KIRYAT GAT, ISRAEL – After more than a year and four months in captivity in Gaza, some freed hostages are sharing tales of horror as well as testimonies of how they stayed alive. Less than two weeks after his release from Hamas captivity, Israeli-American, Sagui Dekel-Chen recorded a song, "Keren Shemesh", which is Hebrew for “sunbeam” or “ray of sunshine.”
President Donald Trump has indicated that Iran may agree to direct talks on its nuclear program. Talk about potential negotiations is taking place while the U.S. wages a massive air campaign against the Houthis, one of Iran's main proxies in the region.
![British runner Yoel Levy, dressed as Batman, at a press event at the Tower of David ahead of the 2025 Jerusalem "Winner" Marathon. Photo Credit: Sharon Altshul.](https://cmsedit.cbn.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_xl_640x480/public/media/standard/images/batmanjerusalemmarathon_si.jpg?itok=QEeXzJtn "British runner Yoel Levy, dressed as Batman, at a press event at the Tower of David ahead of the 2025 Jerusalem "Winner" Marathon. Photo Credit: Sharon Altshul.")
More than 45,000 runners will participate in the 14th International Jerusalem “Winner” Marathon on Friday, April 4th. Runners from 50 countries, including the U.S., Australia, Argentina, South Africa, and for the first time, the Philippines, are expected to take part.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began a state visit to Hungary today. The visit comes as he promised a major change in the war against Hamas in Gaza.
In November, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed Yechiel Leiter as Israel’s ambassador to the United States. The ordained rabbi is said to embody Israel’s faith, resilience, and dedication.
After the release of 33 hostages held in Gaza, stories of their time in captivity filled with both horror as well as hope and relief are emerging. While they face a time of recovery and readjustment, their families are more than thankful to have them back. After 498 days in Gaza, former hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen gained his release from Hamas captors. His father, Jonathan Dekel-Chen, tells CBN News it was like a rebirth.
Threats are flying throughout the Middle East and from Iran's capital as Israel continues to try to negotiate another ceasefire deal with Hamas. Iran has toughened its already belligerent rhetoric and is threatening U.S. forces in the region.
President Donald Trump warned Iran that if the Tehran regime doesn’t negotiate, things will go very badly. Trump’s warning is the latest signal that military action by Israel and the U.S. may be the next major event in the Middle East.
Azerbaijan, a Shia Muslim nation bordering Iran, maintains strong ties with Israel, sharing intelligence, energy deals, and military cooperation—positioning itself as a strategic partner and key player in the region.
The Trump administration’s examination of America’s major foreign aid organization made headlines for exposing billions of dollars in questionable spending. One key discovery is that it sent funds to the Hamas terror group, even after the massacre, kidnappings, and sexual torture of October 7, 2023.