The White House has confirmed it is holding direct negotiations with Hamas to secure the release of American hostages. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is increasing pressure on Hamas and the people of Gaza, warning that if hostages are not released, there will be dire consequences.
A major shift in Middle East diplomacy is underway as Arab leaders push a new proposal for Gaza that Israel rejects outright. Meanwhile, disturbing new details have emerged about a hostage still in captivity.
A liberal education used to be about the exploration of ideas by teachers and students coming from different perspectives. According to Jerusalem Post columnist and author Gil Troy, that approach has been replaced by more dogmatic thinking.
After the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement expired on Saturday, Israel is looking to extend the deal, but Hamas refuses to consider it, insisting that Israel pull out of Gaza and end the war. Now, Israeli leaders are giving an ultimatum, warning of severe consequences if hostages aren't released by next weekend.
Jew-hatred exploded globally after October 7th, especially on college campuses. A recent poll of Jewish college students found that 83 percent have experienced or witnessed some form of antisemitism since October 7th.
Israel has halted humanitarian aid into Gaza, citing Hamas' diversion of supplies for military use. This move comes as Hamas continues to reject a U.S.-backed ceasefire plan that would have freed hostages in two phases.
For now, some of the 60,000 residents of northern Israel are returning to their homes they evacuated when the Iranian-backed Hezbollah attacked on the day after the October 7th Hamas massacre in 2023.
Young Jewish-American comedian Zach Sage could have had a more conventional Hollywood career. He features several Disney films and television projects on his resume and was a YouTube pioneer. Yet, his concern about rampant global antisemitism fueled by the war in Gaza took him to the West Bank, to the Palestinian city of Ramallah.
For Israelis, this will be the first weekend in six weeks that Hamas-held hostages, living or dead, will likely not be freed. Both the U.S. and Israel are sending top negotiators to Cairo to work out an agreement for the return of the remaining hostages.
Musician Georgian Banov and his wife Winnie have ministered to people in difficult circumstances for decades. Through their ministry, Global Celebration, they travel to garbage dumps, refugee camps, and war-torn areas, essentially to throw a party.