Michael A Blum

1 month ago | japantimes.co.jp | Michael A Blum |Michaël GB Blum |Adel Zaanoun

Israel ordered an immediate halt to the electricity supply in the Gaza Strip on Sunday in an effort to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages, even as it prepared for fresh talks on the future of its truce with the Palestinian militants. Israel's decision comes a week after it blocked all aid supplies to the war-battered territory, a move reminiscent of the initial days of the war when Israel announced a "siege" on Gaza.

2 months ago | dailygazette.com | Michael A Blum |Michaël G.B. Blum |Bashar TALEB

An Israeli group campaigning for the release of hostages described the deaths of three members of the Bibas family as "heart-shattering" Wednesday as Hamas prepared to hand over their bodies. "We received the heart-shattering news that Shiri Bibas, her children Ariel and Kfir, and Oded Lifshitz are no longer with us," the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement.

2 months ago | gjsentinel.com | Michael A Blum |Michaël GB Blum |Bashar TALEB

An Israeli group campaigning for the release of hostages described the deaths of three members of the Bibas family as "heart-shattering" Wednesday as Hamas prepared to hand over their bodies. "We received the heart-shattering news that Shiri Bibas, her children Ariel and Kfir, and Oded Lifshitz are no longer with us," the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement.

2 months ago | heraldpalladium.com | Michael A Blum |Michaël G.B. Blum

Palestinian militant group Hamas on Thursday handed over Israeli woman hostage Agam Berger, a soldier, as a third hostage-prisoner exchange got under way, an AFP journalist reported. Three Israelis and five Thai captives are slated for release Thursday under a ceasefire deal aimed at ending the Gaza war. kAmq6C86C[ 5C6DD65 :? >:=:E2CJ 72E:8F6D[ H2D A2C2565 3J w2>2D >:=:E2?ED @? 2 DE286 :? y232=:2 :? E96 ?@CE96C?

2 months ago | annistonstar.com | Michael A Blum |Michaël G.B. Blum

By Michael BLUM Israel and Hamas were set to carry out their third hostage-prisoner exchange on Thursday, with three Israelis and five Thai captives slated for release as part of a ceasefire deal aimed at ending the Gaza war. A fourth exchange is scheduled for the weekend, but Hamas accused Israel on Wednesday of jeopardising the deal by holding up aid deliveries, an allegation Israel dismissed as "fake news".