Compilation of news reports – IAK staff
Hamas hands over 6 Israeli captives to Red Cross in Rafah, Nuseirat, Gaza City
Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, handed over on Saturday six Israeli captives to the Red Cross in three locations in Gaza as part of the seventh exchange under the Jan. 19 ceasefire deal.
602 Palestinians held in Israeli jails were supposed to be freed.
Netanyahu suspends release of 600+ Palestinian prisoners
Following the release of the Israeli captives on Saturday morning, and after the Israeli army announced having received them from the International Red Cross, the Israeli Prison Service said that it had not received instructions from the Israeli government to release the Palestinian prisoners. In the late afternoon, Israeli media outlets reported that the release of Palestinian prisoners had been suspended until after Israel’s cabinet met, prolonging the wait of Palestinian families late into the night.
After midnight, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel would suspend the release of Palestinians until it received guarantees that the remaining Israeli captives would be released “without degrading rituals” — in reference to the handover ceremonies organized by Hamas throughout the first phase of the ceasefire that often included having the Israeli captives taking photos in front of a podium and receiving plaques and mementos from the Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas.
Hamas said in a statement that Netanyahu’s decision to suspend the release of Palestinian prisoners was based on “lousy pretexts,” insisting that the ceremonies did not degrade or insult the Israeli captives, but rather reflected their “humane treatment.” Hamas added that “the real degradation is the humiliation and mistreatment to which Palestinian prisoners have been subjected.”
The Israeli outcry against the “degrading” release ceremonies stands in stark contrast to the way in which Palestinian prisoners have been released over the course of the ceasefire, which includes releasing prisoners with bruises on their bodies and beating some prisoners in front of Red Cross members before release, according to some prisoners.
Palestinian prisoners have also been forced to wear bracelets and sweatshirts with threatening inscriptions on them vowing vengeance by “the eternal people,” which has not garnered any similar level of outrage in Western or Israeli media. During the release of the sixth batch of Palestinian prisoners last week, the Israeli Prison Service took pictures of the Palestinian prisoners before their release, kneeling and dressed in sweatshirts bearing the phrase “We will not forgive or forget” alongside a Star of David.
Four of the Palestinians released last week were transferred to a hospital in Ramallah due to their poor health condition, while one of them, Ameer Abu Raddaha, had lost so much weight that his family members failed to recognize him.
The 602 Palestinian prisoners and detainees set to be released on Saturday from prisons in Israel as part of the seventh phase of the hostage release and cease-fire agreement, included 444 Gazans who were arrested during the war and were classified as ‘not involved in combat,’ according to several security sources.
A few hours before the delay was announced, the Israel Prison Service said that, at the instruction of Commissioner Kobi Yaakobi, the prisoners would be released wearing shirts with the slogan “I will pursue my enemies and overtake them; I will not return until I have destroyed them,” and wearing bracelets inscribed, “The eternal people does not forget, I will pursue my enemies and overtake them.”
Israel ‘psychologically manipulating’ Palestinian prisoners and families: Monitor
The Palestinian Prisoners Media Office says the Israeli refusal to release more than 600 prisoners is an effort to play with the feelings of the detainees and their families “in a blatant violation of all human values and norms”.
“This behaviour once again reveals the reality of the occupation that does not respect covenants and agreements, as it left the families waiting for long hours in the rain hoping to meet their released prisoners, only to be surprised by the unjust postponement decision, which increases their suffering and exacerbates the injustice inflicted upon them,” it said in a statement.
“This inhumane act requires a firm stance from mediators and the international community to compel the occupation to implement its obligations without procrastination or delay.”
Video shows 2 Israeli captives with a message to Netanyahu
Hamas released a video on Saturday night showing hostages Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Evyatar David watching the release ceremony of Israeli hostages Shem Tov, Cohen, and Wenkert from the window of a car across from the event.
In the video, the two pleaded to the camera, urging the Israeli prime minister to bring them home. “Netanyahu, our friends are going home after 500 days together,” they said. “We beg you, please, this is all we want, save us. Help us, people of Israel, we want to be like them.”
David is heard saying, “Netanyahu, you’ve destroyed us. Negotiate properly – just sign a deal and end this.” Gilboa-Dalal added, “Please, military pressure is not the solution. Citizens of Israel, don’t stop protesting. It’s so hard for us here. We’re just dreaming of that moment.”
6 Palestinian prisoners reject exile, Israel cancels their release
Six Palestinian prisoners, who were rearrested after their release in the 2011 Shalit deal, have refused to be exiled as part of an ongoing prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas, Israeli Army Radio reported Saturday.
In response, Israel canceled their release and decided to keep them in detention, the report said. The identities of the six detainees were not disclosed.
Meanwhile, Palestinian human rights organizations, including the Prisoners’ Information Office and the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society, stated that 97 of the prisoners set for release on Saturday will be deported, according to published lists.
Israel prevents Palestine prisoners’ families from traveling to Egypt to welcome them
This statement was released before the announcement that the prisoner release was to be delayed.
Gaza launches polio vaccination campaign targeting 600,000 children
A large-scale polio vaccination campaign was launched in Gaza on Saturday aiming to immunize approximately 600,000 Palestinian children under the age of 10.
The campaign is being conducted in collaboration with the Gaza Health Ministry, the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA).
In a statement, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said “another large scale vaccination campaign against polio started today (Saturday).”
“Like in previous rounds and together with our partners, we aim to reach nearly 600,000 children under the age of 10 across the Gaza Strip,” said Lazzarini.
The vaccination drive will last for three days, with the possibility of an extension by two more days if necessary.
RELATED: Families await aid in Deir al-Balah amid winter storms
Tel Aviv bus bombings: False flag or Netanyahu’s luck?
[Following a description of a number of odd features about Thursday night’s bus explosions and near-explosions, the Cradle quotes Bassem Naim, a leading member of the Hamas politburo:]Based on the timing and the way in which it happened, the first possibility for me is that Netanyahu or members of his government escaped from their obligations in the ceasefire agreement and created an external enemy to relieve the increasing internal pressure. Anyone who reads the history of the Zionist movement will find dozens of proven events that were planned and executed by Zionist elements against Jews themselves.
An accumulation of coincidences, holes in the official narrative, and what Israeli media call “miracles” have all led to accusations of the incident being a false-flag attack. There is still no conclusive evidence to prove this assertion, yet with Israel imposing censorship on the issue, various outstanding questions are yet to be answered (read the full article here).
40,000 Palestinians leave northern West Bank camps: Katz
The Israeli defense minister says he has ordered the army to stay in the occupied West Bank refugee camps for the next year.
In a statement quoted by the Israeli media, Katz said: “40,000 Palestinians have so far evacuated from the Jenin, Tulkarem and Nur Shams refugee camps, and are now empty of residents. UNRWA activity in the camps has also been stopped.” He referred to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, which Israel has banned.
“We will not return to the reality that was in the past. We will continue to clear refugee camps,” the minister said.
The Israeli army has been carrying out a large operation in the northern West Bank.
It announced that Israeli tanks will be used in the Jenin operation – for the first time in the West Bank since 2002.
Israeli settlers raid West Bank town, steal 800 sheep under army protection
Israeli settlers, backed by occupation forces, stormed the town of Deir Dibwan, east of Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank on Saturday evening, looting hundreds of livestock in yet another act of state-backed aggression against Palestinians.
According to Wafa, settlers, shielded by Israeli soldiers, stole around 800 sheep, three horses, two donkeys, and water tanks belonging to Palestinian residents Nayef Manasra and Abdul Halim Awada.
Later, Israeli forces raided the town, broke into the home of Issa Khader Yassin, and confiscated footage from his home’s security cameras.
Is the UK Spying on Hamas for Israel?
The Royal Air Force (RAF) has operated surveillance flights near Gaza on all five days of the ceasefire that Hamas released hostages, Declassified has found.
No spy planes were sent towards the strip on the other 20 days of the ceasefire.
The latest flight, by a Shadow R1 spy plane, occurred on Feb. 8 when three Israeli men — Eli Sharabi, Or Levy and Ohad Ben Ami — became free from captivity. Evidence found by Declassified suggests the spy plane was in the air at the same time…
Labour MP Brian Leishman told Declassified:
“The ongoing use of a British military base in Cyprus with spy planes flying near Gaza is concerning. The purpose of these flights, the activities they undertake and what happens with any information they gather should be both questioned and explained.”
Campaigners in Cyprus are also questioning the U.K. government’s motives for the ongoing surveillance flights.
Melanie Steliou, a Cypriot actress and spokesperson for Social Alliance — a movement affiliated with Cyprus’ main opposition party AKEL — told Declassified:
“The explanation given that the flights being sent from RAF Akrotiri are only for rescuing hostages is not convincing. Why are these flights being continued during a ceasefire? Why are these flights near Gaza during hostage releases? What intelligence is RAF Akrotiri sharing with Israel? Are they only sharing intelligence or is the involvement of the bases at a greater level, creating even more risks for Cyprus and its people? These are legitimate questions.”
(Continue reading here.)
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IMEMC Daily Reports
STATISTICS OCTOBER 7, 2023 – FEBRUARY 20, 2025 (ongoing count):
- At least 63,319 Palestinians killed, 118,753 injured – including:
- at least 62,403 killed in Gaza (~20,600 children)
- at least 916 killed in the West Bank (~180 children)
- at least 111,753 injured in Gaza
- at least 7,000 injured in the West Bank
WAR STATISTICS OCTOBER 7, 2023 (Hamas attack) – JANUARY 22, 2025 (Ceasefire):
Palestinian death toll from October 7, 2023 – January 19, 2025: at least 48,143 – including at least 47,283 in Gaza (~20,600 children), and 916 in the West Bank (~183 children). Palestinian injuries: at least 118,472 – including at least 111,629 in Gaza, and 7,000 in the West Bank.
Thousands of those killed in Gaza have yet to be identified, and an estimated 11,000 more are still buried under rubble.
Reported Israeli death toll from October 7, 2023 – January 19, 2025: ~1,616 (or 1,590) – including ~1,139 on October 7, 2023 (~36 children), 436 (or 405) military forces since the ground invasion began in Gaza, 46 military and civilians in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Israel.
NOTE: It is unknown at this time how many of the deaths and injuries of Israelis on October 7 were caused by Israeli soldiers.
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