Mother of American hostage ‘shaken’ after Hamas releases video of him in captivity

In a chilling revelation, the mother of a captive American was left distraught as Hamas released a video depicting her son in the clutches of his captors. The footage, a stark reminder of the unrelenting hold captivity can have on loved ones, sent shockwaves through the family, stirring mixed emotions of hope and trepidation.

Lebanese and Israelis begin returning home as ceasefire holds

As the dust settles on a week of the conflict that had pushed this region to the brink of war, Lebanese and Israelis cautiously returned home as a fragile ceasefire held. Smoke from the outgoing Israeli artillery could still be seen billowing in the distance, but residents holding white flags or waving olive branches began to make their way back to their shattered communities, hoping to start rebuilding their lives.

As fragile Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire takes hold, what’s next for Gaza?

In the wake of the precarious ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Gaza remains a simmering crucible of tensions. The devastated enclave, already reeling under a punitive Israeli blockade, faces an uncertain future. As the dust settles, world leaders and regional powers ponder the next steps in this volatile conflict. Will Israel, emboldened by its military prowess, push for further concessions? Will Hezbollah, eager to protect its interests, seek retribution? And what role will international diplomacy play in forging a lasting peace? As the Gaza Strip holds its breath, the fate of this beleaguered region hangs in the balance.

How the Trump administration and congressional Republicans may crack down on pro-Palestinian protesters

As tensions flare between Israel and Palestine, the Trump administration and congressional Republicans may take aim at pro-Palestinian protesters in the U.S. The potential crackdown would mark a departure from past crackdowns on anti-Israel protesters, as it would target expressions of support for Palestinians in the occupied territories. Critics of the move say it would restrict free speech rights, while proponents argue that it is necessary to prevent incitement to violence and terrorism. The outcome of the debate could have significant implications for how the U.S. approaches the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.