The Israeli hostages due to be released in Gaza on Thursday have been named by the Israeli Prime Minister’s office (PMO), which also confirmed that five Thai nationals will be freed.

About 90 Patriot missiles from Israel are being sent to Ukraine in a transfer facilitated by the United States, according to a US defense official.

Hamas released eight more hostages in Gaza Thursday as part of an ongoing ceasefire agreement with Israel in exchange for releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

On Thursday, laws passed by Israel in October come into effect banning the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency, known as UNRWA, from Israeli territory and prohibiting Israeli officials from any contact with the agency.

Trump sent Witkoff to ensure the ceasefire agreement advances to the second phase, which will require hashing out more thorny questions about Gaza’s future.

The next test for Israel and Hamas will come on February 2nd, when talks resume on the next stage of the ceasefire—which includes the withdrawal of Israeli troops from all of Gaza and the release of more hostages. Whether the ceasefire can endure will depend on those discussions. ■

News that three high-profile hostages are expected to be released has brought excitement and trepidation to Israel on Friday.

Doctors say 2-year-old Habiba al-Askari has days to live as gangrene creeps up her arms and legs, and only an urgent medical evacuation out of Gaza may save her life.

Dual U.S.-Israeli national Keith Seigel is among the 3 hostages expected to be released by Hamas in the fourth swap with Israel.

Anti-Israel protesters say they spray-painted the front of a Columbia University building and blocked the sewage lines in honor of Palestinian girl killed by Israeli forces.