Hamas, Israel set for 5th release of hostages – DW – 02/08/2025

Skip next section Hamas to free three Israeli men in latest swap

February 8, 2025

Hamas to free three Israeli men in latest swap

A combination of undated photos provided by Hostages Family Forum show the Israeli hostage being released by Hamas
Or Levy, Eli Sharabi and Ohad Ben Ami were held hostage in Gaza for 15 monthsImage: Hostages Family Forum/picture alliance/AP

Hamas is expected to release three more Israeli hostages on Saturday, Eli Sharabi, Or Levy and Ohad Ben Ami, in exchange for 183 Palestinians held by Israel.

Ami and Sharabi were taken hostage from Kibbutz Be’eri during the Hamas cross-border attacks on October 7, 2023, and Levy, was abducted from the Nova music festival the same day

It will be the fifth such exchange since a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel began on January 19.

Eighteen hostages and more than 550 Palestinians have been freed in that time.

https://p.dw.com/p/4qCCU

Skip next section Trump administration approves arms sales to Israel

February 8, 2025

Trump administration approves arms sales to Israel

The US government has approved $7.4 billion (€7.6 billion) in military sales to Israel on Friday despite a request from Democratic lawmakers to pause the sale for more information.

One sale, for $6.75 billion, is an array of munitions, guidance kits and other related equipment. The other arms package is for 3,000 Hellfire missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $660 million. 

The announcement comes days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited US President Donald Trump at the White House. 

Democratic Representative Gregory Meeks, who serves on the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, denounced the sales. He said the decision broke with a long-standing precedent for congressional review of major weapons sales and said it showed a lack of respect for the Congress. 

https://p.dw.com/p/4qCF5

Skip next section Welcome to our coverage

February 8, 2025

Welcome to our coverage

This blog will have all the latest developments in the Middle East region. DW also will bring you an in-depth analysis and video of events happening in the region. 

Hamas is set to release three Israeli hostages on Saturday in exchange for 183 Palestinians held by Israel.

It is the fifth exchange in the fragile Gaza ceasefire.

The release comes amid the backlash over US President Donald Trump’s assertion that the United States will take over “take over” and “own” Gaza, resettling its population in the process.

https://p.dw.com/p/4qCCM

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