A gaggle of seven individuals who had been free of Hamas’ captivity are touring to Washington, D.C., to satisfy with U.S. officers.
Eli Sharabi, Doron Steinbrecher, Keith Siegel, Aviva Siegel, Naama Levy, Omer Shem Tov and Iair Horn will meet with officers from the Trump administration, in line with the Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board Headquarters.
The launched hostages will specific their gratitude to the Trump administration for the president’s dedication to bringing all of the hostages residence.
The group will present firsthand testimony about their experiences in Hamas’ tunnels.
Israeli captive Eli Sharabi, who had been held hostage by Hamas in Gaza since October 7, 2023, is escorted by Hamas earlier than being handed over to the Purple Cross in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (AP)
The delegation will stress to authorities officers about the necessity to require Hamas to return all remaining hostages instantly in a single section.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke Sunday with Sharabi.
“I deeply recognize the brave means you might be sharing your expertise, and it’s also essential that you simply share it with President Trump,” Netanyahu instructed him. “Our purpose is to convey all of the hostages residence – and we won’t relent for a second.”
Sharabi replied that he was glad to be residence and reunited together with his household, however emphasised that “the remaining hostages, particularly those that are nonetheless alive, should return residence to their households urgently.”
“And naturally, the fallen hostages, together with my brother Yossi, have to be introduced again for burial in Israel in order that their households have a grave to mourn at,” Sharabi stated.
Keith Siegel, accompanied by his spouse Aviva (on his left), disembarked from a navy helicopter on the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Middle on February 1, 2025. (Getty Photos)
On Sunday, Israeli officials introduced that they’re stopping the entry of all items and provides into the Gaza Strip and warned Hamas it might face “extra penalties” if it doesn’t settle for a brand new proposal for an prolonged ceasefire. An Israeli official stated the choice to droop assist was made in coordination with the Trump administration.
The White Home backed the transfer by Israel, saying that the Jewish State has “negotiated in good religion because the starting of this administration to make sure the discharge of hostages held captive by Hamas terrorists.”
The primary section of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, which included an uptick in humanitarian help, expired on Saturday. The 2 sides haven’t but negotiated the second section, through which Hamas was referred to as to launch dozens of remaining hostages in return for an Israeli pullout and a everlasting ceasefire.
Israeli officers additionally stated on Sunday that they assist a proposal to increase the primary section of the ceasefire by Ramadan and Passover, or April 20. They stated the proposal got here from the Trump administration’s Center East envoy, Steve Witkoff.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters within the Oval Workplace of the White Home on February 3, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Getty Photos)
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Underneath that deal, Hamas would launch half the hostages on the primary day and the rest when an settlement is reached on a everlasting ceasefire, in line with Netanyahu’s workplace.
Within the first section of the ceasefire, Hamas launched 25 Israeli hostages and the stays of eight others in change for practically 2,000 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Israeli additionally pulled again forces from most of Gaza and allowed a surge of humanitarian assist to enter the area.
The battle started when Hamas launched a surprise attack towards Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing roughly 1,200 individuals and abducting greater than 251. Hamas nonetheless has 59 hostages, 32 of whom are believed to be useless.
Israel’s offensive into Gaza in response to Hamas’ assault has killed greater than 48,000 Palestinians, in line with the Hamas-run authorities’s Gaza Well being Ministry. It doesn’t specify how most of the useless had been terrorists or civilians.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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