International

Hamas releases another 3 Israeli hostages

Published

1 year ago

February 8, 2025

Hamas releases another 3 Israeli hostages

Three Israeli men have been released from Gaza in the fifth round of hostage exchanges between Israel and Hamas, as uncertainty grows over the future of the fragile ceasefire and the long-term outlook for the region.

Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi, and Or Levy—captured during the Hamas-led October 7 attack on Israel—were handed over to the Red Cross in Deir al-Balah after spending 491 days in captivity. The transfer proceeded in an orderly manner, but the men appeared visibly frail and pale as they were led onto a makeshift stage.

Both Ben Ami and Sharabi wore brown clothing and were instructed to deliver brief statements in Hebrew before being escorted to Red Cross vehicles waiting to transport them back to Israel. Upon crossing into Israel, the hostages were handed over to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and are now undergoing medical evaluations.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum in Israel described the images from Saturday’s release as “disturbing,” with Levy, freed under humanitarian grounds, appearing particularly weakened.

Ben Ami, 56, and Sharabi, 52, were abducted from their homes in Kibbutz Be’eri, just four kilometers from the Gaza border. Ben Ami’s wife, Raz, who was also kidnapped that day, was released during a brief truce in November 2023. Sharabi faces a tragic homecoming, as his wife and daughters were killed during the October 7 attack, though it is unclear if he is aware of their deaths. His brother, Yossi Sharabi, who was also captured, died in captivity, with his body still in Gaza, according to the Israeli military.

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Levy, 34, was attending the Nova music festival on the day of the attack when he was taken hostage. His wife, Eynav, was killed in the assault. Levy will soon reunite with his three-year-old son.

Saturday’s release brings the total number of Israeli hostages freed under the current ceasefire deal to 16, out of 33 promised to be released in phases. The Israeli government has reported that eight of those 33 hostages are deceased.

Hamas and its allies continue to hold 73 hostages captured on October 7, 2023, out of an initial 251. Additionally, three hostages taken in 2014 remain in Gaza.

In exchange for the three Israeli hostages, Hamas has stated that Israel is expected to release 183 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli officials have not yet confirmed the exact figures or identities of those to be freed. According to Hamas, 18 of the prisoners are serving life sentences, 54 have shorter sentences, and 111 were detained after October 7. The specific charges against the latter group remain unclear.

The October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people in Israel. In response, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 40,000 people, devastated much of the territory, and created a severe humanitarian crisis. The conflict has also escalated tensions across the region, drawing Israel into confrontations with Iran, a key Hamas supporter, and its proxies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen.

Hamas releases another 3 Israeli hostages

International

House Democrats Rebuke Trump, Demand Immediate Vote Over Iran ‘Civilisation’ Threat

Published

2 hours ago

April 8, 2026

Trends Admin

US President Donald Trump

House Democrats Rebuke Trump, Demand Immediate Vote Over Iran ‘Civilisation’ Threat

US House Democratic leaders have sharply rebuked President Donald Trump and called for Congress to return immediately from recess to vote against his escalating military actions in Iran. The intervention follows Trump’s extraordinary warning that “a whole civilisation will die tonight” if Tehran did not comply with his Tuesday 8 p.m. deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway crucial to global oil shipments.

In a strongly worded statement, senior Democrats, including House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark, Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, Vice Chair Ted Lieu, Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse, and DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene, described the president’s threat as “completely unhinged” and deeply dangerous, warning that it could plunge the United States into a broader conflict akin to World War III.

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“The House must come back into session immediately and vote to end this reckless war of choice in the Middle East before Donald Trump plunges our country into disaster,” the Democrats said. They also criticised Republicans for enabling Trump’s “extreme behaviour” for years and called on them to set aside party loyalty and join Democrats in halting further escalation.

The Democrats highlighted the human and economic costs of the ongoing Iran conflict, noting the deaths of over 10 U.S. service members and the sharp rise in fuel prices. They argued that unchecked military action threatens both national security and global stability.

Early Tuesday, U.S. forces carried out airstrikes on Kharg Island, Iran’s major oil export hub, in an effort to weaken the country’s energy infrastructure. Trump intensified his rhetoric following these operations, threatening catastrophic consequences if Iran refused to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

While Trump later agreed to a two-week suspension of attacks on Iran contingent on compliance, Democrats remain alarmed and insist that only a formal congressional vote can prevent further escalation and ensure adherence to the U.S. Constitution’s war powers framework. Some lawmakers have even suggested invoking the 25th Amendment if the president’s actions are deemed a severe threat to national safety.

The situation underscores deep partisan divisions in Washington over U.S. involvement in the Middle East and the balance of powers between the executive branch and Congress. Democrats are pushing for immediate action to reaffirm congressional authority and prevent further reckless military escalation.

House Democrats Rebuke Trump, Demand Immediate Vote Over Iran ‘Civilisation’ Threat

International

Bill Gates to Testify Before US House Panel in High‑Profile Jeffrey Epstein Probe

Published

2 hours ago

April 8, 2026

Trends Admin

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates

Bill Gates to Testify Before US House Panel in High‑Profile Jeffrey Epstein Probe

Microsoft co‑founder Bill Gates is set to appear before a U.S. House of Representatives committee on June 10, 2026, to provide a transcribed testimony as part of a congressional investigation into the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Gates joins a list of high-profile figures whose names have surfaced in Justice Department documents revealing Epstein’s extensive network and connections with prominent global leaders and business magnates.

The House Oversight Committee has been examining records, emails, and photographs from Epstein’s estate to understand the extent of his relationships with influential individuals. Gates will testify in a closed-door session, similar to the interviews given by former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

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A spokesperson for Gates said he “welcomes the opportunity to appear before the Committee” and reaffirmed that Gates never witnessed or participated in any of Epstein’s illegal activities. The spokesperson emphasized that Gates intends to fully cooperate and answer all questions to support the committee’s investigation.

Gates has previously described his association with Epstein as a “huge mistake.” He acknowledged meeting Epstein between 2011 and 2014, a period after Epstein had pleaded guilty in 2008 for soliciting a minor for prostitution. Gates clarified that his interactions were aimed at exploring potential philanthropic collaborations and that he ended the relationship once it became clear Epstein’s promises would not materialize.

Justice Department documents include unverified claims referencing Gates, including personal matters and alleged interactions, which he has denied. Gates has also publicly addressed past personal indiscretions, admitting to extramarital affairs but insisting he had no involvement with Epstein’s criminal activities.

The congressional inquiry aims to uncover how Epstein cultivated relationships with elites, whether law enforcement failed to intervene effectively, and the extent to which his network may have influenced others. Gates’s testimony is expected to provide clarity on his interactions with Epstein and his awareness of the financier’s activities.

This testimony marks a significant moment in the ongoing high-profile Epstein investigation, which continues to draw global attention due to its implications for powerful figures in politics, business, and philanthropy.

Bill Gates to Testify Before US House Panel in High‑Profile Jeffrey Epstein Probe

International

Trump Announces Two‑Week Ceasefire With Iran, Pauses Planned Bombing

Published

2 hours ago

April 8, 2026

Trends Admin

US President Donald Trump

Trump Announces Two‑Week Ceasefire With Iran, Pauses Planned Bombing

In a significant diplomatic development, US President Donald Trump has agreed to suspend planned bombing and military strikes against Iran for two weeks, marking a temporary halt in escalating hostilities between Washington and Tehran. The pause — described by the White House as a temporary ceasefire window — was announced on April 7, 2026, just hours before a self‑imposed deadline for possible military action.

The decision comes amid intense diplomatic engagement, including discussions with allied nations and regional partners, and reflects a push by both sides to de‑escalate tensions that have pushed global markets and geopolitical risk indicators sharply higher.

Under the agreement, the United States will halt airstrikes and bombing plans against Iran for 14 days, giving space for renewed negotiations and diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the conflict peacefully. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has also accepted the two‑week suspension, signalling a willingness to pause hostilities and potentially engage in negotiations during this period.

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A key condition tied to the ceasefire is the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic global oil chokepoint through which a large share of the world’s crude exports pass. Trump indicated that Iran’s agreement to resume safe passage of commercial traffic through the strait was a major factor in his decision to defer military action.

Trump described the ceasefire as a “mutual pause” and said that both sides now have a window to build on peace overtures and explore a wider diplomatic framework. Officials noted that Iran had submitted a 10‑point peace proposal as part of ongoing efforts to find a negotiated settlement.

The temporary suspension has already influenced global markets. Oil prices fell sharply on expectations of reduced disruptions in the Middle East, and stock futures rallied as investors reacted to the news of a possible de‑escalation. Analysts say the move could ease immediate supply concerns if the ceasefire holds.

The broader conflict had intensified in recent months after U.S.‑led forces launched strikes against Iranian military infrastructure and leadership targets. These actions prompted retaliatory missile barrages and heightened the risk of a larger regional war involving multiple state and non‑state actors.

While this two‑week suspension of bombing and attacks offers a pause in direct military confrontation, experts caution that the underlying strategic disputes remain unresolved. The success of the ceasefire window will depend on whether both sides can convert this breathing space into substantive diplomatic progress and avoid a return to hostilities when the period ends.