Israel-Palestine Escalation
Israel was hit by an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip on October 7, with Hamas movement's troops infiltrating border areas. On October 8, the Israeli government announced that it had invoked Article 40 of the Basic Law, which means the country was officially in a state of war.
Palestinians walk by buildings destroyed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip in Nusseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, on the second day of the temporary ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. - Sputnik Africa

Live Updates: Red Cross Begins Receiving New Group of 13 Israeli & 5 Foreign Hostages From Hamas

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MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which has been escalating since the beginning of October, has resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,200 people in Israel and over 15,000 in the Gaza Strip. On Friday, the two sides began a four-day truce to exchange some prisoners and captives and provide humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
The second group of hostages released from the Gaza Strip has arrived in Israel, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.
"The freed hostages are in Israeli territory along with IDF special forces. IDF special forces and Israel Security Agency (ISA) forces are currently with the freed hostages," the army said in a statement.
Escalation of the conflict between Israel and Palestinian movement Hamas started on October 7. On Friday morning, the sides launched a four-day truce to exchange some of the prisoners and hostages. The deal also committed Israel to allowing daily supply of humanitarian aid and fuel to the Gaza Strip.
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17:39 26.11.2023
Hamas Says Handed Over 13 Israeli Hostages, 3 Thai Citizens, 1 Russian Citizen to ICRC
TUNIS (Sputnik) - The military wing of Hamas, Al Qassam Brigades, said on Sunday it handed over 13 Israeli hostages, as well as three Thai citizens and one Russian citizen, to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) under the truce deal with Israel.
"As part of the humanitarian truce and as part of the third phase of the exchange, we handed over to the Red Cross 13 Zionist [Israeli] detainees, three Thai detainees and one Russian detainee," the group said on Telegram.
Earlier in the day, Hamas announced the release of the Russian citizen "in response to efforts by Russian President Vladimir Putin and as a sign of the recognition of Russia's position in support for the Palestinian cause."
17:25 26.11.2023
US Waiting for Hamas's Decision on Truce Extension in Exchange for Hostage Release
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United States is waiting for the Palestinian movement Hamas to decide whether it would agree to extend the temporary ceasefire and release 10 hostages per every day that Israel holds back arms, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Sunday.
"But whether or not this particular deal gets extended, that's really up to Hamas. Because Israel has been very clear as part of the deal it is prepared to continue the pause in fighting for every day that Hamas produces an additional 10 hostages," Sullivan told CBS.
If Hamas decides not to proceed with the deal, it will have to face consequences, Sullivan said.
On Friday morning, Israel and Hamas launched a four-day truce to exchange some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as allow the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Hamas has since released 13 Israeli hostages every day.
16:42 26.11.2023
Netanyahu Visits Gaza, Says Operation Will Continue Until Complete Victory Over Hamas
TEL AVIV (Sputnik) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Gaza Strip on Sunday and said that the operation will continue until the Palestinian movement Hamas is completely defeated.
"We are here in Gaza with our heroic fighters. We are working hard to bring back our kidnapped citizens, and eventually we will bring them all back," Netanyahu said during the outing.
"We will continue until the end — until victory. Nothing will stop us, and we are convinced that we have the will and the determination to achieve all the goals of the war, and we will do it," he said, specifying that Israel's three goals are to "eliminate Hamas, return all those abducted, and ensure that Gaza does not become a threat to Israel again."
16:36 26.11.2023
Red Cross Begins Receiving New Group of 13 Israeli Hostages, 5 Foreign Citizens from Hamas - Reports
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The International Committee of the Red Cross has begun accepting a new group of 13 Israeli hostages and five citizens of other countries released by Palestinian movement Hamas, media reported on Sunday.
At the same time, the Israel Defense Forces wrote on Telegram, citing information received from the Red Cross, that 14 Israeli hostages and three foreign hostages had been handed over to the organization.
"Based on information that was received from the Red Cross, 14 Israeli hostages and three foreign hostages have been transferred to the Red Cross," the IDF said.
16:34 26.11.2023
Israel's Foreign Minister Summons Irish Ambassador Over Prime Minister's Hostage Remark
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said on Sunday he had summoned the Irish ambassador over a recent remark by Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar who described the abduction experiences of an Irish-Israeli hostage with Hamas using the words "lost" and later "found."
On Saturday, Varadkar wrote on X that Emily Hand, a nine-year old Israeli-Irish girl, had been "lost" and then "found and returned," which was a "day of enormous joy and relief" for Hand and her family. Cohen responded to Varadkar, saying that the girl had been not "lost" but "kidnapped by a terror organization" that had "murdered her stepmother."
"After outrageous remarks by the Irish prime minister about the release of Emily Hand kidnapped in Gaza by terrorist organization Hamas, I have summoned the Irish ambassador to Israel for a clarifying talk," Cohen wrote on X.
Hamas has released two groups of 13 Israeli hostages each since Friday as part of a truce deal. The deal, struck on Friday, involves cessation of hostilities for four days and the release of 50 Israeli hostages in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners during that period, as well a daily supply of humanitarian aid and fuel to the Gaza Strip.
16:32 26.11.2023
IDF Says Eliminated 5 Hamas Commanders Before Start of Truce in Gaza
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Sunday that it had eliminated five senior commanders of the Palestinian movement Hamas before the start of a truce in the Gaza Strip.
"The IDF confirms that during combat in the Gaza Strip prior to the operational pause, IDF aircraft... eliminated, among others, five senior Hamas commanders in the Gaza Strip," the IDF said on Telegram.
Earlier in the day, the military wing of Hamas, Al Qassam Brigades, said that four of its commanders had been killed during operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel. The movement did not provide any other details of their deaths.
Hamas has released two groups of 13 Israeli hostages each since Friday and provided a list of another 13 hostages to be released on Sunday. The deal envisions the release of 50 people over four days, during which the sides pledged to suspend hostilities.
14:47 26.11.2023
Yemeni Houthis Seize Another Israeli-Linked Ship Off Aden Coast - Reports
Yemen's Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthis, seized the Zodiac Maritime-managed Central Park in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Yemen, the company, owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofir, confirmed to Western media.

“Our priority is the safety of our 22 crew onboard,” Zodiac said. “The Turkish-captained vessel has a multinational crew consisting of a crew of Russian, Vietnamese, Bulgarian, Indian, Georgian, and Filipino nationals. The vessel is carrying a full cargo of phosphoric acid.”

London-based Zodiac Maritime is part of Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer’s Zodiac Group.
14:43 26.11.2023
Egypt Receives List of 13 Israeli Hostages, 39 Palestinians to be Swapped Sunday - Reports
TUNIS (Sputnik) - Egypt has received a list of 13 Israeli hostages and 39 Palestinians who will be exchanged on Sunday as part of the Hamas-Israel agreement, Diaa Rashwan, the head of Egypt's State Information Service, said.
"Today, on Sunday, Egyptian authorities received a list of detainees in the Gaza Strip, which includes 13 Israelis. They also received a list of Palestinians planned to be released from Israeli prisons, which includes 39 Palestinians. An exchange between both sides is planned today," Rashwan was quoted as saying by the Youm7 newspaper.
14:30 26.11.2023
Al Qassam Brigades Says 4 Commanders Killed in Combat With Israel
TUNIS (Sputnik) - The military wing of Hamas, Al Qassam Brigades, said on Sunday four of its commanders had been killed during operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel.
One of them is Ahmed Al-Ghandour, also known as Abu Anas, a member of the military council and the commander of the Northern Brigade.
The movement did not provided any other details of their deaths.
13:50 26.11.2023
Islamic Jihad Condemns Israeli on West Bank Attacks as Efforts to Eradicate Palestinians
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) has denounced Israel's activities in the West Bank, which have resulted in the deaths of at least 237 Palestinians since October 7. PIJ stated that these actions represent a campaign aimed at annihilating the Palestinian population and implementing plans for displacement and settlement expansion.
"We will face Israel’s war everywhere, our people will not surrender, and we will fight this terrorism with everything we have," the Palestinian movement said.
Additionally, at least eight individuals have been reported dead in Israeli incursions in the Palestinian West Bank within the past 24 hours.
13:41 26.11.2023
PRCS Reports One Palestinian Fatality in Gaza Despite Truce
The Palestine Red Crescent (PRCS) reported on Sunday that a Palestinian farmer was killed and another injured in the Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza after being targeted by Israeli forces, according to Aljazeera.
Israel has not yet provided a response to this report.
The incidents reportedly occurred within the context of the four-day truce between Hamas and Israel. Additionally, on Friday, Israeli forces reportedly killed at least two Palestinians as they tried to re-enter northern Gaza.
12:01 26.11.2023
Hamas Provides Israel With List of 13 Hostages to Be Released on Sunday - Reports
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Palestinian movement Hamas has provided Israel with a list of 13 hostages whom it intends to release on Sunday under the bilateral truce deal, Israeli news website Ynet has reported, citing Israeli officials.
Earlier in the day, the Haaretz newspaper reported, citing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, that Israeli authorities had received the list of hostages, without elaborating on the exact number.
Hamas has released two groups of 13 Israeli hostages each since Friday. The deal envisions the release of 50 people over four days, during which the sides pledged to suspend hostilities.
09:21 26.11.2023
Total of 78 Palestinians, 26 Israelis, 15 Foreigners Released Since Beginning of Gaza Ceasefire - Reports
A total of 26 Israeli citizens, 78 Palestinians, 14 Thais and a Filipino have been released since the start of the four-day ceasefire on Friday, the Qatari news channel Aljazeera reported on Sunday.
In the first exchange, 13 Israeli children and elderly were released by Hamas on Friday, and in return Israel freed 39 Palestinian women and teenagers, including minors.
Another 13 Israelis, including six women and seven minors, were released by Hamas early Sunday, while Tel Aviv released another 39 Palestinians, including six women and 33 minors.
In addition, 14 Thais and one Filipino were also released by Hamas as part of the process.
According to the news channel, another round of prisoner exchanges is expected to take place later on Sunday. Hamas told the media that 50 women and children would be released in exchange for 150 Palestinian women and children currently held in Israeli jails as part of the ceasefire deal.
The report also said that the Israeli side was ready to extend the truce if more prisoners were released at the rate of 10 per day.
08:52 26.11.2023
Israeli Military Interferes With Work of Medics in West Bank - Palestine Red Crescent
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Israeli troops interfere with the work of medical teams in the West Bank by constant searches of ambulance vehicles, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said on Sunday.
"IOF [Israeli forces] obstruct and prevent the PRCS emergency medical services teams from reaching the injured, continuously inspecting the ambulance vehicles," the PRCS said on X.
The Israeli military is besieging the Jenin Governmental Hospital and Ibn Sina Hospital in the West Bank, the PRSC added.
On Saturday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said that two Palestinians had been killed in an Israeli raid in the city of Jenin in the West Bank.
08:47 26.11.2023
Austin Tells Israeli Defense Minister About Need to Organize Aid Distribution in Gaza
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, in a conversation with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant, spoke in favor of organizing humanitarian supplies throughout the Gaza Strip, the Pentagon said in a statement.
Palestinian movement Hamas, ruling in the Gaza Strip, earlier accused Israel of blocking the delivery of aid to the northern part of the enclave and threatened to withdraw from the agreements on the release of hostages.
"Secretary Austin shared his view that humanitarian aid must increase, and that civilians must have safe areas to receive aid across Gaza, which will require deconfliction with the United Nations and communication with governments and international organizations coordinating delivery of aid," the US Department of Defense said.
Hamas has released two groups of 13 Israeli hostages each since Friday. The deal envisions the release of 50 people over four days, during which the sides pledged to suspend hostilities.
08:47 26.11.2023
Israel Defense Forces Says Intercepted Drone in Red Sea Area
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its fighter jet had intercepted a drone approaching Israel in the area of the Red Sea.
"A short while ago, an IDF fighter jet successfully intercepted a UAV approaching Israeli territory, in the area of the Red Sea," the IDF said on Telegram.
It said the unmanned aerial vehicle had not infiltrated into Israeli territory.
08:44 26.11.2023
UN Says Record Number of Humanitarian Aid Trucks Arrived in Gaza November 25
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the largest number of humanitarian aid trucks had arrived in the Gaza Strip on November 25 since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict escalated on October 7.
"The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs confirms that 61 trucks of aid were delivered to northern Gaza today, the largest number since October 7," the UN said in a statement on its website.
It said they included food, water and emergency medical supplies, adding that eleven ambulances, 3 coaches and a flatbed were delivered to Al Shifa hospital to assist with evacuations.
"Another 200 trucks were dispatched from Nitzana. Of them 187 entered Gaza by 7:00 pm local time. In addition, 129,000 liters of fuel crossed into Gaza. None of these deliveries would have been possible without the Palestinian and Egyptian Red Crescent Societies. The longer the pause lasts, the more aid humanitarian agencies will be able to send in and across Gaza," the UN said.
According to the statement, the UN OCHA welcomes the release of more hostages.
The agency added, "We welcome the release of more hostages today and renew our call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. And we hope the release of more Palestinian detainees brings relief to their families and loved ones."
08:41 26.11.2023
Israel Releases Second Group of Palestinian Prisoners - Reports
TUNIS (Sputnik) - Israel has released the second group of Palestinian prisoners, they have arrived in the West Bank, according to a broadcast by Al Jazeera.
Earlier, the Israeli army said the second group of Israeli hostages freed by Palestinian group Hamas had arrived in Israel from the Gaza Strip.
08:41 26.11.2023
Hamas Says Released Thai Hostages in Response to Turkish President's Efforts
TUNIS (Sputnik) - Palestinian group Hamas said it had released Thai nationals it was holding in response to efforts by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Earlier, the military wing of Hamas, Al Qassam Brigades, said it had handed over 13 Israeli hostages and seven foreigners to the Red Cross. The Israel Defense Forces said a group of hostages, consisting of 13 Israelis and four Thai nationals, had entered Egypt and were heading to the border with Israel.
“In response to efforts by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas released Thai prisoners in the Gaza Strip,” the movement said on Telegram.
08:40 26.11.2023
Two Palestinians Killed in Israeli Raid in West Bank - Palestinian Health Ministry
GAZA CITY (Sputnik) - Two Palestinians have been killed as result of an Israeli raid in the city of Jenin in the West Bank, with several more injured, the Palestinian Health Ministry said on Saturday.
Earlier in the day, news agency Wafa reported that at least one Palestinian had died, with three more wounded in the Israeli raid.
"Two Palestinians have been killed and seven more have been injured as a result of the Israeli raid in the city of Jenin in the West Bank," the ministry said in a statement.
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