What we know
- In a briefing today, a military official detailed the events that led to the mistaken killing of three Israeli hostages in Gaza by IDF soldiers. One was holding a white cloth. The hostages were identified by one soldier but a second felt threatened and opened fire, killing two immediately and injuring the third. That hostage was killed after crying for help in Hebrew.
- The news of the killings yesterday was met with outrage and grief in Israel. Thousands joined a rally today to call for a new hostage deal as Benjamin Netanyahu, in his first speech since the hostage's deaths were announced, said the incident "broke my heart, broke the entire nation's heart."
- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin embarked on a tour of the Middle East this weekend, with stops scheduled in Israel, Qatar and Bahrain. He plans to discuss the “eventual cessation of high-intensity ground operations and airstrikes” with his Israeli military counterparts, reiterating a U.S. push to end the ground hostilities.
- Austin's visit follows White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, who told Israel yesterday that the U.S. wanted to see results on avoiding civilian casualties in Gaza. In a visit to the West Bank, Sullivan said the U.S. is seeking a Palestinian-led authority to take over Gaza, with Arab countries contributing forces.
- More than 18,700 Palestinians have been killed, with 70% of them women and children, according to the territory's health officials. The vast majority of its 2.2 million people are displaced, and an estimated half face starvation amid an unfolding humanitarian crisis.
- Israeli military officials say 116 soldiers have been killed during the country's ground invasion in Gaza, which came after 1,200 people were killed and about 240 hostages were seized by Hamas on Oct. 7.
- NBC News’ Richard Engel, Raf Sanchez, Hala Gorani, Hallie Jackson and Chantal Da Silva are reporting from the region.
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Hamas demands Israel cease 'aggression' before more hostage release deals
Hamas said it would not conduct more negotiations around hostage exchanges unless Israel stopped its offensive in Gaza.
The group issued the statement on Telegram, saying its stance has been conveyed to all mediators.
“Hamas reaffirms its stance not to conduct any negotiations to exchange prisoners” until Israel stopped its assault on Palestinians, “once and for all,” the group said.
The statement comes after the mistaken killings of three Israeli hostages by the Israeli military promted renewed calls in Israel for the release of the roughly 100 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza.
Alabama Jewish group says 6 locations targeted by phone threats
The Jewish Federation of Central Alabama said six of its seven member locations were targeted by phone threats today.
Authorities using dogs that can sniff out explosives cleared three of the locations in Auburn, Montgomery and Selma, Phillip Ensler, the federation's executive director, said in a statement.
The calls were bomb threats, he said, but there have been no reports that the threats were genuine. Ensler lamented that it happened on "a day of rest and extra peace."
State Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, said his synagogue was evacuated during Shabbat services after it received one of the calls.
"This is exhausting," he said on social media platform X. "I pray for the day that we can worship and live in peace."
Thousands of people rallied in Tel Aviv today to call for the release of the remaining hostages being held by Hamas militants.
Some of the rallygoers included family members of hostages, who demanded that the Israeli government do more to bring their loved ones home.
“The Israeli families believe that the Israeli government needs to put an offer on the table today and not wait for an offer to come from Hamas, from Qatar or even from the United States,” said Ruby Chen, the father of 19-year-old Itay Chen, who was taken hostage by Hamas. “The Israeli needs to take the initiative and put an offer on the table.”
Hamas says Israel is 'gambling with the lives of its soldiers'
Hamas released a statement following the death of three hostages mistakenly killed by the Israel Defense Forces, saying Israel is "gambling with the lives of its soldiers captured by the resistance."
Hamas compared the killing to the "blatant criminal behavior" that Israel "continues to practice against its captives in Gaza" and said the incident was "deliberately" carried out.
Members of labor groups take to Manhattan streets to protest Israel's war in Gaza
Members of labor unions, including the United Auto Workers, rallied in Manhattan’s Herald Square today to protest Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza and to call for the U.S. to stop sending aid to Israel.
The group made its way down New York City's Sixth Avenue chanting and holding signs, some of which read, "END ALL U.S. AID TO ISRAEL!"
The protesters, who all appeared to be peaceful, chanted, "When people face genocide, resistance is justified," and, "Hey, hey, ho, ho, the occupation has got to go."
U.N. says there has been a communication blackout in Gaza since Thursday
There has been a communication blackout across the Gaza Strip since Thursday night, the U.N. said on X.
"Once again, Gazans find themselves completely isolated — cut off from their loved ones and from the rest of the world."
Brother of American Israeli held captive says hostage deal must be priority
TEL AVIV — Lee Siegel, 71, normally likes to keep to himself, but in the weeks since his brother was taken hostage by Hamas, he has become an activist, joining thousands of people tonight in calling on the Israeli government to do more to see those still held captive released.
Keith Siegel, 64, and his wife, Aviva Siegel, 62, were taken hostage from their home on the Kibbutz Kfar Aza together on Oct. 7. Aviva Siegel was released several weeks ago, but Keith Siegel, who is an American Israeli dual national, remains held captive.
Siegel said his sister-in-law had described harrowing conditions during her time in captivity. Held both above and below ground, she said there were times when it was “very, very difficult to breathe” while underground. Food, mainly pitas and rice, and water were at times scarce, and she lost about 22 pounds, he said. She also described hostages being “physically intimidated and hurt,” but Siegel said she didn’t elaborate.
Siegel said he wanted the Israeli government to make negotiating a hostage deal a priority. He said he believes hostages, including his brother, will only be released “when there is not violence.”
IDF announces completion of operations at Kamal Adwan Hospital where '90 terrorists were apprehended'
In a joint statement with the ISA, the IDF announced it has completed operations at the Kamal Adwan Hospital where "90 terrorists were apprehended and numerous weapons were located." According to the statement, the IDF soldiers questioned hospital workers, who they said disclosed that weapons were hidden in NICU incubators. Aside from the weapons, classified documents and tactical communications equipment were found, the IDF said.
Anger at Israeli government mounts after military admits to mistakenly killing hostages
TEL AVIV — Mounting anger at the Israeli government spilled onto the streets of Tel Aviv Saturday after it emerged that the country’s military had mistakenly killed three hostages in Gaza who “had a stick with a white cloth on it.”
In a plaza in downtown Tel Aviv known as “Hostage Square,” Raz Ben Ami, who was released from captivity late last month, told a crowd of hundreds that she had “warned” the Israeli government that military operations in Gaza were putting hostages at risk and had “unfortunately” been proven right.
Emotions were raw a day after news broke that Yotam Haim, Samer Talalka and Alon Shamriz had been killed by soldiers from their own side.
Ben Ami, whose husband, Ohad Ben Ami, remains in captivity, told the crowd that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s war Cabinet should present a proposal to free the dozens of people still held by Hamas.
Netanyahu vows to continue the war 'until the end' in first speech since 3 Israeli hostages were killed
Benjamin Netanyahu, in his first speech since it was announced that the IDF mistakenly killed three Israeli hostages in Gaza, said the incident "broke my heart. It broke the whole nation's heart" and that "we are at war for our existence."
Still, he maintained that Israel will continue its military offense on the ground in the Gaza Strip.
“The military pressure is necessary both for the return of the kidnapped and for achieving victory over our enemies," Netanyahu said.
"We are more determined than ever to continue until the end — until we eliminate Hamas, until we return all our abductees, and until we ensure that in Gaza there is no longer any factor that educates terrorism, finances terrorism, and sends terrorism," he said.
He said yesterday's news that three Israeli hostages were killed by the IDF "shocked me" and that his is haunted by the thought of “what would have happened if only something had been different.”