Middle East Experience

Four women soldiers, abducted by Palestinian militants on October 7, 2023 while doing their military service near the Gaza border, were released on Saturday, following more than 15 months in captivity.Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa and Naama Levy were reunited with their families in Israel, the military said, with crowds shedding tears of joy as they gathered to watch their release at a plaza in Tel Aviv known as Hostage Square.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: The four Israeli women hostages freed on Saturday

A loud cheer swept through the crowd gathered at a Tel Aviv plaza known as Hostage Square, as giant screens livestreamed the long-awaited release of four Israeli hostages on Saturday, the latest to be freed under a Gaza ceasefire deal.Hundreds had arrived in the square in early morning in anticipation of the four women soldiers' release. Many wore yellow T-shirts with the words "You are not alone" printed in Hebrew.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Israelis rejoice at emotional release of second group of hostages

Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels, who are poised to return to the US terrorism blacklist, released more than 150 prisoners of war in tearful scenes on Saturday.Those freed, who included elderly men with long, grey beards, hugged and kissed relatives, some of them crying, as they were reunited in the rebel-held capital Sanaa.The second unilateral release in eight months took place with the Huthis in the sights of not only US President Donald Trump but also the United Nations, after they detained seven UN humanitarian staff on Thursday.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Yemen rebels in Trump's sights free 150 war prisoners

The Israel-Hamas War has increased the risk of women becoming "chained" in their marriages because they can't get a Jewish divorce.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: IDF soldiers’ wives at risk: The urgent case for conditional divorces

Four Israeli women soldiers freed from captivity in Gaza reached Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva, central Israel, on Saturday accompanied by their parents aboard a military helicopter, AFP journalists reported.The Israeli health ministry later confirmed that they had arrived at the hospital. It said staff there were ready to "provide comprehensive medical care, including psychological support" for the women who had spent 477 days in captivity.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Freed Israeli hostages reach hospital on military helicopter: AFP

114 prisoners were released from Ofer Prison and were brought to Ramallah, 16 were taken to Gaza and 70 were deported to Egypt.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Who are the Palestinian terrorist prisoners released as part of Gaza hostage deal?

Azeela Ben Shalom uses 11 client stories to share tips and dating advice.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: 'Matchmaker Matchmaker': Relationship wisdom to find a love that lasts

The IDF announced a new multi-agency center for managing the ceasefire and ongoing prisoner release.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: IDF opens joint operations center to manage ceasefire and hostage return

The hostages were also given "gift bags," similar to those received by Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, and Doron Steinbrecher during the first exchange.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Ex-hostages seen in Hamas propaganda video with 'gift bags', thanking Hamas

Azzam al-Shallalta dropped to his knees and wept at his mother's feet as he arrived in the West Bank city of Ramallah with other Palestinian prisoners released under the Gaza ceasefire on Saturday.A jubilant crowd carried Shallalta on their shoulders from the bus that brought him from jail, the freed prisoner still wearing his grey prison tracksuit."My situation was heartbreaking, truly heartbreaking. We pray to God to free all our brothers we’ve left behind," he told the crowd, his head shaved and his face pale and thin under a long red beard.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Crowds cheer, families hug as Palestinian prisoners released