Latest news with #HostageRelease
Khaleej Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
Gaza truce talks to resume in Doha before Netanyahu heads to US
Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas are set to resume on Sunday in Doha for a Gaza truce and hostage release deal, ahead of a visit by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House. Netanyahu had earlier announced he was sending a team to Qatar, a key mediator in the conflict, though he said Hamas's response to a draft US-backed ceasefire deal contained "unacceptable" demands. Under mounting pressure to end the war, now approaching its 22nd month, Netanyahu is scheduled to meet on Monday with US President Donald Trump, who has been making a renewed push to end the fighting. A Palestinian official familiar with the talks and close to Hamas said international mediators had informed the group that "a new round of indirect negotiations... will begin in Doha today". The group's delegation, led by its top negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, had already arrived in the Qatari capital, the official told AFP. On Friday, Hamas had said it was ready "to engage immediately and seriously" in negotiations. Netanyahu, who confirmed Israeli negotiators were also en route, said that "the changes that Hamas is seeking to make in the Qatari proposal... are unacceptable to Israel". Hamas has not publicly disclosed its response to the US-backed proposal, relayed by mediators from Qatar and Egypt. In Tel Aviv on Saturday, protesters gathered for a weekly rally demanding the return of hostages held in Gaza since Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack, which triggered the war. Macabit Mayer, the aunt of captives Gali and Ziv Berman, called for a deal "that saves everyone". 'Enough' Two Palestinian sources close to the discussions told AFP the proposal included a 60-day truce, during which Hamas would release 10 living hostages and several bodies in exchange for Palestinians detained by Israel. However, they said, the group was also demanding certain conditions for Israel's withdrawal, guarantees against a resumption of fighting during negotiations, and the return of the UN-led aid distribution system. On the ground, Gaza's civil defence agency said 14 people were killed by Israeli forces on Sunday. The agency said 10 were killed in a pre-dawn strike on Gaza City's Sheikh Radawn neighbourhood, where AFP images showed Palestinians searching through the rubble for survivors with their bare hands. Media restrictions in Gaza and difficulties in accessing many areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify the tolls and details provided by the civil defence agency. Contacted by AFP, the Israeli military said it could not comment on specific strikes without precise coordinates. Sheikh Radawn resident Osama al-Hanawi told AFP: "The rest of the family is still under the rubble." "We are losing young people, families and children every day, and this must stop now. Enough blood has been shed." Since the Hamas attack sparked a massive Israeli offensive with the aim of destroying the group, mediators have brokered two temporary halts in fighting, during which hostages were freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody. Of the 251 hostages taken by Palestinian militants during the October 2023 attack, 49 are still held in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead. Recent efforts to broker a new truce have repeatedly failed, with the primary point of contention being Israel's rejection of Hamas's demand for a lasting ceasefire. 'Dying for flour' The war has created dire humanitarian conditions for the more than two million people in the Gaza Strip. Karima al-Ras, from Khan Yunis in southern Gaza, said "we hope that a truce will be announced" to allow in more aid. "People are dying for flour," she said. A US- and Israel-backed group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, took the lead in food distribution in the territory in late May, when Israel partially lifted a more than two-month blockade on aid deliveries. UN agencies and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with the GHF over concerns it was designed to cater to Israeli military objectives. UN human rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said Friday that more than 500 people have been killed waiting to access food from GHF distribution points. The Hamas attack of October 2023 resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Israel's retaliatory campaign has killed at least 57,418 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. The United Nations considers the figures reliable.
CBS News
19-06-2025
- CBS News
Edan Alexander, held hostage by Hamas in Gaza for 19 months, to return to hometown of Tenafly, N.J. on Thursday
Edan Alexander's parents describe what their son went through while in Hamas captivity Edan Alexander's parents describe what their son went through while in Hamas captivity Edan Alexander's parents describe what their son went through while in Hamas captivity CBS News New York has confirmed that Edan Alexander, a U.S.-Israeli hostage who was released from captivity by Hamas last month, will return to his hometown of Tenafly, New Jersey on Thursday. Alexander, now 21, grew up in New Jersey before moving to Israel, where he was serving in the Israeli military on Oct. 7, 2023 when he was abducted during the Hamas-orchestrated attack that sparked the war in Gaza. Alexander, who was held for 584 days, is believed to be the last living American citizen held in Gaza. Hamas, a U.S. and Israeli-designated terrorist group, said at the time that it would release Alexander without conditions in the hope of working toward a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and renewing the flow of vital humanitarian aid to the besieged Palestinian territory. Hundreds gathered on May 12 in New Jersey to watch the release of Alexander. Family, friends and supporters gathered at Huyler Park in Tenafly, where Alexander grew up, to watch a livestream of the Israeli-American national's release.
Fox News
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
'You saved my life:' Freed hostage Edan Alexander thanks Trump in emotional phone call
In an emotional and widely shared moment, President Donald J. Trump spoke directly with Edan Alexander, the 21-year-old American-Israeli soldier who was recently freed from Hamas captivity, during a phone call captured on camera and released by the White House."Mr. President," Alexander greeted Trump at the start of the call, visibly moved. "You're the only reason I'm here. You saved my life." The phone conversation, which took place while Alexander was recovering at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, came just days after his dramatic release from Gaza, where he was held hostage for over 580 days following his abduction by Hamas on Oct. 7, CAPTIVITY SURVIVORS APPEAL TO NETANYAHU, TRUMP AFTER EDAN ALEXANDER'S RELEASE President Trump greeted Edan with a bit of humor and humility, saying "I'm very nervous talking to you, Edan, because you're a much bigger celebrity than I am." Trump also expressed American solidarity and the administration's commitment to bringing all hostages home while on the call. "You're an American, and we love you," Trump told Alexander. "We're going to take good care of you. And your parents are incredible. I saw your mother. She was pushing me around a little bit—putting a lot of pressure on me." "Like a good mom!" exclaimed Edan's mother in the background. The heartfelt exchange was posted online by the official White House account and has quickly gone viral, drawing praise from across the political spectrum for its display of humanity and international unity. Alexander's release came amid intensified U.S. diplomatic pressure and quiet negotiations, coordinated in part by senior envoys Steve Witkoff and Adam Boehler. Trump had previously signaled his determination to secure the freedom of American citizens held abroad and made Alexander's case a top priority. The Alexander family issued a statement thanking President Trump directly, along with the negotiation team and the Israeli Defense Forces, calling the outcome "a miracle rooted in strength, diplomacy, and prayer." Edan Alexander's homecoming has reignited calls to bring home the remaining hostages still held in Gaza. A coalition of 65 former hostages recently signed a letter urging both President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to "build on this breakthrough" and intensify efforts for a comprehensive agreement to ensure every hostage's safe return. Prime Minister Netanyahu acknowledged the success of this combined effort, stating, "This was achieved thanks to our military pressure and the diplomatic pressure applied by President Trump. This is a winning combination." The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Fox News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
The Wins are Piling Up for Trump!
President Trump is racking up so many wins it's no wonder the Democrats keep pulling stunts to stay in the headlines! I'm Tomi Lahren, more next. In a weekend, President Trump announced a trade deal with China, helped prevent an all-out war between India and Pakistan, brokered an in-person meeting between Ukraine and Russia, announced an exec order to end Big Pharma US price gouging, and managed to free the last American hostage held by Hamas. He's also working on a deal with Iran as we speak. And what did Democrats do besides storm an ICE detention facility? Democrats fought ICE agents and staged an insurrection in the name of criminal illegal aliens and meanwhile President Trump and his team worked to free an American hostage held by a terror organization. What a stark contrast! It's also going to be rather interesting to hear Democrats try to spin ceasefires, trade deals, lowered prescription drug prices, peace talks and a hostage release into a negative… But they will no doubt surely try! President Trump is doing everything he said he was going to do and everything we elected him to do and Democrats can only throw tantrums. We may never lose an election again! I'm Tomi Lahren and you watch my show 'Tomi Lahren is Fearless' at Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
