoors in near-freezing weather, apparently dispersing. One woman was shown walking away in tears. Five of the six hostages freed Saturday had been escorted by masked, armed militants in front of a crowd — a display that the U.N. and Red Cross have criticized as cruel after previous handovers. The Israeli statement cited "ceremonies that demean the dignity of our hostages and the cynical use of the hostages for propaganda purposes." It was likely a reference to a Hamas video showing two hostages who have yet to be released watching a handover in Gaza on Saturday and speaking under duress. The six were the last living hostages expected to be freed under the ceasefire's first phase, with a week remaining in the initial stage. Talks on the ceasefire's second phase are yet to start. The six included three Israeli men seized from the Nova music festival and another taken while visiting family in southern Israel during the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack that triggered the 16-month war in Gaza. The two others were held for a decade after entering Gaza on their own. Five were handed over in staged ceremonies. In one, Omer Wenkert, Omer Shem Tov and Eliya Cohen were posed alongside Hamas fighters. A beaming Shem Tov, acting under duress, kissed two militants on the head and blew kisses to the crowd. They wore fake army uniforms, though they were not soldiers when abducted. Cohen's family and friends in Israel chanted "Eliya! Eliya! Eliya!" and cheered. "You're heroes," Shem Tov told his parents as they later embraced, laughing and crying. "You have no idea how much I dreamt of you." His father, Malki Shem Tov, told public broadcaster Kan his son was held alone after the first 50 days and lost 17 kilograms (37 pounds). Earlier Saturday, Tal Shoham, 40, and Avera Mengistu, 38, were freed. Mengistu, an Ethiopian-Israeli, entered Gaza in 2014. His family told Israeli media he has struggled with mental health issues. The Israeli-Austrian Shoham was taken from Kibbutz Be'eri. His wife and two children were freed in a 2023 exchange. Later, Israel's military said Hisham Al-Sayed, 36, was released. The Bedouin Israeli entered Gaza in 2015. His family has told Israeli media he was previously diagnosed with schizophrenia. Israel's government didn't respond to questions about the delay in releasing prisoners. Hamas accused Israel of violating the ceasefire deal, with spokesperson Abdel Latif Al-Qanou accusing Netanyahu of "deliberately stalling." The hostage release followed a heartrending dispute when Hamas on Thursday handed over the wrong body for Shiri Bibas, an Israeli mother abducted with her two young boys. The remains were determined to be those of a Palestinian woman. Netanyahu vowed revenge for "a cruel and malicious violation." Hamas suggested it was a mistake. Israeli forensic authorities confirmed a body handed over on Friday was Bibas. Dr. Chen Kugel, head of the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, said they found no evidence Bibas and her children were killed in an Israeli airstrike, as Hamas has claimed. Kugel did not give a cause. Hamas denied the Israeli military claim, based on forensic evidence and unspecified "intelligence," that its militants killed the children "with their bare hands," calling it a lie aimed at justifying Israeli military actions against civilians in Gaza.
Asharq Al-Awsat
22-02-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Hamas Frees 6 Hostages but Questions Cloud Gaza Ceasefire's Future
Hamas on Saturday released the last six living hostages expected under the first phase of its ceasefire with Israel with a week remaining, as growing questions over the next phase clouded the fragile deal 's future. The hostages included three Israeli men seized from the Nova music festival and another taken while visiting family in southern Israel when Hamas-led fighters stormed the border in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered Israel's 16-month military campaign in Gaza. The two other hostages were held for a decade after entering Gaza on their own. Five were handed over in staged ceremonies that the Red Cross and Israel have condemned as cruel and disrespectful, escorted by masked, armed Hamas fighters in front of hundreds of Palestinians. Omer Wenkert, Omer Shem Tov and Eliya Cohen were posed alongside Hamas fighters. A beaming Shem Tov kissed two gunmen on the head and blew kisses to the crowd. Cohen's family and friends in Israel chanted "Eliya! Eliya! Eliya!" and cheered. "You're heroes," Shem Tov told his parents as they later embraced, laughing and crying. "You have no idea how much I dreamt of you." Earlier Saturday, Tal Shoham, 40, and Avera Mengistu, 38, were freed. Mengistu, an Ethiopian-Israeli, entered Gaza in 2014. His family told Israeli media he has struggled with mental health issues. Later, Israel's military said Hisham Al-Sayed, 36, was released. The Bedouin Israeli entered Gaza in 2015. His family has told Israeli media he was previously diagnosed with schizophrenia. The release of over 600 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel — the largest one-day prisoner release in the ceasefire's first phase — was delayed, apparently for Israeli security consultations on Saturday evening. The hostage release followed a heartrending dispute sparked when Hamas on Thursday handed over the wrong body for Shiri Bibas, an Israeli mother abducted with her two young boys. The remains were determined to be those of a Palestinian woman. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed revenge for "a cruel and malicious violation," while Hamas suggested it was a mistake. On Friday, the small militant group believed to have been holding Bibas and her sons — the Palestinian Mujahedeen Brigades — handed over a body that Bibas' family said Israeli forensic authorities confirmed was hers. "Now that it's here, it brings no comfort, though we hope it marks the beginning of closure," the family said. Hamas on Saturday denied Israeli claims it was responsible for the Bibas children's deaths, calling them lies aimed at justifying Israeli military actions against civilians in Gaza. Difficult likely ahead The ceasefire deal has paused the deadliest and most devastating fighting ever between Israel and Hamas, but there are fears the war will resume after the first phase ends. Hamas has said it will release four bodies next week, completing the first phase. After that, Hamas will hold about 60 hostages — about half believed to be alive. Talks on the ceasefire's second phase are yet to start, but negotiations are likely to be more difficult. Hamas has said it won't release the remaining captives without a lasting ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Netanyahu, with the full backing of the Trump administration, says he's committed to destroying Hamas' military and governing capacities and returning all hostages, goals widely seen as mutually exclusive. An Israeli official said Netanyahu would meet with security advisers on Saturday evening about the ceasefire's future. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the meeting had not been formally announced, said discussions would focus "on the goal of returning all our hostages, alive and dead." Freed hostages bring relief Cohen, Shem Tov and Wenkert were brought out wearing fake army uniforms, though they were not soldiers when abducted. "This is an unforgettable moment, where all emotions are rapidly mixing together," Shoham's family said, calling for a deal to free all still held. "There is a window of opportunity; we must not miss it." Shoham, who also holds Austrian citizenship, was visiting his family in Kibbutz Be'eri when Hamas stormed in. His wife and two young children were freed in a November 2023 exchange. Mengistu's family and friends broke out in song as they saw him for the first time in a decade. "Do you remember me?" one brother asked as they embraced. Niva Wenkert, Omer's mother, told Israel's Channel 12 that "on the surface, he looks OK, but there's no telling what's inside." As concerns grew over the remaining hostages, Ilan Gilboa Dalal, the father of captive Guy Gilboa-Dalal, told Israeli public broadcaster Kan the family had received the first sign of life in eight months from a newly freed hostage who had been held with him. Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners set for release The 620 Palestinian prisoners to be freed include 151 who were serving life or other sentences for violent attacks against Israelis. Almost 100 will be deported, according to the Palestinian prisoners' media office. A Palestinian prisoner rights association said they include Nael Barghouti, who spent over 45 years in prison for an attack that killed an Israeli bus driver. Also being released are 445 men; 18 children aged 15 to 17, and five aged 18 to 19; and a woman, all seized by Israeli troops in Gaza without charge during the war. Israel's military offensive has killed over 48,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't distinguish between civilians and combatants. Israel says it has killed more than 17,000 fighters, without providing evidence. The offensive destroyed vast areas of Gaza, reducing entire neighborhoods to rubble. At its height, the war displaced 90% of Gaza's population. Many have returned to their homes to find nothing left and no way of rebuilding. The Oct. 7 attack killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Hundreds of Israeli soldiers have died in the war.
Chicago Tribune
22-02-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Hamas frees 6 hostages but questions cloud Gaza ceasefire's future
TEL AVIV, Israel — Hamas on Saturday released the last six living hostages expected under the first phase of its ceasefire with Israel with a week remaining, as growing questions over the next phase clouded the fragile deal's future. The hostages included three Israeli men seized from the Nova music festival and another taken while visiting family in southern Israel when Hamas-led fighters stormed the border in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered Israel's 16-month military campaign in Gaza. The two other hostages were held for a decade after entering Gaza on their own. Five were handed over in staged ceremonies that the Red Cross and Israel have condemned as cruel and disrespectful, escorted by masked, armed Hamas fighters in front of hundreds of Palestinians. Omer Wenkert, Omer Shem Tov and Eliya Cohen were posed alongside Hamas fighters. A beaming Shem Tov kissed two fighters on the head and blew kisses to the crowd. Cohen's family and friends in Israel chanted 'Eliya! Eliya! Eliya!' and cheered. 'You're heroes,' Shem Tov told his parents as they later embraced, laughing and crying. 'You have no idea how much I dreamt of you.' Earlier Saturday, Tal Shoham, 40, and Avera Mengistu, 38, were freed. Mengistu, an Ethiopian-Israeli, entered Gaza in 2014. His family told Israeli media he has struggled with mental health issues. Later, Israel's military said Hisham Al-Sayed, 36, was released. The Bedouin Israeli entered Gaza in 2015. His family has told Israeli media he was previously diagnosed with schizophrenia. The release of over 600 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel — the largest one-day prisoner release in the ceasefire's first phase — was delayed, apparently for Israeli security consultations on Saturday evening. The hostage release followed a heartrending dispute sparked when Hamas on Thursday handed over the wrong body for Shiri Bibas, an Israeli mother abducted with her two young boys. The remains were determined to be those of a Palestinian woman. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed revenge for 'a cruel and malicious violation,' while Hamas suggested it was a mistake. On Friday, the small group believed to have been holding Bibas and her sons — the Palestinian Mujahedeen Brigades — handed over a body that Bibas' family said Israeli forensic authorities confirmed was hers. 'Now that it's here, it brings no comfort, though we hope it marks the beginning of closure,' the family said. Hamas on Saturday denied Israeli claims it was responsible for the Bibas children's deaths, calling them lies aimed at justifying Israeli military actions against civilians in Gaza. Difficult talks likely over the ceasefire's next phase The ceasefire deal has paused the deadliest and most devastating fighting ever between Israel and Hamas, but there are fears the war will resume after the first phase ends. Hamas has said it will release four bodies next week, completing the first phase. After that, Hamas will hold about 60 hostages — about half believed to be alive. Talks on the ceasefire's second phase are yet to start, but negotiations are likely to be more difficult. Hamas has said it won't release the remaining captives without a lasting ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Netanyahu, with the full backing of the Trump administration, says he's committed to destroying Hamas' military and governing capacities and returning all hostages, goals widely seen as mutually exclusive. An Israeli official said Netanyahu would meet with security advisers on Saturday evening about the ceasefire's future. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the meeting had not been formally announced, said discussions would focus 'on the goal of returning all our hostages, alive and dead.' Freed hostages bring relief and a sign of life Cohen, Shem Tov and Wenkert were brought out wearing fake army uniforms, though they were not soldiers when abducted. 'This is an unforgettable moment, where all emotions are rapidly mixing together,' Shoham's family said, calling for a deal to free all still held. 'There is a window of opportunity; we must not miss it.' Shoham, who also holds Austrian citizenship, was visiting his family in Kibbutz Be'eri when Hamas fighters stormed in. His wife and two young children were freed in a November 2023 exchange. Mengistu's family and friends broke out in song as they saw him for the first time in a decade. 'Do you remember me?' one brother asked as they embraced. Niva Wenkert, Omer's mother, told Israel's Channel 12 that 'on the surface, he looks OK, but there's no telling what's inside.' As concerns grew over the remaining hostages, Ilan Gilboa Dalal, the father of captive Guy Gilboa-Dalal, told Israeli public broadcaster Kan the family had received the first sign of life in eight months from a newly freed hostage who had been held with him. Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners set for release The 620 Palestinian prisoners to be freed include 151 who were serving life or other sentences for violent attacks against Israelis. Almost 100 will be deported, according to the Palestinian prisoners' media office. A Palestinian prisoner rights association said they include Nael Barghouti, who spent over 45 years in prison for an attack that killed an Israeli bus driver. Also being released are 445 men; 18 children aged 15 to 17, and five aged 18 to 19; and a woman, all seized by Israeli troops in Gaza without charge during the war. Israel's military offensive has killed over 48,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't distinguish between civilians and combatants. Israel says it has killed more than 17,000 fighters, without providing evidence. The offensive destroyed vast areas of Gaza, reducing entire neighborhoods to rubble. At its height, the war displaced 90% of Gaza's population. Many have returned to their homes to find nothing left and no way of rebuilding. The Oct. 7 attack killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Hundreds of Israeli soldiers have died in the war. Originally Published: February 22, 2025 at 11:01 AM CST
The Guardian
22-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Hamas releases six hostages in latest exchange with Israel
Hamas has freed six hostages in the latest exchange with Israel, as heightened tensions between the two sides cast doubt over their fragile ceasefire deal. The six included three Israeli men seized from the Nova music festival and another abducted while visiting his family in southern Israel when militants stormed across the border in the 7 October attacks that triggered Israel's 16-month campaign in the Gaza Strip. Two of the hostages had been held by Hamas for about a decade after they each entered Gaza on their own. Five of the captives were handed over in staged ceremonies that the Red Cross and Israel have previously condemned, with masked and armed Hamas fighters bringing them out in front of hundreds of Palestinians before transferring them to Red Cross vehicles. The six hostages are the last living ones to be released under the first phase of the ceasefire deal. In Nuseirat, in central Gaza, Omer Wenkert, Omer Shem Tov, and Eliya Cohen were made to pose alongside Hamas fighters on the stage. A beaming Shem Tov kissed two militants on the head and blew kisses to the crowd. Hamas has come under heavy criticism for the displays, with Israel, the UN and the Red Cross saying they are cruel and do not respect the dignity of the hostages. Watching the release, Cohen's family and friends in Israel chanted 'Eliya, Eliya, Eliya!' and cheered when they saw him for the first time. Shem Tov's grandmother exclaimed in joy as he saw him, crying: 'Omer, my joy, my life.' The Israeli military said the final hostage, Hisham al-Sayed, 36, was released later on Saturday. The Bedouin Israeli crossed on his own into Gaza in 2015 and had been held ever since. His family told Israeli media that Sayed had previously been diagnosed with schizophrenia. The new releases, to be followed by the freeing of hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, went ahead after tensions mounted over the latest dispute, which was triggered this week when Hamas initially handed over the wrong body for Shiri Bibas, an Israeli mother of two young boys abducted by the militants. The remains that Hamas transferred with her sons' bodies on Thursday were later determined to be those of an unidentified Palestinian woman. In response, the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, vowed revenge for 'a cruel and malicious violation', while Hamas suggested it had been a mistake. On Friday night, the Palestinian Mujahedeen Brigades, the small militant group believed to have been holding Bibas and her sons, handed over a second body. The family of Bibas said Israeli forensic authorities had confirmed the remains were hers. 'For 16 months we sought certainty, and now that it's here, it brings no comfort, though we hope it marks the beginning of closure,' the family said. The ceasefire deal has paused the war but is nearing the end of its first phase. Negotiations over a second phase, in which Hamas would release dozens more hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, are likely to be even more difficult.
