Released captives reveal that Hamas subjected all "younger" hostages to more aggressive treatment, with many enduring violent interrogations and severe torture aimed at extracting information about their military backgrounds.
An Israeli Navy submarine arrived in The Gulf of Eilat early this morning (Sunday) following a long voyage from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea. This marks the first time a submarine has openly entered the gulf since the outbreak of the Swords of Iron War, and the threat by Houthi rebels to target any Israeli vessel navigating the Red Sea.
Sacred journey turns dangerous as Israeli worshippers cross Lebanon border.
Outpour of emotions after released captives Alexandre Troufanov, Iair Horn and Sagui Dekel Chen return to Israel, reunite with family.
Sagui meets his daughter for the first time: 'My heart aches for all that he missed, but now he is here.' Sasha was informed of his father's murder on October 7: 'A day of great joy turned into a day of deep mourning for his beloved father.' The family of Iair Horn continues to wait for his brother’s return: 'We just need Eitan back so our family can truly breathe again.'
Alexandre Sasha Troufanov, Sagui Dekel Chen, and Iair Horn are on their way home as part of the hostage deal.
Ruth Strum, the brothers' mother, shared: "From the beginning, I've held onto hope and known my sons will return home. That's my feeling – I know they're alive."
A notable figure among those scheduled for release is Ahmad Barghouti, a life-term prisoner who previously served as an assistant to Marwan Barghouti, who continues to serve his sentence in Israeli custody.
"When the war intensified, the terorrists treated me even worse than ususal – they kicked me, spat on me, and held me with no water, no light, and no air to breathe," Israeli-American Keith Seigel, who was released after 484 days said.
After tense week of negotiations, Hamas confirms the names of the hostages to be released Saturday.
