Hamas terrorists stand guard as people gather ahead of the handover of hostages who had been held in Gaza since the deadly October 7 2023 attack, to members of the International Committee of the Red Cross, January 30, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Hatem Khaled)

Hussein Fayyad Abu Hamza, a commander in Hamas’ military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, was filmed by NBC News as he walked around Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza, greeting civilians. Israel previously claimed he had been killed in fighting after the Hamas attacks of Oct.

The fragility of the truce between Israel and Hamas was laid bare on Saturday, after Israel accused Hamas of withholding a hostage, prompting a halt in the movement of Gazan civilians back to their homes in the north.

An agreement has been reached between Israel and Hamas that involves the release of additional hostages and the return of Palestinians to the northern part of the Gaza Strip.

The ceasefire agreement between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah is in new jeopardy Sunday as various groups slow walk responsibilities under the deal.

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order promising “immediate action” from federal law enforcement against noncitizen college students and others in the United States who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations during Israel’s war in Gaza.

Eight more hostages were freed by Hamas-led militants on Thursday in a sometimes chaotic process that briefly delayed the release of 110 Palestinian prisoners by Israel and underscored the fragility of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip that began earlier this month.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a potentially disastrous showdown within the next month that could shake his hold on power, unless he manages to deter the strongly held positions of the foreign and domestic politicians and political forces on which he is dependent.

Zubeidi, 49, is one of the most high-profile of 110 prisoners, including 30 minors, to be freed in exchange for three Israelis, the Palestinian Prisoners' Club advocacy group said.

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas freed eight hostages on Thursday as part of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, but the chaotic handover of some of the captives, who were shuttled through a rowdy crowd of thousands by masked militants, drew an angry protest from Israel.