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Israel-Hamas Truce
The Story
The truce between Israel and Hamas is holding.
Tell me.
Since Friday, the two sides exchanged hostages and prisoners as part of a cease-fire deal. The agreement hasn’t been without hiccups (see: this delay). Here’s where things stand with the:
Hostages: On October 7th, Hamas and other militant groups took an estimated 240 people from Israel hostage. Since Friday, Hamas has released a total of 39 Israeli women and children and more than a dozen foreign nationals — including from Thailand, Russia, and the Philippines. They range in age from 2 to 85 years old, with children as young as 10 months old still in captivity. Among those freed includes 4-year-old Abigail Edan — an Israeli-American girl who President Biden said witnessed her parents killed in the attacks.
Prisoners: In exchange for the hostages, Israel agreed to free a total of 150 Palestinian prisoners. So far, Israel has released 117 prisoners — mostly women and children, with the youngest reportedly being a 14-year-old boy. Some of them had been in prison for years for charges relating to attacks on Israelis, including attempted murder and throwing stones. Others had been detained without knowing the charges against them.
What’s next?
The truce could be extended. Yesterday, Hamas said it wants to continue the cease-fire as a way to “increase the number of those released from imprisonment.” Israel has said it would extend the pause in fighting an extra day for every 10 additional hostages freed. Qatar and the US have also backed an extension as a way to get more hostages — including those held by other militant groups — and more aid trucks into Gaza.
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This has been the longest pause in fighting since the start of the latest Israel-Hamas war. Now, the possibility of an extended halt is raising hopes that more families could be reunited.
Developing:
Three college students of Palestinian descent were shot and injured in Burlington, VT, with one seriously hurt. Civil rights advocates are calling on authorities to look into whether it’s a possible hate crime amid a rise in Islamophobia.
Houthi rebels are suspected of seizing a tanker linked to Israel off the coast of Yemen, with 22 people onboard. The tanker has since been released. It’s the third such attack since the Israel-Hamas war began, with one vessel in a port area in Yemen and the other suffering some damage after a drone reportedly exploded.
Tens of thousands of people protested against antisemitism in London yesterday, days after a pro-Palestinian protest at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
and also...this
Who’s facing allegations…
NYC Mayor Eric Adams (D). Last week, a woman accused him of sexually assaulting her in 1993. The court filing — filed under New York’s now expired Adult Survivors Act — alleges that the assault happened while Adams and the woman both worked for the city. The filing also lists the New York City Police Department’s transit bureau and an NYPD association as defendants. The woman is seeking at least $5 million in damages. Adams has denied the accusation and said he doesn’t remember meeting the woman. The filing comes as two more women have accused Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexual abuse. Other lawsuits have been filed against Jamie Foxx and Axl Rose.
Who people are talking about…
Derek Chauvin. On Friday, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd was seriously injured after being stabbed. Authorities said another inmate attacked Chauvin at the prison in Tucson, AZ. Chauvin was taken to a hospital and is now in stable condition. He’s currently serving a sentence of more than 20 years after being convicted of murder and violating Floyd’s civil rights.
What’s sending shockwaves across Europe…
Netherlands’ general elections. Today, far-right populist Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party (PVV) is expected to continue coalition talks after winning the most seats in the parliamentary elections. Even though Wilders’ party came in first, he will have to form a coalition government, which could take months. The far-right party is known for its anti-immigration and anti-EU platform. Wilders has also called for a ban on the Quran and a halt to accepting asylum-seekers. Those plans aren’t expected to fly for the other parties.
What's a real renaissance…
Who's saying 'allow me to reintroduce myself'...
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