FREED! But Emaciated
Another three hostages are free! Last Saturday, Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben Ami, and Or Levy unsteadily climbed the stairs — heavily supported by masked Hamas militants — to a ceremonial stage created to dramatize their release. After 491 days in captivity, the men appeared frail, gaunt, and emaciated. Medical examinations reveal they returned seriously malnourished, resulting in a complex array of health issues, including heart disorders. Some have lost one-third of their previous body weight.
Released to Further Heartbreak
Some have entered freedom into new suffering. Eli Sharabi expected to see his wife and two teenage daughters when he reached Israel. Instead, he learned that Hamas had murdered them in the family’s safe room after Eli was taken. Or Levy was with his wife in a bomb shelter near the Nova music festival when he was kidnapped. For the length of his captivity, he wasn’t sure if she had lived or died. He returned to learn she died that day.
Families Cry Out
Those recently released have shared their experiences and knowledge about other hostages, giving some Israelis the first “signs of life” about their loved ones since the kidnapping. While relieved to know their relatives are alive, families are devastated to learn the conditions they’ve been held in for approaching 500 days. Male hostages are being intentionally starved and endure both physical and emotional torture. Or Levy was held — bound, barefoot, and unable to stand or walk — in a dark tunnel for the duration of his captivity. Hamas only removed his chains as his release date neared, and he had to relearn how to walk.
A New Cry: All, Now!
As hostage families grow more fearful every day for the lives of their loved ones, they have pressed Israel to pursue the immediate release of all 73 remaining hostages at one time. President Trump agrees, stating he thinks Israel should insist on the return of all remaining hostages by noon this Saturday or “all bets are off.”
Hamas Suspends Hostage Releases, Israel Doubles Down
Hamas has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire. Isarel has accused Hamas of the same. Here is what has happened. Hamas announced Monday its intent to delay this Saturday’s hostage release “until further notice.” Hamas, who has violated the agreement several times, claims that Israel breached the deal by obstructing aid deliveries and firing on civilians returning north.
This week when US Secretary of State Marco Rubi was asked about Hamas’ claims, he responded, “You can’t believe anything Hamas says.” In a separate interview with Fox News, Rubio also communicated Hamas is “breaking the deal,” without elaborating.
Israel denies breaking the arrangement and, on Tuesday, took Trump’s stance in demanding Hamas release all hostages by noon Saturday or the ceasefire will end, and intense fighting will resume. Netanyahu ordered the IDF to assemble troops in and around Gaza in preparation. Security chiefs warned political leaders to show restraint and see phase one through.
Trump’s Gaza Plan
Trump’s out-of-the-box plan for a post-war Gaza continues to rattle the region. The bold idea calls for the U.S. to run Gaza, relocate its population to surrounding Arab countries, and rebuild it into a Middle East “Riviera.” Israel’s leaders back the plan, while Arab nations are emphatically against it. Egypt has called an emergency summit of Arab nations later in February to arrive at their own plan. Jordan’s King Abdullah met with Trump in Washington Tuesday and agreed for his country to take in 2,000 sick Palestinian children.
Palestinian Authority Ends Terrorist Stipend Program. Israel Doubts…
Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas signed a decree canceling the PA’s “pay-to-slay” legislation giving stipends to families of imprisoned or slain terrorists who have attacked Israelis. News sources say the initiative has been in the works for years and that terrorist families requesting welfare aid must now apply for it through regular channels. However, Israel doubts the validity of the program’s end, suspecting the PA intends to continue paying terrorist families through other means.
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