Tag: Hamas

Hamas frees more hostages as Gaza truce expiry looms

By Adel Zaanoun with Didier Lauras in Jerusalem GAZA STRIP, Palestinian Territories, Nov 30, 2023 (AFP) – More hostages were freed from Gaza on Wednesday in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, as mediators raced to broker another extension to the truce between Israel and Hamas hours before it was due to expire. Underscoring the urgency, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel for talks on aid for Gaza and the truce, which is scheduled […]

US sends first of three military planes with Gaza aid

By Danny KEMP WASHINGTON, Nov 28, 2023 (AFP) – The United States on Tuesday sent the first of three military planes to Egypt to bring vital humanitarian aid for Gaza, promising to assist Palestinians during a truce between Hamas and US ally Israel. The relief flights carrying food, medical supplies and winter gear are the first by the US military since the conflict began with the October 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel. The flights […]

12 more Gaza hostages freed as mediators seek lasting truce

By Adel Zaanoun with Michael Blum in Jerusalem GAZA STRIP, Palestinian Territories, Nov 28, 2023 (AFP) – Twelve more hostages were freed Tuesday from Gaza captivity in exchange for Palestinian prisoners under an extended truce, as mediators worked for a lasting halt to the seven-week Israel-Hamas war. Ten Israelis and two Thais were released, the Israeli prime minister’s office said, with the army saying they were handed over to the Red Cross and were “inside […]

The 11 Israeli hostages freed by Hamas on Monday

By Jean-Philippe CHOGNOT PARIS, Nov 28, 2023 (AFP) – Eight children, one 18-year-old and two mothers all from the same kibbutz community were released late Monday by Hamas, according to relatives, Israeli media and the Hostage Families Forum. Their release brings the total number of freed hostages to 74 from around 240 people taken to the Gaza Strip after Hamas’s unprecedented October 7 attacks on Israel. Monday’s release was followed by the freeing of 33 […]

Rare survey details how Gazans wary of Hamas before Israel attack

By Nicolas REVISE PRINCETON, United States, Nov 28, 2023 (AFP) – Many Gazans were hostile to Hamas ahead of the group’s brutal October 7 attack on Israel, with some describing its rule as a second occupation, according to rare polling data analyzed by a US-Palestinian researcher. The findings are striking against a backdrop of protests and counter-protests triggered by the attack, with the relationship between Hamas and ordinary Gazans often the subject of heated debate. […]

Eleven more Gaza hostages released as Israel-Hamas truce extended

By Adel Zaanoun with Michael Blum in Jerusalem GAZA STRIP, Palestinian Territories, Nov 27, 2023 (AFP) – Israel said Monday that 11 more hostages released in the Gaza Strip had arrived safely, hours after the announcement that a truce between Israel and Hamas in Gaza will be extended by two days, opening the way for further releases. Hamas announced the agreement to prolong the truce by 48 hours shortly before it was due to end […]

The 14 Israeli hostages freed by Hamas on Sunday

PARIS, Nov 26, 2023 (AFP) – Nine children, four women and a Russian-Israeli were released Sunday by Gaza rulers Hamas, according to accounts given to AFP by their relatives, Israeli media and the Hostage Families Forum. The releases bring to 63 the total number of freed hostages from around 240 taken to Gaza after the unprecedented October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. The releases came following a Friday agreement between Israel and Hamas, which is […]

Israel-Hamas truce enters final day with talk of extension

By Adel Zaanoun with Hazel Ward in Tel Aviv GAZA STRIP, Palestinian Territories, Nov 27, 2023 (AFP) – The truce between Israel and Hamas entered its final 24 hours Monday, with the militant group saying it was willing to extend the pause after it freed more hostages, including a four-year-old orphaned by its attack. The pause that began Friday has seen dozens of hostages freed, with over 100 Palestinian prisoners released by Israel in return. […]

More captives, prisoners freed as Gaza truce extension moote

By Adel Zaanoun with Hazel Ward in Tel Aviv GAZA STRIP, Palestinian Territories, Nov 26, 2023 (AFP) – Hamas released a third group of hostages including a four-year-old American girl Sunday, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners on day three of a truce which a source close to the militants said they were willing to prolong. The transfers under a four-day truce that started Friday have been the first relief for captives’ families since the militant […]

Hamas fighters to free more hostages as families reunite

By Adel Zaanoun with Hazel Ward in Tel Aviv GAZA STRIP, Palestinian Territories, Nov 26, 2023 (AFP) – Hamas fighters were set Sunday to release a third group of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a day after freeing captives including a young woman snatched from a desert rave. In a sign of the fragility of the exchanges, the latest swap Saturday was delayed for hours after Hamas accused Israel of breaching its side […]

The 13 Israeli hostages freed by Hamas on Saturday

By Jean-Philippe CHOGNOT PARIS, Nov 26, 2023 (AFP) – Families and children kidnapped from Israel’s southern Kibbutz Beeri were among the 13 Israeli hostages released by Hamas on Saturday, according to accounts given to AFP by their relatives, Israeli press, and the Hostage Families Forum. The releases came following a Friday agreement between Israel and Hamas, which is supposed to last four days and allow for 50 Israelis and 150 Palestinians to be freed. A […]

Iran says it helped broker release of Thais held in Gaza

TEHRAN, Nov 25, 2023 (AFP) – Iran said Saturday it helped broker the surprise release of Thai nationals who had been held by Palestinian militants in war-ravaged Gaza since their shock attack on Israel last month. On Friday, Hamas unexpectedly released 10 Thais and a Filipino, along with the 13 Israeli women and children that were part of a temporary truce deal with Israel. Israel in turn freed 39 Palestinian women and children from its […]