Israelis held hostage (part 2)

@ohforheavenssakedearcomeonnow I actually didn't know she had done that
the news site that reported her release didn't mention this.

Apart from that I have been following general
updates on how they have campaigned non stop for their loved ones and i have alot of respect for their perseverance in doing so (obviously not breaking the law though)

Sounds like a veiled criticism of Israeli police.

She was right to have been arrested as she would be in every country for doing the following:
"The police said one woman was arrested for blocking the access road to the Knesset and ramming her sign into an MK’s car, Ynet reported."

This is dangerous. Protests should be peaceful. It was a deterrent style arrest.

I've just seen that Kfir's family is not on today's list

Some good news for those of you who have been following the campaign of the family members of the hostages

The Times of Israel reports that Ayelet Katzir, one of the leading figures in a campaign group of families who lost loved ones on 7 October, has been released from Israeli police custody after being arrested while demonstrating outside the Knesset in Jerusalem.

This sounds as if Hamas wants to keep the hostages for a later date for more leverage.

Hope I'm not repeating something already known/posted

Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has told CNN that it believes there are 161 people seized in Israel on 7 October who are still being held captive in Gaza.

The prime minister’s office told the US news network that four of them are children under the age of 18, with four at the ages of 18 and 19

There are believed to be ten people being held who are aged 75 or older.

It said of the 161 that 15 are foreigners, and 146 are Israelis, some of whom are dual nationals.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12804109/Hamas-say-willing-extend-truce-four-days-allow-locate-free-hostages-held-groups-12-captives-freed-overnight.html#comments

It would appear that Hamas would like to release Israeli prisoners rather than the 7/10 hostages whom they apparently need to "find". I think this is an attempt to extend the pause to be able to regroup.
"If Israel agrees to this, Hamas 'would be able to release Israeli prisoners that it, other resistance movements and other parties hold during this period, according to the terms of the truce,' the source added. "

This is current updates I am hearing: (Again, unverified)

Hamas agreed to extend ceasefire for up to 4 days, @ 1 hostage: 3prisoners

2 russians also to be released today in gratitude to putin (!)

Israel has today's list of 10, not seen any names yet though

once civilian female and children are out, the rest of the hostages will be divided into 5 groups for negotiation purposes.

elderly men who have completed reserve duty
men in reserve units
male soldiers in active duty
female soldiers in active duty
bodies

negotiation will be a lot higher

@Parkingt111 thank you very much for that I will have a look.

@EllaDisenchanted thank you for your kind message and yes that is also true that regardless they will be scared

@Parkingt111 I can concur re Allahu Akbar. I work and live in an area that has a large Muslim population and have heard 'Allahu Akbar' as a response 'As-salamu alaykum' - many of my friends are Muslim and it's a term that has a different meaning to them and they agree it has been appropriated.

I really hope the ceasefire holds and every hostage is returned. Obviously this is for a time much further in the future and the hostages do not owe anyone anything...but I truly hope their experience and story isn't unheard, supressed or forgotten for political reasons. They deserve acknowledgement and their identity shouldn't just be as 'hostage from October 7th' but as people with a story in their own right.

@Parkingt111 The association for the hostages will automatically have been negative following how it was used on October 7th, and will cause fear and terror for them, regardless of the intentions of the crowd. It is sickening and deeply upsetting that this part of your prayers has been hijacked and used in this twisted way by terrorists, it is such a desecration.

@Stomacharmeleon I said I was going by what I saw on MSM and that wasn't mentioned on there
I'm also not saying that I know the intention of everyone in the crowd
I'm simply pointing out that this is similar to a form of celebration that is cultural in that area
If you disagree with it then that's fine
And also pointing out the meaning of the word Allahu akbar and that it is not a sinister word but unfortunately hijacked by some people to use it as such

@Zoflorabore unfortunately I don't believe she has been released

This is the updated list with a bit of information and pictures of the hostages released so far

https://news.sky.com/story/who-are-the-first-61-israeli-hostages-released-by-hamas-13015007

@Parkingt111 so they weren't a baying mob and Hamas didn't have to change the handover several times due to the behaviour of the crowds around child hostages?
It was all an expression of joy?

I mentioned this point on the other thread but I thought I should mention it here too

Unfortunately the phrase 'Allahu akbar' has been hijacked by some bad people to justify the actions they carry out, as a muslim it's very upsetting to see this
All it means is God is great and it's a phrase said in all of our 5 daily prayers.
It is also used at times for celebration or happiness
I won't say much else on here because I fear I will be piled into or then immediately directed to the other thread but some of what you see is a cultural form of celebration. If you ask someone who lives there then they will tell you this.
Again I don't know the further details or how verified they are that some have posted as I get most of my information from MSM but this is just going by what I have seen

This situation is getting so desperate now and I wonder how many people will never be returned at all?

I have been thinking about a family I watched in the very early days where the mum was interviewed in a terrible state and told of her just turned 18 year old daughter Mayaan was murdered by Hamas in their home in front of them all. 2 younger dc I think 9 and 11 and they have a 15yr old daughter too who was away in another part of Israel. Hamas took the dad away who was covered in his daughter’s blood and I couldn’t remember his name so searched for it again and eventually found it. His name is Tsachi Idan (49) and I really hope his family get him home.

Does anyone know if Mia Schen has been released yet? She was on video with injuries and was clearly being told what to say. I think she’s 21.

This whole situation has affected me more than I ever thought possible and I’m going through lots in my life right now but it makes me stop and think no matter what problems I’ve got I am safe and that’s something I’ve always taken for granted.

Tass reports that additional Russian hostages are expected to be released today in what Hamas has described as a sign of ‘gratitude’ to Russia’s president Vladimir Putin for the position he has taken on the conflict in Gaza.

Hmmm

Sounds like they found these guys who were missing

Israel has recieved a list of the hostages that will be released today
They normally don't verify who they are until they are back in Israel but we may get some updates from family members once they have been notified by the PM's office

Has there been any mention why on earth Hamas have kept the baby? The 10 month old must have been the hardest hostage to look after by a long way for nappies, carrying him around, feeding. It seems nonsensical that they have kept hold of him. It's an appalling tragedy for that child and no matter where you stand on this issue no baby should have had such an awful early life experience at all.

I do think there stands a chance of more hostages being released - Hamas have stated that they want the ceasefire to continue and the only way they can guarantee that is by releasing hostages. They will be calculating the usefulness of this ceasefire versus the usefulness of the hostages.

There will be immense pressure on the Israelis from within and without. And it’s a negotiation, they won’t agree to all out but they doesn’t mean Hamas don’t have other demands they may agree to. It’s so difficult with the media now as so much is being spun. The Israeli right are desperate for the exchanges to stop.

I don't think Israel will agree to that either. I always had a horrible feeling that the men, other than the elderly, would not be returned. Considering how the crowds have reacted to children and women being returned, I don't hold out much hope.

I can very well see Israel not agreeing to that, unfortunately for the remaining hostages. Realistically, Hamas don't want these prisoners because they're sad and missing them - they want them to plan more terror attacks.