Forum Topic

Palestinian terrorists release some female Israeli hostages

From BBC News.'Four female hostages who were held by Hamas in Gaza have returned to IsraelGunmen and crowds gathered in Palestine Square in Gaza City as the hostages were released to the Red Cross in a highly choreographed handoverThe four women - who are the second group of hostages released since a ceasefire deal was agreed - are Israeli soldiers who were taken on 7 OctoberIsrael is set to release 200 Palestinian prisoners in return, 70 of whom are expected to be deportedHowever, the Israeli government accused Hamas of breaching the ceasefire deal by not releasing civilian hostage Arbel YehudIn response, Israel said displaced Palestinians will not yet be allowed to return to northern Gaza, as had been scheduled under the dealMeanwhile, Hamas is expected to provide more information about the remaining 26 hostages due to be released in the coming weeks.Under the agreement, 50 prisoners are to be released for every Israeli soldier, and 30 prisoners are released for every Israeli civilian.During his press conference a little earlier, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari expressed concern for the welfare of two children still held by Hamas.The youngest hostages still in Gaza are part of the Bibas family. They are brothers Kfir and Ariel, aged two and four respectively.Kfir was only ten months old when he was taken captive alongside his parents Sheri and Yarden.****Hamas said in December 2023 that Sheri and the boys had been killed'****.The BBC report shows a graphic picture of today's handover event with the identities of the brave boys of Hamas hidden behind masks and balaclava helmets and who are carrying automatic weapons.The women are smiling but who knows what the Palestinians subjected them to.Hamas claim this as a sign of victory, particularly the release of those of their members tried and convicted for terrorist offences in the past such as bombings of civilians in Israel.But I wonder what lies in store for them once Israel has all its captured citizens back. BTW was there a pro-Palestine/anti-Israel 'peace march in London today ?

John Hawkes ● 10d6 Comments

"They survived hell’: Israel hails the homecoming of freed female soldiers"And part of that 'hell' will be the fact that isn't enough repeated that this surveillance unit had been sending in reports and warnings which had been ignored by Commanders.That WAS reported on and heard here as it was before Israel banned all foreign journalists.

Philippa Bond ● 9d

From today's Guardian/Observer."They survived hell’: Israel hails the homecoming of freed female soldiers"'Nineteen-year-old Naama Levy became an indelible symbol of Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack on Israel. In footage from that day, an armed man dragged the barefoot and bleeding soldier out of the back of a Jeep on to a street in Gaza. Her arms were tied behind her back and blood pooled in the seat of her pajamas. Onlookers cheered at her distress.For months, the women of Levy’s all-female surveillance unit – tatzpitaniyot – had noticed unusual practice raids and drills taking place on the other side of the fence, but their reports and warnings were ignored by commanders. Fifteen women from the unit were killed when Hamas fighters stormed their base on the Gaza border, and seven taken hostage.Now, not just Levy’s abduction, but her redemption, will go down in Israeli history. On Saturday, 15 months after their ordeal began, her family and those of three other women from the unit sobbed with relief as they embraced their daughters, freed during the second week of a fragile ceasefire and hostage release deal.“I was amazed by their mental strength. Strong women who survived days of hell and the light in their eyes did not go out,” the hospital director said'.Hope overcomes hate.

John Hawkes ● 9d

You do realise that you've immediately lost the argument if you insist on insulting everybody who doesn't agree with you, don't you?

Philippa Bond ● 10d

But to ensure a balanced analysis of the Middle East conflict the Guardian has to find space for a vitriolic piece from the anti-Israel journalist little Owen Jones.

John Hawkes ● 10d

Balanced analysis from the Guardian.https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/24/hostages-israel-hamas-ceasefire

John Hawkes ● 10d

In answer to your question Mr Hawkes, see my thread titled Victory Drive posted yesterday.

Lucille Grant ● 10d