Feb. 15: Rubio arrives in Israel for first visit to the Middle East as US secretary of state

Syrian asylum seeker stabs passersby in Austria, killing teen, injuring four

A 23-year-old Syrian asylum seeker stabbed several passersby in the centre of the Austrian town of Villach on Saturday, killing a 14-year old boy and injuring four other people, police say, adding that the suspected attacker had been arrested.

Further details, such as whether the attacker knew any of the victims, remain unclear, a spokesperson for the police in the southern state of Carinthia, Rainer Dionisio, says. The injured are aged between 14 and 32, he adds.

Such attacks are extremely rare in Austria. A jihadist killed four people in Vienna in a shooting rampage in 2020 that was the country’s deadliest assault in decades.

Villach is known for its carnival and is in an area that is a tourist hotspot in the summer as it includes one of Austria’s most famous lakes but otherwise attracts little attention.

“I have been in the (Carinthian police) press service for 20 years and cannot recall such an act,” Dionisio tells national broadcaster ORF.

A man whom Austrian media describes as a Syrian food delivery driver charged into the attacker with his car and prevented him from harming more people, Dionisio says.

The attack comes at a time of political upheaval in Austria as the far-right Freedom Party, which came first in September’s parliamentary election, said on Wednesday it had failed to form a coalition government. The president is now considering whether an alternative to a snap election is available.

Railing against illegal immigration and pledging to increase deportations to countries like Syria and Afghanistan, which it is currently illegal to deport people to, are central to the Freedom Party’s platform and appeal, and the party has quickly seized on the Villach attack.

“We need a rigorous crackdown on asylum and cannot continue to import conditions like those in Villach,” Freedom Party leader Herbert Kickl says in a statement.

Israeli couple attacked in Athens, apparently after they were heard speaking Hebrew

An Israeli couple was attacked in Greece overnight, Hebrew media outlets report, apparently after the attacker overheard them speaking Hebrew.

The attack occurred shortly after midnight between Friday and Saturday, as the couple headed to their hotel from a restaurant on Ermou Street, in central Athens

The attack occurred shortly after midnight between Friday and Saturday, a local Greek media outlet reports. The couple were heading to their hotel from a restaurant on Ermou Street, in central Athens when the assailants attacked them in an alley.

One of the Israelis suffered light injuries to his leg and head, but neither of them required hospitalization, the reports add.

The attackers were heard speaking Arabic ahead of the incident, according to an eyewitness. One of them fled the scene after the attack and has yet to be apprehended, but the other has been charged with racist violence, the Greek media outlet adds.

In response to the reports, the Foreign Ministry says it is aware of the incident, and that it is being handled by the Foreign Ministry’s department for Israelis abroad in coordination with the Israeli Embassy in Athens.

The Foreign Ministry adds that the apprehended suspect is known to police for having previously participated in “pro-Palestinian demonstrations.”

“The two recognized the group of Israelis after noticing them speaking Hebrew and wearing a Star of David necklace,” it adds.

Biden hails release of US-Israeli hostage, says he’s ‘proud the deal we negotiated has held’

US President Joe Biden speaks at the International African American Museum in Charleston, South Carolina, January 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Former US President Joe Biden hails the release today of American-Israeli hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen from Gaza “after 498 painful days,” saying in a tweet that he and his wife Jill are “relieved.”

Biden says he’s “proud that the deal we negotiated has held, paving the way for the release of hostages.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the remaining hostages and their families who have all been through hell. We hope all will be reunited in the weeks ahead,” he adds.

Milei welcomes release of Israeli-Argentine hostage Iair Horn, wishes for ‘absolute defeat’ of Hamas

Argentina's President Javier Milei waves as he arrives for his speech at the Annual Meeting of World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, January 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Argentine President Javier Milei acknowledges the role his staunch ally, US President Donald Trump, played in the ceasefire deal that led to the release of Argentine-Israeli hostage Iair Horn today, according to a government statement.

Milei says Argentina’s government repeats its call for Hamas to release all the remaining hostages, including Iair’s brother, Eitan Horn. Both were kidnapped by Hamas-led terrorists from Iair’s home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023.

Milei says his country “hopes for a swift resolution to the conflict with the absolute defeat of the terrorist group responsible for the worst attack against the Jewish community since the Holocaust.”

Gantz welcomes Shin Bet probe of PMO staffers’ ties to Qatar, slams Netanyahu’s response

National Unity party chairman Benny Gantz welcomes the Shin Bet security service’s announcement that it will investigate aides to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, presumably including his former spokesman Eli Feldstein, for alleged ties to Qatar.

“The thought of an employee in the Prime Minister’s Office acting as a double agent should keep every citizen of the State of Israel awake at night. This must be investigated thoroughly, and the Shin Bet and all investigative bodies must quickly publish their findings on the matter,” Gantz tweets.

Gantz responds harshly to the PMO’s statement on the probe, which attacked the Shin Bet for not investigating Gantz’s former company, Fifth Dimension, for selling “sensitive information technology to the government without authorization.”

“Unlike the current affair, the issue of the Fifth Dimension has already been investigated and examined, and it was found that there is no suspicion against me,” Gantz states.

“However, I have a suggestion for those in the Prime Minister’s Office: They previously proposed establishing a state commission of inquiry into the Fifth Dimension affair. I propose that at the next government meeting, two commissions of inquiry be established: one for Fifth Dimension and the second to investigate October 7.”

Netanyahu, who has issued various calls for state commissions of inquiry into the firm as recently as 2022, has consistently refused to open such an inquiry into the failure to prevent Hamas’s onslaught of October 7, 2023. He claims that the Supreme Court president, who is empowered to appoint those on such a commission, isn’t sufficiently trusted by the people.

In 2020, the acting State Attorney ordered a criminal probe into Fifth Dimension over allegations of impropriety in its efforts to secure a lucrative contract with the Israel Police.

Israel missed 2 windows for a deal, says former Israeli hostage negotiator; PMO: Lies

Brig. Gen. Oren Setter speaks during a Knesset committee meeting on October 20, 2022. (Screenshot: Knesset Channel)

Israeli leaders knew hostages were “being held in very difficult conditions,” says Brig. Gen. (res.) Oren Setter, the former deputy to the IDF’s point man in the negotiations for a hostage-ceasefire deal Maj. Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon, in an interview with Channel 12.

Setter says the cabinet knew hostages were being held in chains, starved, and physically and emotionally harmed.

“The matters were presented in [cabinet meetings and smaller consultations with the prime minister] clearly,” says Setter.

Setter also charges that Israel missed two “windows” for a hostage deal — in March and July of last year.

Setter quit Alon’s team in October.

The Prime Minister’s Office responds with a statement alleging that “senior officials on the negotiating team say that Setter is lying” and that he has repeatedly leaked details from meetings designed to harm the reputation of Netanyahu. His leaks, says the PMO, “have damaged the negotiations, endangered our hostages, and echoed Hamas’s false propaganda,” and are a criminal offense.

The PMO denies that a deal with Hamas could have been reached earlier.

“As all senior US administration officials have testified time and again, Hamas has refused to negotiate for months and was the only factor that constituted an obstacle to the deal,” claims the statement.

Netanyahu’s office insists that Hamas previously agreed to release only 12-14 living hostages in the first phase, as well as a full IDF withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the war. It also says that Setter and other negotiators told Netanyahu that it would be impossible to reach a deal if he presented tougher demands.

“If the Prime Minister had not insisted, at least half of the live abductees would not have been released in phase one,” argues the PMO.

Minister says High Court can’t force him to halt conduct seen as trying to influence public broadcaster

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi at an Economic Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset on December 18, 2024 (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

In a letter to Deputy Attorney General Gil Limon, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi asserts that the High Court of Justice does not have the authority to overturn his decisions regarding the composition of the Kan public broadcaster’s governing council.

The council is empowered to appoint senior officials to the public broadcaster, determine its work procedures, set its various policies, and lay out and approve its annual work plan.

However, the council has not been able to operate since November, when the tenures of two members ended, thus bringing membership below the quorum needed for it to function.

Karhi has come under intense criticism from opposition politicians for declaring last month that he would disobey an interim High Court order to extend the tenure so that it would have a quorum.

Karhi is responding to a letter from the Attorney General’s Office demanding he comply with the court’s order.

In his letter to Limon, Karhi states that the order was “issued without authority” and that he cannot order a constitutionally suspect ruling.

“Both the High Court and you are whining about the law. The rule of law does not mean that everyone is subject to the rulings of the High Court — it means everyone is subject to the law, whether they like it or not,” Karhi writes. “I will not break the law, not even under the auspices of the rule of law gang. The rule of officials and lawyers will not replace the people.”

Late last month, lawmakers voted 53-48 to approve a bill giving the government substantially increased influence over the Kan public broadcaster’s governing council in its preliminary reading.

FM Sa’ar greets visiting US top diplomat Rubio at airport

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, left, greets US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at Ben Gurion Airport, February 15, 2025. (Rafi Ben Hakun/GPO)

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar meets US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at Ben Gurion International Airport, ahead of the secretary’s meetings tomorrow with senior Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Sa’ar and Rubio are scheduled to tour Yad Vashem together tomorrow afternoon.

Rubio arrives in Israel for first visit to the Middle East as US secretary of state

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stands with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, not shown, at the State Department, February 10, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein).

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives at Ben Gurion Airport on his first visit to the Middle East in his new role.

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Police arrest protester over fake blood display symbolizing hostages’ conditions in Gaza

Demonstrators with fake blood to represent the condition of hostages held in Gaza, at a rally for the release of the hostages in Jerusalem, February 15, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Police arrest one protester during a pro-hostage deal demonstration in Jerusalem, after she and several others partook in a display symbolizing the captives’ conditions in Gaza, during a march to the prime minister’s residence.

The display involved four demonstrators wearing scant clothing and covered in fake blood, kneeling on the ground during the procession and raising their hands, bound together with rope.

Protesters in Tel Aviv slam PM: ‘A deal that’s not completed murders everyone’

Protesters for a hostage deal and against the government at Begin Gate in Tel Aviv, February 15, 2025. (Eitan Slonim/Pro-Democracy Protest Movement)

About a thousand people gather for the weekly pro-hostage deal, anti-government protest in front of the Begin Road entrance to the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv.

The protest takes place as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom protesters accuse of trying to thwart the continuation of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, holds security consultations about the future of the agreement.

Speaking at the protest, Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, says she sometimes imagines herself reunited with her son, “having coffee, smoking a cigarette.”

“These moments are approaching with giant strides,” she says.

Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, addresses the crowd at a protest for a hostage deal and against the government on Begin Road in Tel Aviv, February 15, 2025. (Roi Boshi/Pro-Democracy Protest Movement)

To jeers, she adds: “The prime minister has tried to thwart the agreement again and again and again.”

“One person stands between us and all the hostages,” she says, referring to the premier.

“Netanyahu — we’re sick of the procrastination,” she says.

Assailing the protracted multi-stage hostage releases, she says, “Shorten the stages, release everyone, give us a victory image without loved ones.”

About an hour earlier, Zangauker had spoken at a separate rally at Hostages Square, a block away, where she also accused Netanyahu of abandoning the captives to keep his coalition intact: “How can you play politics on their backs when you know the Holocaust they are enduring in Hamas’s tunnels?”

The Begin Road demonstration is bolstered by protesters against the government’s judicial overhaul plan who have marched over from Habima Square.

In front of the IDF headquarters, protesters chant: “A deal that’s not completed murders everyone.”

The main block of protesters is flanked by activists from various civil society groups: Members of the Israeli Gay Youth movement, who wave pride flags; a coalition of left-wing groups including Standing Together, Women Wage Peace and Socialist Struggle, and the Movement for Quality Government.

At protest for hostages, Opposition Leader Lapid demands Gaza truce go on to 2nd phase

Attending a protest with hostage families in Tel Aviv, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid demands that Israel not halt the ceasefire following its first phase.

“Israel must go to phase two of the deal. Everyone must return home,” he says.

First testimonies: Dekel-Chen was tortured by Hamas, didn’t know his family survived; Troufanov didn’t know his father was murdered

Left to right: Freed hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen seen aboard an IDF helicopter, soon after his release from 498 days in Hamas captivity in Gaza, February 15, 2025. (IDF); Newly-released hostage Iair Horn, wearing a Hapoel Beersheba soccer shirt, at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center. (Ma'ayon Toaf / GPO); Freed hostage Sasha Troufanov on the way from the Gaza border area to Sheba-Tel Hashomer Medical Center near Tel Aviv, February 15, 2025. (IDF)

Channels 12, 13, and Kan TV tonight carry bits of information from today’s freed hostages that they have conveyed to their families and that the military censor has permitted for publication.

Among the key details:

All three of the hostages freed today endured “very harsh captivity, including physical abuse.”

All three were very hungry when released. All three have learned Arabic in captivity.

Sagui Dekel-Chen and Iair Horn were held together, and with other hostages, in recent days. For most of their captivity, they were in tunnels.

They were held with other hostages and have returned with signs of life regarding at least three.

Both men were wounded when they were abducted and suffered abuse that exacerbated their injuries.

Sasha Troufanov was held alone.

All three were held in Khan Younis, from where they were freed today, mere hundreds of meters from their homes on Kibbutz Nir Oz.

Iair Horn has told his family that he and his brother Eitan were held together early in their captivity, but not recently. He has said Eitan is injured in the leg. He was compelled by his captors to film a video in which he talks about Eitan, Kan reports.

He has lost tens of kilograms in weight, and received almost no medical treatment.

His captors gave Horn an hourglass with a picture of Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is held hostage, which the IDF intends to give to her, according to Kan.

Dekel-Chen was “tortured during interrogations” by his captors, Channel 12 reports. He has scars on his body, the report says.

He was held in a Gaza hospital for the first few weeks of his captivity along with other hostages, Kan reports. One of them was Itzik Elgarat.

The report says that Dekel-Chen knew nothing about what had become of his family for the entire time he was held hostage. He was completely cut off from all media. “He both mourned and cried” for his family, and also “held out hope for them and was optimistic.”

He only found out two days ago that he was going to be released.

Kan says Dekel-Chen’s captors told him, apparently shortly before his release, that he had a daughter born while he was in captivity, and gave him earrings for his wife. Dekel-Chen didn’t believe what they told him, and asked the IDF representatives he met on his release to confirm it.

Dekel-Chen was wounded in his shoulder on October 7, 2023, but told the IDF representatives it was not important, and that “the most important thing is that I meet my family already.”

In recent hours, he reunited with his daughters, the Channel 12 report says.

Sasha Troufanov did not know that his father was killed on October 7 and burst into tears when told today by IDF representatives.

He barely saw TV or heard the radio in captivity. He did not know that his family was struggling to get him released. But he did hear the radio at the time of the first truce in November 2023 and learned that his mother and girlfriend had been freed.

Left-wing party head welcomes Shin Bet probe of Netanyahu aides, demands probe of PM

Leader of The Democrats party Yair Golan holds a press conference in Tel Aviv, on February 13, 2025. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)

The Democrats party chairman, Yair Golan, welcomes the Shin Bet security service’s announcement that it will investigate Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s former spokesman Eli Feldstein and possibly others for alleged ties to Qatar.

The decision to open a probe into the matter follows a demand by the left-wing party and “is a necessary step in a serious case involving apparent suspicion of treason,” Golan tweets following after the agency confirms the investigation in a letter to party MK Gilad Kariv.

“It is not possible for people who have financial interests with a foreign country to be involved in managing matters critical to Israel’s national security,” Golan insists, calling for everybody involved in the matter to be removed from government service “immediately.”

“The Shin Bet must thoroughly investigate not only the prime minister’s associates, but also the prime minister himself: Was he aware of these connections? Did he approve of them? And perhaps even worse — did he himself receive funds, directly or indirectly? This investigation must not be allowed to be hidden or scuttled. This is about Israel’s security and the lives of the hostages,” he states.

Golan asserts that, under the circumstances, Netanyahu “cannot fire the head of the Shin Bet or demand his dismissal” and “must not be allowed to exploit his power to sabotage the investigation process.”

According to a report last week by Channel 12 news, Feldstein, a former military spokesman for the prime minister, was employed by a Qatar-funded company to improve public perception of Doha surrounding the Gulf country’s role in mediating a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas.

Following the report and other subsequent reports of additional details, Golan demanded an investigation, telling reporters that “there is a suspicion of treason in the Prime Minister’s Office.”

In video message, captivity survivor Ohad Ben Ami says it was hard to keep hope, ‘time is running out’

Freed captive Ohad Ben Ami speaks in a video message published February 15, 2025. (Hostages and Missing Families Forum)

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum plays a video message from freed captive Ohad Ben Ami in front of hundreds gathered at the weekly rally on Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, calling for the release of the remaining abductees.

Ben Ami, who returned emaciated from Gaza last week, says time is running out to bring the remaining hostages home.

“You see how people slowly change and how time takes its toll, and even people who had hope and faith suddenly start to lose that, and you constantly need to lift them,” he says.

Freed captive Ohad Ben Ami speaks in a video message published February 15, 2025. (Hostages and Missing Families Forum)

On October 7, 2023, “I was plucked out and stuck in some sealed bottle, and life went on,” he says. “I had no idea what was going on outside.”

Ben Ami says his captors leveraged his ignorance of the news to employ “psychological terrorism,” telling him and other hostages that they had been abandoned by the government.

“You have to survive with these messages, one day after another,” he says. “Even if you didn’t believe these messages, as time goes on, you see that’s the reality… you can very quickly start to lose it.”

“What keeps you going is that suddenly you see the nation fighting for you,” he tells Hostages Square. “We see hundreds of thousands, we see it reaching over a million — wow. You have no idea, no idea how much power that gives to those left behind.”

“We’re the Jewish people,” he says. “We’re a strong people, a unified people… we know how to lift each other.”

Addressing the captives still in Gaza, he says it was difficult for him to leave them behind.

“Be strong, the people want you back,” he says. “With God’s help, you’ll get out, you’ll get home in the coming days.”

‘Hamas cannot be allowed to survive’: US national security adviser hails release of US-Israeli hostage

(L-R) US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz speak to reporters outside the White House on February 4, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)

US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz hails the release by Hamas of Israeli-American Sagui Dekel-Chen.

“Sagui has been through nearly 500 days of horror,” he tweets.

“Hamas cannot be allowed to survive,” he adds.

Echoing Trump, hawkish hostage forum demands release of all abductees or Hamas to face ‘hell’

The hawkish Tikva Forum, which represents a group of hostage families, congratulates the hostages released today, and states that the next phase of hostage releases must look “completely different,” with “no humiliations and no staged events,” referring to the Hamas ceremonies parading the hostages before they are released to the Red Cross.

“We demand the release of all the remaining hostages on one day, on one bus, and if this doesn’t happen, then all hell must break out on Hamas,” states the Tikva Forum, echoing US President Donald Trump’s threat from earlier this week. “Stop the electricity, stop the water, a total siege and re-occupation!

“We need to hit the Hamas-Nazi terror organization hard until they release all the hostages, until they understand that holding hostages is a burden and not an asset.”

The Forum states that the next phase of the hostage deal must begin with an ultimatum, with the backing of the president of the United States, and not from a position of weakness.

“In our region, only force is understood,” says the Forum.

Katz praises killing of Hezbollah drone chief in IDF strike

Defense Minister Israel Katz hails the killing of a prominent member of Hezbollah’s aerial forces in an IDF airstrike this evening.

“As I warned, if there are drones, there will be no Hezbollah,” Katz says in a statement after Abbas Ahmad Hamoud was killed in southern Lebanon.

“We will not allow drone launches toward Israel. The launch of the drones crosses a red line and is a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon,” he adds.

Hamoud was behind recent drone launches toward Israel amid the ongoing ceasefire, according to the IDF.

Hospital says released hostage Iair Horn’s condition is stable

Newly-released hostage Iair Horn (center) reunites with relatives at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center on February 15, 2025. (Ma'ayon Toaf / GPO)

Tel Aviv’s Sourasky Medical Center says the general condition of released hostage Iair Horn is stable, allowing him to focus on reuniting with his family and close friends.

The hospital says he will undergo additional tests in the coming days and that it is prepared to support him and his family during his hospitalization and afterward for any needs that may arise.

Shin Bet to probe Netanyahu ex-aide’s ties with Qatar; PMO accuses agency of silence on other cases

Eli Feldstein, a spokesman in the Prime Minister's Office accused of leaking stolen IDF intelligence classified documents, arrives for a court hearing at the District Court in Tel Aviv, January 14, 2025. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

The Shin Bet will be investigating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s former spokesman Eli Feldstein for alleged ties to Qatar, the agency says in a letter to the Democrats party MK Rabbi Gilad Kariv.

Feldstein, who is separately charged with harming national security in a case involving the theft and leaking of classified IDF documents, was allegedly paid by Doha to feed top Israeli journalists pro-Qatar stories, Hebrew media reported earlier this week, as the premier’s critics demanded a probe of alleged Qatari influence in the Prime Minister’s Office.

“There has recently been an examination on the issue of protecting secrets in the Prime Minister’s Office and other government offices, as well as about those in the immediate vicinity of secure individuals,” says the Shin Bet in the letter, which does not name Feldstein.

“Pursuant to various inquiries received by us on the subject in question, and after an initial examination carried out and based on its findings, the service will also examine the claims brought by you,” the intelligence service writes to Kariv.

In response, the PMO asks in a statement whether the Shin Bet investigated Kariv’s “serious criminal leak from the [Knesset] Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, even though a year has already passed since the offense was committed?”

Kariv is suspected of leaking protocols from a classified meeting in December 2023.

“Did the Shin Bet investigate the contacts of Benny Gantz and Ram Ben-Barak’s Fifth Dimension company to sell sensitive information technology to the government without authorization?” asks the PMO in the statement.

In 2020, the acting State Attorney ordered a criminal probe into Fifth Dimension over allegations of impropriety in its efforts to secure a lucrative contract with the Israel Police.

The PMO says it is accustomed to “false accusations… such as secretly recording an officer, falsifying minutes, and blackmailing an officer with threats — all of which turned out to be fake news.”

“So it will be this time too,” Netanyahu’s office contends.

Smotrich: Gaza emigration to start within weeks, Gazans have nothing to look for there in next 10-15 years

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich leads a Religious Zionism faction meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, February 10, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

In an interview with “Meet the Press” on Channel 12, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says that Israel is actively in touch with Washington to discuss the implementation of US President Donald Trump’s plan to move residents of the Gaza Strip abroad.

“The process of emigration from Gaza will begin in the coming weeks,” Smotrich states.

“Gazans will have nothing to look for in Gaza in the next 10-15 years. After we return to fighting and all of Gaza looks like Jabalia — they will have nothing to look for there at all.”

In a joint appearance with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump last week called to permanently relocate the entire population of the Gaza Strip, insisting the Palestinians “have no alternative” but to leave the “big pile of rubble” that is Gaza after over 15 months of Israeli bombardment targeting Hamas.

Afterward, Defense Minister Israel Katz said he had instructed the military to prepare a plan that would enable Gazans seeking to leave the Strip voluntarily to do so.

In January, Smotrich said that he was working to turn Trump’s ideas about Gaza into an actionable policy. He has previously stated that Israel should occupy Gaza and “encourage” half of the Strip’s 2.2 million Palestinians to emigrate within two years.

Smotrich has threatened to quit the government if it doesn’t resume fighting after the ongoing first phase of the ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas.

Report: Netanyahu wants to extend phase one, secure more hostage releases in course of next month’s Ramadan

As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds security consultations tonight on the future of the hostage-ceasefire deal, a Channel 12 report says Netanyahu wants to expedite the release of the six more living hostages who are currently scheduled for release on the coming two Saturdays.

Beyond that, the report says, the premier wants to extend the current first phase of the deal beyond the designated 42 days, which are set to end on March 1, and secure the freedom of more hostages as part of phase one, including more hostages Israel now knows are in poor health.

He wants Israel’s negotiators to explain to the Qatari and Egyptian mediators, with US support, that it’s also in the interests of Hamas to extend phase one since this would ensure the ceasefire remains in place for longer.

The prime minister is hoping to secure what the report says are being called “Ramadan releases” — additional phase one releases of hostages coinciding with next month’s Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Israel’s negotiators, however, are warning that unless Israel begins serious negotiations on phase two, which were required under the deal to start almost two weeks ago, it risks jeopardizing the rest of the scheduled phase one releases.

Participating in tonight’s consultations are Defense Minister Israel Katz, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, IDF Chief Herzi Halevi and his imminent successor Eyal Zamir, Mossad Chief David Barnea, Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar and IDF hostage talks negotiator Nitzan Alon.

IDF says it has targeted Hezbollah drone chief who violated truce; Lebanese media: 2 killed in strike

The IDF confirms carrying out an airstrike in southern Lebanon a short while ago, saying it targeted a prominent member of Hezbollah’s aerial forces.

The operative was targeted after he “repeatedly violated” the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon over the past few weeks, the military says.

According to the IDF, the operative was involved in launching drones at Israel amid the ceasefire.

Hezbollah’s aerial forces, known as Unit 127, are responsible for explosive-laden drone attacks on Israel and flying surveillance drones to collect intelligence. During the ceasefire, Hezbollah has fired surveillance drones at Israel, according to the IDF.

According to Lebanese media outlets, two people were killed in the strike.

After Hamas didn’t meet Trump’s ultimatum, Netanyahu cagey on what Israel will do

US President Donald Trump, right, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive for a news conference in the East Room of the White House, February 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

After Hamas freed 3 hostages today — seemingly less than what some Israeli officials demanded in recent days — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office releases a vague statement that gives no indication of what Israel will do next.

Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump said that if Hamas doesn’t release all 76 hostages it was holding by Saturday at noon, Israel was free to renew the fighting and unleash “hell” on the Palestinian terror group. That ultimatum — assuming it was noon in Washington, DC — passed just over an hour ago.

Netanyahu “appreciates the [US] president’s full support for Israel’s decisions regarding the Gaza Strip going forward,” says the Prime Minister’s Office.

“The Prime Minister will convene the security cabinet as soon as possible to decide on Israel’s next steps,” says the statement.

Israeli officials last week demanded the release of “our hostages,” 9 hostages “in the coming days,” and “all of them.”

Netanyahu “highly appreciates” Trump’s leadership, says his office, and the ongoing coordination with the United States.

“The combination of the reinforcement of IDF forces around the Gaza Strip and President Trump’s firm stance led to the release of three of our hostages today — despite Hamas’s earlier refusal to release them,” boasts the PMO.

Fiji to discuss moving its embassy to Jerusalem this week, Sa’ar says country’s PM told him

Meeting at the Munich Security Conference, Fiji’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sitinevi Rabuka tells Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar that he will bring to his government this week his proposal to move the Fijian embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, according to Sa’ar’s office.

In 2023, Rabuka told Israel’s Ambassador Roi Rosenblit: “My personal feeling is that Jerusalem should be the location of our new Fiji embassy, but I will have to sell this to our coalition partners.”

Rabuka came to power in 2022, heading a three-party government that includes the right-wing Christian Sodelpa party. One of party leader Viliame Gavoka’s demands was that Fiji open an embassy in Jerusalem.

“Fiji is predominantly a Christian country and it has always been the wish of the Christian community to have a presence in the holy land,” Gavoka told Radio Free Asia.

Currently, six countries have embassies in Jerusalem — the US, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Papua New Guinea and Paraguay.

FM Sa’ar meets world counterparts in Berlin, demands ‘more balanced’ position from China

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, holding the microphone on the left, meets Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, second from right, in Munich, Germany, February 15, 2025. (Shlomi Amsalem/GPO)

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar meets with a series of international counterparts at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, including Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

According to Sa’ar’s office, he tells Wang that Beijing should have a more “balanced” policy in the region, including on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the need for economic pressure on Iran.

With Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Sa’ar discusses US President Donald Trump’s vision for a logistics network between Asia, Europe and the US that passes through Israel. They also discuss a response to “damage done to trade routes” by the Houthis in Yemen and Iran.

He discusses with France’s Jean-Noel Barrot the ceasefire in Lebanon and “developments in Lebanon and Syria,” says Sa’ar’s office.

Sa’ar also meets with Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama, Venezuela’s exiled president-elect Edmundo Gonzalez, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev, and UN envoy to Syria Geir Pederson.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha says he discussed with Sa’ar “shared security challenges stemming from the deepening cooperation between Iran and Russia.” He says he invited Sa’ar to visit Ukraine.

He also meets with senior German officials, including CDU party chief Friedrich Merz, the front-runner for the position of Chancellor of Germany and Vice-Chancellor Robert Habek.

Palestinian Prisoners Club protests ‘threatening phrases’ on shirts of inmates freed by Israel

The Israel Prison Service dresses Palestinian prisoners set for release in shirts featuring its logo, a Star of David and the sentence in Arabic: 'We will not forget or forgive,' February 15, 2025. (Israel Prison Service)

The Palestinian Prisoners Club advocacy group decries the Israel Prison Service for shirts with “threatening phrases” that today’s batch of freed prisoners were made to wear upon their release.

The shirts, an apparent response to Hamas’s hostage release theatrics and humiliation of many freed captives, bore a Star of David and the words, “We will not forget or forgive.”

The group claims Israeli forces are using every available tool to “torture and humiliate prisoners,” noting that last week, prisoners were made to wear Shin Bet-themed bracelets.

After the prisoners’ release into the Gaza Strip, Palestinians burned the shirts in a heap.

Ministers welcome 3 hostages but back resuming war to destroy Hamas

Welcoming hostages Sagui Dekel-Chen, Sasha Troufanov and Iair Horn home, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says, “We love you and are proud of you,” promising to continue the war in Gaza “until victory.”

“We are continuing forward until victory and the full realization of the goals of the war — the destruction of Hamas and the return of all the hostages,” tweets the far-right Smotrich, who has threatened to leave the coalition if the fighting against Hamas in Gaza doesn’t resume after the current first phase of the ceasefire deal.

Likewise, Transportation Minister Miri Regev promises to “continue until we return all the hostages home, both living and dead, and destroy Hamas’s governmental and military capabilities.”

IDF drone strike reported in Lebanese town

Lebanese media report an Israeli drone strike on a car near the town of Jarjouaa, in the Nabatieh District.

There is no immediate comment from the IDF.

مراسل الجديد: مسيرة إسرائيلية تستهدف سيارة في محيط بلدة جرجوع pic.twitter.com/DOgdyQdOi3

— موقع النبطية (@Nabatiehorg) February 15, 2025

Gantz hails 3 hostages’ return as helping revive Kibbutz Nir Oz, but adds 20 locals are still captive

The return of hostages Sagui Dekel-Chen, Sasha Troufanov and Iair Horn marks “another milestone on the path to restoration, construction and life” for Kibbutz Nir Oz, from which all three men were abducted on October 7, 2023, says National Unity party chief Benny Gantz of the opposition.

“In order for Nir Oz to be rebuilt, its children and all the hostages must be returned,” he tweets. “But the road is not yet complete. Seventy-three hostages are still in captivity, about 20 of them residents of Nir Oz, and we are committed to returning them all. Sasha, Sagui and Iair, welcome home.”

Ben Gvir: Netanyahu favoring ‘path of submission and subservience’ over bringing hell to Hamas

Illustrative: Likud leader MK Benjamin Netanyahu (left) with head of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party MK Itamar Ben Gvir at a vote in the Knesset plenum, December 28, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90/File)

Former national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir accuses Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of preferring the “path of submission and subservience” rather than military victory in Gaza.

“The Israeli government continues to miss opportunities and fail,” Ben Gvir declares, several hours after the release of hostages Sagui Dekel-Chen, Sasha Troufanov and Iair Horn.

“Instead of adopting [US] President [Donald] Trump’s words and bringing hell to Hamas, Prime Minister Netanyahu prefers continued negotiations with the devil and the path of submission and subservience,” Ben Gvir states. “This is not how a ‘right-wing government’ should operate.”

Ben Gvir, the leader of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, left Netanyahu’s coalition last month in protest of the current ceasefire with Hamas, and has said he’ll return if Israel resumes the fighting in Gaza.

Warning Hamas, Likud minister says current truce deal ‘not sacred’

The ceasefire and hostage release outline agreed with Hamas is “not sacred,” warns Education Minister Yoav Kisch (Likud), following the release of hostages Sagui Dekel-Chen, Sasha Troufanov and Iair Horn.

“We must demand the urgent return of all the live hostages,” he tweets.

“The outline is not sacred. With the full backing of [US] President [Donald] Trump, Hamas must understand that we will not agree to the abuse and prolongation of the captivity of the hostages.”

‘They were afraid to confront you’: IDF chief tells troops not to be bothered by Hamas members’ show of force at hostage handovers

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi is seen on a Navy vessel with members of the Shayetet 13 commando unit, in an image released on February 15, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces)

Speaking to members of the Israeli Navy’s Shayetet 13 commando unit, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi says Hamas operatives seen at the terror group’s hostage release ceremonies were afraid to confront troops before the ceasefire.

“Don’t be bothered by footage of Hamas operatives standing in ironed uniforms at the hostage release ceremonies in Gaza, these are operatives who, until the ceasefire, were afraid to confront you,” he says to the commandos during a visit to the Navy this week.

Halevi says the Hamas operatives “hid their uniform and sat in some tent in the Mawasi [southern Gaza humanitarian zone] in civilian clothes.”

“After the ceasefire started, they ironed the uniform and stood with their chest out on stage. When we go back [to fighting] they will realize who we are and who they are, and this is the way you have to look at it,” he says.

‘Going through a holocaust’: Hostage’s brother says chances his loved one is alive are going down

Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, right, and Danny Elgarat, brother of hostage Itzik Elgarat, second from right, at a protest for all hostages' release on Begin Road in Tel Aviv on February 15, 2025. (Yoram Shpirer/Pro-Democracy Protest Movement)

At Tel Aviv’s Begin Road protest for the release of all captives from Gaza, Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, welcomes home Iair Horn, Sasha Trufanov and Sagui Dekel-Chen, who were released today, apologizing on behalf of the nation for how long it took to bring them home.

“The hostages are going through a holocaust, they won’t last long,” says Zangauker, reiterating the need for the government to fulfill the second stage of the hostage deal.

Danny Elgarat, the brother of Itzik Elgarat, notes that his brother is on the original list of 33 hostages to be freed in the ongoing first stage of the deal. Hamas has informed Israel that eight of these hostages are dead. Nineteen live captives have been freed alive so far, meaning only six of the remaining 14 are alive.

“The chances he is alive are growing narrower,” says Elgarat. “We’re waiting for a sign of life and we hope he’s alive.”

Zangauker calls on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to get all the hostages home and not to return to war in Gaza, which she contends would be because of his own political considerations.

Elgarat turns to US President Donald Trump and asks him to put pressure on Netanyahu to bring home the hostages first and deal with Hamas afterward.

Danny Elgarat, brother of hostage Itzik Elgarat, right, at a protest for all hostages’ release on Begin Road in Tel Aviv on February 15, 2025. (Yoram Shpirer/Pro-Democracy Protest Movement)

Footage shows Sasha Troufanov reuniting with his grandmother

Released hostage Sasha Troufanov, right, reunites with his grandmother Irena Tati at the Sheba-Tel Hashomer Medical Center, February 15, 2025. (Avi Ohayon/GPO)

After speaking with her by phone, Sasha Troufanov, one of the three hostages released from Hamas captivity today, reunites with his grandmother Irena Tati at the Sheba-Tel Hashomer Medical Center.

Footage shows a smiling Troufanov walking out of an elevator in the hospital alongside his mother, before seeing Irina and running to her. They embrace and converse in Russian, then sit on a bed in his hospital room and continue talking.

Released hostage Sasha Troufanov, right, reunites with his grandmother Irena Tati at the Sheba-Tel Hashomer Medical Center, February 15, 2025. (Avi Ohayon/GPO)

Troufanov, 29, was abducted on October 7, 2023, along with his mother Yelena, grandmother Irena, and girlfriend Sapir Cohen. His father, Vitaly Troufanov, was killed during the onslaught.

Hamas released the three women in November 2023 as part of a weeklong truce.

Flying to hospital, ex-hostage Troufanov thanks public, wishes for everyone’s return

Freed hostage Sasha Troufanov, center, with his mother Yelena, left, and his girlfriend Sapir Cohen in an Israeli Air Force helicopter on the way from the Gaza border area to Sheba-Tel Hashomer Medical Center near Tel Aviv, February 15, 2025. (IDF)

The IDF releases photos of freed hostage Sasha Troufanov with his mother Yelena and his girlfriend Sapir Cohen in an Israeli Air Force helicopter on his way to Sheba-Tel Hashomer Medical Center near Tel Aviv.

Troufanov writes on a whiteboard: “Thanks to everyone who joined the struggle for this entire period for my release and for the rest of the hostages that were sent home today with me. Thanks to those who supported my mother throughout this difficult period.

“I wish for the return of the rest of the hostages that are still left in Gaza as soon as possible, and not to leave anyone behind!!!”

Freed hostage Sasha Troufanov, center, with his mother Yelena, left, and his girlfriend Sapir Cohen in an Israeli Air Force helicopter on the way from the Gaza border area to Sheba-Tel Hashomer Medical Center near Tel Aviv, February 15, 2025. (IDF)

Freed hostage Sasha Troufanov, center, embraces his mother Yelena, left, and his girlfriend Sapir Cohen in an Israeli Air Force helicopter on the way from the Gaza border area to Sheba-Tel Hashomer Medical Center near Tel Aviv, February 15, 2025. (IDF)

Freed hostage Sasha Troufanov, left, reunites with his girlfriend Sapir Cohen in an Israeli Air Force helicopter on the way from the Gaza border area to Sheba-Tel Hashomer Medical Center near Tel Aviv, February 15, 2025. (IDF)

Footage shows freed hostage Troufanov on video call with his grandmother

Sasha Troufanov speaks with his grandmother Irina in a video call soon after his release from Hamas captivity, February 15, 2025. (GPO / Avi Ohayon)

Sasha Troufanov, one of the three hostages released from Hamas captivity today, speaks by video with his grandmother Irina Tatti.

Footage released by the Prime Minister’s Office shows Troufanov and Tatti smiling during the conversation.

Sasha Troufanov speaks with his grandmother Irina in a video call soon after his release from Hamas captivity, February 15, 2025. (GPO / Avi Ohayon)

Video shows Sasha Troufanov meeting his mother and partner after release

Newly released hostage Sasha Troufanov reunites with his mother Yelena (right) and girlfriend Sapir Cohen (left) soon after his return to Israel, February 15, 2025 (IDF Spokesman)

Released hostage Sasha Troufanov is seen in footage released by the military reuniting with his mother Yelena and partner Sapir Cohen at an IDF facility near Re’im earlier today, after 498 days in Hamas captivity.

Released hostage Sasha Troufanov reunites with his mother Yelena and partner Sapir Cohen, at an IDF facility near Re’im, February 15, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces)

Troufanov, 29, was abducted on October 7, 2023, along with his mother, grandmother and girlfriend, who were since freed. His father, Vitaly Troufanov, was killed during the onslaught.

Hamas released the three women in November 2023 as part of a weeklong truce.

Freed hostage Iair Horn meets his father at the hospital

A video issued by the Government Press Office shows freed hostage Iair Horn meeting his father at the hospital.

Clip shows Sagui Dekel-Chen on the helicopter with his family

A new clip shows freed hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen on the helicopter earlier with his family on the way to the hospital.

Freed hostage Iair Horn in message to captive brother: ‘Eitan, you’re next!’

Released hostage Iair Horn (right) holds up a whiteboard, saying, 'Eitan, you're next!' as he flies in an IAF helicopter on February 15, 2025. Iair's brother Eitan is still held hostage in Gaza (IDF)

A photo released by the IDF shows released hostage Iair Horn flying in a helicopter on his way to hospital earlier today, with his mother Ruti and brother Amos.

“Eitan, you’re next!” he writes on a whiteboard, in a message to his other brother who remains in Hamas captivity.

Red Cross: More must be done by all sides for ‘dignified’ Gaza hostage-prisoner releases

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) criticizes both Hamas and Israel over their conduct during a sixth swap of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

“The ICRC continues to raise its concerns about the way hostage and detainee releases are carried out. Despite repeatedly calling for all transfers to be carried out in a dignified and private manner, more must be done by all sides, including the mediators, to improve future transfers,” the organization says in a statement following the release of three Israeli hostages for 369 Palestinian prisoners.

IDF says drone carried out warning strike in central Gaza

The IDF says it carried out a drone strike earlier today in central Gaza as a warning after several vehicles tried to travel to the Strip’s north via an unapproved route.

Northbound vehicular traffic is only permitted on the Salah a-Din road, where a private company is inspecting Palestinian cars heading to northern Gaza.

The vehicles attempting to bypass the inspection on Salah a-Din, in violation of the ceasefire deal, returned south after the strike, the military says.

Netanyahu to hold security consultations tonight on ceasefire, Trump ultimatum to Hamas

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on during a meeting with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (out of frame) at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, on February 5, 2025. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold security consultations at 7 p.m. regarding the ceasefire in Gaza.

The discussions are expected to focus on the future of the truce and on Israel’s position regarding US President Donald Trump’s demand that Hamas free all remaining hostages immediately.

Hamas says US must ‘compel’ Israel to abide by Gaza truce

Hamas says the United States, a mediator in the Gaza truce deal, must ensure that Israel abides by the agreement to secure the release of hostages still held in the Palestinian territory.

“The United States must compel the occupation to adhere to the agreement if it truly cares about the prisoners’ lives,” says Hazem Qassem, a spokesman for Hamas.

Lebanese media reports Israeli drone strike in country’s south

Lebanese official media says an Israeli drone struck the country’s south, without reporting casualties.

“An Israeli enemy drone carried out a strike” targeting the outskirts of the town of Ainata, the state-run National News Agency (NNA) says, adding that “nobody was hurt” and that “drones and surveillance aircraft are still flying over the area at low altitude.”

‘You’re a champ’: Relatives embrace Iair Horn at hospital

A new video shows relatives meeting freed hostage Iair Horn upon his arrival at Ichilov Medical Center in Tel Aviv.

“You’re a champ,” one says as he repeatedly hugs and kisses them.

Gazans burn Star of David shirts Israel put on prisoners

Gazans are burning the shirts in which the Israel Prison Service dressed prisoners before their release earlier, which featured a Star of David and the words “We will not forget nor forgive.”

בעזה שורפים את החולצות שהשב"ס נתן לאסירים הפלסטינים שהשתחררו pic.twitter.com/jP7E1JMVNb

— roi kais • روعي كايس • רועי קייס (@kaisos1987) February 15, 2025

Lebanon says 25 arrested after attack on UN peacekeepers

Firefighters extinguish a burning UNIFIL vehicle, set ablaze by protesters, on the road leading to Beirut's international airport on February 14, 2025 (IBRAHIM AMRO / AFP)

Lebanese authorities say more than 25 people have been arrested following an attack on a United Nations convoy yesterday that wounded two peacekeepers, including the force’s outgoing deputy commander.

UN and Lebanese officials have condemned Friday’s attack, which came as Hezbollah supporters for a second night blocked the road to the country’s only international airport over a decision barring two Iranian planes from landing there.

“More than 25 people have been arrested by Lebanese army intelligence,” with another person detained by the security services, Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar tells reporters after an emergency security meeting. “This does not mean these detainees carried out the attack… but the investigations will show who is responsible.”

The army and security agencies will bolster measures to “maintain security and stability,” Hajjar adds, and violations will be treated “with all seriousness.”

IDF chief says army making great efforts to return all hostages

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi (center) Shin Bet director Ronen Bar (right) and IDF hostage pointman Maj. Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon (left) at a command center, February 15, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces)

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi says the military is making great efforts to return all of the remaining hostages abducted by Hamas on October 7, 2023.

“Alongside the great excitement with the return of each hostage, we remember in the IDF our duty to return everyone,” Halevi says at a command center leading the IDF’s efforts to bring back the hostages.

“We are making great efforts to do so while at the same time preparing with offensive plans,” he adds.

Trump: Israel must decide what to do about today’s deadline to free ‘all hostages’

US President Donald Trump says Israel must decide “what they will do about the 12:00 O’CLOCK, TODAY, DEADLINE imposed on the release of ALL HOSTAGES.”

In a post on his TruthSocial platform, Trump adds, “The United States will back the decision they make!”

Trump’s deadline comments earlier this week caused much confusion in Israel and elsewhere, and though Israel generally adopted the call, it conveyed contradicting messages as to what “all” hostages meant (all those who remain in Gaza or all those to be freed in the current phase) and did not make it into an ultimatum.

https://twitter.com/TrumpDailyPosts/status/1890741697992413495

In clip, Iair Horn meets his mother and brother after release from Gaza

Released hostage Iair Horn is seen in a video reuniting with his mother Ruti and brother Amos at an IDF facility near the Gaza border.

Horn was also flown over Turner Stadium, the home ground of his favorite soccer team, Hapoel Beersheva, en route to a hospital in central Israel.

Video shows Sagui Dekel-Chen reuniting with his wife, learning his daughter’s name

A video published by the military shows released hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen reuniting with his wife Avital and his parents at an IDF facility near the Gaza border for the first time after 498 days in Hamas captivity.

In the video, Sagui finds out the name of his third daughter, who was born two months after he was abducted by Hamas on October 7, 2023.

“Do you remember what you called her?” Avital asks Sagui, referring to the girl’s baby bump nickname.

“Mazal!” he exclaims in surprise.

“So that’s what she’s called, Shachar Mazal,” Avital responds.

“It’s perfect,” he says. (Shachar is Hebrew for “dawn”; mazal means “luck.”

Iair Horn flown over stadium of favorite soccer team Hapoel Beersheba

Released hostage Iair Horn, who is a fan of Hapoel Beersheba, asked to fly over Turner Stadium, the home ground of the soccer club, en route to a hospital in central Israel.

The Israeli Air Force pilots who were airlifting Horn from an army base near the Gaza border obliged.

מרגש עד דמעות: לבקשתו האישית, המסוק ובו יאיר הורן ערך סיבוב מעל אצטדיון טרנר לפני ההגעה לבית החולים ❤️ pic.twitter.com/b7AiqvdTG3

— Hapoel Be'er Sheva ???????? (@HBS_FC) February 15, 2025

‘Dad’s on his way,’ Sagui Dekel-Chen writes in message from chopper

Another photo shows freed hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen with his wife Avital on an IDF chopper on their way to the hospital.

On a whiteboard, Dekel-Chen writes to his daughters: “Bari, Gali, Shachar, thanks for keeping me safe. Dad’s on his way.” (Shachar was born two months after he was abducted.

Freed hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen is seen on an IDF chopper with wife Avital on their way to the hospital, February 15, 2025. On a whiteboard with hearts are the names of their three daughters Bar, Gali and Shachar; Shachar was born two months after he was abducted. The message: “Bari, Gali, Shachar, thanks for keeping me safe. Dad’s on his way.”(Courtesy)

Video shows handover of released hostages to IDF troops in Gaza

A video released by the military shows the moment the Red Cross handed over released hostages Sagui Dekel-Chen, Sasha Troufanov, and Iair Horn to IDF troops in the Gaza Strip earlier today.

The three hostages have since been brought out of Gaza and are heading to hospitals in central Israel.

Released hostages airlifted to hospitals in central Israel

Released hostages Sagui Dekel-Chen, Sasha Troufanov, and Iair Horn, and members of their families, are being airlifted by Israeli Air Force helicopters from an army facility near the Gaza border to hospitals in central Israel.

They will meet the rest of their families and receive medical care at Sourasky and Sheba hospitals.

Hostages Forum announces ‘500th Day Fast’ to be held Monday

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum announces it will hold a fast to mark 500 days of captivity for the hostages remaining in Gaza.

The fast will be held on Monday and will last 500 minutes, from 11:40 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. At the end of the fast, a rally will be held at Hostages Square.

“This fast is nothing compared to the suffering they are experiencing there, but it is a day of identification and solidarity that strengthens the hostages and amplifies the cry of those whose voices cannot be heard,” the Forum says. “There is no more time — we must act immediately to bring everyone back.

“We cannot let this agreement collapse; we must continue to use this momentum to reach a swift and responsible agreement for everyone!”

Freed Palestinian prisoners greeted by families in Ramallah

Palestinian prisoner Waddeh Bazrah, 43, is greeted after being released from Israeli prison in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

Photos released by AP show Palestinian prisoners greeted in Ramallah by their families.

Many of the prisoners were convicted of involvement in terror, including deadly attacks.

Palestinian prisoner Hassan Awis is greeted after being released from Israeli prison, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

Photo shows Sagui Dekel-Chen reuniting with his wife Avital after 498 days

Freed hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen is reunited with his wife Avital on his return to Israel after 498 days in captivity in Gaza, February 15, 2025. (IDF)

A photo shows freed hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen reunited with his wife Avital after 498 days.

Avital gave birth to the couple’s third daughter, Shachar, two months after Sagui was taken hostage.

Other photos released by the IDF show the moment the released hostages Dekel-Chen, Sasha Troufanov, and Iair Horn were handed over to troops in the Gaza Strip.

Freed hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen is seen on his return to Israel after 498 days in captivity in Gaza on February 15, 2025. (IDF)

Freed hostage Iair Horn is seen on his return to Israel after 498 days in captivity in Gaza, February 15, 2025. (IDF)

The three hostages have since been brought out of Gaza to an army facility near the border for an initial checkup and to meet with family members.

Freed hostage Sasha Troufanov is seen on his return to Israel after 498 days in captivity in Gaza, February 15, 2025. (IDF)

Video shows hostages’ families watching loved ones reach IDF

The IDF releases video of the nuclear families of Sagui Dekel-Chen and Iair Horn watching their loved ones being handed over by the Red Cross to the IDF, as they await them in a facility outside Gaza.

Palestinian from Jenin detained for attacking Israeli with a hoe

A policeman (R) guards a Palestinian suspect who allegedly attacked an Israeli man in the community of Gan Ner, February 15, 2025. (Israel Police)

A Palestinian from the West Bank city of Jenin has been detained for allegedly attacking an Israeli man in the northern community of Gan Ner yesterday, police and the Shin Bet say.

The suspect hit the Israeli man in his 60s with a hoe in the victim’s backyard, lightly wounding him, according to medics.

Initially, it was suspected that the attacker was another Israeli, but after further investigation, police said that he was a West Bank Palestinian.

The 25-year-old assailant was captured this morning while hiding in a horse stable in a nearby community.

Gan Ner is located close to the West Bank security barrier and not far from Jenin.

Bus carrying freed Palestinian prisoners and detainees departs Israeli jail, live TV shows

The first bus carrying freed Palestinian prisoners and detainees departs Israel’s Ofer Prison in the West Bank, live footage showed.

Some 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees are to be released after Hamas handed over Israeli hostages Iair Horn, Sagui Dekel-Chen and Sasha Troufanov.

Israel dresses freed prisoners in Star of David shirts, writing: ‘We will not forget or forgive’

The Israel Prison Service dresses Palestinian prisoners set for release in shirts featuring its logo, a Star of David and the sentence in Arabic: 'We will not forget or forgive,' February 15, 2025. (Israel Prison Service)

In an apparent tit-for-tat for Hamas’s hostage release theatrics, the Israel Prison Service has put on its own spectacle.

It now shares that it has dressed the hundreds of Palestinian prisoners set for release today in shirts featuring its logo, a Star of David and the sentence in Arabic: “We will not forget or forgive.”

Released hostages arrive at IDF facility to meet families, undergo checkup

Released hostages Sagui Dekel-Chen, Sasha Troufanov and Iair Horn have arrived at an IDF facility near the border community of Re’im after being escorted out of the Gaza Strip by troops.

The three hostages will undergo an initial physical and mental checkup at the army site and meet family members after 498 days in captivity.

Sasha Troufanov has been told that his father Vitaly was murdered by Hamas on October 7, 2023, Hebrew media reports say.

PM’s office offers ‘big embrace’ to freed men after Hamas’s ‘false crisis’; says working with US to rescue all hostages

The Prime Minister’s Office says of the hostages’ release: “We welcome them with a big embrace. We have prepared for their return, and together with their families, we will assist in their rehabilitation after the long and agonizing days in captivity.”

It adds: “This week too, Hamas attempted to violate the agreement and create a false crisis with baseless claims. Thanks to the deployment of our forces inside and around Gaza, and thanks to President Trump’s clear and unequivocal statement, Hamas backed down, and the release of the hostages continued.

“We are working in full coordination with the United States to rescue all our hostages — both the living and the fallen — as quickly as possible, and we are fully prepared for what comes next, in every respect.”

‘I’m great, I’m great, I have a daughter’: Sagui Dekel-Chen ‘all smiles’ as he’s told of birth

Hamas gunmen parade hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen on a stage before handing him over to a Red Cross team in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on February 15, 2025 (Bashar TALEB / AFP)

According to Channel 12, Sagui Dekel-Chen was “all smiles” as Israeli officials notified him that he has a one-year-old daughter.

Asked about his medical condition, the network says Dekel-Chen replied: “I’m great, I’m great, I have a daughter.”

His wife Avital Dekel-Chen tells Channel 12 of her joy to see Sagui released and her delight that he now knows he has a third daughter.

She says she will tell him she is so sorry it took so long for him to be freed, and that “all of Israel is with him.” She says, “There are more little children waiting for their fathers” and that Israel “must do all we can” to get all the rest of the hostages home.

Families thank IDF, Israeli people as loved ones return

Friends of Sasha Troufanov gathered in Ramat Gan cheer as he is released from Hamas captivity, February 15, 2025 (Paulina Patimer​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ / Hostages Families Forum)

The families of the hostages issue statements following their release.

Sasha Troufanov’s family says, “We are overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude for Sasha’s return home after 498 long and tormenting days in captivity. On October 7, Sasha was brutally kidnapped from his home and shot in both legs. Seeing him today strengthens us and gives us great hope for the long rehabilitation process ahead of him.”

They thank IDF soldiers, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum “and especially all citizens of Israel for their embrace, support and unwavering faith.”

At the same time, they note they do not know whether Troufanov knows his father was murdered on October 7.

“This knowledge – or lack thereof – will completely transform his homecoming from a day of great joy to one of deep mourning for his beloved father,” they say.

The family of Iair Horn says: “Now we can breathe a little. Our Iair is home after surviving hell in Gaza. Now, we need to bring [hostage brother] Eitan back so our family can truly breathe.

“We thank the IDF soldiers and security forces who risk their lives and bodies, and send condolences to the bereaved families who lost their most precious ones for all of us. You are forever in our hearts.

“We won’t stop and will continue working to bring Eitan and all other hostages home.״

Sagui Dekel-Chen’s family adds: “Our Sagui is home. A friend, son, partner and most importantly a father has returned… He was so far away and now he’s finally on Israeli soil, with us.

“In the coming hours, he will begin his rehabilitation process, he will meet his daughters Gali and Bar, and for the first time meet his little daughter, Shahar, who was born while he was in captivity. Our hearts ache for everything he missed, but now he’s here, unlike many others.”

It stresses that “there are many more families waiting for their loved ones, and many children waiting for their fathers. We did everything we could on all fronts to reach this moment, and we will continue to act until the last hostage returns home — this is our duty. Thank you to everyone who supported, acted, and helped. Thank you to the people of Israel and everyone who joined in the struggle to bring back Sagui and the rest of the hostages.״

‘He’s alright, he’s alright’: Relatives shout with joy to see Sagui Dekel-Chen

A video from a bit earlier shows the family of Sagui Dekel-Chen reacting joyously, screaming and clapping to seeing him for the first time after over 16 months in captivity.

משפחתו של שגיא דקל חן ברגעי שחרורו@NOFARMOS pic.twitter.com/odASNAMud5

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) February 15, 2025

“He’s alright, he’s alright, he’s alright,” one relative repeats, her hand to her chest.

The family opens champagne after it is reported that the three captivity survivors are in Israeli hands. They recite the traditional “Shehecheyanu” blessing of thanks and sing a Hebrew pop song with the lyrics: “God will always love me, and I will only be well.”

Dekel-Chen’s wife Avital is relieved that he looks relatively well, her sister Pazit tells Kan news. Avital Dekel-Chen was pregnant when her husband was kidnapped from their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023. Sagui Dekel-Chen has yet to meet his daughter, who is more than a year old.

Avital is quoted on Channel 12 saying, “I can breathe again.”

His sister-in-law Pazit, who is hosting Dekel-Chen’s family due to the destruction in Kibbutz Nir Oz, says he “looks okay,” but “we don’t really know what his condition is.”

“All that’s left is to hug him.”

Sagui Dekel-Chen, Sasha Troufanov and Iair Horn back in Israel after 498 days in captivity

Hamas gunmen parade hostage Iair Horn on a stage before handing him over to a Red Cross team in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on February 15, 2025 (Bashar TALEB / AFP)

Released hostages Sagui Dekel-Chen, Sasha Troufanov and Iair Horn have crossed the border into Israel after 498 days in Hamas captivity, the IDF says.

The three were escorted out of the Gaza Strip by Israeli special forces after being handed over to them by the Red Cross.

The IDF is bringing them to a facility near the border for an initial physical and mental checkup and to meet with family members.

Hostages now in Israeli hands inside Gaza

Released hostages Sagui Dekel-Chen, Sasha Troufanov and Iair Horn are now in the hands of IDF troops in the Gaza Strip, the military says.

The three released hostages will be brought out of the Strip to an army facility near the border community of Re’im for an initial checkup.

‘He’s half his usual self’: Immense joy tempered with concern as relatives see hostages released

Friends and family of Iair Horn, gathered in Kfar Saba, cheer his release from Hamas captivity, February 15, 2025. (Danor Aharon / Hostages Families Forum)

Relatives of Iair Horn react to his weight loss in captivity as they watch the release on TV.

“He’s half [of his usual self],” one exclaims.

The family of Sagui Dekel-Chen says, “He looks good, thank God.” One person says it is “a great relief. We’re waiting to embrace him.”

Sagui Dekel-Chen’s family cheer his release from Hamas captivity, February 15, 2025 (Channel 12 screenshot)

Sergio Horn, Horn’s uncle, tells Channel 12 his nephew is “very thin,” appears to have aged and looks more dour than usual (which he notes is natural), but seems overall “much better than I expected.” He quips that Iair had previously tried to lose weight for some time.

He says it was difficult to watch Hamas’s “circus” at the handover to the Red Cross in Khan Younis.

“The main thing is that it’s behind us,” he says. “We’re stronger, we’re okay, things will be okay — the main thing is that he’s on his way back to us.”

The family had not received a sign of life from Iair or his brother Eitan since November 25, 2023, during the last hostage deal, Sergio says. Sergio’s sister Ruth Strom, Iair and Eitan’s mother, kept the family optimistic with her firm belief that her sons were still alive, the uncle says.

Friends of Sasha Troufanov gathered in Ramat Gan cheer as he is released from Hamas captivity, February 15, 2025 (Paulina Patimer​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ / Hostages Families Forum)

Hostages board Red Cross vehicles, set out to IDF handover point

From left: Israeli hostages Sagui Dekel-Chen, Iair Horn and Sasha Troufanov seen on a Hamas stage at their release from captivity, February 15, 2025. (Screenshot)

The IDF says the Red Cross has notified the military that released hostages Sagui Dekel-Chen, Sasha Troufanov and Iair Horn were handed over to them by Hamas.

The Red Cross is now bringing them to IDF and Shin Bet forces inside Gaza to then be escorted out of the Strip, the military adds.

Hostages Sagui Dekel-Chen, Sasha Troufanov and Iair Horn emerge from van, taken on stage

Israeli hostages Iair Horn, Sagui Dekel-Chen and Sasha Troufanov seen flanked by gunmen on a Hamas stage at their release from captivity, February 15, 2025. (Screenshot)

In Khan Younis, hostages Sagui Dekel-Chen, Sasha Troufanov and Iair Horn are brought out of a white van by gunmen ahead of their release.

They are brought on stage to be displayed to the crowd and say a few words at Hamas’s direction.

As in previous releases, the three hold various commemorative “gifts” and certificates given to them by the terrorists.

The three hostages are each seen holding a “release certificate,” as well as an embroidery showing a map of the claimed borders of Palestine.

Horn is also handed an hourglass featuring images of hostage Matan Zangauker and his mother Einav, a central activist for the release of the hostages, with text reading, “Time is running out.” Zangauker is not set to be freed in the current phase of the deal.

At the homes of families of the three, relatives cheer to see their loved ones.

Red Cross representative brought onto stage to sign documents

A Red Cross representative signs documents related to the release of the hostages in Khan Younis, February 15, 2025 (Video screenshot)

A Red Cross representative is brought onto a stage set up by Hamas to sign documents related to the release of the hostages.

This has become a regular feature of the terror group’s theatrics during hostage releases.

Red Cross cars arrive at handoff location in Khan Younis

Red Cross vehicles arrive in Khan Younis ahead of the release of three hostages on February 15, 2025 (Screencapture/YouTube)

A convoy of Red Cross vehicles arrives at the hostage handover location in Gaza’s Khan Younis.

Hamas will hand over hostages Sagui Dekel-Chen, Sasha Troufanov and Iair Horn to the Red Cross representatives, who will then bring the three hostages to the IDF inside Gaza, to be escorted out of the Strip.

WATCH: Hundreds at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square to watch release of 3 captives

Hundreds of people are gathered at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square to watch the release of the three captives from Gaza this morning.

You can watch the event live here:

Lebanon’s president vows punishment for attackers of UN peacekeepers

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun vows to punish the perpetrators of an attack on a United Nations peacekeeping convoy a day earlier that wounded the force’s outgoing deputy commander.

Aoun “condemned the attack… and emphasized that the attackers will receive their punishment,” a statement from the presidency says on X.

“Security forces will not be lenient with any party that tries to upset stability and civil peace,” it adds.

Hezbollah supporters blocked the road to the country’s only international airport for two consecutive nights over a decision barring two Iranian planes from landing in Beirut, with the army reporting unruly protests in the area Friday.

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) demanded an investigation after one of its vehicles was set on fire during the Friday night incident, wounding outgoing deputy force commander Chok Bahadur Dhakal as he was returning home.

Hamas claims it is transporting hostages in vehicle stolen from Israel on Oct. 7; some gunmen wear IDF uniforms at Khan Younis handover

Hamas gunmen wear stolen IDF uniforms ahead of handover of three Israeli hostages in Khan Younis, Gaza, February 15, 2025 (via social media)

Hamas is transporting the three Israeli hostages slated for release today in a vehicle stolen from Israel during the October 7 massacre, a source in the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s armed wing, tells Al Jazeera.

Palestinian media report that some Hamas terrorists arrived at Khan Younis for the handover wearing IDF uniforms and military vests, carrying weapons seized on October 7.

The source adds that Hamas presented hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen with a gold coin as a “gift” for the birth of his daughter, who was born four months after he was taken captive.

تغطية صحفية | مقاتلون من يحملون أسلحة اغتنمت من جيش الاحتلال في يوم العبور إلى مستوطنات "غلاف غزة" بالسابع من أكتوبر. pic.twitter.com/xNJFptPlO3

— شبكة قدس الإخبارية (@qudsn) February 15, 2025

Hundreds of Palestinians gathering to watch hostage handover

Hamas gunmen secure an area before handing over Israeli hostages to a Red Cross team in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on February 15, 2025 (Screen grab/YouTube)

Video images show hundreds of Palestinians are gathering to watch the upcoming handover of three Israeli hostages to the Red Cross.

Hamas has set up a stage in Khan Younis, near the site of the recent chaotic handover of Inbal Yehoud and Gadi Mozes, where they were marched through a seething mob.

However, this time dozens of Hamas gunmen have set up a stage and formed a cordon around the area, indicating that the handover will likely be more controlled.

Palestinian crowds gather to watch the handing over Israeli hostages to a Red Cross team in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on February 15, 2025 (Screen grab/YouTube)

Hamas gunmen can be seen patrolling on the roof of a destroyed building overlooking the handover site.

The area is completely surrounded by flattened buildings and rubble, with the area seeing some of the heaviest fighting during the war.

Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Palestinian flags flutter around the stage and festive music blares from loudspeakers.

Red Cross vehicles heading to site of hostage handover in Khan Younis

Hamas gunmen secure an area before handing over Israeli hostages to a Red Cross team in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on February 15, 2025 (Photo by Bashar TALEB / AFP)

A convoy of Red Cross vehicles is heading to a hostage handover site in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis to collect Sagui Dekel-Chen, Sasha Troufanov and Iair Horn from Hamas, an Israeli defense official says.

The Red Cross will bring the three hostages to the IDF inside Gaza, to then be escorted by troops out of the Strip.

369 Palestinian detainees to be released today, including Ahmed Barghouti, serving 13 life terms for deadly Second Intifada terrorism

The Palestinian Prisoners’ Club advocacy group says Israel will today release 369 Palestinian inmates in exchange for hostages Sasha Troufanov, Iair Horn and Sagui Dekel-Chen, with 24 of them expected to be deported.

The vast majority, 333 people, are “prisoners from the Gaza Strip who were arrested after October 7,” the group says.

Among the most prominent of those set to be released is Ahmed Barghouti, 48, a close aide of Fatah chief and Second Intifada terror leader Marwan Barghouti, who was arrested alongside Marwan Barghouti in 2002.

Ahmed Barghouti has been serving 13 life sentences for carrying out a series of terror attacks during the Second Intifada that killed 12 Israelis. He is reportedly set to be deported abroad via Egypt.

Islamic Jihad releases propaganda video of Sasha Troufanov receiving ‘release’ papers

Sasha Troufanov, 27, was taken hostage along with his family and girlfriend Sapir Cohen on October 7, 2023 (courtesy)

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad has released another propaganda video of Sasha Troufanov ahead of his release this morning.

The video shows Islamic Jihad terror operatives handing Troufanov a document with the “decision to release him.”

Troufanov is seen being held in a tunnel in the video.

Troufanov’s family has requested that media outlets not publish the video or stills from it.

Islamic Jihad has issued multiple videos of Troufanov during his captivity, including one last night showing him walking on Gaza’s coast.

Israel expects hostage handover to begin at 9 a.m. from one site in southern Gaza

Hamas gunmen secure an area before handing over Israeli hostages to a Red Cross team in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on February 15, 2025 (Photo by Bashar TALEB / AFP)

The IDF expects Hamas to begin releasing hostages Sagui Dekel-Chen, Sasha Troufanov and Iair Horn starting from 9 a.m., from one handover site in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis, a defense official says.

The hostages will be handed over to the Red Cross, who will bring them to IDF troops inside Gaza. The three will then be escorted out of the Strip by troops to an army facility near Re’im, where they will undergo an initial physical and mental checkup and meet their families.

Afterward, they will be taken to Sourasky and Sheba hospitals in central Israel.

WATCH: Hamas sets up stage in Khan Younis for hostage handover

Hamas gunmen secure an area before handing over Israeli hostages to a Red Cross team in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on February 15, 2025 (Photo by Bashar TALEB / AFP)

Hamas has set up a stage in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis for the handover of three Israeli hostages this morning.

The stage features Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad flags, as well as propaganda posters, including a picture of slain Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar looking at the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem with the caption in English, Hebrew and Arabic, saying “No migration except to Jerusalem,” a dig at US President Donald Trump’s call to resettle Gazans.

Another poster has aerial images of the communities and bases that Hamas invaded on October 7, 2023, with the caption, “We crossed over swiftly.”

In the coming hours, hostages Sagui Dekel-Chen, Sasha Troufanov and Iair Horn are expected to be released from captivity. Dekel-Chen and Horn are being held by Hamas, while Troufanov is being held by Islamic Jihad.

منصة التسليم في خانيونس ورسائلها الجديدة

أعجبني التذكير بيوم العبور وكيف كان سهلا كخيط الشمس

أكيد تعرفون ماذا تقصد المقاومة بهذه الرسالة!! pic.twitter.com/2ksO6cmThx

— Fayed Abushammalah. فايد أبو شمالة (@fayedfa) February 15, 2025

Zelensky warns Ukraine has ‘low chance to survive’ without US support

This handout photograph taken and released by Ukrainian Presidential Press Service shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (3rd-L) and US Vice President JD Vance (3rd-R) talking on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in Munich, southern Germany, February 14, 2025,. (Handout/Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/AFP)

Ukraine has a “low chance” of surviving Russia’s invasion without military support from the United States, President Volodymyr Zelensky says in an interview with NBC News on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

“You know the difficult situations, you have a chance. But we will have low, low chance to survive without support of the United States,” Zelensky says in a clip from the interview, which will be aired on full Sunday.

PIJ releases propaganda video of Sasha Troufanov hours before his slated release

Sasha Troufanov, 27, was taken hostage along with his family and girlfriend Sapir Cohen on October 7, 2023 (courtesy)

Hours before he is set to be freed, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group publishes a propaganda video showing hostage Sasha Troufanov.

The video shows Troufanov walking on the coast of the Gaza Strip, as well as fishing.

He is also seen writing a note in the video, apparently thanking his captors, something Hamas and Islamic Jihad have forced hostages to do before releasing them.

Troufanov’s family has requested that media outlets not publish the video or stills from it.

Troufanov is set to be released tomorrow alongside Sagui Dekel-Chen and Yair Horn, who are being held by Hamas.

Poll: 61% of Israelis back sticking with deal to free remaining hostages, rather than returning to war

This aerial picture shows hostage families and a women's group blocking the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv, during a protest calling for the release of those held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza on February 13,, 2025 (Jack Guez / AFP)

A majority of Israelis support sticking to the current hostage deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages, rather than resuming the war against Hamas, according to a poll aired by the Kan public broadcaster.

Six hundred participants were asked, “Should we continue to phase two of the deal and end the war or return to fighting now without securing the release of all of the hostages?

Sixty-one percent of respondents said Israel should continue with phase two, 18% said Israel should return to the war, and 21% said they were unsure.