U.S. Secretary of State landed in Israel on Sunday, marking his first official visit to the Jewish State in his new role as the United States’ top diplomat. Following a meeting with Rubio, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the strong coordination between Israel and the United States in addressing the ongoing hostage crisis and the broader conflict in Gaza. “I want to assure everyone who is now listening to us, President Trump and I are working in full cooperation and coordination between us,” Netanyahu said. He underscored that while strategic details could not always be disclosed publicly, Israel remained steadfast in its mission to secure the release of all hostages.

Three Israeli hostages, Sasha Troufanov (29), Sagui Dekel-Chen (36), and Yair Horn (46) were released from captivity in Gaza on Shabbos morning. The release was coordinated by Hamas and Islamic Jihad as Troufanov was held by Islamic Jihad and Horen and Dekel-Chen were held by Hamas. Before their release, a cruel propaganda ceremony, coordinated by both Hamas and Islamic Jihad, was held in Khan Younis in southern Gaza. The men were forced onto the stage, ordered to speak before the audience, and received “release” certificates.

Emergency personnel are on the scene of a major structure fire at 658 Eastern Parkway near Brooklyn Avenue in Crown Heights. The FDNY has requested a second alrm response, as Hatzolah are treating the victims. The fire broke out around 10:20 AM in a private residence, with reports indicating multiple injuries. Some victims are said to be in critical condition. Due to the severity of the incident, Hatzolah has dispatched additional ambulances from Williamsburg to assist in the emergency response. Names for Tehillim will be published when they become available to YWN (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Israel has received confirmation from Egypt and Qatar regarding the names of three hostages that Hamas is set to release on Saturday, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The three individuals identified for release are Sasha Trufanov (29), Sagui Dekel-Chen (36), and Yair Horn (46). The PMO says the list of names is acceptable, and the families of the hostages have been informed and have approved the release of their names to the public. Further details regarding the release process and any additional agreements remain undisclosed. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Hamas is committed to continuing the hostage deal and intends to carry out the sixth hostage release on Shabbos and release another three hostages, according to a message on an official Hamas channel on Thursday morning. According to a report in the Saudi news outlet Al Asharq  Saudi news outlet, Hamas confirmed its commitment to the agreement to Egyptian officials. The report added that Hamas conditioned the step on Israel allowing the entry of trailers, tents, heavy equipment, fuel, medications and hospital construction materials into the Gaza Strip.

As Israel and the world demand the swift and unconditional release of all Israeli hostages, Hamas remains defiant. Senior Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri announced on Wednesday that the terror organization is “committed” to the previously agreed hostage release schedule—meaning that only three hostages will be released this coming Shabbos. This brazen refusal to release all the captives underscores Hamas’s strategy of using Israeli civilians as bargaining chips while the world watches in horror. President Donald Trump previously weighed in, making it clear that Israel should not tolerate Hamas’s manipulations any longer. Speaking on Tuesday, Trump declared that if all hostages were not freed by noon on Saturday, “I would say cancel the ceasefire.

President Donald Trump has said the US and Moscow will begin negotiations “immediately” on ending the war in Ukraine after speaking with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Trump said the two leaders had also agreed to work together and visit each other’s nations. He added that he would inform Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of their call. “I just had a lengthy and highly productive phone call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “We agreed to work together, very closely, including visiting each other’s Nations.

Hamas’ military wing spokesman, Abu Obeida, announced on Monday that the terrorist group would postpone the planned release of hostages, claiming that Israel had violated the terms of the agreement. The next release of hostages, is set to take place this coming Shabbos, The delay comes as Israel prepares to enter the second phase of the deal, which is set to take effect after the initial phase concludes later this month. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The Trump administration has demanded that the Palestinian Authority end its notorious “pay to slay” stipends, which incite terror by financially supporting terrorists in Israeli prisons and the families of terrorists who committed suicide or were killed in the act of carrying out terror attacks against Israelis, including the Nukhba terrorists who carried out the October 7 massacre. When ex-President Joe Biden entered office, he restored funding to the Palestinian Authority terror group, despite being well aware of its “pay to slay” payments, which includes terrorists who murdered US citizens. Biden took the step despite the fact that the funding violated US law, specifically the 2018 Taylor Force Act, which bans all US aid to the PA as long as it continues to fund terrorists.

President Trump welcomed Binyamin Netanyahu to the White House on Tuesday, making the Israeli prime minister the first foreign leader to meet Trump in his second term as president. As the pair sat and talked, they were peppered with questions by reporters, with Trump making it very clear whose side he was on in the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Prime Minister Netanyahu praised President Trump for securing the deal to release hostages in Gaza: “President Trump added great force and powerful leadership to this effort … I’m happy that they’re here.” Trump says, “Gaza maybe is a demolition site right now … you can’t live in Gaza right now. I think we need another location.” Reporter: Would Palestinians have the right to return to Gaza if they left during the rebuilding?