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‘Emotionally Drained’: Mix of Relief, Trepidation in Tel Aviv as First Three Hostages Released From Gaza

Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square on Jan. 19, 2025, as three Israeli hostages were set to be released from Hamas captivity as part of a Gaza ceasefire deal. Photo: Taken by author

A wave of relief and celebration swept through the crowd at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square as three Israeli women were released after spending 471 days in Hamas captivity in Gaza.

The 2,000-strong crowd, composed of family members, friends, activists, and members of the general public, erupted into cheers and tears as live footage of the return of Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, and Doron Steinbrecher was broadcast.

The moment, though joyful, was mixed with pain for the ongoing torture for families of those still held captive as well as the terrible price Israel was forced to pay to free the hostages. After prolonged negotiations, Israel is set to release 1,700 terrorists — more than 1,000 of whom were arrested in Gaza after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack, which saw 1,200 killed and 251 taken captive during the Palestinian terrorist group’s invasion of and rampage across southern Israel.

Sunday’s tranche, in which the three women were exchanged for 90 Palestinian security prisoners, is part of a 42-day ceasefire to halt fighting in Gaza in which 33 hostages are slated for release.

Israeli sources involved in the release process at Ofer Prison alleged that Red Cross representatives intentionally delayed the release of security prisoners. They claimed the postponement was aimed at ensuring the release occurred after the agreed-upon date, suggesting an effort to portray Israel in a negative light.

Onlookers at the square held up signs bearing the names and faces of those still missing, reminding the public that the crisis is far from over. Many in the crowd expressed mixed emotions — relief for the freed hostages but worry over the coming weeks and even years ahead.

Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square on Jan. 19, 2025, as three Israeli hostages were set to be released from Hamas captivity as part of a Gaza ceasefire deal. Photo: Taken by author

“I’m emotionally drained and it’s only been one day. How on earth are we going to keep this up for so long?” said Hani Nadav.

Footage of the three women being escorted by armed Hamas terrorists, their faces concealed by masks and Kalashnikov rifles in hand, stirred deep unease among viewers. The sight of roaring crowds in the background, celebrating the ceasefire, only intensified the emotional strain for those watching from afar.

“The most sickening part is we have to rely on Hamas — a bunch of rapist killers — to control those crowds because who knows what they would do to those women if they could get their hands on them?” said Nataly Spiro said. “It’s so messed up.”

Later in the evening, Hamas released a propaganda video showing its operatives giving the hostages “gift bags” prior to being released into the care of the Red Cross. The bags reportedly included photos of them in captivity, maps of Gaza, and a “release certificate.”

Clara Merman, who endured 53 days of captivity in Gaza alongside four members of her family before being released in November 2023, was also at Hostages Square. Merman shed light on the psychological tactics employed by Hamas during hostage releases, saying that the orchestrated nature of their actions was little more than a façade intended to project an image of control and benevolence.

“It was all for show, for the world to witness their apparent victory,” she said.

Merman recounted how, during their release, Hamas members assured them of protection amid chaotic crowds. “Hamas told us, ‘Don’t worry, we’re protecting you,’” she recounted.

According to Palestinian affairs analyst Khaled Abu Toameh, Hamas is leveraging the deal, which does not require it to relinquish control over the Gaza Strip, to reinstate its position as ruler over the coastal enclave in order to carry out further massacres against Israel in the future.

One man, Pinhas Cohen, said he was very opposed to the deal but nonetheless decided to come to Hostages Square — the de facto headquarters for activists who have been urging Israel to secure an agreement “at any cost” — because he felt he needed to be with “my Jewish brothers, even though I may disagree deeply with them.”

“Tonight, we celebrate. Seeing those three come back, it’s hard not to feel anything but complete joy. I hope that my fears about what will happen down the road will turn out to be completely unfounded,” Cohen said.

Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square on Jan. 19, 2025, as three Israeli hostages were set to be released from Hamas captivity as part of a Gaza ceasefire deal. Photo: Taken by author

The three women were transferred to Sheba Medical Center for evaluation, though hospital authorities said their initial assessment was positive. “Their condition allows us to concentrate on the important thing, which is reuniting with their families, and to postpone diving into medical issues for a few hours,” said Sheba Director Dr. Yael Frankel-Nir.

Footage emerging from the hospital showed the women hugging family members ecstatically. Damari was pictured with a bandaged hand with two remaining fingers. Her family said that her fingers had been shot off during the Oct. 7 attack.

The Steinbrecher family issued a statement after reuniting with their loved one.

“After an unbearable 471 days, our beloved Dodo has finally returned to our arms,” the Steinbrecher family said, referring to Doron by her nickname. The family went on to thank the people of Israel for endlessly fighting for Doron’s release, and extended thanks also to incoming US President Donald Trump “for his significant involvement and support, which meant so much to us.”

The post ‘Emotionally Drained’: Mix of Relief, Trepidation in Tel Aviv as First Three Hostages Released From Gaza first appeared on Algemeiner.com.

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Germany’s Scholz Rebukes Vance, Defends Europe’s Stance on Hate Speech and Far Right

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks to the media after he met former prisoners following the largest prisoner exchange between Russia and the West in decades, at the military area of Cologne Bonn Airport in Cologne, Germany, August 1, 2024. Photo: Christoph Reichwein/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz delivered a strong rebuke on Saturday to US Vice President JD Vance’s attack on Europe’s stance toward hate speech and the far right, saying it was not right for others to tell Germany and Europe what to do.

Vance lambasted European leaders on Friday, the first day of the Munich Security Conference, accusing them of censoring free speech and criticizing German mainstream parties’ “firewall” against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).

“That is not appropriate, especially not among friends and allies. We firmly reject that,” Scholz told the conference on Saturday, adding there were “good reasons” not to work with the AfD.

The anti-immigration party, currently polling at around 20% ahead of Germany’s February 23 national election, has pariah status among other major German parties in a country with a taboo about ultranationalist politics because of its Nazi past.

“Never again fascism, never again racism, never again aggressive war. That is why an overwhelming majority in our country opposes anyone who glorifies or justifies criminal National Socialism,” Scholz said, referring to the ideology of Adolf Hitler’s 1933-45 Nazi regime.

Vance met on Friday with the leader of AfD, after endorsing the party as a political partner — a stance Berlin dismissed as unwelcome election interference.

Referring more broadly to Vance’s criticism of Europe’s curtailing of hate speech, which he has likened to censorship, Scholz said: “Today’s democracies in Germany and Europe are founded on the historic awareness and realization that democracies can be destroyed by radical anti-democrats.

“And this is why we’ve created institutions that ensure that our democracies can defend themselves against their enemies, and rules that do not restrict or limit our freedom but protect it.”

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot added his voice to the defense of Europe’s stance on hate speech.

“No one is required to adopt our model but no one can impose theirs on us,” Barrot said on X from Munich. “Freedom of speech is guaranteed in Europe.”

UKRAINE

The prospect of talks to end the Ukraine-Russia war had been expected to dominate the annual Munich conference after a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin this week, but Vance barely mentioned Russia or Ukraine in his speech to the gathering on Friday.

Instead, he said the threat to Europe that worried him most was not Russia or China but what he called a retreat from fundamental values of protecting free speech – as well as immigration, which he said was “out of control” in Europe.

Many conference delegates watched Vance’s speech in stunned silence. There was little applause as he delivered his remarks.

Asked by the panel moderator if he thought there was anything in Vance’s speech worth reflecting on, Scholz drew laughter and applause in the crowd when he responded, in a deadpan manner: “You mean all these very relevant discussions about Ukraine and security in Europe?”

The post Germany’s Scholz Rebukes Vance, Defends Europe’s Stance on Hate Speech and Far Right first appeared on Algemeiner.com.

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Trump Team to Start Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks in Saudi Arabia in Coming Days, Politico Reports

US Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL) speaks on Day 1 of the Republican National Convention (RNC) at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US, July 15, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Mike Segar

Senior officials from US President Donald Trump’s administration will start peace talks with Russian and Ukrainian negotiators in Saudi Arabia in the coming days, Politico reported on Saturday, citing sources familiar with the plan.

US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Saudi Arabia, the report said. Special envoy for Ukraine-Russia talks, Keith Kellogg, will not be in attendance, according to the report.

The post Trump Team to Start Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks in Saudi Arabia in Coming Days, Politico Reports first appeared on Algemeiner.com.

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UN Peacekeeping Mission Deputy Commander Injured After Convoy Attacked in Beirut

FILE PHOTO: A UN peacekeepers (UNIFIL) vehicle is seen next to piled up debris at Beirut’s port, Lebanon October 23, 2020. Photo: REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir/File Photo

The outgoing deputy force commander of the United Nations Interim Force (UNIFIL) in Lebanon was injured on Friday after a convoy taking peacekeepers to Beirut airport was “violently attacked,” UNIFIL said.

The mission demanded a full and immediate investigation by Lebanese authorities and for all perpetrators to be brought to justice, it said in a statement.

Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun condemned the attack on Saturday, saying that security forces would not tolerate anyone who tries to destabilize the country, according to a statement from his office.

The French government also condemned the attack.

“France calls on the Lebanese security forces to guarantee the security of blue-helmet peacekeeping forces, and calls on Lebanon’s judicial authorities to shed all light on this unacceptable attack and to go after those responsible,” the French foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

Lebanon’s Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar called for an emergency meeting before noon on Saturday to discuss the security situation, Lebanese state news agency NNA reported.

“He affirmed the Lebanese government’s rejection of this assault that is considered a crime against UNIFIL forces,” NNA reported, citing the minister.

He also gave instructions to work on identifying the perpetrators and referring them to the relevant judicial authorities.

The minister told reporters on Saturday that more than 25 people had been detained for investigation over the attack.

The United States earlier condemned the attack. A State Department statement said the attack was carried out “reportedly by a group of Hezbollah supporters”, referring to the Iran-backed militant group in Lebanon.

The post UN Peacekeeping Mission Deputy Commander Injured After Convoy Attacked in Beirut first appeared on Algemeiner.com.

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