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Published February 8, 2025last updated February 8, 2025Hamas is set to release three Israeli hostages captured on October 7, 2023, in exchange for 183 Palestinians held by Israel. Follow DW for more.
https://p.dw.com/p/4qCCL
Armed Hamas fighters, gathered Saturday morning near the location of the exchangeImage: Ramadan Abed/REUTERSSkip next section What you need to knowWhat you need to know Three more Israeli hostages are set to be released in exchange for 183 Palestinians
It is the fifth swap of hostages held by Hamas and other militants for Palestinians held by Israel since a ceasefire began on January 19
Trump administration backs big arms sales to Israel
This is a roundup of the latest developments regarding Israel, Gaza and the wider Middle East on Saturday, February 8, 2025:
Skip next section What Trump’s ‘Gaza takeover’ plan means for the ceasefire February 8, 2025
What Trump’s ‘Gaza takeover’ plan means for the ceasefire The hostage-for-prisoner exchange, comes against the backdrop of uncertainty over the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.
Despite initial challenges the deal has held firm since its implementation nearly three weeks ago.
However, there are fresh concerns how long it might last following US President Donald Trump’s unexpected proposal to relocate
Palestinians from Gaza and transform the enclave into the “Riviera of the Middle East” under US administration.
Arab states and Palestinian groups have unanimously rejected Trump’s proposal, while Israel welcomed it.
Read more: Could Trump’s proposal plan bring peace?
https://p.dw.com/p/4qCTc
Skip next section Hamas to free three Israeli men in latest swapFebruary 8, 2025
Hamas to free three Israeli men in latest swapOr Levy, Eli Sharabi and Ohad Ben Ami were held hostage in Gaza for 15 monthsImage: Hostages Family Forum/picture alliance/APHamas is expected to release three more Israeli hostages on Saturday, Eli Sharabi, Or Levy and Ohad Ben Ami, in exchange for 183 Palestinians held by Israel.
Ami and Sharabi were taken hostage from Kibbutz Be’eri during the Hamas cross-border attacks on October 7, 2023, and Levy, was abducted from the Nova music festival the same day
It will be the fifth such exchange since a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel began on January 19.
Eighteen hostages and more than 550 Palestinians have been freed in that time.
https://p.dw.com/p/4qCCU
Skip next section Trump administration approves arms sales to IsraelFebruary 8, 2025
Trump administration approves arms sales to IsraelThe US government has approved $7.4 billion (€7.6 billion) in military sales to Israel on Friday despite a request from Democratic lawmakers to pause the sale for more information.
One sale, for $6.75 billion, is an array of munitions, guidance kits and other related equipment. The other arms package is for 3,000 Hellfire missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $660 million.
The announcement comes days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited US President Donald Trump at the White House.
Democratic Representative Gregory Meeks, who serves on the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, denounced the sales. He said the decision broke with a long-standing precedent for congressional review of major weapons sales and said it showed a lack of respect for the Congress.
https://p.dw.com/p/4qCF5
Skip next section Welcome to our coverageFebruary 8, 2025
Welcome to our coverageThis blog will have all the latest developments in the Middle East region. DW also will bring you an in-depth analysis and video of events happening in the region.
Hamas is set to release three Israeli hostages on Saturday in exchange for 183 Palestinians held by Israel.
It is the fifth exchange in the fragile Gaza ceasefire.
The release comes amid the backlash over US President Donald Trump’s assertion that the United States will take over “take over” and “own” Gaza, resettling its population in the process.
https://p.dw.com/p/4qCCM
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