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Arab News
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Who are the Israelis released by Hamas as part of the ceasefire in Gaza?
JERUSALEM: Hamas released four young female Israeli soldiers on Saturday after more than 15 months in captivity. The release of the four comes days into a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and is part of a long and uncertain process aimed at eventually ending the war. Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag were captured when Hamas-led militants overran the Nahal Oz military base during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack that ignited the war, killing over 60 soldiers there. A fifth female soldier in their unit, Agam Berger, 20, was abducted with them but not included in the release. Video of the abduction of the five female soldiers, who had worked as spotters monitoring threats along the border, was widely circulated. Israel and Hamas have agreed in the ceasefire's first phase to a gradual release of 33 hostages in Gaza, in exchange for almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Three hostages were released previously during this truce in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The truce and release of hostages has sparked both hope and fear among Israelis. Many worry that the ceasefire could collapse before all the hostages return, or that those released will arrive in poor health. Others worry that the number of captives who have died is higher than expected. Some 250 people were kidnapped during Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered 15 months of war. More than 90 hostages remain in Gaza, although at least a third are believed to be dead. The others were released, rescued, or their bodies were recovered. Israel's military campaign has killed over 47,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not say how many were fighters but says more than half were women or children. Here's a look at the hostages released so far: Four hostages, all female soldiers were released on Saturday. Liri Albag, 19 Liri Albag was featured in a video Hamas released in early January, filmed under duress. Her family said the video was 'difficult to watch' because of Albag's clear emotional distress. They were particularly active in the protest movement pushing for a deal with Hamas to bring the hostages home. 'Liri, if you're hearing us, tell the others that all the families are moving heaven and earth and want their children home, and we will fight until all hostages are returned,' her father said in a statement after the video was released. Karina Ariev, 20 Just before Karina Ariev was kidnapped, she she sent a message to her family, saying: 'If I don't live, take care of mom and dad all their lives. Don't give up, live,' according to Israeli media. Her family said she loves to cook, sing, dance and write poetry. In January 2024, she was featured in a video along with Gilboa and Doron Steinbrecher, who was released last weekend. Daniella Gilboa, 20 After the kidnapping, her parents changed her name from Danielle to Daniella, a Jewish tradition that is believed to bring God's protection. In video of the kidnapping, Gilboa seems to have a foot injury as she is forced into the jeep that took her to Gaza. Gilboa, from Petah Tikva, a suburb of Tel Aviv, played piano and studied music in high school. She dreams of being a singer, according to Israeli media. Naama Levy, 20 The footage from Levy's kidnapping, in which she is wearing gray sweatpants covered in blood, was shown around the world. Levy is a triathlete. When she was younger, she participated in the 'Hands of Peace' delegation, which brings together Americans, Israelis and Palestinians to work on coexistence. From footage of the kidnappings, it seems that Levy was taken separately from the other lookout soldiers, leading her family to worry she was in captivity alone for much of the time. The following three hostages were released on Jan. 19, the first day of the ceasefire: Romi Gonen, 24 Romi Gonen was kidnapped from the Nova music festival in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. That morning, Gonen's mother, Merav, and her eldest daughter spent nearly five hours speaking to Gonen as militants marauded through the festival grounds. Gonen told her family that roads clogged with abandoned cars made escape impossible and that she would seek shelter in some bushes. Over the past 15 months, Merav Gonen has been one of the most outspoken voices advocating for the return of the hostages, appearing nearly daily on Israeli news programs and traveling abroad on missions. Emily Damari, 28 Emily Damari is a British-Israeli citizen kidnapped from her apartment on Kibbutz Kfar Aza, a communal farming village hit hard by Hamas' assault. She lived in a small apartment in a neighborhood for young adults, the closest part of the kibbutz to Gaza. Militants broke through the border fence of the kibbutz and ransacked the neighborhood. Damari's mother, Mandy, said she loves music, traveling, soccer, good food, karaoke and hats. Kibbutz Kfar Aza said that Damari was often the 'glue that held her close-knit friend group together' and she was always organizing gatherings of friends around the best barbecue corner in the entire kibbutz. Doron Steinbrecher, 31 Doron Steinbrecher is a veterinary nurse who loves animals, and a neighbor to Damari in Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Steinbrecher holds both Israeli and Romanian citizenship. Steinbrecher was featured in a video released by Hamas on Jan. 26, 2024, along with two female Israeli soldiers. Her brother said the video gave them hope that she was alive but sparked concern because she looked tired, weak and gaunt.
The Independent
27-01-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Trump puts tariff threat on hold after Colombia agrees to take deported migrants: Live
Washington will not impose sanctions and tariffs on Colombia after the South American nation agreed to accept deported migrants from the United States, the White House said in a statement late on Sunday. 'The Government of Colombia has agreed to all of President Trump's terms, including the unrestricted acceptance of all illegal aliens from Colombia returned from the United States, including on U.S. military aircraft, without limitation or delay,' it said. President Donald Trump had earlier fired back at Colombia with 'emergency 25 percent tariffs' and a number of 'decisive retaliatory measures' after the country's president, Gustavo Petro, blocked two repatriation flights from landing. He had added that a travel ban and visa revocations will be imposed on Colombian government officials as well as 'all allies and supporters'. This comes after Petro said in a series of posts on X that Colombia would not accept military deportation flights from the U.S. until the Trump White House sets up a process to treat Colombian migrants with 'dignity and respect.' 'I do not authorize the entry of North American planes carrying Colombian migrants into our territory,' Petro said on X. 'The U.S. must establish a protocol of dignified treatment of migrants before we receive them.' Meanwhile, the fallout of Trump's actions against any diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts within the federal government continues. The Air Force is removing training courses that included videos of its Tuskegee Airmen and the Women Airforce Service Pilots, the female World War II pilots who ferried warplanes for the military. This comes as agencies and departments scramble to comply with Trump's crackdown on DEI efforts. Families of released Israeli hostages thank President Trump Two of the family members of the four female Israeli soldiers released on Saturday have thanked President Trump for his role in securing their loved ones' release. Family members of each of the freed hostages, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag, made statements on Sunday, 26 January, after their reunion at Beilinson Hospital. Karina Ariev's sister, Sasha, thanked Mr Trump for his 'unwavering support' adding that her hope rested with him for the return of all remaining Israeli hostages. Hamas handed over the four Israeli soldiers early on Saturday morning with 200 Palestinians released from Israeli prisons on the same day as the fragile ceasefire continues in Gaza. Watch: Families of released Israeli hostages thank President Trump Two of the family members of the four female Israeli soldiers released on Saturday have thanked President Trump for his role in securing their loved ones' release. Family members of each of the freed hostages, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag, made statements on Sunday, 26 January, after their reunion at Beilinson Hospital. Karina Ariev's sister, Sasha, thanked Mr Trump for his 'unwavering support' adding that her hope rested with him for the return of all remaining Israeli hostages. Hamas handed over the four Israeli soldiers early on Saturday morning with 200 Palestinians released from Israeli prisons on the same day as the fragile ceasefire continues in Gaza. Caspar Barnes 27 January 2025 07:00 What does Trump and Starmer's relationship look like a week into US presidency? K eir Starmer and Donald Trump 's relationship has been far from smooth sailing, with the two having a turbulent dynamic since the Labour leader entered Downing Street. But now Trump is officially back in the White House for his second term – does it look like tensions might finally be thawing? If Trump's most recent comments are to be believed, the answer is yes. The president struck an astoundingly positive tone when speaking about Starmer in some comments made to the BBC on board Air Force One on Saturday – saying he has a 'very good relationship' with his British counterpart, and adding the prime minister has done a 'very good job thus far'. But that doesn't paint the whole picture. It comes amid the backdrop of an ongoing row with Trump's ally Elon Musk, who has publicly criticised the UK PM, and anger over Labour helping Kamala Harris in the US election. What does Trump and Starmer's relationship look like a week into US presidency? While the president's recent remarks may have triggered optimism in Downing Street that tensions are beginning to thaw, there are significant stumbling blocks ahead, writes Millie Cooke Millie Cooke27 January 2025 06:00 Starmer and Trump stress 'close and warm ties' and agree to meet soon – No 10 Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump 'stressed the importance of the close and warm ties' between Britain and the US and 'agreed to meet soon' in a call on Sunday, Downing Street has said. The talks came hours after the US president praised the Prime Minister for having done 'a very good job thus far' and confirmed the pair were due to speak soon. In a readout of the call, a Number 10 spokesperson said: 'The Prime Minister spoke to President Trump on Sunday. 'President Trump opened by sending his condolences to the Prime Minister on the loss of his brother. The Prime Minister thanked President Trump for his kind words and congratulated him on his inauguration. Starmer and Trump stress 'close and warm ties' and agree to meet soon – No 10 The talks came hours after the US president praised the Prime Minister for having done 'a very good job thus far'. Nina Lloyd27 January 2025 05:00 Trump puts tariffs on hold as Colombia agrees to take deported migrants The U.S. and Colombia pulled back from the brink of a trade war on Sunday after the White House said the South American nation had agreed to accept military aircraft carrying deported migrants. In a statement late on Sunday, the White House said Colombia had agreed to accept the migrants after all and Washington would not impose its threatened penalties. 'The Government of Colombia has agreed to all of President Trump's terms, including the unrestricted acceptance of all illegal aliens from Colombia returned from the United States, including on U.S. military aircraft, without limitation or delay,' it said. Draft orders imposing tariffs and sanctions on Colombia would be 'held in reserve, and not signed, unless Colombia fails to honor this agreement', it added. In a statement late on Sunday, Colombian foreign minister Luis Gilberto Murillo said: 'We have overcome the impasse with the U.S. government'. The government of Colombia 'has the presidential plane ready to facilitate the return of Colombians who were going to arrive in the country this morning on deportation flights', he added. Mehraj D Lone27 January 2025 04:35 US pauses Colombia tariffs and sanctions plan Washington will not impose sanctions and tariffs on Colombia after the South American nation agreed to accept deported migrants from the US, the White House press secretary said in a statement late on Sunday. Mehraj27 January 2025 04:10 Carrie Underwood sees streaming numbers tumble after performing at Trump inauguration Carrie Underwood 's rendition of 'America the Beautiful' at President Donald Trump 's 2025 inauguration went viral after being hit by technical difficulties, but all that extra attention failed to result in an increase in listenership for the American Idol winner. In fact, her streaming numbers actually fell on Inauguration Day. According to entertainment data analysts Luminate, her music was streamed 1.46 million times on Monday January 20, down six percent from the previous Monday when it was streamed 1.55 million times. Billboard reports that rapper Nelly, who performed at President Trump's inaugural Liberty Ball on Monday, also saw a decline in listenership. His songs were streamed 1.54 million times on inauguration day, down from 1.63 million a week earlier. Both artists did see a small increase in digital download sales, although neither managed to top the 1,000 downloads mark that day. Carrie Underwood sees streaming numbers tumble after performing at Trump inauguration Nelly, who performed at an inaugural ball, also saw his streaming numbers dip Kevin E G Perry27 January 2025 04:00 VOICES: Trump's suggestion to 'clean out' Gaza is extreme and dangerous The lessons of Trump 's Presidency 2.0 are that if he says it, he probably means it. He said he'd stop US aid to Ukraine, and he has. In his latest comments on Gaza, he has thrown his weight behind a far-right Israeli-fringe idea to depopulate the enclave. He told reporters flying with him on Air Force One that he'd just had a call with Jordan's king, Abdullah II. 'I said to him, 'I'd love for you to take on more because I'm looking at the whole Gaza Strip right now, and it's a mess,'' Trump told reporters. He added that he would also like Egypt to take in more Palestinians and that he would speak to the country's president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, on Sunday. Trump's suggestion to 'clean out' Gaza is extreme and dangerous The US president's controversial comments on Gaza ignite debate over human rights, writes Sam Kiley, but could be seen as a policy of 'ethnic cleansing' Sam Kiley27 January 2025 03:00 Acting deputy AG visits Chicago to 'observe' immigration enforcement crackdown Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove visited Chicago on Sunday to witness the start of ramped-up immigration enforcementin the nation's third-largest city promised by the Trump administration, though few details of the operation were made public. Bove said he was in Chicago on Sunday morning and observed Department of Homeland Security agents, along with assisting federal agencies — including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. He didn't say where the operations took place in the city or detail any arrests. 'We will support everyone at the federal, state, and local levels who joins this critical mission to take back our communities,' Bove said in a statement. 'We will use all available tools to address obstruction and other unlawful impediments to our efforts to protect the homeland. Most importantly, we will not rest until the work is done.' Acting deputy AG visits Chicago to 'observe' immigration enforcement crackdown Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove has visited Chicago to personally observe the start of an immigration enforcement crackdown long promised by President Donald Trump's administration in the nation's third-largest city Sophia Tareen, Alanna Durkin Richer27 January 2025 02:00 WATCH: President Trump's 'border czar' says military flights will deport millions of illegal immigrants Gustaf Kilander27 January 2025 01:00 Did Trump revoke the Equal Employment Opportunity Act? Here's what to know In keeping with his promise to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday that prohibits the the use of affirmative action or other diversity measures as well as revoked a batch of decades-old policies that protect federal employees from discrimination The order 'Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity' rescinds guidance dating back to former president Lyndon Johnson's administration that intended to protect and strengthen protections for federal workers. Trump claimed it was necessary to backpedal DEI programs because they are 'dangerous, demeaning, and immoral.' For decades, presidents have issued executive orders expanding and strengthening diversity programs within the federal workforce – Trump revoked a batch on Tuesday Ariana Baio27 January 2025 00:15
Sky News
27-01-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Four female soldiers reunite with families in Israel - as freed Palestinian prisoners carried by huge crowds in West Bank
Four Israeli soldiers held by Hamas have been released and 200 Palestinian prisoners have been freed as part of a ceasefire deal that has brought an end to 15 months of brutal fighting in Gaza. Hostages Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, all aged 20, and 19-year-old Liri Albag, were all serving with the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) when they were captured on October 7 2023. Surrounded by armed Hamas fighters on Saturday morning, the women waved and smiled as they were led on to a podium in Gaza City before being guided to Red Cross vehicles waiting to take them to a border point to be handed to the IDF, and then travelled back to Israel. They were freed by Hamas in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners, including 120 who are serving life sentences after being convicted of deadly attacks on Israelis. 2:09 At the same time as the Israeli hostages arrived at a hospital in Tel Aviv, the Palestinian prisoners were met by huge crowds in the West Bank. The prisoners, all wearing grey tracksuits, were seen getting off a large white coach before they were mobbed by a jubilant crowd. After initially walking, the prisoners were soon lifted onto the shoulders of those in the crowd to carry them away. The multi-stage fragile ceasefire deal - mediated by the US, Qatar and Egypt - has so far held, winding down the deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and the militant group. Its first six-week phase includes the release of 33 out of 94 hostages - women, children, men over 50, the ill and wounded - in return for almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. 1:02 The ceasefire also allows for thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to their communities. Among the roughly 250 people taken from Israel during Hamas's 7 October 2023 attack which ignited the conflict, some have died in captivity in Gaza, while others have been released or rescued. In Tel Aviv's Hostages Square on Saturday, a big screen showed the faces of the women who had been released. The family of Karina Ariev said: "Our hearts are filled with immense gratitude and joy. "After 477 tumultuous days of pain, worry, and endless anxiety - we finally got to embrace our beloved Karina, hear her voice, and see her smile that once again fills us with light. "Our Karina is a symbol of courage, heart, and determination, and we are proud of her beyond words." "Finally, we've been able to see Liri, embrace her, and know she's with us, safe, surrounded by the love of her family," her loved ones said. "Liri demonstrated superhuman strength and survived hell, and we are so proud of her steadfast endurance under impossible conditions." "Our Daniella, Nushi, has survived 477 days in the hell of Gaza and has finally returned to our family's embrace. How we've prayed for this moment," her family said. "We are overjoyed and moved to see Naama standing strong and returning to us," the family of Naama Levy said. "We will not rest until the last hostage returns," they added. The pause in fighting - which started last Sunday and saw three hostages released in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners - is also supposed to enable humanitarian aid into the war-ravaged territory. What happens after the initial stage of the deal is uncertain. 2:40 In Gaza, Palestinians have been both celebrating the relief from the bombing and grieving the loss of loved ones and livelihoods. Two-thirds of all structures in the Gaza Strip have been damaged or obliterated. Thousands of returning displaced Palestinians have found their homes reduced to rubble. More than 47,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's offensive, according to Hamas-run authorities in Gaza, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
Yahoo
26-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Israel says released hostages 'turned humiliation into victory'
Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Four Israeli hostages released by Hamas Saturday were determined not to let themselves be humiliated during the transfer, they said. The four abducted women, IDF surveillance soldiers Karina Ariev, 20; Daniella Gilboa, 20; Naama Levy, 20; and Liri Albag, 19, smiled and waved confidently to crowds of Hamas gunmen and Gazans from a stage in a square in Gaza City during the handover, and reported during initial conversations with the media after their release that they were "unfazed" during the event. The four hostages released Saturday have told their families and friends that they determinedly showed Hamas, during the staged event the terror group had arranged for their handover, that they would not be humiliated, according to reports of their initial conversations, The Times of Israel reported. The four young women walked to the stage set up in a square in Gaza City calmly and confidently, and smiled and waved to the crowds of Hamas gunmen and Gazans. The soldiers were wearing military style uniforms given to them by Hamas, and walked across the stage with armed soldiers. "We showed them on the stage that we were not fazed," Kan TV news quoted one of them as telling family and friends," according to The Times of Israel. "It had no impact on us. We are stronger than them." Media reports said Hamas allegedly altered the photos of the women taken at the release so that they appeared healthier. Some other reports said the women were starved during their captivity. Israeli leaders had expressed concern that Hamas would turn the handover in a propaganda event, and watched from Israel via a video stream. Instead, they said, the women "turned humiliation into victory." The four women were among the Israeli hostages captured on Oct. 7, 2023 when Hamas launched a terror attack on Israel. They were held captive for 477 days.
The Independent
26-01-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Families of released Israeli hostages thank President Trump
Two of the family members of the four female Israeli soldiers released on Saturday have thanked President Trump for his role in securing their loved ones' release. Family members of each of the freed hostages, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag, made statements on Sunday, 26 January, after their reunion at Beilinson Hospital. Karina Ariev's sister, Sasha, thanked Mr Trump for his 'unwavering support' adding that her hope rested with him for the return of all remaining Israeli hostages. Hamas handed over the four Israeli soldiers early on Saturday morning with 200 Palestinians released from Israeli prisons on the same day as the fragile ceasefire continues in Gaza.
