International
Hamas releases 13 Israeli, four Thai captives after hours-long delay
Hamas releases 13 Israeli, four Thai captives after hours-long delay
Hamas has handed over 13 Israeli captives and four Thai nationals to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) after a delay of seven hours as the group claimed that Israel had violated the terms of a truce.
The impasse was resolved following mediation by Qatar and Egypt on Saturday, the second day of the pause in hostilities in the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
Israel is now expected to release 39 Palestinian prisoners from its jails.
Majed al-Ansari, a spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in a post on X that 13 Israelis and four foreign nationals had been handed over to the ICRC. They were on their way to the Rafah border crossing between southern Gaza and Egypt before travelling to Israel.
The 17 captives had arrived in Israel, the Israeli Army posted on X.
“After undergoing an initial medical assessment, they will continue to be accompanied by IDF [Israeli Army] soldiers as they make their way to Israeli hospitals, where they will be reunited with their families,” it said.
Al Jazeera’s Hamdah Salhut, reporting from occupied East Jerusalem, said that the 17 released were “taken to an airbase in southern Israel for an initial check where they will then be flown to several different hospitals throughout the Tel Aviv area for additional medical and psychological checks”.
The Israeli captives included six adult women and seven children and teenagers, according to a statement from the Israeli prime minister’s office. The hostages were released after spending 50 days in captivity, it said.
Delay in handover
Hamas spokesperson Osama Hamdan had said earlier that the aid deliveries permitted by Israel had fallen short of what had been promised and were not reaching northern Gaza, which was the target of Israel’s offensive.
Only 65 of 340 aid trucks that had entered Gaza since Friday had reached northern Gaza, which was “less than half of what Israel agreed on”, Hamdan said from Beirut.
Israel has said 50 trucks with food, water, shelter equipment and medical supplies had deployed to northern Gaza under United Nations supervision, the first significant aid delivery there since the start of the war seven weeks ago.
The Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, earlier said Israel had failed to respect the terms of the Palestinian prisoner release.
Qadura Fares, the Palestinian commissioner for prisoners, said Israel had not released detainees by seniority, as was expected.
The row over the second swap of captives for prisoners quashed hopes after 13 Israeli women and children were freed by Hamas on Friday. Ten Thai nationals and one citizen from the Philippines were freed as part of a separate agreement, and 39 Palestinian women and teenagers were released from Israeli jails.
Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said the government was committed to complying with the truce agreement with Hamas but that there were many parties and factors involved. “And every day brings with it its complexities,” he added.
Yet, at least two Palestinians were reported to have been killed by the Israeli military and 11 wounded as they attempted the trip to northern Gaza on Friday.
A large number of displaced people were trying to return home across Gaza as the four-day truce brokered by Qatar took effect on Friday. However, Israel has warned people that they will not be allowed to enter the north of the war-torn enclave.
‘Joy is resistance too’
Many Palestinian families were, meanwhile, waiting for the release of their loved ones from Israeli prisons.
Safaa Merie, who was among hundreds of people who gathered to receive the prisoners in Beitunia, told Al Jazeera she was waiting for a 14-year-old boy on behalf of his family members from Jenin, a city in the north of the occupied West Bank.
“Because of the military checkpoints by the Israelis, it’s very difficult to come here, almost impossible,” she told Al Jazeera.
“I don’t know him but we are all here to welcome all the prisoners.”
Manal Tamimi told Al Jazeera in el-Bireh, also in the occupied West Bank, that she was waiting for her teenage nephew Wisam to be released after seven months.
“Our brothers and sisters in Gaza – our hearts are bleeding for them,” she said.
“But we believe that joy is resistance too and [we should not] let the occupier break us, break our happiness.”
Truce extension?
Before the snag in the latest hostages-to-prisoners exchange, Egypt, which controls the Rafah border crossing through which aid supplies have resumed into southern Gaza, said it had received “positive signals” from all parties over a possible extension to the pause in fighting.
Diaa Rashwan, the head of Egypt’s State Information Service (SIS), said in a statement that Cairo was holding extensive talks with all parties to reach an agreement that would mean “the release of more detainees in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails”.
Israel has said the truce could be extended if Hamas continues to release hostages at a rate of at least 10 per day. A Palestinian source has said up to 100 hostages could go free.
For now, 50 of about 240 hostages are to be exchanged for 150 Palestinian prisoners over four days under the truce, the first halt in fighting since Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people.
Israel has pledged to destroy Hamas, raining bombs and shells on the enclave and launching a ground offensive in the north. Israel’s relentless bombardment has killed more than 14,800 people, roughly 40 percent of them children, Palestinian health authorities said on Saturday.
Hamas releases 13 Israeli, four Thai captives after hours-long delay
AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES
International
Trump Says US Warships Being Reloaded With Weapons to Strike Iran If Pakistan Talks Fail
Trump Says US Warships Being Reloaded With Weapons to Strike Iran If Pakistan Talks Fail
United States President Donald Trump has said American warships are being rearmed with advanced weaponry and prepared for possible strikes against Iran if ongoing peace negotiations in Pakistan fail to produce an agreement.
In an interview with the New York Post, Trump said the United States is in what he described as a “reset” phase, insisting that military readiness is being strengthened while diplomatic talks continue.
“We have a reset going. We’re loading up the ships with the best ammunition, the best weapons ever made — even better than what we did previously and we blew them apart,” Trump was quoted as saying.
“And if we don’t have a deal, we will be using them, and we will be using them very effectively.”
His remarks come as Vice President JD Vance leads a high-level U.S. delegation to Islamabad, Pakistan, for crucial Iran peace talks in Pakistan aimed at preventing a renewed escalation in the Middle East.
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Vance, who is known for his scepticism toward long-term military interventions, is expected to engage Iranian officials in discussions focused on stabilising a fragile ceasefire and preventing further military confrontation.
Before departing, Vance issued a warning to Tehran, telling Iranian authorities not to “play” the United States, signalling Washington’s firm stance ahead of the negotiations.
According to diplomatic sources, the talks will address key issues including nuclear compliance, maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, and sanctions-related disputes that have fueled tensions between both countries.
President Trump also posted a cryptic message on his Truth Social platform, referring to what he called the “WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL RESET!!!”, further fueling speculation about Washington’s combined military and diplomatic strategy.
The Pakistan-hosted talks bring together senior U.S. officials, including special envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner, alongside Iranian representatives led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Iran’s participation underscores ongoing efforts by both sides to prevent a full-scale collapse of the ceasefire, which has already been strained by mutual accusations of violations.
Analysts say the outcome of the Islamabad negotiations could determine whether the crisis moves toward a lasting settlement or escalates into renewed military confrontation with wider regional consequences.
Trump Says US Warships Being Reloaded With Weapons to Strike Iran If Pakistan Talks Fail
International
Trump Orders JD Vance to Lead Iran War Exit Strategy Ahead of Pakistan Talks
Trump Orders JD Vance to Lead Iran War Exit Strategy Ahead of Pakistan Talks
United States President Donald Trump has reportedly instructed Vice President JD Vance to urgently explore diplomatic pathways to end the ongoing U.S.–Iran war crisis, as preparations intensify for high-level peace talks scheduled to hold in Pakistan.
The directive comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East and growing concerns that a fragile ceasefire arrangement could collapse, potentially triggering a wider escalation in the region.
Vice President JD Vance, known for his long-standing scepticism toward prolonged U.S. military interventions abroad, is expected to depart on April 10 for Islamabad, where he will lead the American delegation in the upcoming Iran peace talks in Pakistan.
He will be accompanied by Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner, both of whom have previously been involved in indirect diplomatic engagements with Iranian officials on nuclear issues and regional security concerns.
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The talks are expected to focus on de-escalation measures, nuclear-related assurances, and broader security arrangements aimed at reducing tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Iran has also confirmed its participation in the negotiations, sending a high-level delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
The Iranian team is expected to present its position on sanctions relief, regional security, and maritime concerns, particularly issues relating to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route.
Reports indicate that the temporary ceasefire between both sides is increasingly under strain, with accusations of violations and renewed mistrust threatening to derail diplomatic progress.
President Trump has publicly accused Iran of failing to honour commitments linked to maritime security, writing on Truth Social: “That is not the agreement we have!”
The statement has added fresh tension to already fragile negotiations and raised concerns about possible disruptions to global energy markets if hostilities resume.
Pakistan has emerged as a key diplomatic venue for the talks, hosting both direct and indirect engagements between U.S. and Iranian officials in an effort to prevent further escalation of the conflict.
Diplomatic observers say the outcome of the Islamabad meeting could determine whether the crisis moves toward a lasting ceasefire or deeper confrontation involving regional and global powers.
The growing urgency of the negotiations reflects mounting international pressure on Washington and Tehran to reach a political settlement and avoid further destabilisation of the Middle East.
Trump Orders JD Vance to Lead Iran War Exit Strategy Ahead of Pakistan Talks
International
Hajj 2026: US Warns Citizens Over Travel Risks to Saudi Arabia
Hajj 2026: US Warns Citizens Over Travel Risks to Saudi Arabia
The United States Embassy in Saudi Arabia has advised American citizens to reconsider participating in the Hajj pilgrimage this year, citing ongoing regional security concerns and intermittent travel disruptions across parts of the Middle East.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the embassy referenced the Saudi Arabia travel advisory, warning that the current security environment remains unstable and could affect movement and access to holy sites during the pilgrimage season.
“Per the Saudi Arabia Travel Advisory, and due to the ongoing security situation and intermittent travel disruptions, we advise reconsidering participation in Hajj this year,” the embassy said.
It also announced new entry regulations for Mecca ahead of the pilgrimage period, stating that from April 18, only individuals with valid permits will be allowed access. These include a Hajj permit, a Mecca-issued residency ID, or a valid work permit linked to Mecca. The embassy further warned that individuals on other visa categories should leave Mecca before the enforcement date to avoid penalties.
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The Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake it at least once in their lifetime. Each year, millions of pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia for the rites performed in and around Mecca.
The advisory comes amid heightened tensions across the Middle East, with ongoing conflicts and security incidents affecting several countries in the region. The U.S. has previously warned that instability could disrupt air travel routes, border crossings, and emergency response capacity in affected areas.
Regional tensions have escalated in recent months following intensified military exchanges involving Israel and Iran, along with related spillover effects across neighbouring countries. These developments have raised concerns over aviation safety, infrastructure security, and crowd management during major international gatherings such as Hajj.
The embassy also urged American citizens already in the Kingdom or planning to travel to remain vigilant and closely monitor official travel updates issued by both U.S. and Saudi authorities.
While no evacuation order has been issued, officials stressed that travellers should carefully reconsider non-essential trips depending on their personal risk assessment.
Hajj 2026: US Warns Citizens Over Travel Risks to Saudi Arabia
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