Mark Weiss

Jan 24, 2025 | irishtimes.com | Mark Weiss

Palestinian militant group Hamas on Friday announced the names of four Israeli women soldiers to be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in the second swap under the ceasefire deal in Gaza. Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag would be released on Saturday, the group said.

Jan 22, 2025 | irishtimes.com | Mark Weiss

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief-of-staff Herzi Halevi said he was stepping down on Tuesday in an announcement that was widely expected. “The IDF under my command failed in its mission to protect Israel’s citizens,” he said, referring to the Hamas-led attack on October 7th, 2023. “The responsibility for this terrible failure stays with me every day, every hour, and will remain with me for the rest of my life.”In fact he jumped before he was pushed.

Jan 21, 2025 | irishtimes.com | Mark Weiss

At least eight Palestinians were killed and 35 injured as Israeli security forces began a large operation on Tuesday in the northern West Bank city of Jenin and the adjoining refugee camp. The ground manoeuvre was preceded by drone strikes on what the Israeli army described as militant positions in an operation it said would continue “as long as necessary”. Local residents said the Israeli forces were “completely besieging” the Jenin camp and that armoured bulldozers had dug up several streets.

Jan 19, 2025 | irishtimes.com | Mark Weiss

Day one of the ceasefire and – after a delayed start – the pieces fell into place. Early in the day, the first displaced residents of Gaza began returning to their homes, many witnessing entire neighbourhoods reduced to rubble. Then, on Sunday evening, three Israeli women hostages returned home after 471 days in Hamas captivity. A short time later, Palestinians prisoners were bussed from Israeli prisons to West Bank crossing points and to Palestinian neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem.

Jan 19, 2025 | irishtimes.com | Mark Weiss

There’s hardly a family in Israel who doesn’t know at least one of the hostages. For most it’s not a direct close family link but it could be a work colleague whose cousin is a hostage, or a neighbour whose daughter is best friends with one of the hostages. Many families have links to more than one of those in captivity.