Hamas reportedly agrees to release five living Israeli hostages for ceasefire

Hamas reportedly agrees to release five living Israeli hostages for ceasefire

 

Hamas is said to have agreed to free five living Israeli captives in return for a ceasefire lasting 50 days, following the release of a video showing a hostage pleading for his release.

According to reports, Khalil al-Hayya, the leader of Hamas, stated on Saturday that the group showed readiness to release the five hostages during the Muslim celebration of Eid al-Fitr, starting on Sunday. This decision came after a proposal was received from Egypt and Qatar two days prior.

"Two days ago, a proposal was presented to us by the mediators from Egypt and Qatar. We viewed it positively and agreed to it," Khalil al-Hayya said during a televised address.

“We hope that the [Israeli] occupation will not sabotage [this agreement]," stated Hayya, who heads Hamas's negotiating team in the ongoing indirect discussions to secure a ceasefire in the ongoing Hamas-Israel conflict in Gaza that began in October 2023.

Following "a series of discussions regarding the proposal received from the mediators," Benjamin Netanyahu's office remarked that Israel has submitted a counter-proposal in complete alignment with the United States.

The Netanyahu administration demands the release of 10 of the 24 hostages believed to be alive in Gaza, as stated by media sources citing Israeli officials. Among the 251 individuals taken during Hamas’s assault on Israel in 2023, 58 are still held in Gaza, with 34 identified by the Israeli military as deceased. It is reported that Hamas is willing to return their bodies.

In return, Israel is expected to free hundreds of Palestinian inmates.

Khalil emphasized that Hamas's armaments are a "red line" and stated that disarmament will not occur while Israel maintains military control over Gaza.

Israel is not taking part in the ceasefire treaty negotiations currently happening in Doha among Egypt, Qatar, and Hamas, despite rising attempts to finalize a deal before Eid al-Fitr.

This update comes three days after security sources indicated to Reuters that Egypt had received encouraging signs from Israel regarding a new ceasefire proposition that would incorporate a transitional phase.

Last week, Israel resumed military actions in Gaza, disrupting the ceasefire with Hamas. The Palestinian health ministry reported that the renewed assault has resulted in 921 fatalities.

On Saturday, Hamas's military branch released a video showing an Israeli hostage in Gaza urging the government to facilitate his freedom, marking the second such video shared by the group in recent days.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum identified the individual as Elkana Bohbot, who was taken from the location of a music festival in southern Israel during Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023, an event that sparked the conflict.

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March 30, 2025 at 08:41AM

Over 1,600 Dead, 3,400 Injured: Myanmar-Thailand Quakes Flatten Buildings

Over 1,600 Dead, 3,400 Injured: Myanmar-Thailand Quakes Flatten Buildings

 

                                                            Rescue Effort in Mayanmar

A powerful earthquake hit Myanmar and regions of adjacent Thailand, resulting in widespread devastation and an increasing number of fatalities. As of Saturday evening, the death toll in both Myanmar and Thailand surpassed 1,600, with Myanmar alone accounting for 1,644 fatalities.

Here are ten key details regarding this significant event:

The earthquake, registering a magnitude of 7.7, struck northwest of Sagaing, Myanmar, at 12:50 pm (0650 GMT) on Friday, occurring at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. Shortly after, a 6.7-magnitude aftershock and several smaller quakes followed.

The tremors were felt throughout the surrounding area, impacting buildings from India in the west to China in the east, along with Cambodia and Laos. This morning, Myanmar's military junta announced that the number of deceased in the country had exceeded 1,000.

Ongoing civil conflict in Myanmar, which was ignited by the military's takeover, has significantly hampered emergency response efforts, leaving them unprepared for such a large-scale disaster.

In Thailand, the earthquake resulted in the death of 10 individuals, mainly due to the collapse of a high-rise building under construction near the Chatuchak market in Bangkok. There are concerns that up to 100 workers might be trapped in the debris.

In Mandalay, Myanmar, numerous buildings crumbled into heaps of rubble and twisted metal as residents and emergency responders rushed to rescue individuals trapped beneath the wreckage. The Ava Bridge, an almost 100-year-old structure that spanned the Irrawaddy River from Sagaing, fell into the water.

The destruction in Myanmar led to an unusual plea for international assistance from the isolated military government. Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing sought support from "any country, any organization."

India was among the first nations to offer help, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing concern and willingness to provide support. "Worried about the situation following the earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. Wishing for the safety and health of all. India is prepared to extend any possible aid. In this context, I instructed our personnel to be ready. I also requested the MEA to stay in contact with the governments of Myanmar and Thailand," PM Modi stated on Friday.

The Indian Air Force sent 15 tonnes of relief materials, comprising tents, blankets, water purifiers, and vital medications, from its Hindon air base to support Myanmar. Under 'Operation Brahma', India is also dispatching a team of 80 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) members to help with relief and rescue operations in Myanmar.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra of Thailand convened an emergency meeting to evaluate the effects of the earthquake. The Indian embassy in Thailand reported no injuries among Indian citizens but urged caution.

The European Union and the United States also committed to providing assistance. US President Donald Trump confirmed that Washington had been in communication with the authorities in Myanmar. "It's really serious, and we will be providing help," he told the press.

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March 30, 2025 at 08:30AM

Who is Faye Hall, an American citizen freed by the Taliban in Afghanistan?

 

Who is Faye Hall, an American citizen freed by the Taliban in Afghanistan?

Faye Hall expressed her gratitude to President Trump for her liberation and mentioned that she had voted for him on two occasions. 

Faye Hall, a U.S. citizen who was held by the Taliban in Afghanistan earlier this year, has been freed and returned to the United States in what is seen as a new diplomatic achievement for the country. 

Who is Faye Hall 

Faye Hall is an American who was captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan on February 1, alongside a British couple and their Afghan interpreter while they were visiting Bamiyan province in the center of the country.

The Taliban's interior ministry described Faye Hall as Chinese-American. Although the specific reason for her detention was unclear, a CNN report indicated that she was arrested for allegedly flying a drone without permission.

Alongside Hall, a British couple named Peter and Barbie Reynolds, both in their 70s, and their interpreter were also taken into custody while they were en route to the couple’s residence in central Bamiyan province. According to a report from the BBC, the couple had been conducting training sessions for women and girls in Afghanistan for several years and chose to remain there despite the Taliban's takeover. There have been no updates regarding their release.

Following her freedom, Faye Hall thanked President Trump via a video message that was released by the White House. In the video, she mentioned that she voted for him twice.

“I’m so happy you’re in office. It’s a new era. Given this situation, I’m glad you’re the President, and thank you for bringing me home. I’ve never been prouder to be an American citizen,” she is heard stating in the video.

Hamas reportedly agrees to release five living Israeli hostages for ceasefire

 

Hamas is said to have agreed to free five living Israeli captives in return for a ceasefire lasting 50 days, following the release of a video showing a hostage pleading for his release.

According to reports, Khalil al-Hayya, the leader of Hamas, stated on Saturday that the group showed readiness to release the five hostages during the Muslim celebration of Eid al-Fitr, starting on Sunday. This decision came after a proposal was received from Egypt and Qatar two days prior.

"Two days ago, a proposal was presented to us by the mediators from Egypt and Qatar. We viewed it positively and agreed to it," Khalil al-Hayya said during a televised address.

“We hope that the [Israeli] occupation will not sabotage [this agreement]," stated Hayya, who heads Hamas's negotiating team in the ongoing indirect discussions to secure a ceasefire in the ongoing Hamas-Israel conflict in Gaza that began in October 2023.

Following "a series of discussions regarding the proposal received from the mediators," Benjamin Netanyahu's office remarked that Israel has submitted a counter-proposal in complete alignment with the United States.

The Netanyahu administration demands the release of 10 of the 24 hostages believed to be alive in Gaza, as stated by media sources citing Israeli officials. Among the 251 individuals taken during Hamas’s assault on Israel in 2023, 58 are still held in Gaza, with 34 identified by the Israeli military as deceased. It is reported that Hamas is willing to return their bodies.

In return, Israel is expected to free hundreds of Palestinian inmates.

Khalil emphasized that Hamas's armaments are a "red line" and stated that disarmament will not occur while Israel maintains military control over Gaza.

Israel is not taking part in the ceasefire treaty negotiations currently happening in Doha among Egypt, Qatar, and Hamas, despite rising attempts to finalize a deal before Eid al-Fitr.

This update comes three days after security sources indicated to Reuters that Egypt had received encouraging signs from Israel regarding a new ceasefire proposition that would incorporate a transitional phase.

Last week, Israel resumed military actions in Gaza, disrupting the ceasefire with Hamas. The Palestinian health ministry reported that the renewed assault has resulted in 921 fatalities.

On Saturday, Hamas's military branch released a video showing an Israeli hostage in Gaza urging the government to facilitate his freedom, marking the second such video shared by the group in recent days.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum identified the individual as Elkana Bohbot, who was taken from the location of a music festival in southern Israel during Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023, an event that sparked the conflict.

Over 1,600 Dead, 3,400 Injured: Myanmar-Thailand Quakes Flatten Buildings

 

                                                            Rescue Effort in Mayanmar

A powerful earthquake hit Myanmar and regions of adjacent Thailand, resulting in widespread devastation and an increasing number of fatalities. As of Saturday evening, the death toll in both Myanmar and Thailand surpassed 1,600, with Myanmar alone accounting for 1,644 fatalities.

Here are ten key details regarding this significant event:

The earthquake, registering a magnitude of 7.7, struck northwest of Sagaing, Myanmar, at 12:50 pm (0650 GMT) on Friday, occurring at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. Shortly after, a 6.7-magnitude aftershock and several smaller quakes followed.

The tremors were felt throughout the surrounding area, impacting buildings from India in the west to China in the east, along with Cambodia and Laos. This morning, Myanmar's military junta announced that the number of deceased in the country had exceeded 1,000.

Ongoing civil conflict in Myanmar, which was ignited by the military's takeover, has significantly hampered emergency response efforts, leaving them unprepared for such a large-scale disaster.

In Thailand, the earthquake resulted in the death of 10 individuals, mainly due to the collapse of a high-rise building under construction near the Chatuchak market in Bangkok. There are concerns that up to 100 workers might be trapped in the debris.

In Mandalay, Myanmar, numerous buildings crumbled into heaps of rubble and twisted metal as residents and emergency responders rushed to rescue individuals trapped beneath the wreckage. The Ava Bridge, an almost 100-year-old structure that spanned the Irrawaddy River from Sagaing, fell into the water.

The destruction in Myanmar led to an unusual plea for international assistance from the isolated military government. Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing sought support from "any country, any organization."

India was among the first nations to offer help, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing concern and willingness to provide support. "Worried about the situation following the earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. Wishing for the safety and health of all. India is prepared to extend any possible aid. In this context, I instructed our personnel to be ready. I also requested the MEA to stay in contact with the governments of Myanmar and Thailand," PM Modi stated on Friday.

The Indian Air Force sent 15 tonnes of relief materials, comprising tents, blankets, water purifiers, and vital medications, from its Hindon air base to support Myanmar. Under 'Operation Brahma', India is also dispatching a team of 80 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) members to help with relief and rescue operations in Myanmar.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra of Thailand convened an emergency meeting to evaluate the effects of the earthquake. The Indian embassy in Thailand reported no injuries among Indian citizens but urged caution.

The European Union and the United States also committed to providing assistance. US President Donald Trump confirmed that Washington had been in communication with the authorities in Myanmar. "It's really serious, and we will be providing help," he told the press.

North Korea has emerged as the fourth nation to equip the Il-76 aircraft with an aerial surveillance system.

North Korea has emerged as the fourth nation to equip the Il-76 aircraft with an aerial surveillance system.

 

After Russia, China, and India, North Korea has emerged as the fourth nation to equip the Il-76 aircraft with an aerial surveillance system.

North Korea is rapidly advancing its military capabilities. Recent footage has verified that the nation possesses at least one airborne surveillance system and is also developing drones with AI technology designed for kamikaze missions.

Kim Jong Un, the leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), has showcased the country’s airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft along with its nascent AI-driven suicide drones.

The AEW&C capability allows North Korea to extend its radar reach, enabling the detection of enemy aircraft or missile threats well in advance. This advancement could hold strategic importance should tensions escalate with the United States or South Korea.

Recent announcements from North Korea’s state media indicate that Kim Jong Un has been observing the operational setup of the nation’s airborne radar system, which serves as a key enhancement for a contemporary air force.

The state media depicted the DPRK leader examining the aircraft that has not yet been officially named. In the footage, Kim Jong Un is seen exploring the internal features of the aircraft. With this development, North Korea becomes the fourth nation to operate radar systems based on the Il-76 model. Russia, the designer of the Il-76-based AWACS, manages the A-50 Mainstay, with an upgraded version known as the A-50U.

China utilizes the KJ-2000, while India has its Il-76-based ‘Netra’ AWACS system. The North Korean aerial surveillance platform bears resemblances to both the Russian A-50 Mainstay and China’s KJ-2000 Mainring.

The visuals reveal a radome situated atop the back of the fuselage. It is likely equipped with three fixed phased array radars intended to offer comprehensive 360-degree surveillance capabilities. This North Korean version appears to sport a stable triangular structure, in contrast to the rotating radomes found on other airborne radar systems.

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March 28, 2025 at 03:19PM

North Korea has emerged as the fourth nation to equip the Il-76 aircraft with an aerial surveillance system.

 

After Russia, China, and India, North Korea has emerged as the fourth nation to equip the Il-76 aircraft with an aerial surveillance system.

North Korea is rapidly advancing its military capabilities. Recent footage has verified that the nation possesses at least one airborne surveillance system and is also developing drones with AI technology designed for kamikaze missions.

Kim Jong Un, the leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), has showcased the country’s airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft along with its nascent AI-driven suicide drones.

The AEW&C capability allows North Korea to extend its radar reach, enabling the detection of enemy aircraft or missile threats well in advance. This advancement could hold strategic importance should tensions escalate with the United States or South Korea.

Recent announcements from North Korea’s state media indicate that Kim Jong Un has been observing the operational setup of the nation’s airborne radar system, which serves as a key enhancement for a contemporary air force.

The state media depicted the DPRK leader examining the aircraft that has not yet been officially named. In the footage, Kim Jong Un is seen exploring the internal features of the aircraft. With this development, North Korea becomes the fourth nation to operate radar systems based on the Il-76 model. Russia, the designer of the Il-76-based AWACS, manages the A-50 Mainstay, with an upgraded version known as the A-50U.

China utilizes the KJ-2000, while India has its Il-76-based ‘Netra’ AWACS system. The North Korean aerial surveillance platform bears resemblances to both the Russian A-50 Mainstay and China’s KJ-2000 Mainring.

The visuals reveal a radome situated atop the back of the fuselage. It is likely equipped with three fixed phased array radars intended to offer comprehensive 360-degree surveillance capabilities. This North Korean version appears to sport a stable triangular structure, in contrast to the rotating radomes found on other airborne radar systems.