π️Lonny's War Update- October 518, 2023 - March 7, 2025 π️
π️Day 518 that 59 of our hostages in Hamas captivity
**There is nothing more important than getting them home! NOTHING!**
“I’ve never met them,But I miss them. I’ve never met them,but I think of them every second. I’ve never met them,but they are my family. BRING THEM HOME NOW!!!”
We’re waiting for you, all of you.
A deal is the only way to bring
all the hostages home- the murdered for burial and the living for rehabilitation.
#BringThemHomeNow #TurnTheHorrorIntoHope
A deal is the only way to bring
all the hostages home- the murdered for burial and the living for rehabilitation.
#BringThemHomeNow #TurnTheHorrorIntoHope
There is no victory until all of the hostages are home!ΧΧΧ Χ Χ¦ΧΧΧ Χ’Χ Χ©ΧΧ ΧΧΧΧΧ€ΧΧ ΧΧΧΧͺ
Red Alerts - Missile, Rocket, Drone (UAV - unmanned aerial vehicles), and Terror Attacks and Death Announcements
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Hostage Updates
- Hamas releases first video showing hostage soldier Matan Angrest
The Hamas terror group has published a first propaganda video of hostage soldier Matan Angrest.
In the video, Angrest says he has been held for 511 days, indicating it was likely filmed last week.
He calls on the Israeli government, US President Donald Trump and the leaders of the Israeli military to secure his release.
Hamas has previously issued similar videos of hostages it is holding, in what Israel says is deplorable psychological warfare. Most Israeli media do not carry the video clips themselves.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has requested that media outlets not publish the latest video or stills from it unless or until Angrest’s family approves the publication.
On Monday, Angrest’s family published a first photo of him from captivity, from a separate video received from Hamas.
Hostage Matan Angrest in a first image released by his family from Hamas captivity, March 3, 2025. (Courtesy)
- Hamas warns that some hostages likely to be killed if fighting in Gaza resumes
Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida warns that any Israeli military escalation against the Gaza terror group will most likely lead to the killing of some hostages.
He further adds that Israeli threats of war and blockade will not secure the release of hostages, and claims that the terror group is still committed to abiding by the truce deal with Israel, the first stage of which recently concluded.
Fifty-nine hostages are still being held in the Gaza Strip following the end of the first phase of the ceasefire, at least 35 of whom have been confirmed dead by the IDF.
- US talks with Hamas said to hit snag after media leak; PM unhappy they’re taking placeNegotiations largely focused on securing release of American hostages, but US has also reportedly proposed 60-day ceasefire in exchange for release of 10 hostages
The direct talks between the US and Hamas have hit a snag since their existence was leaked to the media on Wednesday, a government official briefed on the talks told The Times of Israel.
The negotiations — unprecedented in nature — have largely been focused on securing the release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander along with the bodies of American-Israelis Itay Chen, Omer Neutra, Gad Haggai and Judi Weinstein, the official said.
Israel was not fully briefed on the talks ahead of time, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is unhappy with their existence, the official said. The premier’s office issued a terse statement following an Axios report revealing the existence of the first-ever direct talks between the US and Hamas, saying, “Israel has expressed to the United States its position regarding direct talks with Hamas.”
The official denied reports that progress had been made in the negotiations and that they focused on phase two.
US President Donald Trump’s hostage envoy Adam Boehler has been leading the talks with Hamas on behalf of Washington, and they have been taking place in Doha, the official confirmed.
The talks signaled a departure from a decades-long US policy of not negotiating with Hamas, which Washington and many Western countries list as a terrorist organization.
While not the main focus of the talks, the US has also proposed a 60-day ceasefire during which 10 of the Israeli hostages would be released, Sky News Arabic reported on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Hamas representatives charged on Thursday that threats by US President Donald Trump against the Palestinian terrorist organization were “encouraging” Israel to avoid negotiating the second phase of a ceasefire.
Trump’s comments would “complicate matters regarding the ceasefire agreement,” Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem told CNN, urging the president to pressure Jerusalem into agreeing to a second phase “as stipulated in the agreement.”
Hamas spokesperson Abdel-Latif al-Qanua told Reuters that the US president’s threats equal support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s attempts to avoid entering another ceasefire agreement.
Illustrative: Hamas gunmen and Palestinians gather in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip, as preparations take place for the release of three Israeli hostages as part of the seventh hostage-prisoner swap on February 22, 2025. (Bashar Taleb / AFP)
“The best track to release the remaining Israeli [hostages] is by [Israel] going into the second phase and compelling it to adhere to the agreement signed under the sponsorship of mediators,” he said.
The comments by Hamas came in response to a new ultimatum issued on Wednesday by Trump, which demanded that the terror group immediately release all remaining hostages or be destroyed.
“‘Shalom Hamas’ means Hello and Goodbye – You can choose,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. “Release all of the hostages now — not later — and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you.
“This is your last warning! For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance.”
Trump’s post was uploaded shortly after he met with eight released hostages in the Oval Office, and amid an apparent impasse in negotiations between Israel and Hamas after the first phase of the fragile ceasefire ended Saturday.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Hamas to take Trump’s threats seriously, telling Fox News: “People don’t realize the President meets with these people, he hears their stories; he’s outraged and rightfully so.
Released hostage Eli Sharabi meets with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on March 5, 2025. (White House/X)
“He’s tired of watching these videos every weekend where hostages that are emaciated are released and bodies are turned over, and sometimes it’s the wrong bodies and there’s five here and three there and there’s games that are being played. And he’s lost his patience with it.”
“He doesn’t say these things and not mean it, as folks are finding out around the world. If he says he’s going to do something, he’ll do it. And so they’d better take that seriously.”
Trump has issued multiple ultimatums to Hamas over the past several months with limited success. Before his inauguration, he demanded Hamas release all of the hostages or there would be “all hell to pay.” The terror group did not release all of them, but did agree to a multi-phase ceasefire deal with Israel that secured the release of 33 hostages, in multiple batches, during the first stage.
Last month, after Hamas threatened not to release one batch of those hostages as scheduled, citing Israeli violations of the agreement, Trump issued another similar ultimatum demanding that all of them be released at noon the following Saturday. Hamas did not agree to release all of the hostages, but it did free the three it was scheduled to let go.
“I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job; not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say,” Trump warned in his fresh threat on Wednesday.
Israeli hostage Eli Sharabi, who has been held hostage by Hamas in Gaza since October 7, 2023, is paraded by Hamas gunmen before being handed over to the Red Cross in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, February 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Trump has advanced over $11 billion in weapons sales to Israel since taking office, including a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs that the Biden administration withheld due to concerns they’d lead to civilian deaths in Gaza.
He noted in his post that he had just met with the former hostages, “whose lives you have destroyed… Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted!”
“Also, to the People of Gaza: A beautiful future awaits, but not if you hold hostages. If you do, you are DEAD! Make a SMART decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER,” Trump added.
‘They will get the job done’Trump’s ultimatum came after several roller-coaster days for the hostage families.
As phase one of the deal ended on Saturday, Netanyahu’s office issued a statement announcing that it had accepted what it described as a proposal from Trump’s Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff to extend the ceasefire under terms that the sides had agreed to in January.
US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff (second from right) meets with four IDF soldiers freed from Gaza captivity, at the Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva, January 30, 2025. (Screenshot/ US Embassy)
While Israel signed onto these terms, including a stipulation that the two sides would hold negotiations regarding the terms of phase two, Netanyahu has long insisted that he would not end the war before Hamas’s military and governing capabilities have been dismantled. Accordingly, he largely refused to hold negotiations regarding phase two.
The “Witkoff proposal” he unveiled on Saturday evening envisions the extension of the ceasefire through Ramadan and Passover, which ends on April 19. During this period, the remaining hostages would be released in two batches — one on the first day of the extension and the other at the end, pending agreements on a permanent ceasefire.
Hamas quickly rejected the proposal, insisting it was only prepared to release hostages under the original framework that the sides reached in January. Israel, in turn, has threatened to resume fighting and on Sunday announced that it was blocking all humanitarian aid from entering Gaza moving forward.
While an Arab diplomat told The Times of Israel that the proposal was actually “more of an Israeli offer,” the Trump administration quickly got behind it and issued a statement backing Israel’s stance in the hostage negotiations.
Terror groups in the Gaza Strip are holding 59 hostages, including 58 of the 251 abducted by Hamas-led terrorists on October 7, 2023.
They include the bodies of at least 35 confirmed dead by the IDF. Hamas has so far released 30 living hostages — 20 Israeli civilians, five soldiers, and five Thai nationals — and the bodies of eight slain Israeli captives during the ceasefire that began in January.
A group of released hostages meets US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on March 5, 2025. (White House/X)
The terror group freed 105 civilians during a weeklong truce in late November 2023, and four hostages were released before that in the early weeks of the war.
Eight hostages have been rescued from captivity by troops alive, and the bodies of 41 have also been recovered, including three mistakenly killed by the Israeli military as they tried to escape their captors, and the body of a soldier who was killed in 2014.
The body of another soldier killed in 2014, Lt. Hadar Goldin, is still being held by Hamas, and is counted among the 59 hostages. LINKTrump defends direct US-Hamas talks as Israel seethes, attempts to sabotage themUS president says effort aimed at releasing Israeli hostages, but Witkoff admits US captives are priority and that Trump issued ultimatum after Hamas didn’t play ball in meeting
...Jerusalem is not happy about the direct US-Hamas talks, though, a government official told The Times of Israel on condition of anonymity. Accordingly, Israel was behind Wednesday’s media leak about the negotiations’ existence, the official said, confirming reporting in the Ynet news site.While the White House claimed it consulted with Israel on the matter, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu only found out about the US talks with Hamas after the fact, the official said.
The US decided not to inform Israel of Trump hostage envoy Adam Boehler’s recent meeting with Hamas beforehand because when Washington did so before a previously planned sit-down it ended up being forced to cancel after Jerusalem expressed strong opposition to the idea, Ynet reported.
Boehler decided to move forward with the meeting, which he largely used to try to secure the release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander along with the bodies of American Israeli hostages Omer Neutra, Itay Chen, Gadi Haggai and Judi Weinstein. The meeting also included discussions on a a broader deal between Israel and Hamas to release all remaining hostages and end the war sparked by the terror group’s October 2023 attack.
When Israel found out about the meeting after the fact, it sought to sabotage the effort by leaking it to the media, Ynet said.
The government official indicated to The Times of Israel that the leak achieved its purpose and that the talks with Hamas had since hit a snag.
Israel’s opposition to the direct US-Hamas talks stemmed from its concern that the US might lose interest in securing a broad hostage-ceasefire deal once all American hostages are released.
US special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff tried to address those concerns, insisting Thursday that Washington is determined to release all of the hostages.
Still, he acknowledged that Alexander is a priority for the administration, and he indicated that it wants Hamas to release the 20-year-old IDF soldier as a demonstration of goodwill.
“Edan Alexander is very important to us — as all the hostages are — but Edan Alexander is an American, and he’s injured, so he’s a top priority for us,” Witkoff told reporters during a gaggle outside the White House.
He appeared to confirm that Alexander’s release was a topic of conversation in the direct talks that Boehler held with Hamas, while lamenting that those discussions have not yet paid dividends. ...
...Beyond releasing Alexander, Witkoff indicated the only way out for Hamas would be for it to free all remaining hostages and to go into exile — something the terror group has shown no indication that it is prepared to do.
Witkoff acknowledged that there is a lot of uncertainty regarding what will happen next after Trump’s ultimatum.
“It’s unclear exactly what’s going to happen. There’s going to be some action taken. It could be jointly with the Israelis,” Witkoff told reporters.
Pressed further on those comments, Witkoff appeared to walk back the suggestion that the US could join Israel in military action against Hamas. ...
...Hamas issues warning as US backs Gaza aid freeze
Meanwhile, Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida warned Thursday that any Israeli military escalation against the Gaza terror group will most likely lead to the killing of some hostages.
He further added that Israeli threats of war and blockade will not secure the release of hostages, and claimed that the terror group is still committed to abiding by the truce deal with Israel if Jerusalem continues with the framework’s second phrase.
Israel has refused to do so, as the second phase envisions Israel withdrawing fully from Gaza and agreeing to a permanent end to the war in exchange for the remaining living hostages.
While Netanyahu signed on to those terms in January, he has refused to even hold negotiations regarding the terms of the second phase, which were supposed to start one month ago.
Instead, he has sought to impose a new framework to extend the ceasefire after the first phase expired on Saturday.
This framework, which he said was actually proposed by Witkoff, envisions the ceasefire being extended for another month and a half, through Ramadan and Passover. The first half of the hostages would be released at the beginning of this period and the last half of the hostages would be released at the end if terms are reached regarding a permanent ceasefire. link. 'Israel's' (actually Netanyahu's) concern is not that the US might lose interest in securing the release of the non Americans. His concern is that the US might reach a deal that they will try to force Netanyahu to accept which includes ending the war. Steve Witcoff and Miriam Adelson are not going to let the ball drop only after the release of the US citizens. They are personally dedicated to getting all the hostages released and Netanyahu knows that.The fact there is satisfaction that the leak caused the direct talks to hit a snag is no different than Ben Gvir's pride in killing all hostage deals before they even reached the table. The statement of satisfaction was made by an anonymous government official, which always means it came directly from Netanyahu but he doesn't want to be directly associated with the statement for deniability purposes.
There is quite a bit of hypocrisy in Netanyahu's anger that the US is having direct negotiations with Hamas. After all, it was him and his government that had direct negotiations with Hamas in the Schalit deal. My brother was the secret direct channel between the Israeli government and Hamas to secure Gilad's release. It proved that the best and most efficient way to release our hostages is through direct negotiations, not through multiple interlocutors which has been the case since the beginning of the war. It's similar to the game of telephone whereby the original message gets so messed up by the time it gets back to the original person who told the message.
Specifically about the American proposal to Hamas as has been reported, so it is not official. We have heard 2 proposals both of which are bad. One is that the ceasefire of Phase 1 will continue for 60 days and during those 60 days, 10 living hostages will be released. That is a horrible proposal. It means that the releases will be in drips and drabs again and only be 10 of the 24 living hostages leaving 14 of them to suffer at least another 2 months and possibly die during this time, as well as the risks to the 10 who would be released over this very lengthy time. There was no talk, that has been released about the fate of the remaining 14.
The second proposal that Witcoff addressed would be over a period of 1.5 months through Ramadan which has already started and Passover, that the first half of the hostages (living and dead, I assume) would be released and the second half at the end, if agreement to end the war was achieved. This also means that there would be living hostages who would continue to suffer for another 1.5 months and possibly die during this time. On the other hand, our government is not achieving anything for the release of the hostages and seems willing to sacrifice all of them on the alter of Netanyahu's self interests. The second proposal has more of a chance of getting Hamas onboard because it would specify the end of the war which is precisely why Netanyahu won't sign off on it. The other issue for Hamas will be negative if the agreement calls for the Hamas leadership and fighters to leave Gaza as part of it.
The bottom line of all of this is that once again, as has been the case throughout the war, it is the Americans that are doing more for the release of the hostages than our own government who bear both the responsibility and blame for there being hostages in the first place.
- Hamas says it dispatched high-level delegation to ceasefire talks in CairoA high-level Hamas delegation has arrived in Cairo to advance efforts on a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, which has largely paused fighting with Israel, two senior Hamas officials tell AFP.
“The delegation will meet with Egyptian officials on Saturday to discuss the latest developments, assess progress in implementing the ceasefire agreement, and address matters related to launching the second phase of the deal,” one official says.
- The next 24: These are the remaining hostages presumed alive in GazaTwo dozen men — fathers, soldiers, security guards, tech workers, dreamers, dancers and more — are still captive after over 500 days, along with the bodies of 35 others
The conclusion of the first stage of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal has many looking anxiously to the release of the remaining living hostages and the bodies of those killed in captivity.
Israel believes 24 hostages are still alive in the Strip — 22 Israelis, one Thai and one Nepali. All of them are young men who were kidnapped on October 7, 2023, when thousands of Hamas-led terrorists stormed southern Israel to kill some 1,200 people and abduct 251, sparking the war in Gaza.
The group includes four active-duty soldiers and several people who had been working security at the Nova music festival, some of whom Hamas has claimed were soldiers as well.
Several of the other hostages were also kidnapped from the Nova rave, where they had been partying before the early morning attack began. A number of others were kidnapped while sheltering in their kibbutz homes or trying to protect family members from the deadly massacre carried out by Hamas that day.
Under the ceasefire deal currently in place in Gaza, these 24 men would be released in a planned second stage of the deal. However, Israel has balked at entering talks to advance to the next phase, which would involve the withdrawal of forces from Gaza and a permanent end to the war, saying the hostages must first be freed.
Another 35 hostages who were confirmed by Israel to be dead are held captive in Gaza. They include 34 kidnapped in the Hamas onslaught and a soldier killed in the 2014 Gaza war. The slain captives would be returned in the deal’s potential third phase.
The 42-day first phase saw Hamas release 33 Israeli women, children, civilian men over 50 and those deemed “humanitarian cases.” Eight of the hostages were returned dead, including Ariel and Kfir Bibas, aged 4 and nine months, respectively, as well as their mother Shiri. During the first phase, Hamas also released five Thai nationals not included in the deal.
Relatives and supporters of those held hostage in the Gaza Strip during a rally calling on the government for a deal that would bring all the remaining captives back, outside the prime minister residence in Jerusalem on March 2, 2025. (Menahem KAHANA / AFP)Another 105 hostages had been released in a weeklong truce in late November 2023, and four hostages were released before that.
Eight hostages have been rescued alive by Israeli security forces, and the bodies of 41 were also recovered, including three hostages mistakenly killed by troops while escaping captivity and a soldier killed in the 2014 war.
Minutes after the first phase expired on March 1, Netanyahu’s office endorsed a plan to extend the ceasefire with Hamas until April 19 rather than advancing to phase two.
Israelis attend a rally calling for the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv on March 1, 2025. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)The proposal, which Israel has attributed to US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, would see all 59 hostages released by next month but has been rejected by Hamas.
Here are the 24 people whose fates lie in the balance and the 35 others whose families are still waiting to give them a dignified burial. LINK
SEE THE REST OF THE ARTICLE BELOW IN THE SECTION OF THE 59 HOSTAGES REMAINING, WHICH SHOWS ALL OF THE HOSTAGES STILL IN CAPTIVITY
- The UN Report Recommends: Recognize the Families of Abductees as Victims of Torture At the UN headquarters, a report was presented addressing the Israeli hostages and their families—calling for them to be recognized as victims. The implication: if adopted, the families will be able to sue Hamas in international judicial forums. The psychological terror of the terrorist organization, the torture in captivity, and the harm inflicted on the families of the hostages—here are the full quotes from the report.
Discussion with Families of hostages: At the UN, a report was presented calling for the recognition of Israeli hostages in Gaza and their families as victims entitled to compensation, rehabilitation, and support. The report was presented yesterday (Wednesday) by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Dr. Alice Edwards, who wrote: "Support systems must be established to assist hostages and their families in dealing with the psychological, physical, and economic consequences of abduction."
Edwards presented the report at the UN building in Geneva, during an event led by the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists (IJL) in collaboration with the headquarters of the families of the abductees. The report adopts the position paper submitted by the two organizations several months ago, which called for the recognition of the families of the hostages as victims of torture. This recognition is significant and will allow the families of the hostages to act in the international arena against Hamas, including filing lawsuits in international courts and demanding financial compensation.
Edwards referred in the report to the psychological terror that Hamas inflicts on the families of the hostages, including the impact of the videos Hamas disseminates. "Hamas has published videos of hostages that torment their families, for example, by asking them to guess which hostage has been killed. The bodies of the deceased are also used as leverage, and families are prevented from burying their loved ones."
According to Edwards, "The right to know the truth about the fate and location of hostages includes the family's right to recover the remains of their loved ones. Concealment, destruction, or damage to bodies may violate the rights of family members to be free from torture and abuse."
The report also addresses the mental struggles of families whose loved ones are in captivity. "Family members experience severe psychological trauma, including chronic anxiety, depression, and isolation, and this condition is often exacerbated by demands from their governments not to speak publicly," it states. "Sleepless nights, concern for the safety of their loved ones, and guilt over their inability to help intensify the emotional burden on them. Some family members focus all their efforts and attention on the mission to bring their loved ones home."
Edwards added: "Family members need support from their governments to navigate the impacts on their lives, such as legal issues and interactions with the media, and to receive regular updates on what is happening."
Edwards met in Israel with a former hostages who returned from captivity during her visit here last December. She described the psychological effects of abduction. "The experience of abduction can be terrifying," she explained. "It is often completely unexpected and confusing. The abductors did not spare children, pregnant women, sick individuals, or the elderly. An Israeli hostage who was released described to me how, within minutes in Gaza, she was surrounded by people shouting and cheering as she was beaten with sticks."
Edwards' report was submitted to the UN Human Rights Council and also addresses torture in captivity. The report does not focus solely on Israel but also on the growing phenomenon of hostage-taking in recent decades worldwide. However, a significant portion of it is dedicated to the Israeli hostages from the "Black Saturday."
"The international community must condemn all forms of hostage-taking, act individually and collectively to prevent it, and fully implement the International Convention Against the Taking of Hostages and the commitments to prohibit, prevent, and address torture and other abuse, everywhere," it states.
Statements from the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists (IJL): Attorney Hila Kugler-Ramot, CEO of the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists, stated: "This is an important and groundbreaking report. This is the first time that a UN body has recognized that not only have the hostages themselves endured and continue to endure severe torture at the hands of the terrorist organization Hamas, but their families are also direct victims of acts of torture. This is a significant achievement in the international legal arena, and we hope it will contribute to the mobilization of all actors in the international community to secure the release of the hostages, thereby ending the terrible suffering of the abductees and their families."
Conclusion:The UN report underscores the urgent need to address the suffering of the hostages and their families. By recognizing the families as victims of torture, the international community can take a significant step toward holding Hamas accountable for its crimes and providing justice for those affected. link
Hostage Updates
- Hamas releases first video showing hostage soldier Matan Angrest
The Hamas terror group has published a first propaganda video of hostage soldier Matan Angrest.
In the video, Angrest says he has been held for 511 days, indicating it was likely filmed last week.
He calls on the Israeli government, US President Donald Trump and the leaders of the Israeli military to secure his release.
Hamas has previously issued similar videos of hostages it is holding, in what Israel says is deplorable psychological warfare. Most Israeli media do not carry the video clips themselves.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has requested that media outlets not publish the latest video or stills from it unless or until Angrest’s family approves the publication.
On Monday, Angrest’s family published a first photo of him from captivity, from a separate video received from Hamas.
Hostage Matan Angrest in a first image released by his family from Hamas captivity, March 3, 2025. (Courtesy) - Hamas warns that some hostages likely to be killed if fighting in Gaza resumes
Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida warns that any Israeli military escalation against the Gaza terror group will most likely lead to the killing of some hostages.
He further adds that Israeli threats of war and blockade will not secure the release of hostages, and claims that the terror group is still committed to abiding by the truce deal with Israel, the first stage of which recently concluded.
Fifty-nine hostages are still being held in the Gaza Strip following the end of the first phase of the ceasefire, at least 35 of whom have been confirmed dead by the IDF.
- US talks with Hamas said to hit snag after media leak; PM unhappy they’re taking placeNegotiations largely focused on securing release of American hostages, but US has also reportedly proposed 60-day ceasefire in exchange for release of 10 hostagesThe direct talks between the US and Hamas have hit a snag since their existence was leaked to the media on Wednesday, a government official briefed on the talks told The Times of Israel.The negotiations — unprecedented in nature — have largely been focused on securing the release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander along with the bodies of American-Israelis Itay Chen, Omer Neutra, Gad Haggai and Judi Weinstein, the official said.Israel was not fully briefed on the talks ahead of time, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is unhappy with their existence, the official said. The premier’s office issued a terse statement following an Axios report revealing the existence of the first-ever direct talks between the US and Hamas, saying, “Israel has expressed to the United States its position regarding direct talks with Hamas.”The official denied reports that progress had been made in the negotiations and that they focused on phase two.US President Donald Trump’s hostage envoy Adam Boehler has been leading the talks with Hamas on behalf of Washington, and they have been taking place in Doha, the official confirmed.The talks signaled a departure from a decades-long US policy of not negotiating with Hamas, which Washington and many Western countries list as a terrorist organization.While not the main focus of the talks, the US has also proposed a 60-day ceasefire during which 10 of the Israeli hostages would be released, Sky News Arabic reported on Thursday.Meanwhile, Hamas representatives charged on Thursday that threats by US President Donald Trump against the Palestinian terrorist organization were “encouraging” Israel to avoid negotiating the second phase of a ceasefire.Trump’s comments would “complicate matters regarding the ceasefire agreement,” Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem told CNN, urging the president to pressure Jerusalem into agreeing to a second phase “as stipulated in the agreement.”Hamas spokesperson Abdel-Latif al-Qanua told Reuters that the US president’s threats equal support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s attempts to avoid entering another ceasefire agreement.Illustrative: Hamas gunmen and Palestinians gather in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip, as preparations take place for the release of three Israeli hostages as part of the seventh hostage-prisoner swap on February 22, 2025. (Bashar Taleb / AFP)“The best track to release the remaining Israeli [hostages] is by [Israel] going into the second phase and compelling it to adhere to the agreement signed under the sponsorship of mediators,” he said.The comments by Hamas came in response to a new ultimatum issued on Wednesday by Trump, which demanded that the terror group immediately release all remaining hostages or be destroyed.“‘Shalom Hamas’ means Hello and Goodbye – You can choose,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. “Release all of the hostages now — not later — and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you.“This is your last warning! For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance.”Trump’s post was uploaded shortly after he met with eight released hostages in the Oval Office, and amid an apparent impasse in negotiations between Israel and Hamas after the first phase of the fragile ceasefire ended Saturday.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Hamas to take Trump’s threats seriously, telling Fox News: “People don’t realize the President meets with these people, he hears their stories; he’s outraged and rightfully so.Released hostage Eli Sharabi meets with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on March 5, 2025. (White House/X)“He’s tired of watching these videos every weekend where hostages that are emaciated are released and bodies are turned over, and sometimes it’s the wrong bodies and there’s five here and three there and there’s games that are being played. And he’s lost his patience with it.”“He doesn’t say these things and not mean it, as folks are finding out around the world. If he says he’s going to do something, he’ll do it. And so they’d better take that seriously.”Trump has issued multiple ultimatums to Hamas over the past several months with limited success. Before his inauguration, he demanded Hamas release all of the hostages or there would be “all hell to pay.” The terror group did not release all of them, but did agree to a multi-phase ceasefire deal with Israel that secured the release of 33 hostages, in multiple batches, during the first stage.Last month, after Hamas threatened not to release one batch of those hostages as scheduled, citing Israeli violations of the agreement, Trump issued another similar ultimatum demanding that all of them be released at noon the following Saturday. Hamas did not agree to release all of the hostages, but it did free the three it was scheduled to let go.“I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job; not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say,” Trump warned in his fresh threat on Wednesday.Israeli hostage Eli Sharabi, who has been held hostage by Hamas in Gaza since October 7, 2023, is paraded by Hamas gunmen before being handed over to the Red Cross in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, February 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)Trump has advanced over $11 billion in weapons sales to Israel since taking office, including a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs that the Biden administration withheld due to concerns they’d lead to civilian deaths in Gaza.He noted in his post that he had just met with the former hostages, “whose lives you have destroyed… Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted!”“Also, to the People of Gaza: A beautiful future awaits, but not if you hold hostages. If you do, you are DEAD! Make a SMART decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER,” Trump added.‘They will get the job done’Trump’s ultimatum came after several roller-coaster days for the hostage families.As phase one of the deal ended on Saturday, Netanyahu’s office issued a statement announcing that it had accepted what it described as a proposal from Trump’s Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff to extend the ceasefire under terms that the sides had agreed to in January.US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff (second from right) meets with four IDF soldiers freed from Gaza captivity, at the Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva, January 30, 2025. (Screenshot/ US Embassy)While Israel signed onto these terms, including a stipulation that the two sides would hold negotiations regarding the terms of phase two, Netanyahu has long insisted that he would not end the war before Hamas’s military and governing capabilities have been dismantled. Accordingly, he largely refused to hold negotiations regarding phase two.The “Witkoff proposal” he unveiled on Saturday evening envisions the extension of the ceasefire through Ramadan and Passover, which ends on April 19. During this period, the remaining hostages would be released in two batches — one on the first day of the extension and the other at the end, pending agreements on a permanent ceasefire.Hamas quickly rejected the proposal, insisting it was only prepared to release hostages under the original framework that the sides reached in January. Israel, in turn, has threatened to resume fighting and on Sunday announced that it was blocking all humanitarian aid from entering Gaza moving forward.While an Arab diplomat told The Times of Israel that the proposal was actually “more of an Israeli offer,” the Trump administration quickly got behind it and issued a statement backing Israel’s stance in the hostage negotiations.Terror groups in the Gaza Strip are holding 59 hostages, including 58 of the 251 abducted by Hamas-led terrorists on October 7, 2023.They include the bodies of at least 35 confirmed dead by the IDF. Hamas has so far released 30 living hostages — 20 Israeli civilians, five soldiers, and five Thai nationals — and the bodies of eight slain Israeli captives during the ceasefire that began in January.A group of released hostages meets US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on March 5, 2025. (White House/X)The terror group freed 105 civilians during a weeklong truce in late November 2023, and four hostages were released before that in the early weeks of the war.Eight hostages have been rescued from captivity by troops alive, and the bodies of 41 have also been recovered, including three mistakenly killed by the Israeli military as they tried to escape their captors, and the body of a soldier who was killed in 2014.The body of another soldier killed in 2014, Lt. Hadar Goldin, is still being held by Hamas, and is counted among the 59 hostages. LINKTrump defends direct US-Hamas talks as Israel seethes, attempts to sabotage themUS president says effort aimed at releasing Israeli hostages, but Witkoff admits US captives are priority and that Trump issued ultimatum after Hamas didn’t play ball in meeting
...Jerusalem is not happy about the direct US-Hamas talks, though, a government official told The Times of Israel on condition of anonymity. Accordingly, Israel was behind Wednesday’s media leak about the negotiations’ existence, the official said, confirming reporting in the Ynet news site.While the White House claimed it consulted with Israel on the matter, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu only found out about the US talks with Hamas after the fact, the official said.
The US decided not to inform Israel of Trump hostage envoy Adam Boehler’s recent meeting with Hamas beforehand because when Washington did so before a previously planned sit-down it ended up being forced to cancel after Jerusalem expressed strong opposition to the idea, Ynet reported.
Boehler decided to move forward with the meeting, which he largely used to try to secure the release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander along with the bodies of American Israeli hostages Omer Neutra, Itay Chen, Gadi Haggai and Judi Weinstein. The meeting also included discussions on a a broader deal between Israel and Hamas to release all remaining hostages and end the war sparked by the terror group’s October 2023 attack.
When Israel found out about the meeting after the fact, it sought to sabotage the effort by leaking it to the media, Ynet said.
The government official indicated to The Times of Israel that the leak achieved its purpose and that the talks with Hamas had since hit a snag.
Israel’s opposition to the direct US-Hamas talks stemmed from its concern that the US might lose interest in securing a broad hostage-ceasefire deal once all American hostages are released.
US special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff tried to address those concerns, insisting Thursday that Washington is determined to release all of the hostages.
Still, he acknowledged that Alexander is a priority for the administration, and he indicated that it wants Hamas to release the 20-year-old IDF soldier as a demonstration of goodwill.
“Edan Alexander is very important to us — as all the hostages are — but Edan Alexander is an American, and he’s injured, so he’s a top priority for us,” Witkoff told reporters during a gaggle outside the White House.
He appeared to confirm that Alexander’s release was a topic of conversation in the direct talks that Boehler held with Hamas, while lamenting that those discussions have not yet paid dividends. ...
...Beyond releasing Alexander, Witkoff indicated the only way out for Hamas would be for it to free all remaining hostages and to go into exile — something the terror group has shown no indication that it is prepared to do.Witkoff acknowledged that there is a lot of uncertainty regarding what will happen next after Trump’s ultimatum.
“It’s unclear exactly what’s going to happen. There’s going to be some action taken. It could be jointly with the Israelis,” Witkoff told reporters.
Pressed further on those comments, Witkoff appeared to walk back the suggestion that the US could join Israel in military action against Hamas. ...
...Hamas issues warning as US backs Gaza aid freezeMeanwhile, Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida warned Thursday that any Israeli military escalation against the Gaza terror group will most likely lead to the killing of some hostages.The fact there is satisfaction that the leak caused the direct talks to hit a snag is no different than Ben Gvir's pride in killing all hostage deals before they even reached the table. The statement of satisfaction was made by an anonymous government official, which always means it came directly from Netanyahu but he doesn't want to be directly associated with the statement for deniability purposes.
He further added that Israeli threats of war and blockade will not secure the release of hostages, and claimed that the terror group is still committed to abiding by the truce deal with Israel if Jerusalem continues with the framework’s second phrase.
Israel has refused to do so, as the second phase envisions Israel withdrawing fully from Gaza and agreeing to a permanent end to the war in exchange for the remaining living hostages.
While Netanyahu signed on to those terms in January, he has refused to even hold negotiations regarding the terms of the second phase, which were supposed to start one month ago.
Instead, he has sought to impose a new framework to extend the ceasefire after the first phase expired on Saturday.
This framework, which he said was actually proposed by Witkoff, envisions the ceasefire being extended for another month and a half, through Ramadan and Passover. The first half of the hostages would be released at the beginning of this period and the last half of the hostages would be released at the end if terms are reached regarding a permanent ceasefire. link. 'Israel's' (actually Netanyahu's) concern is not that the US might lose interest in securing the release of the non Americans. His concern is that the US might reach a deal that they will try to force Netanyahu to accept which includes ending the war. Steve Witcoff and Miriam Adelson are not going to let the ball drop only after the release of the US citizens. They are personally dedicated to getting all the hostages released and Netanyahu knows that.
There is quite a bit of hypocrisy in Netanyahu's anger that the US is having direct negotiations with Hamas. After all, it was him and his government that had direct negotiations with Hamas in the Schalit deal. My brother was the secret direct channel between the Israeli government and Hamas to secure Gilad's release. It proved that the best and most efficient way to release our hostages is through direct negotiations, not through multiple interlocutors which has been the case since the beginning of the war. It's similar to the game of telephone whereby the original message gets so messed up by the time it gets back to the original person who told the message.
Specifically about the American proposal to Hamas as has been reported, so it is not official. We have heard 2 proposals both of which are bad. One is that the ceasefire of Phase 1 will continue for 60 days and during those 60 days, 10 living hostages will be released. That is a horrible proposal. It means that the releases will be in drips and drabs again and only be 10 of the 24 living hostages leaving 14 of them to suffer at least another 2 months and possibly die during this time, as well as the risks to the 10 who would be released over this very lengthy time. There was no talk, that has been released about the fate of the remaining 14.
The second proposal that Witcoff addressed would be over a period of 1.5 months through Ramadan which has already started and Passover, that the first half of the hostages (living and dead, I assume) would be released and the second half at the end, if agreement to end the war was achieved. This also means that there would be living hostages who would continue to suffer for another 1.5 months and possibly die during this time. On the other hand, our government is not achieving anything for the release of the hostages and seems willing to sacrifice all of them on the alter of Netanyahu's self interests. The second proposal has more of a chance of getting Hamas onboard because it would specify the end of the war which is precisely why Netanyahu won't sign off on it. The other issue for Hamas will be negative if the agreement calls for the Hamas leadership and fighters to leave Gaza as part of it.
The bottom line of all of this is that once again, as has been the case throughout the war, it is the Americans that are doing more for the release of the hostages than our own government who bear both the responsibility and blame for there being hostages in the first place. - Hamas says it dispatched high-level delegation to ceasefire talks in CairoA high-level Hamas delegation has arrived in Cairo to advance efforts on a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, which has largely paused fighting with Israel, two senior Hamas officials tell AFP.“The delegation will meet with Egyptian officials on Saturday to discuss the latest developments, assess progress in implementing the ceasefire agreement, and address matters related to launching the second phase of the deal,” one official says.
- The next 24: These are the remaining hostages presumed alive in GazaTwo dozen men — fathers, soldiers, security guards, tech workers, dreamers, dancers and more — are still captive after over 500 days, along with the bodies of 35 others
The conclusion of the first stage of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal has many looking anxiously to the release of the remaining living hostages and the bodies of those killed in captivity.
Israel believes 24 hostages are still alive in the Strip — 22 Israelis, one Thai and one Nepali. All of them are young men who were kidnapped on October 7, 2023, when thousands of Hamas-led terrorists stormed southern Israel to kill some 1,200 people and abduct 251, sparking the war in Gaza.
The group includes four active-duty soldiers and several people who had been working security at the Nova music festival, some of whom Hamas has claimed were soldiers as well.
Several of the other hostages were also kidnapped from the Nova rave, where they had been partying before the early morning attack began. A number of others were kidnapped while sheltering in their kibbutz homes or trying to protect family members from the deadly massacre carried out by Hamas that day.
Under the ceasefire deal currently in place in Gaza, these 24 men would be released in a planned second stage of the deal. However, Israel has balked at entering talks to advance to the next phase, which would involve the withdrawal of forces from Gaza and a permanent end to the war, saying the hostages must first be freed.
Another 35 hostages who were confirmed by Israel to be dead are held captive in Gaza. They include 34 kidnapped in the Hamas onslaught and a soldier killed in the 2014 Gaza war. The slain captives would be returned in the deal’s potential third phase.
The 42-day first phase saw Hamas release 33 Israeli women, children, civilian men over 50 and those deemed “humanitarian cases.” Eight of the hostages were returned dead, including Ariel and Kfir Bibas, aged 4 and nine months, respectively, as well as their mother Shiri. During the first phase, Hamas also released five Thai nationals not included in the deal.
Relatives and supporters of those held hostage in the Gaza Strip during a rally calling on the government for a deal that would bring all the remaining captives back, outside the prime minister residence in Jerusalem on March 2, 2025. (Menahem KAHANA / AFP)Another 105 hostages had been released in a weeklong truce in late November 2023, and four hostages were released before that.
Eight hostages have been rescued alive by Israeli security forces, and the bodies of 41 were also recovered, including three hostages mistakenly killed by troops while escaping captivity and a soldier killed in the 2014 war.
Minutes after the first phase expired on March 1, Netanyahu’s office endorsed a plan to extend the ceasefire with Hamas until April 19 rather than advancing to phase two.
Israelis attend a rally calling for the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv on March 1, 2025. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)The proposal, which Israel has attributed to US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, would see all 59 hostages released by next month but has been rejected by Hamas.
Here are the 24 people whose fates lie in the balance and the 35 others whose families are still waiting to give them a dignified burial. LINK
SEE THE REST OF THE ARTICLE BELOW IN THE SECTION OF THE 59 HOSTAGES REMAINING, WHICH SHOWS ALL OF THE HOSTAGES STILL IN CAPTIVITY - The UN Report Recommends: Recognize the Families of Abductees as Victims of TortureAt the UN headquarters, a report was presented addressing the Israeli hostages and their families—calling for them to be recognized as victims. The implication: if adopted, the families will be able to sue Hamas in international judicial forums. The psychological terror of the terrorist organization, the torture in captivity, and the harm inflicted on the families of the hostages—here are the full quotes from the report.Discussion with Families of hostages:At the UN, a report was presented calling for the recognition of Israeli hostages in Gaza and their families as victims entitled to compensation, rehabilitation, and support. The report was presented yesterday (Wednesday) by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Dr. Alice Edwards, who wrote: "Support systems must be established to assist hostages and their families in dealing with the psychological, physical, and economic consequences of abduction."Edwards presented the report at the UN building in Geneva, during an event led by the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists (IJL) in collaboration with the headquarters of the families of the abductees. The report adopts the position paper submitted by the two organizations several months ago, which called for the recognition of the families of the hostages as victims of torture. This recognition is significant and will allow the families of the hostages to act in the international arena against Hamas, including filing lawsuits in international courts and demanding financial compensation.Edwards referred in the report to the psychological terror that Hamas inflicts on the families of the hostages, including the impact of the videos Hamas disseminates. "Hamas has published videos of hostages that torment their families, for example, by asking them to guess which hostage has been killed. The bodies of the deceased are also used as leverage, and families are prevented from burying their loved ones."According to Edwards, "The right to know the truth about the fate and location of hostages includes the family's right to recover the remains of their loved ones. Concealment, destruction, or damage to bodies may violate the rights of family members to be free from torture and abuse."The report also addresses the mental struggles of families whose loved ones are in captivity. "Family members experience severe psychological trauma, including chronic anxiety, depression, and isolation, and this condition is often exacerbated by demands from their governments not to speak publicly," it states. "Sleepless nights, concern for the safety of their loved ones, and guilt over their inability to help intensify the emotional burden on them. Some family members focus all their efforts and attention on the mission to bring their loved ones home."Edwards added: "Family members need support from their governments to navigate the impacts on their lives, such as legal issues and interactions with the media, and to receive regular updates on what is happening."Edwards met in Israel with a former hostages who returned from captivity during her visit here last December. She described the psychological effects of abduction. "The experience of abduction can be terrifying," she explained. "It is often completely unexpected and confusing. The abductors did not spare children, pregnant women, sick individuals, or the elderly. An Israeli hostage who was released described to me how, within minutes in Gaza, she was surrounded by people shouting and cheering as she was beaten with sticks."Edwards' report was submitted to the UN Human Rights Council and also addresses torture in captivity. The report does not focus solely on Israel but also on the growing phenomenon of hostage-taking in recent decades worldwide. However, a significant portion of it is dedicated to the Israeli hostages from the "Black Saturday.""The international community must condemn all forms of hostage-taking, act individually and collectively to prevent it, and fully implement the International Convention Against the Taking of Hostages and the commitments to prohibit, prevent, and address torture and other abuse, everywhere," it states.Statements from the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists (IJL):Attorney Hila Kugler-Ramot, CEO of the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists, stated: "This is an important and groundbreaking report. This is the first time that a UN body has recognized that not only have the hostages themselves endured and continue to endure severe torture at the hands of the terrorist organization Hamas, but their families are also direct victims of acts of torture. This is a significant achievement in the international legal arena, and we hope it will contribute to the mobilization of all actors in the international community to secure the release of the hostages, thereby ending the terrible suffering of the abductees and their families."Conclusion:The UN report underscores the urgent need to address the suffering of the hostages and their families. By recognizing the families as victims of torture, the international community can take a significant step toward holding Hamas accountable for its crimes and providing justice for those affected. link
Gaza and the South
- Notes, Observations, and Assessments (Gershon Baskin, March 6, 2025)
1. US Direct negotiations with HamasThis is a good thing. Direct negotiations are almost always better than negotiations through third parties that have their own interests and styles of negotiating. Egypt and Qatar have done a good job, or as good as can be expected. They each have their own “special” relationships with Israel and with Hamas, but if there could be direct Israel-Hamas negotiations, as I have advocated for two decades, the negotiations would be faster and the agreements reached less convoluted – even though each side is dedicated to the destruction of the other. If the US-Hamas direct negotiations are for the US to negotiate the release of the hostages with US citizenship (1 living, 4 dead) then this is a negative development. There must be negotiations for all 59 hostages, living and dead. The US has almost no leverage on Hamas and US threats against Hamas are almost useless. The US is not likely to bomb Gaza or to have US boots on the ground. The main danger is that the US could green-light Israel renewing the war with the express purpose of destroying the 20% of Gaza which has not yet been destroyed and license to go after all of the remaining Hamas commanders and fighters. The US could also green light further Israeli breaches of international law, such as cutting humanitarian supplies – food, water, medical supplies, tents, etc. If this happens, if the war renews with US support, it essentially means that Netanyahu and his government have decided to sacrifice the remaining hostages and the very likely possibility that many of them will never return home. On the other hand, if the US-Hamas negotiations lead the Americans to understand that the hostages cannot be saved without moving to stage 2 of the agreement, then Trump could use his leverage on Netanyahu and tell him to finish the deal and deal with Hamas afterwards. This is the best possible outcome. There is no deal without ending the war and without Israel exiting Gaza. There is no end to the war without all of the hostages being freed. There is no real end to the war if Hamas – militarily or politically - continues to control Gaza. There is no reconstruction of Gaza if Hamas remains in control of Gaza. The war must end now!
2. The Arab League Plan for GazaMost of the details of the Arab League plan for Gaza have not been published. I understand that there is a 150 page document with the plan (which I haven’t seen yet but I am trying to get). The plan, as reported, would lead to the establishment of a technocratic professional civilian governing council in Gaza which Hamas is not part of. According to what was published, the Palestinian Authority would take control of Gaza after six months. Palestinian security forces would be trained in Jordan and Egypt and all of the Arab and other countries would participate in the reconstruction of Gaza (with a $54 billion price tag). There is a lot that we don’t know and has not been published (or I did not see it yet). Those issues include: Will Mahmoud Abbas step aside so that someone with more legitimacy would rule the Palestinian Authority until new elections can be held (the plan calls for comprehensive Palestinian elections for the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza – for the Presidency and the Legislative Council for the State of Palestine). Who is the person that will be appointed (by Abbas presumably) to head the Gaza Council? In the plan, or Palestinian announcement, there was a statement that ousted Fatah leaders would be granted amnesty and be allowed to return (Dahlan? Nasser Elkidwa? – Dahlan has no intention of returning. Elkidwa is willing to take on the duty of heading the Gaza Council – but not under the authority of Abbas). The plan, or what was published does not speak about what happens to the Hamas weapons and combatants, although the plan does indicated (or what was reported) that there will be no reconstruction of Gaza if Hamas continues to control Gaza (I assume that means Hamas control of weapons as well).3. Israel and US rejection of the Arab League Plan. According to the media, Netanyahu and Trump rejected the Arab League plan and still back the US owned Gaza Riviera plan. They need to be reminded that Gaza does not belong to Israel to give away to Trump. Palestinians in Gaza refuse to be ethnically cleansed. Despite the fact that many Palestinians in Gaza would be very happy to find a new safe home, the Trump plan has made this into a national issue and Palestinians refuse to surrender their homeland to any foreign occupier. Between lines I want to note that the Palestinian demand to remain in the homeland in Gaza almost supersedes right now the demand for the right of return to areas inside of the sovereign state of Israel. I don’t think that the Palestinians are ready to give up the right of return but at the moment the focus is returning to their destroyed homes inside of Gaza.
- Gaza’s largest field hospital operating with skeleton crew, forced to cut most services after USAID funding freeze
Aid organizations operating in the Gaza Strip are being forced to scale back programs or pay out of pocket after the Trump administration froze hundreds of millions of dollars in contractual payments as part of its cuts to USAID.
According to three USAID officials speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, the Trump administration approved over $383 million in funding on January 31 to ensure the survival of the tenuous ceasefire in Gaza.
But since then, they say that there have been no confirmed payments to any partners in the Middle East, leaving organizations without promised funds.
Senior officials at aid organizations say that they have spent millions of dollars on supplies and services out of pocket and cannot afford to continue operations indefinitely, while others are already being forced to lay off workers and scale down operations, according to internal USAID information shared with the AP.
Among the organizations impacted by the freeze is the International Medical Corps, a global nonprofit that provides medical and development assistance. It was awarded $12 million to continue operations at two hospitals in Gaza, including at the largest field hospital in the Strip, whose construction was funded by USAID at the request of the Israeli government.
It has now requested payback of over $1 million, says one USAID official, adding that the freeze has forced the organization to lay off some 700 staff members and offer only basic services at the hospitals, with a skeletal crew.
A former IMC staffer says the program providing life-saving treatment for malnutrition is almost frozen for lack of funds, and that the current nutrition services are at a minimum level.
Meanwhile, termination letters severing the contracts between USAID and Gaza partners have also been sent out to organizations that were major providers of shelter, child protection and logistical support in the Gaza aid operation, a USAID official says.
Some of the termination letters seen by the AP were signed by new USAID deputy chief Peter Marocco — a returning political appointee from Trump’s first term. They instruct organizations to “immediately cease” all activities and “avoid additional spending chargeable to the award,” citing a directive from Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Aid organizations operating in the Gaza Strip are being forced to scale back programs or pay out of pocket after the Trump administration froze hundreds of millions of dollars in contractual payments as part of its cuts to USAID.
According to three USAID officials speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, the Trump administration approved over $383 million in funding on January 31 to ensure the survival of the tenuous ceasefire in Gaza.
But since then, they say that there have been no confirmed payments to any partners in the Middle East, leaving organizations without promised funds.
Senior officials at aid organizations say that they have spent millions of dollars on supplies and services out of pocket and cannot afford to continue operations indefinitely, while others are already being forced to lay off workers and scale down operations, according to internal USAID information shared with the AP.
Among the organizations impacted by the freeze is the International Medical Corps, a global nonprofit that provides medical and development assistance. It was awarded $12 million to continue operations at two hospitals in Gaza, including at the largest field hospital in the Strip, whose construction was funded by USAID at the request of the Israeli government.
It has now requested payback of over $1 million, says one USAID official, adding that the freeze has forced the organization to lay off some 700 staff members and offer only basic services at the hospitals, with a skeletal crew.
A former IMC staffer says the program providing life-saving treatment for malnutrition is almost frozen for lack of funds, and that the current nutrition services are at a minimum level.
Meanwhile, termination letters severing the contracts between USAID and Gaza partners have also been sent out to organizations that were major providers of shelter, child protection and logistical support in the Gaza aid operation, a USAID official says.
Some of the termination letters seen by the AP were signed by new USAID deputy chief Peter Marocco — a returning political appointee from Trump’s first term. They instruct organizations to “immediately cease” all activities and “avoid additional spending chargeable to the award,” citing a directive from Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Northern Israel - Lebanon/Hizbollah/Syria
- Assad loyalists kill 7 members of Syrian security forces, wound 11 in northwest Syria
Gunmen loyal to ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad killed seven members of the country’s new security forces and wounded 11 on Thursday, a war monitor says.
“Seven members of the security forces were killed and 11 wounded in attacks and ambushes launched by gunmen loyal to Assad in the town of Jableh” and nearby areas of Latakia province, which has seen clashes and helicopter strikes, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says.
SOHR, run by a single person, has regularly been accused by Syrian war analysts of false reporting and inflating casualty numbers as well as inventing them wholesale.
Over 70 said killed in fighting between Syrian security forces, Assad loyalists
More than 70 people have been killed and dozens more wounded in Syria in fighting between government security forces and militants loyal to deposed ruler Bashar al-Assad, a rights monitor says.
“More than 70 killed and dozens wounded and captured in bloody clashes and ambushes on the Syrian coast between members of the Ministry of Defense and Interior and militants from the defunct regime’s army,” the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says in a post on X.
SOHR, run by a single person, has regularly been accused by Syrian war analysts of false reporting and inflating casualty numbers as well as inventing them wholesale.
- Hezbollah’s Crisis: Political Power Weakens, Funding Dries Up, and Domestic Media Attacks The Shiite terrorist organization is facing its most severe crisis in history and is under public criticism from within Lebanon. On the political front, the president and prime minister, who enjoy the backing of the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, are not aligning with Hezbollah. A Lebanese journalist revealed: "Thousands of young Hezbollah members simply refused to fight." Hezbollah is facing one of the most severe crises since its establishment. After a period of targeted assassinations and blows to its leadership, political pressure and domestic criticism are mounting. For the first time in years, the Lebanese public is not hesitating to express sharp criticism of Hezbollah on television and social media. The recent war has weakened the organization’s standing in Lebanon, and it is now under internal attack from journalists, commentators, and influential figures within the Shiite community who are challenging its leadership. Public Criticism and Internal Dissent:The public criticism is not limited to media discourse. Lebanon’s economic collapse and the halt in funding from Iran have severely impacted Hezbollah’s ability to finance its operatives and supporters. Lebanese journalists have reported that thousands within the organization have refused to join the battlefield, driven by despair and a lack of trust in the leadership. "We are seeing a completely different organization after the war—I call it Hezbollah 2.0, an organization that is very weak in terms of its capabilities, its sources of income, and its leadership," said Col. (res.) Orna Mizrahi, a senior researcher at INSS and former deputy head of the National Security Council. The Shiite community is also in turmoil following Hezbollah’s defeats in the war with Israel. Lebanese journalists and commentators note that morale among the organization’s supporters is at an unprecedented low. "You know that thousands did not show up on the battlefield? There are reliable reports indicating that thousands of young Hezbollah members simply refused to fight," said a Lebanese journalist. Another journalist, Dima Sadek, who is leading the criticism against Hezbollah, added: "Our young people understand that Hezbollah is dragging them to ruin. They see what’s happening, they understand that this organization is not protecting Lebanon but destroying it from within." This trend of refusing to participate in Hezbollah’s operations signals an internal rift that could deepen further. Political Shifts in Lebanon: Meanwhile, a new wind is blowing in Lebanese politics. The newly elected president, Joseph Aoun, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, are not aligning with Hezbollah and are saying so publicly. The United States has increased its involvement in Lebanon, particularly in enforcing the ceasefire and restricting the flow of weapons and funds to the organization. "Tell the Iranians, guys, step aside, we don’t have time for you anymore. There’s a new landlord in town called the United States, and it’s setting the pace," explained Col. (res.) Dr. Jacques Neria, a researcher at the Jerusalem Center for Foreign Affairs and Security and former political advisor to the prime minister. The U.S. and Saudi Arabia are placing obstacles in Hezbollah’s attempts to maintain its power. Revolutionary Proposals for Change: Amid the crisis, revolutionary proposals for changing the regional dynamics are emerging. Some leaders in Lebanon suggest taking advantage of Hezbollah’s weakness and joining normalization agreements with Israel. However, such a process is expected to be lengthy and complex due to significant opposition within Lebanon. Nevertheless, it is clear that the recent war and its internal consequences are undermining Hezbollah’s standing more than ever. "The new leadership in Lebanon certainly presents us with an opportunity to change the relationship between Israel and Lebanon. They don’t want war because of the consequences it has for the Lebanese state," added Orna Mizrahi. The results of these developments may be reflected in the upcoming parliamentary elections, if they are indeed held on time. Conclusion: Hezbollah is grappling with a multifaceted crisis—political, financial, and social. The organization’s weakened state, combined with growing domestic criticism and shifting political alliances, poses a significant challenge to its future. As Lebanon navigates this turbulent period, the potential for change in the region’s dynamics remains a possibility, albeit a complex one. link
- Assad loyalists kill 7 members of Syrian security forces, wound 11 in northwest Syria
Gunmen loyal to ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad killed seven members of the country’s new security forces and wounded 11 on Thursday, a war monitor says.
“Seven members of the security forces were killed and 11 wounded in attacks and ambushes launched by gunmen loyal to Assad in the town of Jableh” and nearby areas of Latakia province, which has seen clashes and helicopter strikes, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says.
SOHR, run by a single person, has regularly been accused by Syrian war analysts of false reporting and inflating casualty numbers as well as inventing them wholesale.
Over 70 said killed in fighting between Syrian security forces, Assad loyalistsMore than 70 people have been killed and dozens more wounded in Syria in fighting between government security forces and militants loyal to deposed ruler Bashar al-Assad, a rights monitor says.
“More than 70 killed and dozens wounded and captured in bloody clashes and ambushes on the Syrian coast between members of the Ministry of Defense and Interior and militants from the defunct regime’s army,” the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says in a post on X.
SOHR, run by a single person, has regularly been accused by Syrian war analysts of false reporting and inflating casualty numbers as well as inventing them wholesale.
- Hezbollah’s Crisis: Political Power Weakens, Funding Dries Up, and Domestic Media AttacksThe Shiite terrorist organization is facing its most severe crisis in history and is under public criticism from within Lebanon. On the political front, the president and prime minister, who enjoy the backing of the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, are not aligning with Hezbollah. A Lebanese journalist revealed: "Thousands of young Hezbollah members simply refused to fight."Hezbollah is facing one of the most severe crises since its establishment. After a period of targeted assassinations and blows to its leadership, political pressure and domestic criticism are mounting. For the first time in years, the Lebanese public is not hesitating to express sharp criticism of Hezbollah on television and social media. The recent war has weakened the organization’s standing in Lebanon, and it is now under internal attack from journalists, commentators, and influential figures within the Shiite community who are challenging its leadership.Public Criticism and Internal Dissent:The public criticism is not limited to media discourse. Lebanon’s economic collapse and the halt in funding from Iran have severely impacted Hezbollah’s ability to finance its operatives and supporters. Lebanese journalists have reported that thousands within the organization have refused to join the battlefield, driven by despair and a lack of trust in the leadership."We are seeing a completely different organization after the war—I call it Hezbollah 2.0, an organization that is very weak in terms of its capabilities, its sources of income, and its leadership," said Col. (res.) Orna Mizrahi, a senior researcher at INSS and former deputy head of the National Security Council.The Shiite community is also in turmoil following Hezbollah’s defeats in the war with Israel. Lebanese journalists and commentators note that morale among the organization’s supporters is at an unprecedented low. "You know that thousands did not show up on the battlefield? There are reliable reports indicating that thousands of young Hezbollah members simply refused to fight," said a Lebanese journalist.Another journalist, Dima Sadek, who is leading the criticism against Hezbollah, added: "Our young people understand that Hezbollah is dragging them to ruin. They see what’s happening, they understand that this organization is not protecting Lebanon but destroying it from within." This trend of refusing to participate in Hezbollah’s operations signals an internal rift that could deepen further.Political Shifts in Lebanon:Meanwhile, a new wind is blowing in Lebanese politics. The newly elected president, Joseph Aoun, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, are not aligning with Hezbollah and are saying so publicly. The United States has increased its involvement in Lebanon, particularly in enforcing the ceasefire and restricting the flow of weapons and funds to the organization."Tell the Iranians, guys, step aside, we don’t have time for you anymore. There’s a new landlord in town called the United States, and it’s setting the pace," explained Col. (res.) Dr. Jacques Neria, a researcher at the Jerusalem Center for Foreign Affairs and Security and former political advisor to the prime minister. The U.S. and Saudi Arabia are placing obstacles in Hezbollah’s attempts to maintain its power.Revolutionary Proposals for Change:Amid the crisis, revolutionary proposals for changing the regional dynamics are emerging. Some leaders in Lebanon suggest taking advantage of Hezbollah’s weakness and joining normalization agreements with Israel. However, such a process is expected to be lengthy and complex due to significant opposition within Lebanon.Nevertheless, it is clear that the recent war and its internal consequences are undermining Hezbollah’s standing more than ever. "The new leadership in Lebanon certainly presents us with an opportunity to change the relationship between Israel and Lebanon. They don’t want war because of the consequences it has for the Lebanese state," added Orna Mizrahi. The results of these developments may be reflected in the upcoming parliamentary elections, if they are indeed held on time.Conclusion:Hezbollah is grappling with a multifaceted crisis—political, financial, and social. The organization’s weakened state, combined with growing domestic criticism and shifting political alliances, poses a significant challenge to its future. As Lebanon navigates this turbulent period, the potential for change in the region’s dynamics remains a possibility, albeit a complex one. link
West Bank and Jerusalem and Terror attacks within Israel
- Older West Bank Palestinians, those 12 and under permitted to attend Temple Mount prayers
Police in Jerusalem gear up to secure prayers at the Temple Mount on the first Friday of Ramadan, with the Prime Minister’s Office saying Palestinians from the West Bank will be able to visit the holy site under the same terms approved by the government last year.
A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office says males 55 and older, women who are at least 50-years-old and children 12 or younger will be allowed to enter Jerusalem to attend the prayers after receiving a permit from Israeli authorities.
The statement adds that Israel is committed to upholding freedom of worship “for all religions and nations.”
Police in Jerusalem gear up to secure prayers at the Temple Mount on the first Friday of Ramadan, with the Prime Minister’s Office saying Palestinians from the West Bank will be able to visit the holy site under the same terms approved by the government last year.
A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office says males 55 and older, women who are at least 50-years-old and children 12 or younger will be allowed to enter Jerusalem to attend the prayers after receiving a permit from Israeli authorities.
The statement adds that Israel is committed to upholding freedom of worship “for all religions and nations.”
Politics and the War (general news)
The Region and the World- Israel could reduce intelligence sharing with US due to warming ties between Trump, Putin
Israel is considering cutting back on intelligence sharing with the United States due to concerns over the recent warming of ties between US President Donald Trump and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, NBC reports, citing sources with knowledge of the matter.Several other longtime US allies, including the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia, are said to be considering changes to their intelligence sharing protocols.
According to the report, among the concerns shared by various US allies is the fear that the identity of important foreign assets could be revealed, thus jeopardizing them, amid the US’s reconciliation with Russia.
Citing unnamed sources, NBC says that discussions on the potential scaling back of intelligence sharing “are already happening,” but that no decisions have been made thus far.
An Israeli official denies the report’s content, telling NBC that “cooperation between Israel and the United States on every level, including the sharing of crucial intelligence data, is as strong and solid as ever.”
The UK and Canada similarly reject the report, and there is no comment from New Zealand or Saudi Arabia.
Personal Stories Hostage Survivor Ofer Calderon to Kan News: "When There Are No Talks, the Hostages Feel Like They’re Dead" About a month after returning from Gaza, Calderon awarded medals to Israel’s cycling champions and called for continued efforts to release the remaining hostages. About his first ride since returning, he said: "It’s air for the soul and mind, it’s freedom." 
About a month after being released from captivity in Gaza, where he was held for 484 days, Ofer Calderon yesterday awarded medals to Israel’s cycling champions. In an exclusive interview aired this evening (Thursday) on Kan 11 News, he called for continued efforts to release the dozens of hostages still held by Hamas.
"I really want the deal to continue, because who knows better than me how the people there feel right now? When there are no talks, it’s a disaster. People there feel like they’re dead, and the light at the end of the tunnel goes out," Calderon said.
Even during the emotional sporting event, Calderon continued to call for the return of all the hostages. "I will try to act through sports in this story, as much as I can influence. I hope it will make a difference," he said.
It’s hard to forget the moments when his friends from the "Smurfs Riders" cycling group accompanied him on his way to the hospital immediately after his release from captivity. Calderon himself is still moved when remembering them. "I watch the videos and cry all the time," he shared. 
The Smurfs Accompany Calderon to the Hospital Upon His Release Eli Erel, Calderon’s friend from the cycling group, shared: "He’s been in the group for ten years. He wasn’t on the sidelines—he was at the center. In addition to Fridays, the group rides two or three times a year for entire weekends in Israel and once a year abroad. When we’re abroad, it’s 24/7, like a reserve unit, and Ofer was always with us—he never missed a ride."
"By nature, he’s an entertainer, funny, optimistic, a joker. How could we not miss him? Every day that passed weighed heavily on us, our hearts were breaking. You go to the Hostages Square and cry, you see Ofer’s picture, and your hands tremble. On every ride, I felt pangs of guilt because he was in a tunnel, and we were riding," Erel recounted. Since his return, Calderon has been gradually learning about the struggle waged by the Smurfs Riders and the cycling community as a whole to secure his release. "It brings me back to Israel, to here, to the land," he said. "My group is part of the powerful story of returning to the land. They did so much for me, I know, but I probably don’t know enough yet. I’ll learn bit by bit."
When asked if he had returned to riding his bike, Calderon replied: "I rode once, in the city, and it was fun. It’s a pleasure, it’s air for the soul and mind. It’s freedom."
Calderon’s Gratitude to the Public: "I see people crying in the street, and I hug them," he shared. "I tell them thank you. They gave me the strength to come back. This is my gratitude—to say thank you and to hug, and that’s what I do."
Conclusion: Ofer Calderon’s return to normal life, including his beloved cycling, symbolizes resilience and hope. His heartfelt plea for the release of the remaining hostages underscores the ongoing pain and urgency felt by the families and the nation. His story is a reminder of the strength of community and the importance of never giving up on bringing everyone home. link
Several other longtime US allies, including the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia, are said to be considering changes to their intelligence sharing protocols.
According to the report, among the concerns shared by various US allies is the fear that the identity of important foreign assets could be revealed, thus jeopardizing them, amid the US’s reconciliation with Russia.
Citing unnamed sources, NBC says that discussions on the potential scaling back of intelligence sharing “are already happening,” but that no decisions have been made thus far.
An Israeli official denies the report’s content, telling NBC that “cooperation between Israel and the United States on every level, including the sharing of crucial intelligence data, is as strong and solid as ever.”
The UK and Canada similarly reject the report, and there is no comment from New Zealand or Saudi Arabia.
59 Hostages Remain in Gaza - Their Stories
Those we are missing:
Edan Alexander
Edan Alexander, 21, was born in Tel Aviv, but grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey. An Israeli-American dual-citizen, he chose to return to Israel after graduating high school in 2022 to serve as a lone soldier in the IDF’s Golani infantry brigade.
Alexander’s family has received several signs of life from hostages who were freed in November 2023 and had met him, handcuffed in the tunnels. He told them he was an American-Israeli soldier. One hostage hugged him, and another helped him drink water.
In November 2024, Alexander was seen again in a Hamas propaganda video, his face thin and wan, with dark circles under his eyes.
Alexander is the last known American hostage still believed to be alive.
Matan Angrest
Matan Angrest, 22, is the eldest of four from Kiryat Bialik. His family describes him as a natural student, a dedicated soccer player and a long-time fan of the Maccabi Haifa soccer team.
Angrest, a soldier, was kidnapped from his tank at the Nahal Oz base when it was attacked by Hamas. He was abducted along with fellow soldier Itay Chen, 19, who was killed in the attack.
Speaking to Channel 12 in February, Angrest’s mother Anat said the family learned from recently returned hostage that “he is alive and held under harsh conditions.”
He had also been seen in a Hamas propaganda video released in September. Referring to the video, Anat Angrest said: “He was kidnapped from a tank, covered in burns. He underwent severe interrogations there, we saw it on his face in the video that we decided not to publish yet.”
Gali Berman
Gali Berman, 27, was abducted with his twin brother Ziv from the “young generation” neighborhood of Kibbutz Kfar Aza, where both of them lived.
Their parents also live on the kibbutz, as does one of their two older brothers
Their family describes the two as inseparable. Both worked at Kfar Aza’s Sincopa 2002 lighting and sound company, and were saving up for a trip to Australia.
On a website devoted to the community’s hostages, Kibbutz Kfar Aza quoted the twins’ supervisor at work as saying, “You could hear Gali greeting everyone, ‘Sha-looom,’ from a mile away, lighting up the office with his smile.”
Their mother Talia told the Ynet news site that during the attack, Gali told her he and Ziv were going to head next door so their friend Emily Damari — among the first hostages released in the current deal — wouldn’t be alone.
Ziv Berman
Like his brother Gali, Ziv Berman, 27, is described by family and friends as a lover of travel, a die-hard fan of the Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer team and avid player on his kibbutz’s team, the Kfar Aza Foxes.
On its website, the kibbutz quoted a friend of Ziv’s saying he’s “the type of person you need in life,” with “contagious laughter that you can’t ignore.”
In his last correspondences before being kidnapped, Ziv texted his family that he could smell smoke in his apartment, and wrote in his neighborhood’s group chat that there were terrorists in his home.
There had been no sign of life from the twins since November 2023, but the family recently said they had received information that the twins were both alive, albeit being held separately.
Elkana Bohbot
Elkana Bohbot, 35, is a father of one from Mevaseret Zion. He is a dual Israeli-Colombian citizen. Online, his brother Uriel described him as someone who loved life and was an avid dancer. He had been planning to open an ice cream parlor in Tel Aviv.
Bohbot was snatched from Nova, where he worked as a technician. His wife Rivka, who came to Israel from Colombia, told Ynet he had saved dozens of people before his abduction.
He was filmed being beaten before he was taken to Gaza.
On February 8, Bohbot’s family said they received word on his condition from released hostage Or Levy, who had been held with him for over a year.
Bohbot’s mother Ruhama said in an interview with Haaretz recently that her toddler grandson had been looking to the sky a lot lately in the hope of seeing his dad.
“He understood that when his father returns, he’ll be on a helicopter, so he’s constantly looking for him,” the newspaper noted.
Rom Braslavski
Rom Braslavski, 21, is the second of three siblings from Jerusalem. He was one of several security guards at the Re’im-area Nova music festival who saved festival-goers’ lives when the terrorists attacked.
Braslavski, who was working while on break from the military, brought two young women to safety, was wounded in both hands and continued trying to save others, despite having the opportunity to escape, according to survivors who saw him. He was last seen in the early afternoon, several hours into the attack, helping a young woman out of a garbage container where she was hiding.
“That fits,” his father told Haaretz recently. “He’s always thinking of others. A good kid. Heart of gold.”
There had been no information regarding Braslavski’s fate until March 6, 2025, 517 days into his captivity, when returned hostage Sasha Troufanov said he and Braslavski had briefly been held together.
Speaking to the Walla news site last month, Braslavski’s mother Tami said her son was injured in his hand when he was abducted and suffers from an allergy that could cause shortness of breath.
Nimrod Cohen
Nimrod Cohen, 20, is an IDF soldier from Rehovot. He has a twin sister and an older brother.
His mother, Vicky, describes him as sensitive and quiet, with a huge heart.
Cohen and his tank crew were abducted as they fought Hamas terrorists who had infiltrated the Nahal Oz base. Cohen was the tank’s gunner. Also in the tank were Sgt. Shaked Dahan, the driver; Sgt. Oz Daniel, the loader; and Cpt. Omer Neutra, the commander.
The IDF has confirmed the deaths of Dahan, Daniel and Neutra, but there have been several signs of life from Cohen.
He was most recently spotted in a video Hamas published March 1 of released hostage Iair Horn parting with his brother Eitan, who remains in captivity.
Though Cohen’s face was blurred in the video, his family recognized him by the tattoo on his forearm. In the video, Cohen could be seen walking.
His mother told The Times of Israel last month that a returning hostage reported seeing Cohen alive, though in poor physical and mental shape, some eight months ago.
Cohen’s father told Channel 12 in February that a recently returned hostage conveyed a message from his son: “I’m okay. Don’t worry. Love you.”
Ariel Cunio
Ariel Cunio, 27, is one of four brothers born and raised in Nir Oz. He was kidnapped along with his long-time girlfriend Arbel Yehoud — who was released on January 30 — from their home in the kibbutz. The couple had recently returned from an extended trip to South and Central America and had just adopted a puppy. They were planning on marrying.
The Israeli-Argentine dual citizen was known around the kibbutz as Pepito, his mother said. He worked as a software tester for a technology firm.
Cunio’s older brother David was also abducted from Nir Oz.
There has been no sign of life from Ariel Cunio since his abduction.
Little is known about what happened to Cunio on the morning of October 7.
In a message to his brother Eitan during the attack, he wrote: “We are in a horror film.”
David Cunio
Ariel’s brother David Cunio, 34, is a father of two from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Cunio, an electrical engineer, met his wife Sharon Aloni Cunio while acting with his brother Eitan in the 2013 film “Youth.”
At the Berlin Film Festival last month, the film’s director Tom Shoval debuted a new project, “A Letter to David,” in which Cunio can be seen hanging out with his best friend Yarden Bibas — released from Hamas captivity on February 1 — and Bibas’s future wife, Shiri Silberman.
Cunio and his wife were kidnapped along with their 3-year-old twin daughters Yuli and Emma, Sharon’s sister Danielle Aloni and Aloni’s 5-year-old daughter Emilia, who were visiting for the holiday weekend.
All but David were released in the November 2023 deal.
There had been no sign of life from David until last month, when one of the returning hostages reported seeing him alive.
Aloni Cunio told Channel 12 at the time that “There is no way to describe how much happiness I’ve been feeling from the moment that we heard the news. It gives us renewed strength to fight until he is returned, until everybody is returned.”
Evyatar David
Evyatar David, 24, is the second of three siblings from Kfar Saba. An avid guitarist and pianist, David’s family has gathered musicians to participate in “Evyatar’s Jam Session” every Thursday at Hostages Square.
David was abducted from the Nova music festival along with his good friend Guy Gilboa-Dalal. The two met in kindergarten and served in the army together.
On February 22, Hamas published a propaganda video showing David and Gilboa-Dalal forced to watch as other captives were freed. The two friends, gaunt with buzzed hair, could be seen begging to be saved.
The video was the first public sign of life from David since his abduction.
His sister Yeela wrote on Instagram that the video showed Hamas “monsters” had put her brother and his friend “in the most horrifying and evil situation there could be.”
“There is no limit to the messed-up cynicism of these monsters,” she wrote.
Guy Gilboa-Dalal
Guy Gilboa-Dalal, 23, is the second of three siblings from the West Bank settlement of Alfei Menashe, near Kfar Saba. His family describes him as a fan of the Maccabi Haifa soccer team and enamored by Japanese culture. He had planned a trip to the country and taught himself to speak Japanese.
Gilboa-Dalal was abducted from the Nova music festival, which he attended with his brother Gal and good friend Evyatar David. The two brothers met up at the rave, hugged and sent a selfie to their mothers shortly before Hamas attacked the site. Gal managed to escape, but Guy and Evyatar were kidnapped.
The two friends were recently featured in a Hamas propaganda video, being forced to watch other hostages being released. Gilboa-Dalal’s father, Ilan, said the video was “the best sign of life I could ask for, but there’s no greater cruelty.”
The family said it was the first sign of life from Guy in eight months.
Maxim Herkin
Maxim Herkin, 36, is a father of one and is a resident of Tirat HaCarmel. The dual Russian-Israeli citizen was the primary provider for his mother and 11-year-old brother until he was kidnapped from the Nova festival on October 7.
Senior Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouk said in Moscow earlier this month that Herkin will be released as a priority in the second stage of the deal.
Herkin had returned from visiting his native Ukraine a week before October 7. He was born in the war-torn Donbas region, which is part of Ukraine but claimed by Russia, and has a daughter who lives in Russia, so Russia is advocating for his release.
Eitan Horn
Eitan Horn, 37, was abducted from the Kibbutz Nir Oz home of his brother Iair, who was freed from captivity last week after 498 days in captivity in Gaza. The Kfar Saba resident had been visiting his brother on the kibbutz for the holiday when the attack took place.
The Israeli-Argentine dual citizen is an informal educator who has long worked with different youth movements and served as an emissary in Peru.
He and Iair are also very involved uncles, according to their father, Itzik, often taking their nephews to Hapoel Beersheba soccer games.
On March 1, Hamas published a video showing Horn saying goodbye to his brother before he was freed.
In the video, Horn says that sometimes he receives food and sometimes he doesn’t; sometimes he’s okay and sometimes he’s not.
“But here, I’m not okay,” he says, pointing to his head, apparently referring to the psychological effects of captivity.
Bipin Joshi
Bipin Joshi, 24, a farming student from Nepal, was abducted by Hamas terrorists from Kibbutz Alumim on October 7, weeks after arriving in Israel as part of an academic program to care for orange and lemon orchards.
Joshi was one of several Thai and Nepalese students taken captive by terrorists who raided a shelter where they were hunkering down when the attack began.
During the onslaught, terrorists tossed two grenades into the shelter, but Joshi managed to throw one of them away from the group, according to close friend Himanchal Kattel, who survived the deadly terrorist raid.
Joshi, who was kidnapped while trying to help the wounded, also sent several messages to his cousin in English, writing, “If something happens to me, you have to take care of my family. Be strong and always see the future.”
Nepalese Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba has said of Joshi that the country’s “prime minister and the foreign minister are engaging with other leaders to request his release.”
Segev Kalfon
Segev Kalfon, 27, from Dimona, tried to run away from the Nova festival. When Kalfon crossed Highway 232, the main highway leading out of the area, the terrorists spotted him and abducted him.
He’s from Dimona, where he worked in the family bakery until he decided to learn about and work in the stock market. He’s the middle child of the family, with an older brother and younger sister. He is known as a friend with a big heart who loves to entertain others.
Kalfon’s family announced last month that they received a sign of life from him, following the return of Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi and Or Levy. One of the hostages spent “long months” with Kalfon in captivity, the Kan public broadcaster reported.
“He didn’t elaborate on [Kalfon’s] condition, but said he was okay,” the family was quoted as saying.
Bar Kupershtein
Bar Abraham Kupershtein, 22, was working security for the Nova festival on October 7. Amid the attack, he began to care for those shot and injured by terrorists, instead of running and escaping, according to survivors who were in touch with his family.
“He evacuated the wounded under fire to save lives, he went back again and again to save people, and when he’s the one who needed help, there was nobody there to save him,” his brother Dvir Kupershtein said.
There has been no sign of life from him.
Omri Miran
Omri Miran, 47, was taken captive on October 7 by Hamas terrorists who drove him from his home on Kibbutz Nahal Oz into the Gaza Strip in his own car, leaving his wife, Lishay Miran, 38, and their two small daughters.
The dual Hungarian-Israeli citizen worked as a shiatsu therapist.
His family said earlier this month that it received a sign of life from him via a recently freed hostage, who said he had been held with Omri until July 2024, and at that time, he seemed to be physically fine.
The two noted, however, that his situation may have since deteriorated in the months that have passed.
Eitan Mor
Eitan Abraham Mor, 24, one of eight siblings, was a security guard at the Nova festival. The final sighting of Mor was as he and a friend were bringing others to safety.
The Jerusalemite’s family said earlier this month it had received word that he is alive.
Mor’s parents are members of the Tikva Forum of hostage families, a hawkish group that advocates for the return of the hostages but opposes costly concessions, citing the threat to Israel’s security from releasing Palestinian terror convicts en masse.
Mor’s father Tzvika told the Associated Press that a few months before the attack, Eitan had expressed opposition to the 2011 exchange that freed captive soldier Gilad Shalit for over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.
“Eitan said he didn’t want there to be a situation where they would release him for murderers,” Mor said. “We know they will go back to murdering the same way they did after Gilad Shalit.”
Tamir Nimrodi
Tamir Nimrodi, 20, was a soldier serving in COGAT’s Coordination and Liaison Administration to the Gaza Strip, as an education corps NCO, when he was taken hostage from his base near the Erez Crossing on October 7.
When the sirens began sounding, Nimrodi wrote to his mother asking how she was and telling her there was a rocket attack.
Within the hour, he had been abducted and marched into Gaza in shorts and a T-shirt.
There have been no signs of life or otherwise from Nimrodi, beyond a video put out by Hamas on October 7 in which he could be seen without his glasses.
The IDF confirmed that he had crossed into Gaza, walking on his own two feet. Beyond that, there is nothing but a swirl of rumors, Nimrodi’s mother Herut said.
Nimrodi struggled throughout his years in school, both socially and intellectually, due to ADHD and sensory issues, but seemed to be finding his way in the army.
Drafted into the Israel Defense Forces corps that handles continuing education for soldiers, the teen had received an award for excellent service and was being considered for officer training, Herut told The Times of Israel.
Since he was taken captive, several soldiers have shared stories of his impact on their service: one told of how Nimrodi brought his dinner to eat with her when he found out she was eating meals by herself in her room.
Another related that Nimrodi snuck some shekels into her pocket when they had a break at a mall and he realized she had nothing to spend.
Yosef-Haim Ohana
Yosef-Haim Ohana, 24, was kidnapped from the Nova festival as he and a friend attempted to provide aid to injured partygoers amid the terrorist onslaught.
Little is known publicly about the condition of Ohana.
The Kiryat Malachi native, who had been working as a bartender in Tel Aviv before his kidnapping, was last seen trying to hide next to a car as a terrorist fired a rocket-propelled grenade at him and a friend.
His family said recently it had received a “clear” signal that he is still alive, but expressed fears for his fate.
Alon Ohel
Alon Ohel, 24, was abducted from the Nova music festival and was not heard from until earlier this month, when released hostages Eli Sharabi and Or Levy said they were held with Ohel for the duration of their captivity.
“He has shrapnel in his eye, he has shrapnel in his shoulder, he has shrapnel in his arm. Alon was bound in chains, this entire time, and he had almost no food — at most one pita a day, over a very, very, very long time, more than a year,” his mother Idit Ohel told Channel 12, following the revelation.
Sharabi said he adopted Ohel as a son while in captivity and the two grew extremely close.
Sharabi said recently that before he was released on February 8, Ohel grabbed him and refused to let go until their guard tore him away. He said there were “moments of hysteria,” and it took about 15 minutes to calm him down.
“It was a very hard moment,” he said. “He said he was happy for me. I promised him I won’t leave him there. I will fight for him.”
Ohel is described as a talented pianist who plans to study jazz in Tel Aviv, and his family brought a yellow piano to Hostages Square in Tel Aviv in his honor. Visitors are invited to play the piano and send love and strength. It has since been installed in other locations as well.
Avinatan Or
Avinatan Or, 32, was abducted from the Nova festival and separated from his girlfriend, Noa Argamani, who was rescued by Israeli soldiers in June 2024.
Later that day, a Hamas video of Or and Argamani was posted on Telegram, showing Argamani on an all-terrain vehicle, as she calls in fear, crying, “Don’t kill me!” reaching out her arms to Or, who is being marched away from her, surrounded by at least three terrorists.
Or who grew up in the West Bank settlement of Shilo, is an electrical engineer who works for Nvidia. Before his abduction, he lived in Tel Aviv, where he and Argamani were planning to move in together.
He loves reading and hosting friends and is described by his friends and family as someone who takes life easy, with a fun, optimistic outlook.
His family said they received multiple signs of life from Or but none since the spring of 2024.
Nattapong Pinta
Nattapong Pinta, 35, a Thai farm worker, was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz.
Known as ‘Nick’ on his Facebook page, Nattapong was working in the avocado fields of Kibbutz Nir Oz, saving up to pay off a debt and help his wife open a coffee shop, according to the Wall Street Journal.
He left his wife and young son a year and a half ago to work on the kibbutz growing avocados and pomegranates, according to the BBC.
Matan Zangauker
Matan Zangauker, 25, and his girlfriend Ilana Gritzewsky were abducted from their Kibbutz Nir Oz home on October 7.
Hamas released a propaganda video showing Matan in December.
Zangauker’s parents divorced when he was young, and Matan often took care of his younger sisters. He is known as an independent, mature person, always available for support and understanding.
His mother, Einav Zangauker, has been one of the most prominent voices calling for a hostage deal and has frequently held Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responsible for the murders of hostages in captivity.
Gritzewsky was released during a week-long truce in November 2023.
Those we have lost:
The 35 hostages whom the IDF has confirmed are dead and whose bodies are held in Gaza.
These are the 35 people confirmed dead who also remain in Gaza.
Tamir Adar
The grandson of a woman who was released in November 2023, Tamir Adar, 38, was considered missing until his family was told in January 2024 that he had been killed on October 7.
Muhammad Alatarash
The Bedouin father of 13 was killed on October 7, the Israeli army announced in July 2024.
Aviv Atzili
The IDF announced in November 2023 that Atzili, 49, had died fighting Hamas terrorists on October 7.
Sachar Baruch
Captured from Kibbutz Beeri, Baruch, 25, was killed during a failed rescue attempt in December 2023.
Uriel Baruch
Kidnapped from the Nova music festival, Baruch was killed in Gaza, the IDF announced in March 2024.
Itay Chen
An American citizen and IDF soldier, Chen was killed on Oct. 7, the IDF announced in March 2024.
Amiram Cooper
One of the founders of Kibbutz Nir Oz, Cooper, who was 84 when he was abducted, was killed in Gaza, the IDF announced in November 2023. His wife was released weeks after the attack, prior to the first temporary ceasefire.
Oz Daniel
A soldier, Daniel, 19, was killed on October 7, the IDF announced in February 2024.
Ronen Engel
Kidnapped with his wife and daughters, who were released in November 2023, Engel was killed in captivity, the IDF announced in December 2023.
Manny Godard
Kidnapped from Kibbutz Be’eri, Godard, 73, was killed on October 7, the IDF announced in February 2024.
Hadar Goldin
Hamas killed Goldin, an IDF soldier, during the 2014 Gaza war and has been holding his body since.
Ran Gvili
A police officer, Gvili, was killed on Oct. 7, the Israel Police announced in January 2024.
Gadi Haggai
Kibbutz Nir Oz announced that Haggai, 73, a US citizen, had been killed, and his body was being held hostage.
Tal Haimi
Haimi was killed on Oct. 7, the IDF announced in December 2023.
Inbar Hayman
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum announced in December 2023 that Hayman, 27, had been killed in Gaza after being abducted from the Nova music festival.
Guy Illouz
Illouz, 26, was injured during the attack on the Nova music festival. A returned hostage said he had been killed.
Ofra Keidar
The IDF announced in December 2023 that Keidar, 70, had been killed on October 7 while walking near her home at Kibbutz Be’eri. Her husband was killed separately in their home.
Eitan Levy
Levy, 53, was killed on Oct. 7, his home city of Bat Yam announced in December 2023. In August 2024, his family released a video of his body being beaten while being taken hostage.
Shay Levinson
A soldier, Levinson, 19, was killed on his base on Oct. 7, the IDF announced in January 2024.
Eliyahu Margalit
Kidnapped from his home on Nir Oz, Margalit, 75, was killed in captivity, the IDF announced in December 2023. His daughter was taken hostage and released in November 2023.
Joshua Mollel
A Tanzanian student who was working as an intern on Kibbutz Nahal Oz, Mollel, 21, was killed on Oct. 7, Tanzania announced in December 2023.
Omer Neutra
An American-Israeli soldier who enlisted after graduating from high school on Long Island, New York, Neutra, 21, was revealed in December 2024 to have died on October 7. His parents, Orna and Ronen, spoke at the Republican National Convention and a range of other forums on behalf of the hostages.
Dror Or
Kibbutz Be’eri announced in May 2024 that Or, 49, had been killed on October 7. His wife was also murdered, while two of their children were abducted and released in November 2023. A cheesemaker, Or is the inspiration behind a chain of October 7-related cafes.
Daniel Perez
A soldier who responded to the Hamas attack, Perez was killed on October 7, the IDF announced in March 2024.
Sonthaya Oakkharasr
Oakkharasr was a Thai worker at Kibbutz Be’eri. Israel informed his family in May 2024 that he had been killed on October 7.
Sudthisak Rinthalak
Rinthalak was also a Thai worker at Kibbutz Be’eri. Israel informed his family in May 2024 that he had been killed on October 7.
Lior Rudaeff
Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak announced in May 2024 that Rudaeff, a 64-year-old Argentine-Israeli, died on October 7.
Yonatan Samerano
Samerano, 21, was killed at the Nova music festival before his body was abducted to Gaza.
Thawatchi Saethao
Saethao appeared in an initial batch of hostage posters but does not appear on any group’s list of current hostages. The 26-year-old Thai worker was killed on Kibbutz Alumim.
Yossi Sharabi
Abducted from Kibbutz Be’eri, Sharabi, 53, was likely killed in an IDF airstrike, the IDF said in February 2024. His brother Eli was released during the first phase of the current ceasefire.
Idan Shtivi
Shtivi, 29, was killed on October 7, the IDF announced on the first anniversary of the attack.
Judith Weinstein
The wife of Gadi Haggai, Weinstein, a 70-year-old US citizen, was killed on October 7, Kibbutz Nir Oz announced in December 2023.
Ilan Weiss
Weiss, 56, was killed on October 7, the IDF announced in December 2023. His wife and daughter were abducted and released in November 2023.
Yair Yaakov
Yaakov, 49, was killed on October 7, the IDF announced in February 2024.
Aryeh Zalmanovich
Kidnapped from Nir Oz, Zalmanovich, 85, was revealed to have died after the IDF rescued another hostage who had been held with him.
Kidnapped from Nir Oz, Zalmanovich, 85, was revealed to have died after the IDF rescued another hostage who had been held with him.
Acronyms and Glossary
ICC - International Criminal Court in the Hague
IJC - International Court of Justice in the Hague
MDA - Magen David Adom - Israel Ambulance Corp
PA - Palestinian Authority - President Mahmud Abbas, aka Abu Mazen
PMO- Prime Minister's Office
UAV - Unmanned Aerial vehicle, Drone. Could be used for surveillance and reconnaissance, or be weaponized with missiles or contain explosives for 'suicide' explosion mission
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