Or Levy, a 34-year-old Israeli man, emerged from Hamas captivity after 491 days, bearing the physical and emotional scars of his ordeal, which included being held underground and surviving on minimal food. Upon his release, he learned that his wife had been killed in the October 7th attacks, adding to the complex emotions of reuniting with his son, Almog. Levy found solace and strength in a mantra, “He who has a ‘why’ can bear any ‘how’,” that he shared with his fellow hostage, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, and now dedicates his life to Almog. Despite the joy of being with his son, Levy remains haunted by the hostages still held in Gaza and hopes for a deal that will bring them home.
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The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit reported that on June 19, 2025, the IDF and ISA eliminated Hamas terrorist Muhammad Nasr Ali Quneita in Gaza City. Quneita, a member of Hamas’ military intelligence, had infiltrated Israel during the October 7th massacre. During this attack, he held Emily Damari hostage in his home after she was kidnapped from Kfar Aza. The IDF and ISA are committed to continuing operations against terrorists involved in the October 7th attacks.
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The UK Home Office has rejected Hamas’s application to be removed from the list of banned terrorist organizations. This decision follows a legal challenge launched by Riverway Law, which argued the ban hinders peace efforts and violates human rights. The Home Office stated that Hamas remains a proscribed organization, making it illegal to be a member, display symbols, or support the group within the UK. Hamas can appeal this decision, but the process has historically seen few successes, with only a handful of groups delisted since 2000.
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An Israeli strike in Deir Al Balah, Gaza, resulted in the deaths of 15 people, including women and children, who were gathered outside a health center. The Israeli military stated it was targeting a Hamas militant involved in the October 7 attacks, while also acknowledging reports of injuries and stating the incident is under review. Medical staff and aid organizations, including Project HOPE, reported the clinic’s location had been shared with the Israeli military. Despite a partial lifting of the blockade, access to aid and medicine remains limited, with health officials reporting widespread suffering in Gaza.
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The Dinah Project, an all-women group of Israeli legal and gender experts, asserts in a new report that Hamas employed sexual violence as a deliberate component of its genocidal strategy during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. This conclusion is drawn from evidence including survivor testimonies and accounts from former hostages, detailing instances of attempted rape, sexual assault, and sexualized torture. The report aims to establish a legal framework for prosecuting these crimes, even where direct perpetrator identification is challenging, and comes amid previous findings by a UN mission indicating conflict-related sexual violence occurred during the attacks. The findings reflect a coordinated strategy to terrorize and dehumanize Israeli society.
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A senior Hamas security officer has revealed that the group has lost approximately 80% of its control over the Gaza Strip due to relentless Israeli strikes. According to the officer, the command and control system has been decimated, leading to a near-total collapse of security and the emergence of armed clans filling the power vacuum. The officer described the security situation as “zero,” with widespread looting and a lack of leadership, communication, and delayed salaries. This has paved the way for powerful local clans, such as the one led by Yasser Abu Shabab, to gain influence, potentially challenging Hamas’s remaining authority.
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The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed it killed a Hamas commander, Ramzi Ramadan Abd Ali Saleh, in a strike on a Gaza City cafe, also killing other Hamas members. The IDF stated Saleh was involved in planning maritime attacks and claimed to have taken steps to minimize civilian casualties. However, the attack on the al-Baqa cafe resulted in the deaths of dozens of civilians, including women, children, and artists, according to reports, raising questions about proportionality. The IDF is reviewing the “incident” while indirect ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas continue.
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The U.S.-led Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has announced the resumption of aid shipments to Gaza, marking the first such deliveries since the initiative’s inception. These shipments, containing essential supplies, were temporarily halted due to unforeseen logistical challenges. The GHF is working diligently to address these issues and ensure the consistent and efficient delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need within the Gaza region. This renewed commitment aims to alleviate suffering and support the ongoing relief efforts.
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Saudi Arabia is reportedly making the complete removal of Hamas from Gaza a prerequisite for normalizing relations with Israel, according to a source close to the royal court. This stance indicates that ending the current war before Hamas is fully defeated could hinder normalization efforts and potentially impact the expansion of the Abraham Accords. The Saudi government reportedly envisions the Palestinian Authority resuming control of Gaza after Hamas’s removal. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next week, has expressed a desire for a ceasefire and the return of hostages, signaling a potential shift in the dynamics of the conflict.
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Former President Donald Trump has stated his hope that Hamas accepts the proposed 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, implying that the terms of the deal are favorable and unlikely to improve. He urged Hamas to take the deal, warning that the situation would only deteriorate for the group if they declined. This statement comes amidst ongoing discussions and negotiations regarding the conflict in the Middle East.
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John Q. Hosedrinker