International
Hamas will deliver six hostages on Saturday and four bodies on Thursday, including the Bibas
The Islamist group Hamas announced on Tuesday that it will release on Saturday, February 22, the last six living hostages included in the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, and on Thursday they will hand over four lifeless bodies, including those of the Bibas family, confirmed the head of its negotiating delegation, Jalil al Haya.
Among the six hostages are the Ethiopian-Israeli Ebra Mangesto and the Bedouin Hisham al Sayed, who had been kidnapped in Gaza for a decade – 2014 and 2015 respectively -, after entering the enclave voluntarily.
Each will be exchanged for 77 Palestinian prisoners, as stipulated in the agreement, including 47 of the thousand who were released in the so-known Shalit agreement of 2011 and arrested again some time later.
In addition, Hamas will deliver four hostage bodies to Israel this Thursday, including those of Shiri Bibas, of Argentine origin, and his two children, Ariel and Kfir, two and five years old respectively. Next week, according to Al Haya, the other four remaining bodies of the first phase will be delivered.
Al Haya said that all these releases, which would put an end to the exchanges agreed in the first phase, seek to make this stage “a success” and “prepare to talk about the second phase.”
Al Haya accused the Israeli government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, of “procrastinating” and trying to evade the humanitarian part of the ceasefire agreement, such as the entry of stores and prefabricated houses.
The Islamist leader assured that Hamas continues to work together with the mediating countries (and especially Egypt and Qatar) to force Israel to allow the entry of heavy machinery to remove debris and sufficient shelters to Gaza, as contemplated in the ceasefire agreement.
The president met his government’s security cabinet yesterday to discuss how to address the second phase of the agreement, which should have already begun to be negotiated in early February, and which implies the end of the war and the release of the rest of the live hostages.
The relatives of Yardén Bibas, released on February 1 in the Gaza Strip, said they were “shocked” after Hamas’ announcement that on Thursday he will remove the lifeless bodies of his wife, Shiri Silberman, and their two children, Ariel and Kfir, captured on October 7, 2023.
“In the last few hours, we have been shocked after the announcement of the Hamas spokesman about the return of Shiri, Ariel and Kfir this Thursday as part of the release phase of the hostage bodies,” the relatives said in a message shared by the Forum of Families of Hostages and Missing Persons.
The Bibas said they are aware of the announcement, but have not yet received any official confirmation of the death of Shiri and the children. “Until we receive a final confirmation, our trip is not over,” they added.
International
Iran Rejects Negotiations With U.S. as Strait of Hormuz Remains Blocked Amid New Attack
Tensions remained high in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday after a vessel was hit by a projectile, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims that negotiations with Iran were moving forward and that the strategic maritime route could reopen as early as Tuesday.
Tehran denied that direct talks were taking place, but Trump insisted that discussions were underway and described the situation as a final opportunity for Iran to reach an agreement.
“This is the last chance they have to sign a good document,” Trump told reporters at the White House, adding that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz could happen “literally tomorrow” Tuesday.
The comments came after another escalation in rhetoric from Washington. Last week, Trump threatened Iran with military strikes before unexpectedly changing course on Sunday and announcing that negotiations with Tehran would resume.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqai rejected the U.S. president’s version of events, stating that Tehran was not holding negotiations with Washington.
“At this moment, we are not negotiating with the United States. We are negotiating with Oman to guarantee safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz,” Baqai said.
Earlier, the Iranian official said that Tehran was close to reaching an agreement with Oman, which lies across the Strait of Hormuz, to reopen the crucial waterway that plays a key role in global energy trade.
The maritime route has remained blocked by Iran since the outbreak of hostilities following U.S. and Israeli strikes against the Islamic Republic on February 28.
Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced Tuesday that they had launched an attack against an airport in Saudi Arabia. The Iran-backed group had previously disrupted the passage of Saudi vessels through the Red Sea, an alternative route used for crude exports by the world’s largest oil producer.
The continued instability in the region has raised concerns over global energy supplies, as the Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most important chokepoints for international oil shipments.
International
Lula Launches Re-Election Campaign Amid Rising Tensions With Trump
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is set to be officially nominated for re-election by his Workers’ Party (PT), marking the start of his campaign for a fourth presidential term.
The nomination takes place during the party’s national convention in São Paulo, Brazil’s economic hub, where around 3,000 supporters gathered to back the veteran leftist leader.
“Today I’m here because Lula’s policies changed my life and my family’s. Thanks to him, we finally own a home after eight generations without one,” said Cristiane Rosa Julho, a 51-year-old social worker attending the event dressed in the PT’s signature red.
Seeking the presidency for the seventh time in his political career, Lula is expected to face Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in next year’s election.
The 45-year-old senator is the son of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who has been jailed over his alleged role in an attempted coup following his defeat to Lula in the 2022 election.
The party convention opened with videos highlighting Lula’s social initiatives and speeches by four women praising his leadership, while supporters waved PT flags and held signs reading “We Want Lula as President” and “Brazil Is Not for Sale.”
The campaign begins amid growing tensions with the United States and President Donald Trump, a close ally of the Bolsonaro family who has openly backed several conservative candidates across Latin America.
Last week, Lula warned against foreign interference, declaring, “In Brazil, we do not accept anyone sticking their nose where it doesn’t belong.”
In July, the United States imposed two rounds of tariffs on Brazilian products, accusing the country of unfair trade practices. The measures followed earlier restrictions introduced in 2025, encouraged by Jair Bolsonaro’s son Eduardo Bolsonaro, in response to legal proceedings against the former president.
Lula has vowed to wage what he called a “war of truth against lies” in response to Washington’s pressure and accused Flávio Bolsonaro of undermining Brazil’s interests by allegedly helping the United States damage the country’s economy. The senator has denied the accusations.
The Brazilian president also claims Washington is attempting to influence the country’s political landscape in an effort to prevent his re-election.
International
Truck bomb attack near police station in Colombia leaves 14 injured ahead of presidential inauguration
A truck loaded with explosives exploded on Saturday near a police station in the Colombian city of Cúcuta, close to the Venezuelan border, leaving 14 people injured in an attack that occurred six days before president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella’s inauguration.
The blast took place in the early hours of the morning and was allegedly carried out by members of the National Liberation Army (ELN), who detonated a vehicle packed with explosives. According to the latest report from the Colombian Army, the attack injured 11 police officers and three civilians.
The explosion involved around 15 explosive devices, and two of the wounded officers are in critical condition and “fighting for their lives,” said William Villamizar, governor of Norte de Santander, the region where the attack occurred.
The incident comes amid Colombia’s worst wave of violence in the past decade, with armed groups expanding their presence in several areas of the country.
“I strongly condemn the cowardly terrorist attack carried out in Cúcuta against our National Police. Terrorism will not intimidate Colombia or break the determination of Colombians to live in peace and security,” De la Espriella said in a post on X.
The conservative lawyer, who has been described as a far-right figure, will take office on August 7, replacing Gustavo Petro, Colombia’s first left-wing president. The inauguration ceremony will be held in Cali, the country’s third-largest city and a frequent target of attacks by armed groups.
The United Nations condemned what it described as an “indiscriminate attack” that caused not only injuries but also “fear and distress among the population.”
De la Espriella has repeatedly warned about an alleged plot against his life. Meanwhile, President Gustavo Petro, who is currently visiting Cuba, has not commented on the attack. During his visit, Petro met with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel to discuss what Havana describes as the United States’ “policy of suffocation” toward the island.
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