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Hamas Announces Six Israeli Hostages for Saturday Release Amid Ceasefire Uncertainty 

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Hamas Announces Six Israeli Hostages for Saturday Release Amid Ceasefire Uncertainty 

Hamas’ armed wing announced on Friday that it will release six Israeli hostages on Saturday under the ongoing ceasefire deal. The hostages named for release are Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem Tov, Tal Shoham, Omer Wenkert, Hisham al-Sayed, and Avera Mengisto. 

Al-Sayed and Mengisto are Israeli civilians who entered Gaza nearly a decade ago and have been held captive since. Their release marks a significant development in the ongoing negotiations between Hamas and Israel. 

Meanwhile, Hamas official Taher al-Nunu accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of spreading “a series of lies” regarding the dispute over the return of the body of Israeli hostage Shiri Bibas. 

“We are committed to the agreement. Mistakes can happen. We are investigating this matter,” al-Nunu told Al Jazeera Arabic, addressing reports that Israel received the wrong body instead of Bibas’. 

Al-Nunu blamed Netanyahu for escalating the crisis, stating that Hamas had initially offered to release captives earlier in the war in exchange for a ceasefire, but Netanyahu rejected the deal. “At that time, all the civilian hostages were alive,” he claimed. 

The Hamas official also criticized Netanyahu for refusing to extend the initial truce in November 2023, which could have facilitated the return of additional civilian hostages, including those who had been killed. 

“Netanyahu refused to extend the ceasefire by just one day, which could have allowed Israel to retrieve some of the civilians, including members of the Bibas family,” al-Nunu said. 

Israeli journalist and columnist Gideon Levy told Al Jazeera that he does not believe the dispute over Bibas’ body will jeopardize the planned hostage-prisoner exchange scheduled for Saturday. 

“The immediate priority is tomorrow’s release of six living hostages. Israel will not act before that happens,” Levy said. 

However, beyond Saturday, the future of the ceasefire deal remains uncertain. 

“After this phase, everything is unclear. If it were up to Israel, there would be no second phase. It all depends on the Americans,” Levy stated. 

He emphasized that U.S. intervention will be crucial in determining whether the ceasefire agreement progresses. 

“If the Americans are committed enough, there will be another phase. If not, there won’t be,” Levy said. “Israel is making a big fuss about the hostage body mix-up, but ultimately, this cannot derail the agreement. I hope the U.S. will pressure Netanyahu to move forward with the second phase.” 

The situation remains fluid as negotiations continue, with global attention focused on whether the truce will hold and whether additional hostages will be released in the coming days.

Hamas Investigates Error in Hostage Body Handover Amid Israel Tensions 

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Hamas Investigates Error in Hostage Body Handover Amid Israel Tensions 

Hamas announced Friday it is investigating a possible mistake in identifying human remains handed over to Israel as part of a ceasefire agreement. The announcement comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatens retaliation over the failure to return the body of Israeli hostage Shiri Bibas. 

Under the terms of the truce, Hamas was set to return the bodies of Bibas and her two sons, Kfir and Ariel, along with the remains of a fourth hostage. The ceasefire, which has temporarily halted hostilities in Gaza, had facilitated the transfer. 

Upon receiving the bodies, Israeli forensic specialists confirmed the identities of the Bibas children and the fourth hostage, Oded Lifshitz. However, they determined that the fourth body was that of an unidentified woman, not Shiri Bibas. Bibas was abducted alongside her children and husband, Yarden, during the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. 

Basem Naim, a senior Hamas political bureau member, admitted the possibility of an “unfortunate mistake,” citing the challenges of retrieving bodies amid destruction caused by Israeli airstrikes. He emphasized that thousands of bodies—both Israeli hostages and Palestinians—remain buried under the rubble. 

“It is not in our values or interest to withhold bodies or violate agreements,” Naim said in a statement, pledging a full investigation into the Israeli claims. 

However, the staged public handover of the bodies on Thursday triggered outrage in Israel, prompting Netanyahu to issue a stern warning. 

“We will act decisively to bring Shiri home, along with all our hostages—both living and deceased,” Netanyahu said in a video statement. He accused Hamas of a “cruel and cynical” act by allegedly substituting Bibas’ remains with those of a Gaza woman. 

Hamas previously claimed in November 2023 that Bibas and her children were killed in an Israeli airstrike, placing blame on Netanyahu for their deaths. However, Israeli intelligence and forensic reports indicate that the Bibas children were deliberately killed by their captors. 

Netanyahu has not disclosed details of a possible Israeli response, but the incident underscores the fragility of the ceasefire deal brokered with U.S., Qatari, and Egyptian mediation. 

Despite tensions, six Israeli hostages are set to be released Saturday in exchange for 602 Palestinian prisoners, according to Hamas. Negotiations for a second phase of the ceasefire are expected to begin in the coming days. 

“Hamas must uphold the ceasefire terms and return all hostages, living and deceased,” Israeli military spokesperson Nadav Shoshani stated on social media platform X. “They must bring back Shiri Bibas and release the six living hostages as planned.” 

Meanwhile, amid rising concerns over ceasefire violations, Netanyahu has ordered intensified Israeli military operations in the occupied West Bank. The decision follows multiple explosions at bus depots near Tel Aviv. While no casualties were reported, the attacks revived memories of suicide bombings that targeted Israeli public transport during the Second Intifada in the early 2000s. 

Both sides continue to accuse each other of ceasefire violations. Hamas has threatened to delay further hostage releases, claiming Israel has failed to allow sufficient aid into Gaza—a charge Israel denies. 

The uncertainty has left families of the hostages in distress. 

“It’s like they are playing a cruel joke on us,” said Ilana Caspi, 75. “We are already grieving, and now this feels like another painful blow.” 

The Red Cross also expressed frustration over the handling of the body transfer, criticizing the lack of privacy and dignity in the process. 

Despite public outrage over the Shiri Bibas case, there is no indication that Israel will back out of ceasefire negotiations. According to the Israel Hayom newspaper, Israeli officials are considering extending the 42-day ceasefire rather than immediately advancing to the next phase, which would involve complex discussions about ending the war and determining Hamas’ future role in Gaza. 

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a key group advocating for those still held in Gaza, urged both sides to ensure the safe return of all remaining captives. 

“Save them from this nightmare,” the group said in a statement. 

Reuters

Kanye West and Bianca Censori’s $35M Beverly Hills Estate Littered with Thrash Bags Amid Divorce Rumors

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Kanye West and Bianca Censori’s $35M Beverly Hills Estate Littered with Thrash Bags Amid Divorce Rumors

Kanye West and Bianca Censori’s $35 million Beverly Hills estate has been left in disarray, with trash bags and construction debris piling up amid speculation that the couple is heading for divorce. 

Recent photos obtained by *The U.S. Sun* show black garbage bags and broken wood scattered across the patio of the luxury mansion, raising questions about the couple’s living arrangements just weeks after they reportedly moved in. 

West, 47, and Censori, 30, had returned to the U.S. from Tokyo earlier this year, where they had been living for several months. A source told *The U.S. Sun* that West had been seen around Los Angeles, making appearances in chrome Mercedes Maybachs and drawing attention, but his presence at the Beverly Hills home has been uncertain. 

The couple, known for their highly publicized outings, made headlines on February 2 when Censori appeared nearly nude on the Grammys red carpet. However, in recent weeks, they have been noticeably absent from the LA social scene. 

Divorce rumors intensified following West’s controversial social media rants, which included antisemitic remarks. Reports surfaced on February 13 claiming the couple had split. 

“Bianca has always stood by him, but things have not been good after his rants,” a source told *The U.S. Sun*. “They have been very up and down from the beginning. Bianca has put up with a lot, but the Hitler and Nazi rants are often too much for her.” 

Further fueling speculation, the pair did not attend a planned appearance at a Tyler, The Creator concert on Valentine’s Day. Additionally, West has reportedly moved into the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills without Censori. 

A legal expert suggested that if the couple files for divorce, Censori could receive a substantial settlement—far exceeding the previously reported $5 million. 

“California is a community property state, and without a prenup, she is entitled to half of Kanye’s earnings during the past two years,” the expert said. “Kanye made a lot more than $10 million during this time.” 

West and Censori had previously resided in a $10,000-per-month West Hollywood apartment before vacating in November. West also owns a $2 million Calabasas ranch that remains unlivable due to structural damage. In September, he sold his Malibu beachfront home at a staggering $36 million loss. 

It remains unclear whether West will return to Tokyo following the rumored split. 

Source: the-sun.com

Israel Bus Explosions: Suspected Terror Attack Sparks Security Alert

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Israel Bus Explosions: Suspected Terror Attack Sparks Security Alert

A series of explosions set fire to three buses in the Israeli city of Bat Yam late Thursday in what authorities are calling a suspected terrorist attack. Two additional explosive devices were discovered on other buses before they could detonate, police said. 

No injuries or fatalities were reported, as the buses were unoccupied and parked at a depot when the blasts occurred. However, Israeli security forces have launched an extensive investigation, warning the public to remain vigilant. 

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz accused Palestinian militant groups of orchestrating the attack and ordered the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to escalate counterterrorism operations in the West Bank. 

“We will hunt down the terrorists to the bitter end and destroy the terror infrastructure in the camps used as frontline posts of the Iranian evil axis,” Katz said in a statement. 

Footage from the scene showed thick black smoke rising as flames consumed the buses. Authorities believe the explosives were equipped with timers and intended to detonate during peak travel hours. 

Police Commander Haim Sargarof said the devices used in the attack were similar to those previously found in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. A large-scale security sweep is underway, with officers searching for additional explosives and suspects. 

“This is an ongoing security event,” police spokesperson Aryeh Doron said in a televised briefing. “We urge the public to remain alert for any suspicious objects.” 

One of the undetonated bombs was reportedly found by a passenger, who alerted the driver to a suspicious bag. 

Eyewitnesses described the panic following the explosions. 

“We heard an explosion, then another,” said Ayala, a resident living nearby. “At first, we didn’t understand what was happening. Then ambulances arrived, and we realized it was a terror attack.” 

Another witness, Yossi, who was on an evening walk when the blasts occurred, said, “I felt a tremor and then heard a massive explosion. I stepped outside and saw smoke rising. It was terrifying.” 

Authorities have increased security across the Tel Aviv area and are working to determine who was behind the attack. 

Shooting at Baltimore Senior Living Facility Leaves One Dead, One Injured; Nearby Schools on Lockdown

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Shooting at Baltimore Senior Living Facility Leaves One Dead, One Injured; Nearby Schools on Lockdown

BALTIMORE – A shooting inside a senior living facility in East Baltimore on Thursday morning left one man dead and another critically injured, prompting a lockdown at two nearby schools, according to police and Baltimore City Schools officials. 

Officers responded to reports of a double shooting at the Pleasant View Gardens senior apartments, located in the 100 block of North Central Avenue, around 11:07 a.m., Baltimore Police Commissioner Rich Worley said. Upon arrival, police found a 79-year-old man dead inside an apartment. A 72-year-old man, critically injured, was transported to a hospital for treatment. 

A SWAT team was deployed to sweep the building, and officers took a 65-year-old resident into custody. Authorities have not yet released information on potential charges or a motive for the shooting. 

As a precaution, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School and the National Academy Foundation, both located near the scene, were placed on lockdown. Police confirmed that the incident was not connected to the schools. 

The investigation remains ongoing.

Ukraine Press Briefing Canceled After Zelenskyy Meets U.S. Envoy Amid Rising Tensions 

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Ukraine Press Briefing Canceled After Zelenskyy Meets U.S. Envoy Amid Rising Tensions 

A scheduled news conference featuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump’s envoy to Ukraine was abruptly canceled, a Ukrainian official said, reportedly at Washington’s request. 

The U.S. side had not agreed to the formal format of the media event, according to sources, making the cancellation highly unusual, as no public statements were allowed. Instead, media were only permitted to film retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg entering a meeting room at the presidential palace to greet Zelenskyy, with no questions taken. 

The development comes amid escalating tensions between Kyiv and Washington following a series of critical remarks from Trump, who recently labeled Zelenskyy a “dictator.” Concerns also remain over Kellogg’s standing within Trump’s circle, with a Ukrainian source suggesting he may have been sidelined. 

The American envoy arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday and is set to depart on Friday evening. Zelenskyy has invited him to visit the frontline, though it remains unclear whether the trip will take place.

Mexico’s President Warns U.S. Against Military Action After Cartels Labeled as Terrorist Groups 

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Mexico’s President Warns U.S. Against Military Action After Cartels Labeled as Terrorist Groups 

Mexico will not tolerate any U.S. military intervention on its soil, President Claudia Sheinbaum declared Thursday after Washington officially designated Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations. 

“This cannot be an opportunity for the U.S. to violate our sovereignty,” Sheinbaum said. “With Mexico, there is collaboration and coordination—never subordination, intervention, or invasion.” 

The Trump administration on Wednesday classified eight Mexican cartels as terrorist groups, including the country’s two most powerful drug organizations, the Jalisco New Generation and Sinaloa cartels. 

President Donald Trump signed an executive order upon returning to the White House, stating that the cartels pose a “national-security threat beyond that posed by traditional organized crime.” 

The designation has fueled speculation about potential U.S. military action against cartel operations in Mexico. Tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has taken on a significant role in the Trump administration, suggested on social media that the designation “means they’re eligible for drone strikes.” 

While experts believe direct military action remains unlikely, Trump’s unpredictable decision-making leaves the possibility open.

White Powder at ICE Office Triggers Evacuations; Employee Falls Ill, Hazmat Crews Respond 

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White Powder at ICE Office Triggers Evacuations; Employee Falls Ill, Hazmat Crews Respond 

Authorities evacuated a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Florida after an employee reportedly fell ill upon contact with a mysterious white powder. Emergency crews in hazmat suits responded to the scene in Miramar, just north of Miami, around 8 a.m. 

Witnesses said people waiting for appointments were forced to leave the building as officials investigated. One bystander told Fox affiliate WSVN that they saw an employee become dizzy before being rushed out of the facility. 

Shortly after, another witness reported seeing a different employee being carried out on a stretcher. The individual appeared conscious, but their condition remains unclear. 

People with scheduled appointments waited outside at a safe distance as police officers, firefighters, and other emergency personnel secured the area, according to WSVN. 

Officials later confirmed that the situation had stabilized, and people were seen reentering the building. However, authorities have not disclosed how the substance entered the facility or how it came into contact with staff. 

The U.S. Sun has reached out to the Miramar Police Department for further updates.

FDA Scientists Told to Avoid Words Like ‘Woman’ and ‘Disabled’; White House Calls It a Misinterpretation 

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FDA Scientists Told to Avoid Words Like ‘Woman’ and ‘Disabled’; White House Calls It a Misinterpretation 

Scientists at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were instructed to avoid using words such as “woman,” “disabled,” and “elderly” in external communications, according to two sources familiar with the matter. The directive, part of a broader list of restricted terms, was reportedly issued in response to a White House executive order. However, a spokesperson for the administration said the directive misinterpreted President Donald Trump’s policy. 

A document titled “Prohibited Words” has been circulating among FDA employees since at least last week, sources said. Two scientists with direct knowledge of the matter, who requested anonymity due to concerns over professional repercussions, confirmed the existence of the list. 

The directive has sparked confusion within the FDA, an agency already facing upheaval amid sweeping personnel changes under the Trump administration. The two sources said they were unaware of who issued the ban or the reasoning behind the inclusion of over two dozen words. 

“I don’t understand why we can’t use a word like ‘woman,’” one FDA scientist told Reuters. “These restrictions make it nearly impossible to do our jobs.” 

In recent weeks, another federal health agency was also instructed to remove terms such as “gender,” “transgender,” “LGBT” (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender), and “nonbinary” from its communications. The changes align with executive orders recognizing only male and female sexes and eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. 

As part of the policy shift, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) removed publicly available health data, including HIV-related statistics, and pulled research papers under review for publication in scientific journals. The changes were reportedly ordered for review by Trump administration appointees. 

Public health experts have expressed concern that eliminating such terms could hinder efforts to address diverse medical needs, particularly for populations affected by HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. 

A broader list of restricted words circulating within the FDA, reviewed by Reuters, includes terms such as “underrepresented,” “underserved,” “understudied,” “sex,” “identity,” “diverse,” “promote,” “continuum,” “ideology,” “self-assessed,” “special populations,” “elderly,” and “disabled.” The list was reportedly distributed without explanation. 

A White House spokesperson told Reuters that most of the terms listed by the FDA did not need to be removed. The spokesperson suggested that FDA officials may have misinterpreted an executive order aimed at limiting “gender ideology” in federal health policies. However, the spokesperson confirmed that certain words—such as “gender,” “inclusion,” “identity,” “diversity,” “transgender,” and “equity”—must be excluded to comply with the administration’s policies. 

An FDA spokesperson denied that the agency has an official list of banned words and declined to comment on whether the White House’s restrictions apply. 

The two FDA sources said the directive appeared to have originated within the Center for Devices and Radiological Health, a division of more than 2,000 employees responsible for regulating medical devices. They warned that restrictions on language, combined with recent staff dismissals, could slow the approval process for medical devices and impede scientists from raising safety concerns before products reach the market. 

The White House confirmed that more than 1,000 FDA employees have been dismissed across multiple divisions, out of nearly 20,000 agency staff members. The layoffs are part of broader federal workforce reductions led by the Department of Government Efficiency, overseen by Elon Musk. 

The directive and mass firings have raised concerns among public health officials and researchers about the future of federal health agencies under the administration’s policies.

Hamas Returns Bodies of Youngest Israeli Hostages Taken from Gaza Attack 

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Hamas Returns Bodies of Youngest Israeli Hostages Taken from Gaza Attack 

Hamas returned the bodies of Israeli infant Kfir Bibas and his four-year-old brother Ariel on Thursday, nearly nine months after they were abducted during the October 7 attack on Israel. The two were the youngest captives taken by Hamas and had become symbols of the crisis. 

Red Cross vehicles transported four black coffins from the handover site in the Gaza Strip. Each casket bore a small picture of the hostages. Armed Hamas militants in black and camouflage uniforms surrounded the area during the exchange. 

United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk condemned the display of bodies in Gaza, calling it “abhorrent and cruel” and stating that it violated international law. “Under international law, any handover of remains must comply with the prohibition of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, ensuring respect for the dignity of the deceased and their families,” Turk said in a statement. 

After the Red Cross received the remains, Israeli authorities scanned the coffins for explosives before transporting them into Israel. Along the route near the Gaza border, mourners gathered in the rain to pay their respects as the convoy passed. 

“We stand here together with broken hearts. The sky is also crying with us, and we pray to see better days,” said a woman identified only as Efrat. 

In Tel Aviv, people assembled at Hostages Square outside Israel’s defense headquarters, some in tears. “Agony. Pain. There are no words. Our hearts—the hearts of an entire nation—are shattered,” said Israeli President Isaac Herzog. 

Hamas had previously claimed in November 2023 that the Bibas children and their mother, Shiri, had been killed in an Israeli airstrike, though Israeli authorities never confirmed their deaths. The Bibas family was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz, one of the hardest-hit communities in the attack. 

The return of the bodies is part of a ceasefire agreement mediated by Qatar and Egypt, backed by the United States. The exchange follows weeks of negotiations and marks the first time Hamas has handed over deceased hostages during the truce. 

Israel is expected to conduct DNA testing to confirm the identities of the remains. The repatriation of the Bibas brothers comes ahead of another planned exchange on Saturday, when six living hostages are set to be released in return for hundreds of Palestinian detainees. 

Negotiations for a second phase of the agreement are ongoing, with talks expected to focus on the return of approximately 60 remaining hostages. Less than half are believed to be alive. The discussions may also address a potential full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza to bring an end to the war. 

The October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel killed around 1,200 people and resulted in the abduction of 251 individuals, according to Israeli sources. Since then, the Israeli military campaign in Gaza has left approximately 48,000 dead, according to Palestinian health officials, and has devastated the region. 

The latest exchange signals a crucial moment in ongoing ceasefire efforts, with pressure mounting for a resolution to the months-long conflict.

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