3 more Israeli hostages released by Hamas as ceasefire deal continues to hold

February 17, 2025

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Shortly after the hostage handover in Gaza, a bus carrying Palestinian prisoners released by Israel arrived in the West Bank, as per the ceasefire agreement, Reuters reported. As we reported earlier, it was believed Netanyahu had spoken with ministers, the heads of the negotiating team and senior defence officials, over the phone to discuss the release of remaining hostages. In exchange for Hamas releasing three more Israeli hostages, Israel began freeing another 369 Palestinian prisoners on Saturday, most of whom were arrested in the Gaza Strip after the terror attack on Oct. 7, 2023. The truce now enters a critical second phase, which calls for all remaining hostages to be returned and an indefinite extension of the ceasefire. The exchange, which saw 369 Palestinian prisoners released in return, went ahead after a tense stand-off that had threatened to shatter the fragile ceasefire.

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Despite the UK being the first to tout the date for transition, the EU and Switzerland both confirmed the date in recent months, with the UK – as expected – now mirroring the day which the shortened settlement cycle will come into force. Around half of the remaining 73 hostages have been declared dead in absentia by Israeli authorities. From Israel, Rubio will travel to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

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A bus carrying some of the released Palestinian prisoners arrived in Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where they were greeted by a cheering crowd. Some were seen being whisked away by ambulances to a local hospital. President Trump had set a deadline for Hamas to release all hostages. But in the days that followed, OPM issued an FAQ clarifying that employees who resigned wouldn’t be expected to work during the “deferred resignation period” and would be allowed to get a second job. Goggin is among roughly 75,000 federal employees who agreed to resign, according to OPM.

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Trump’s awkward exchange with reporter from India: ‘I can’t understand a word you’re saying’

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  • Ben Ami and Sharabi were kidnapped from Kibbutz Be’eri on Oct. 7.
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Office of Personnel Management (OPM) went to nearly all federal employees — some 2.3 million people across the U.S. Israel has been especially infuriated by the staged way hostages have been released – publicly displayed on platforms alongside gunmen and in front of crowds of spectators, before being handed over to the Red Cross in chaotic scenes. Vinnik, who operated cryptocurrency exchange BTC-e, pleaded guilty to money laundering charges in 2024. “Actually, I hope that’s the beginning of a relationship where we can end that war and millions of people can stop being killed.” Or Levy was attending the Nova music festival with his wife, Einav, when militants attacked. He was filmed hugging and walking arm in arm with his grandmother after being reunited at the Sheba Medical Centre earlier today.

Stories of the hostages taken by Hamas from Israel

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday that while such agreements build trust between countries, they were unlikely to be a “turning point” in a relationship. Trump’s Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, told US network NewsNation that while the deal to get Mr Fogel released was a “good sign”, he cautioned against “linking” it to the war in Ukraine. Thanks for the great welcome RAF Lossiemouth Friends and Families Day.

Watch: Crowds gather to welcome freed Palestinian prisoners

Trump issued a statement on Saturday warning of the noon deadline he set for the release of all hostages being held in Gaza and said he will leave it up to Israel to decide whether they will violate the ceasefire and continue fighting. During the first six-week phase of the ceasefire, a total of 33 hostages should be freed in exchange for around 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees in Israel. So far, 18 hostages have been freed in exchange for over 550 Palestinian prisoners as part of the first phase of the deal. Speaking to Sky’s Barbara Serra, Nivi Feldman, said 14 Israeli hostages are still due to be released as part of phase one of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

more Israeli hostages released by Hamas as ceasefire deal continues to hold

“Prime Minister Netanyahu greatly appreciates president Trump’s leadership and the ongoing coordination with the United States,” a statement from Netanyahu’s office said. The Israeli Prison Service said it ensures “all basic rights” of prisoners and detains them according to law. The three hostages freed from captivity are U.S. national Sagui Dekel Chen, Iair Horn and Sasha Troufanov, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. By the time Goggin received the “Fork in the Road” offer, her household was already in upheaval. The Trump administration’s freeze on foreign aid was directly impacting her husband’s position with a nongovernmental organization.

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Three more Israeli hostages were released Saturday in exchange for dozens of Palestinian prisoners as the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas continued to hold. It was the fifth hostage and prisoner exchange to occur as part of the first phase of the deal, which began on Jan. 19. “We have prepared for their return and, together with the families, we will assist in their rehabilitation after the long and torturous days in captivity,” read a statement from the usdt exchange near me Texas Israeli prime minister’s office. Our exchange rate API offers real-time, accurate, and reliable data for hundreds of currencies. Xe’s proprietary rates are sourced directly from financial data providers and reputable banks. Responding to Trump’s message earlier today – which said the US would “back” Israel in “any decision they make” regarding the release of all the remaining hostages – the Israeli prime minister said he values the president’s “full support”.

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He also appeared to accuse the US of breaking a confidentiality agreement about the exchange. They said their time apart had been “the darkest and most painful period of our lives”. The history teacher was detained after travelling with what his family said was medically prescribed cannabis. In December, the US government designated him as wrongfully detained.

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Nineteen Israeli and five Thai hostages have been released so far during phase one of the current ceasefire deal. The deal had appeared close to collapse earlier this week when Hamas refused to release more hostages, claiming Israel had blocked vital aid deliveries, including tents and shelter materials, leaving thousands exposed to winter conditions. Israel rejected these claims, insisting it had allowed thousands of aid trucks to enter Gaza. Hamas delivered a cruel message to a hostage’s mother during today’s prisoner exchange, handing over an hourglass bearing her son’s image with the warning “time is running out”.

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  • “Prime Minister Netanyahu greatly appreciates president Trump’s leadership and the ongoing coordination with the United States,” a statement from Netanyahu’s office said.
  • Footage of the “emotional meeting” of Israeli hostage Alexander (Sasha) Troufanov reuniting with his grandmother has been released by the office of Benjamin Netanyahu.
  • During his presidential campaign, Trump promised to end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours.
  • Earlier this month, during a media interaction at the White House with Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu, he had a similar response to Afghan journalist Nazira Karimi.
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  • There are 73 hostages taken on 7 October who are still being held in Gaza.
  • Meanwhile, Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said the exchange was “a product of one of the channels, through which these contacts are carried out”.
  • The men appeared in better health than three hostages freed last weekend, who were described as emaciated.

Of the 369 Palestinians freed on Saturday, 333 had been arrested in the Gaza Strip and held in Israeli prisons following the Hamas-led terror attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Those 333 will be returned to Gaza following their release on Saturday. Of the other 36, some will be released in the West Bank and others will be released in Gaza, Israeli officials said. The stunt came as the militant group released three Israeli hostages – Iair Horn, Sagui Dekel-Chen and Sasha Troufanov – after 498 days in captivity. The men appeared in better health than three hostages freed last weekend, who were described as emaciated.

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  • During his presidential campaign, Trump promised to end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours.
  • Now, Goggin worries whether social workers at the VA will be able to abide by that code, given Trump’s executives actions to end diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and to recognize male and female as the only two sexes.
  • Earlier this month, during a media interaction at the White House with Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu, he had a similar response to Afghan journalist Nazira Karimi.
  • Meanwhile, Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said the exchange was “a product of one of the channels, through which these contacts are carried out”.
  • That historic deal won the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan, among others.

Rana, accused of aiding the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack that killed 166 people, is currently held in a high-security US prison. During the press meet with the Indian prime minister, the reporter asked the US president about his decision to extradite Pakistani national and accused terrorist Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India and the rising anti-India voices in the US. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that a Russian citizen imprisoned in the US would be returned to Russia in the coming days as part of the exchange.

His grandmother Irena Tati was released during the brief ceasefire in November 2023, along with Troufanov’s mother and girlfriend. From marketing and sales to funding and exit strategy, we cover the topics that matter most to you. As a White clinician, she says, she relies on trainings and discussions with colleagues to work through issues and figure out how to provide the best care. She says those sessions increase her awareness and understanding of other people’s experiences, including how they may be impacted by racism and other forms of oppression. These days, she works with veterans of all ages, including Vietnam War vets as well as those who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Subsequently, the Biden administration secured the release of three more Americans last year as part of the biggest prisoner exchange between Russia and the West since the Cold War. The Americans freed were Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, US Marine veteran Paul Whelan, and Russian-American radio journalist Alsu Kurmasheva. Wise’s currency converter will show you how much your money is worth in other currencies at the real exchange rate. Banks often advertise free or low-cost transfers, but add a hidden markup to the exchange rate.

This story has been updated with the official names of the hostages, per the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Saturday and was met by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Have information you want to share about ongoing changes across the federal government? Andrea Hsu is available through encrypted communications on Signal at andreahsu.08. Now, Goggin worries whether social workers at the VA will be able to abide by that code, given Trump’s executives actions to end diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and to recognize male and female as the only two sexes. Goggin originally came to the VA through a postgraduate fellowship, where she worked with incarcerated veterans.

Gaza latest: Netanyahu to convene security cabinet – as families of remaining Israeli hostages plea to Trump for help

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“Any agreement on the release of citizens… [is] preceded by very, very scrupulous negotiating work. Of course, such agreements are unlikely to become a turning point,” he said. Mr Fogel left Russia with Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff in a move officials said could help bring about talks to end the Ukraine war. A total of 70 hostages taken during 7 October attacks are still believed to be in Gaza.

She replied to the original email with the word “Resign” and hit send. “In the abstract, it did sound like a good offer,” she says. “My husband and I talked about it, and if this offer was legitimate, it seemed like, wow… I could potentially be making double salary for six months, which would give him some time to regroup and find a job he cares about.” Like many federal employees, she was also a bit skeptical of the deal. That historic deal won the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan, among others. Meanwhile, Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said the exchange was “a product of one of the channels, through which these contacts are carried out”.

The war was triggered by Hamas’s attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, when gunmen killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Israel has said it will resume bombing if the three are not released on time. The warning came after Hamas said it was postponing the releases in response to alleged Israeli violations of the ceasefire. Anne Fogel told the BBC at the time of feeling “betrayal” when she learnt that her brother was not included in the prisoner exchange – which Biden had lauded as a “feat of diplomacy”. His family had tried to push former President Joe Biden to secure his release, and were left disappointed when he was left out of prisoner exchanges in 2022 and 2024. A Russian national imprisoned in a US jail on money laundering charges will be freed in exchange for the release of American schoolteacher Marc Fogel from prison in Russia, authorities have confirmed.

Wise gives you the real, mid-market, exchange rate, so you can make huge savings on your international money transfers. Banks and traditional providers often have extra costs, which they pass to you by marking up the exchange rate. Our smart tech means we’re more efficient – which means you get a great rate. Get a daily analysis of markets, exchange rates, and news straight in your inbox. The leader of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum in the UK has said they are “really fighting” for the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza.

Trump announced earlier on Tuesday that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent would travel to Ukraine later this week. Waltz said Mr Fogel’s release was a “sign we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible war in Ukraine”. US basketball star Brittney Griner, who was arrested in Russia on a similar charge of cannabis possession in 2022, was freed in an exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout 10 months later. Hundreds of thousands of people, the majority of them soldiers, are believed to have been killed since Russia invaded Ukraine nearly three years ago.

Since the ceasefire began on 19 January, 16 Israeli and five Thai hostages have been released in exchange for 766 prisoners. Ben Ami and Sharabi were kidnapped from Kibbutz Be’eri on Oct. 7. Ben Ami’s wife, Raz, was also kidnapped, but she was released as part of a separate exchange deal in November 2023.

Since late March 2020 we have worked hard 3d printing much needed PPE in the form of Visors, Face Mask Relief Straps and Door Dongles for NHS staff, Care Workers, Childcare Hubs and other hardworking members of our Moray Community. We have now delivered over d Printed visors, 2500 face mask relief straps, 1275 single use visors and 620 door dongles to over 170 locations across Moray. Simply input your amount in the currency calculator above, select your source and destination currency and our tool will convert your currency at the mid-market rate (that’s the one you’ll usually find on Google). Send money abroad using Wise and we’ll use the same rate you see on our currency converter. Haley Ott is the CBS News Digital international reporter, based in the CBS News London bureau. Speaking to Global Custodian last year, Andrew Douglas, chairman of the UK Accelerated Settlement Taskforce, highlighted how around 5% of trades are already settling on a T+1 basis on Euroclear’s CREST.

  • For its part, Hamas has accused Israel of preventing what the group says are the amount of tents and aid lorries required to be let into Gaza under the terms of the ceasefire.
  • But in the days that followed, OPM issued an FAQ clarifying that employees who resigned wouldn’t be expected to work during the “deferred resignation period” and would be allowed to get a second job.
  • Today’s exchange brings the total number of hostages freed during the ceasefire to 24, while more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners have been released.
  • She said the family had known his release was a possibility but also that the negotiations were “very tenuous”.
  • Andrea Hsu is available through encrypted communications on Signal at andreahsu.08.
  • Israel however never imposed such a deadline, which is also not part of the ceasefire deal.
  • Despite the UK being the first to tout the date for transition, the EU and Switzerland both confirmed the date in recent months, with the UK – as expected – now mirroring the day which the shortened settlement cycle will come into force.
  • “Any agreement on the release of citizens… [is] preceded by very, very scrupulous negotiating work. Of course, such agreements are unlikely to become a turning point,” he said.
  • “We have prepared for their return and, together with the families, we will assist in their rehabilitation after the long and torturous days in captivity,” read a statement from the Israeli prime minister’s office.

IDF officers from the Personnel Directorate and IDF medical officials are accompanying the returning hostages. The families of the hostages are currently waiting at the hospital and are being updated by IDF officials with the latest available information. “Three returning hostages are currently being accompanied by IDF special forces and ISA forces on their return to Israeli territory, where they will undergo an initial medical assessment,” the joint statement said. The returning hostages crossed the border Saturday into Israeli territory and made their way to an initial reception point in southern Israel, where they were reunited with their families. Hamas militants released three more Israeli hostages on Saturday as part of the ceasefire agreement.

Analyze rate trends for any currency over a few days, weeks, months, or years. Get an automated currency feed through the Xe Currency Data API. Footage of the “emotional meeting” of Israeli hostage Alexander (Sasha) Troufanov reuniting with his grandmother has been released by the office of Benjamin Netanyahu. “The combination of the IDF’s reinforcement around the Gaza Strip and President Trump’s firm stance led to the release of three of our hostages today—despite Hamas’s previous refusal to free them.”

With just a few clicks, you can send money to over 190 countries worldwide. Join thousands who trust us daily for their money transfer needs. Lots of enthusiastic young people and their families using scratch & ScratchJr  coding to create their own games and draw their own sprites. Israel however never imposed such a deadline, which is also not part of the ceasefire deal.

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Benjamin Netanyahu has said he “greatly appreciates” support from Donald Trump, adding his “firm stance” helped to secure today’s release of three Israeli hostages. She said the families of those still in Gaza are “constantly stressed” not knowing if their relatives will be released or not in the coming weeks. The 36-year-old was one of three hostages released today by Hamas. One of the signs held by protesters reads “don’t kill the deal” referring to the fragile ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. The office of Javier Milei said in a statement that the 46-year-old’s release came within the “framework of a ceasefire between the state of Israel and Hamas promoted by the President of the United States, Donald Trump”. The president of Argentina has acknowledged the release of Argentinian-Israeli Iair Horn, who was released by Hamas today.

Hamas releases three more Israelis, as 369 Palestinians are handed over in the sixth exchange in recent weeks. There are 73 hostages taken on 7 October who are still being held in Gaza. There are also three other Israeli hostages – one of whom is dead – who have been held in Gaza for a decade or more. More than 48,230 people have been killed by the Israel offensive in Gaza since then, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.