As part of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, Hamas recently released four Israeli hostages. The handover took place on Saturday evening through the Red Cross, with the Israeli military receiving them. Witnesses at the exchange site in Nuseirat reported seeing the hostages smiling. In a striking moment, one of the hostages kissed a Hamas fighter on the forehead. The Israeli military confirmed the release and stated that the hostages would be taken to a hospital for evaluation. Previously, Hamas had released two other hostages, one of whom had been held since 2014.

The first phase of the ongoing ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas has been completed. On Saturday, five hostages were handed over to Israeli forces via the Red Cross, with a sixth hostage set to be released later. According to AFP, Israel is releasing more than 600 Palestinian prisoners in exchange, including 50 serving life sentences. Hamas has stated that no further hostages will be released unless Israel fully withdraws its troops. Meanwhile, the Israeli Prime Minister declared that temporarily defeating Hamas remains their objective.

As part of a prisoner exchange agreement, Hamas has handed over the bodies of four Israeli hostages. The remains of the captives, placed in coffins, were transported in Red Cross vehicles from Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip. The four deceased hostages have been identified as Shiri, Ariel, Kfir Bibas, and Oded Lifshitz.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the Red Cross is transferring the bodies to Israeli security agencies. Hamas claimed that despite their best efforts, they were unable to protect the hostages from Israeli attacks. In a statement, Hamas criticized Israeli leadership, stating that Israel is governed by leaders who fail to protect their own citizens.

The Gaza government has reported that Israeli attacks have destroyed 1,109 out of 1,244 mosques in the region—accounting for 89% of all mosques in Gaza. Among them, 834 mosques have been completely demolished, while 275 have become unusable. The destruction of religious and administrative centers, waqf properties, cemeteries, and mosques has resulted in financial losses exceeding $500 million. Additionally, 315 imams and religious speakers have been killed in the attacks, and 27 ministry employees have been detained by Israeli forces. An international initiative called the “Minarets Coalition” has been launched to rebuild the destroyed mosques and religious institutions.

Hamas has offered a proposal for a permanent ceasefire in exchange for the release of all hostages in its custody. While Israel has not formally responded to the offer, its forces launched an attack in Gaza, killing three Palestinians. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that 11 others were injured in the past 24 hours. Additionally, another Palestinian succumbed to injuries sustained from Israeli aggression, while two more bodies were recovered from the rubble.

Hamas has put forward a new proposal regarding the second phase of the ongoing ceasefire agreement in Gaza. The group has expressed willingness to release all Israeli hostages at once, but with conditions—demanding a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

A Hamas spokesperson stated that, at the request of mediators, they have proposed doubling the number of hostages to be released. He dismissed Israel’s claim that Hamas will be removed from Gaza as “laughable” and a mere psychological tactic.

Meanwhile, internal pressure from Israeli hardliners has left Israel indecisive, causing the second-phase hostage release and ceasefire agreement to remain stalled.

Despite a ceasefire agreement allowing the entry of reconstruction materials, Israel had initially blocked the supplies at the Rafah border. This sparked a wave of condemnation. In response, Hamas announced that it would backtrack on its commitment to release hostages. This raised concerns about the sustainability of the ceasefire. Eventually, under mounting pressure, Israel allowed the entry of reconstruction materials into Gaza. According to a report by the Times of Israel on Tuesday, it is believed that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu took this step to expedite the transfer of six living hostages and others who are deceased.

According to a report by the Turkish Anadolu Agency on Monday, Israeli forces launched a new military operation in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus. Eyewitnesses reported that the Israeli army entered the Old City of Nablus, conducting several house searches. After seizing a Palestinian vehicle, the troops left the area. This operation followed a military raid in the Old City of Nablus on Sunday, which resulted in 14 Palestinians being injured, including four children. Israeli military operations in this region have been ongoing since January 21, resulting in at least 55 deaths and the displacement of thousands of people.

An investigation has revealed that Israeli forces used an elderly Palestinian man as a human shield by strapping explosives around his neck before killing him and his wife. The Israeli news website Ha-Makom reported the horrific incident, which took place in May 2023. The 80-year-old victim was threatened with death if he did not comply. The soldiers then tied explosives to his neck and used him in three separate military operations before ultimately executing him. This "mosquito strategy" has reportedly been employed by Israeli forces multiple times.

Israel has violated the ceasefire agreement in Gaza by launching an airstrike on the eastern part of Rafah city. The attack, which targeted members of Hamas-controlled police, resulted in the deaths of three police officers, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Interior. Gaza officials stated that this airstrike, which occurred on Saturday, constitutes a clear violation of the ceasefire that has been in place since January 19. Israel claimed the attack targeted armed individuals approaching their forces. Hamas authorities confirmed the slain officers were stationed to secure the entry of aid trucks into Gaza. The international community has been urged to take a stand against the Israeli airstrike on Gaza’s police forces.

On Saturday at 10 AM local time, Hamas released three Israeli hostages—Alexander Trufanov, Sagui Dekel-Chen, and Yair Horn—in the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis. The release took place under strict security and in the presence of fighters from both sides. A senior Hamas official signed the handover documents with Red Cross representatives. Following their brief statements to the Palestinian people, the hostages left for Israel. In return, Israel is expected to release 369 Palestinian prisoners.

Arab nations, led by Saudi Arabia, are formulating an alternative plan to counter U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza. A high-level meeting in Riyadh, involving Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and the UAE, will discuss strategies, including a reconstruction fund and governance excluding Hamas. Egypt’s draft plan, favoring Gaza’s rebuilding over relocation, is gaining traction. The initiative, backed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is expected to be presented at the Arab summit on February 27.

Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a disturbing plan to seize Gaza and expel Palestinians from the region, sparking widespread protests globally. Arab and Muslim-majority countries, in particular, strongly rejected his proposal, voicing fierce opposition. In response, Egypt announced the organization of an Arab summit, while Pakistan and Saudi Arabia decided to convene an emergency meeting of foreign ministers from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to address the Gaza crisis. Saudi Arabia has confirmed the hosting of an urgent summit on February 20, which will bring together leaders from four Arab countries to discuss Trump’s proposal to take control of Gaza. The summit will be attended by leaders from Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas also participating. (Source: AFP)

Despite the ongoing ceasefire agreement, Israel conducted airstrikes on the besieged Gaza Strip on Thursday (February 13). No immediate casualties were reported. According to Anadolu News Agency, the Israeli military claimed the targeted location was used for launching rockets. Palestinian authorities have yet to respond. The war, which began on October 7, 2023, has resulted in over 48,000 Palestinian deaths, with more than 12,000 missing. Although a ceasefire was declared on January 19, Israel continues to violate it.

After previously refusing to release Israeli hostages due to allegations that Israel was not honoring the ceasefire agreement, Hamas has now changed its stance. According to a report by The Times of Israel, the Palestinian resistance group has announced plans to release three Israeli hostages on Saturday.

This decision came a day after a Hamas delegation, led by senior official Khalil al-Hayya, arrived in Cairo for negotiations with mediators. Hamas stated that Egyptian and Qatari mediators have assured them of efforts to remove obstacles hindering the flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.