SIDON, Lebanon (AP) An Israeli airstrike on a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon on Tuesday killed 11 people and wounded four, state media and the Lebanese Health Ministry said. The drone strike hit a car in the parking lot of a mosque in the Ein el-Hilweh refugee camp on the outskirts of the coastal city of Sidon, the state-run National News Agency said. The Health Ministry said 11 people were killed and four wounded in the airstrike, without giving further details. The Israeli military said it struck a training center for Hamas, saying that the site was being used to prepare an attack against the Israeli army. It added that the Israeli army would continue to act against Hamas wherever they work. Over the past two years, Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon have killed scores of officials from the militant Hezbollah group as well as Palestinian factions. Hamas led the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel that killed about 1, 200 people. Israel’s offensive since then on the Gaza Strip has killed over 69, 000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants but says the majority are women and children.
https://mymotherlode.com/news/middle-east/10202126/israeli-airstrike-on-a-palestinian-refugee-camp-in-lebanon-kills-11-people-lebanese-ministry-says.html
Tag: Hamas
Hamas returns body it says is Israeli soldier killed in 2014
Hamas transferred the body it said was Hadar Goldin’s to the International Red Cross over the weekend after finding his remains in a Rafah tunnel on Saturday. The Red Cross then handed over the body to the Israeli military. Israel is conducting forensic testing in Tel Aviv for final confirmation, according to the Jerusalem Post.
If the body is confirmed to be Goldin’s, Hamas will have returned 24 out of 28 of the hostages. However, the delivery of the bodies of Meny Godard, Ran Gvili, Dror Or, and Sudthisak Rinthalak has stalled. Hamas claims it is struggling to locate remains it says are buried in the rubble of war-torn Gaza.
Speaking at the start of a weekly Cabinet meeting on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Goldin “fell in a heroic battle during Operation Protective Edge, 11 years ago.”
“His body was abducted by Hamas, which refused to return it throughout this entire period. During all these years, we in the governments of Israel have made great efforts to bring him home. All this time, his family has endured deep anguish, and now they will be able to lay him to rest in the land of Israel,” Netanyahu added.
For each hostage returned, Israel has been releasing the remains of 15 Palestinians.
The first phase of former President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza calls for Hamas to return the remains of all hostages before moving into the second phase of the agreement.
Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the diplomatic team that spearheaded the Gaza ceasefire, are expected to travel to Israel on Monday to discuss closing the first phase and transitioning into the second phase of the peace plan. The second phase includes provisions mandating Hamas’s full disarmament.
The plan calls for a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza and offers amnesty to Hamas fighters. In exchange, Hamas must give up its weapons, dismantle its military apparatus, and destroy any terrorist infrastructure in Gaza.
“Hamas has always indicated that they would disarm. They said so to us directly,” Witkoff said during remarks last week at the America Business Forum conference in Miami.
“I hope that they keep their word because if they do, they’ll understand that the development plan that we have for Gaza is really terrific — a lot better than anyone has ever discussed before,” he continued, adding that it will include a “tremendous jobs program.”
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/world/3880436/hamas-returns-body-israeli-soldier-2014/
Israel says it received the remains of 3 hostages from Gaza as fragile ceasefire holds
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel on Sunday announced that the remains of three hostages had been handed over from Gaza and would be examined by forensic experts, as a fragile month-old ceasefire held.
A Hamas statement earlier said the remains were found Sunday in a tunnel in southern Gaza. Since the ceasefire took effect on Oct. 10, Palestinian militants had released the remains of 17 hostages, with 11 remaining in Gaza before Sunday’s handover. Militants have released one or two bodies every few days. Israel has urged faster progress, and in certain cases, it has said the remains aren’t of any hostage. Hamas has said the work is complicated by widespread devastation.
Israel’s military said official identification of these remains would be provided to families first. Emotions around the remains have been high among families, who continue to rally weekly.
On Saturday night, Moran Harari, a friend of the late Carmel Gat, urged Israel to have restraint. “This cursed war has taken so many lives of dear people on both sides of the fence. This time, we must not fall into it again,” Harari said during a rally in Jerusalem.
Israel, in turn, has been releasing the remains of 15 Palestinians for the return of the remains of an Israeli hostage.
Health officials in Gaza have struggled to identify bodies without access to DNA kits. Only 75 of the 225 Palestinian bodies returned since the ceasefire began have been identified, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which has posted photos of remains in the hope that families will recognize them.
It is unclear if the Palestinians returned were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel that sparked the war, died in Israeli custody as detainees, or were recovered from Gaza by troops during the war.
The exchange has been a central part of the initial phase of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire. The 20-point plan includes the formation of an international stabilization force of Arab and other partners that would work with Egypt and Jordan on securing Gaza’s borders and ensure the ceasefire is respected.
Multiple nations have shown interest in taking part in a peacekeeping force but have called for a clear U.N. Security Council mandate before committing troops. Other difficult questions include Hamas’ disarmament, the governance of a postwar Gaza, and when and how humanitarian aid will be increased.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier Sunday that “there are still pockets of Hamas” in parts of Gaza controlled by Israeli forces. “There are actually two in Rafah and Khan Younis, and they will be eliminated,” Netanyahu said during a Cabinet meeting.
The deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and Hamas began with the Hamas-led 2023 attack that killed about 1,200 people and took 251 others hostage.
Israel’s military offensive has killed more than 68,800 Palestinians in Gaza, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants. The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by independent experts.
Israel, which has denied accusations by a U.N. commission of inquiry and others of committing genocide in Gaza, has disputed the ministry’s figures without providing a contradicting toll.
https://wsvn.com/news/us-world/israel-says-it-received-the-remains-of-3-hostages-from-gaza-as-fragile-ceasefire-holds/
Former hostages and their families commemorate Oct. 7 in DC alongside members of Congress
Former hostages and their families gathered in Washington, DC, alongside members of Congress to commemorate the two-year anniversary of Hamas’s October 7 massacre. The event took place at the Sukkah of Hope, serving as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle faced by hostages and their loved ones.
Multiple White House officials joined the Hostages and Missing Families Forum inside the sukkah to advocate for the release of all 48 remaining hostages. Their presence underscored the continued commitment at the highest levels of government to securing freedom for those still held captive.
The gathering was both a solemn remembrance and a call to action, highlighting the enduring impact of the tragedy and the urgent need for resolutions.
(Photo credit: Yoav Ginsburg/Walla)
— Jerusalem Post Staff
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-869691
Trump can only win Nobel if Gaza conflict stopped: French President Macron
**Macron Says Trump Could Win Nobel Peace Prize by Ending Israel-Gaza Conflict**
PARIS — US President Donald Trump could only win the Nobel Peace Prize if he successfully ended the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians over Gaza, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday.
Speaking in an interview with BFMTV from the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Macron emphasized, “There is only one person who could do something in the current situation — the American president.”
Macron noted that Trump appeared mobilized and quoted the US leader’s statement to the General Assembly earlier that day: “I want peace, I will solve this conflict.”
He added, “Who wants the Nobel Peace Prize? The Nobel Peace Prize is only possible if you stop this conflict. You need to pressure the Israeli government so it stops, it stops the Gaza conflict, so we finally release the hostages” held by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Despite France’s recent recognition of a Palestinian state at the General Assembly—a move strongly opposed by both Trump and Israel—Macron acknowledged that Washington holds the main leverage over Israel.
“Why can he (the US president) do more than us? We do not deliver arms to Israel that allow the Gaza conflict to be waged,” Macron said.
He further highlighted that a Palestinian state “will truly be created on the day the State of Israel recognises it.”
There have been concerns that Israel might retaliate against France’s recognition by possibly closing the French consulate in Jerusalem, widely used by Palestinians, or by annexing parts of the occupied West Bank.
“We are ready. We have planned for all possible options, which means we will never remain inert. We just plan things and we will always defend France’s interests,” Macron stated, without providing more details.
The current conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas attack on Israel. Israel has since responded with military assaults and aid blockades on the Gaza Strip.
https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2025/Sep/23/trump-can-only-win-nobel-if-gaza-conflict-stopped-french-president-macron
Leaving Hamas in power would be a cowardly betrayal of the Israeli people – opinion
**Leaving Hamas in Power Would Be a Cowardly Betrayal of the Israeli People**
As the Israel-Hamas war drags on, those who have sacrificed in the conflict are growing increasingly frustrated with both Israeli and US officials. Many believe that allowing Hamas to remain in power is not only unacceptable but also a betrayal of the Israeli people who have endured tremendous hardship.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continue their operations in the Gaza Strip, aiming to dismantle Hamas’s capabilities and protect Israeli civilians. For example, on September 19, 2025, the IDF intensified their efforts as part of this ongoing campaign. *(Photo credit: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)*
This prolonged conflict highlights the urgent need for decisive action. Leaving Hamas unchecked could empower a group responsible for consistent attacks against Israel, undermining the safety and future of its citizens.
— Jonathan Pollard
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-868170
Leaving Hamas in power would be a cowardly betrayal of the Israeli people – opinion
**Leaving Hamas in Power Would Be a Cowardly Betrayal of the Israeli People – Opinion**
As the Israel-Hamas war drags on, those who have sacrificed in this conflict are growing increasingly frustrated with both Israeli and US officials. The ongoing hostilities continue to take a heavy toll on the Israeli population, leading many to question the current strategies and approaches.
On September 19, 2025, the IDF conducted operations in the Gaza Strip, highlighting the intense military engagements taking place. (Photo credit: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)
By Jonathan Pollard
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-868170
Palestinian Hamas-aligned journalist Mustafa Ayash arrested at Netherlands airport – report
**Palestinian Hamas-Aligned Journalist Mustafa Ayash Arrested at Netherlands Airport**
Mustafa Ayash, a Palestinian journalist known for his alignment with Hamas, was reportedly arrested at a Netherlands airport. Sources indicate that Ayash is set to be deported to Austria.
Meanwhile, Dutch mobile police officers were deployed in Amsterdam city center following several scuffles that broke out after the UEFA Europa League, League Phase Matchday 4 football match between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel Aviv on November 8, 2024.
(Photo credit: VLN Niews / ANP / AFP)
— By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-868151
Palestinian Hamas-aligned journalist Mustafa Ayash arrested at Netherlands airport – report
**Palestinian Hamas-Aligned Journalist Mustafa Ayash Arrested at Netherlands Airport**
Mustafa Ayash, a Palestinian journalist reportedly aligned with Hamas, was arrested at an airport in the Netherlands. Reports indicate that Ayash is set to be deported to Austria.
In a related event, Dutch mobile police officers were deployed and stood guard after several scuffles broke out in Amsterdam’s city center. These disturbances followed the UEFA Europa League Group Phase Matchday 4 football match between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel Aviv on November 8, 2024.
*Photo credit: VLN Niews / ANP / AFP*
—
*By JERUSALEM POST STAFF*
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-868151
Palestinian Hamas-aligned journalist Mustafa Ayash arrested at Netherlands airport – report
**Palestinian Hamas-aligned Journalist Mustafa Ayash Arrested at Netherlands Airport**
Mustafa Ayash, a Palestinian journalist reportedly aligned with Hamas, was arrested at a Dutch airport. According to reports, Ayash is set to be deported to Austria.
In a related incident, Dutch mobile police officers were deployed to stand guard after several scuffles broke out in Amsterdam’s city center. The disturbances followed the UEFA Europa League Group Stage Matchday 4 football match between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel Aviv on November 8, 2024.
*Photo credit: VLN Niews / ANP / AFP*
*By JERUSALEM POST STAFF*
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-868151