Kat Lonsdorf

Aid groups have warned that this blocking of aid violates international law. Other Arab countries have condemned it. The block comes as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan just started over the weekend. Hamas called the decision to stop a, quote, cheap blackmail in an attempt to get the group to agree to this new plan.

Aid groups have warned that this blocking of aid violates international law. Other Arab countries have condemned it. The block comes as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan just started over the weekend. Hamas called the decision to stop a, quote, cheap blackmail in an attempt to get the group to agree to this new plan.

Aid groups have warned that this blocking of aid violates international law. Other Arab countries have condemned it. The block comes as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan just started over the weekend. Hamas called the decision to stop a, quote, cheap blackmail in an attempt to get the group to agree to this new plan.

For now, it still appears to be holding. You know, it's fragile and talks are continuing. An official familiar with the details but not authorized to speak publicly told NPR that Israel is, quote, giving it a few days to see where negotiations lead and that Israel is not rushing to return to fighting in Gaza. Wyckoff is expected in the region in the coming days.

For now, it still appears to be holding. You know, it's fragile and talks are continuing. An official familiar with the details but not authorized to speak publicly told NPR that Israel is, quote, giving it a few days to see where negotiations lead and that Israel is not rushing to return to fighting in Gaza. Wyckoff is expected in the region in the coming days.

For now, it still appears to be holding. You know, it's fragile and talks are continuing. An official familiar with the details but not authorized to speak publicly told NPR that Israel is, quote, giving it a few days to see where negotiations lead and that Israel is not rushing to return to fighting in Gaza. Wyckoff is expected in the region in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a speech last night in English where he thanked President Trump several times. In that speech, he said that Israel will, quote, take further steps if Hamas continues to hold the hostages. He ended saying that he knows America and President Trump have Israel's back to do so. That's NPR's Kat Lonsdorf in Tel Aviv.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a speech last night in English where he thanked President Trump several times. In that speech, he said that Israel will, quote, take further steps if Hamas continues to hold the hostages. He ended saying that he knows America and President Trump have Israel's back to do so. That's NPR's Kat Lonsdorf in Tel Aviv.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a speech last night in English where he thanked President Trump several times. In that speech, he said that Israel will, quote, take further steps if Hamas continues to hold the hostages. He ended saying that he knows America and President Trump have Israel's back to do so. That's NPR's Kat Lonsdorf in Tel Aviv.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Hey, good morning.

Hey, good morning.

Hey, good morning.

So the hostages released today are four men who had been captured in the October 7th, 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel and held captive throughout the war. And then also two hostages that had been held in Gaza for around a decade. One is an Ethiopian Israeli man and the other is a Bedouin Arab citizen of Israel.

So the hostages released today are four men who had been captured in the October 7th, 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel and held captive throughout the war. And then also two hostages that had been held in Gaza for around a decade. One is an Ethiopian Israeli man and the other is a Bedouin Arab citizen of Israel.

So the hostages released today are four men who had been captured in the October 7th, 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel and held captive throughout the war. And then also two hostages that had been held in Gaza for around a decade. One is an Ethiopian Israeli man and the other is a Bedouin Arab citizen of Israel.

Both of them had been taken captive after they had crossed into Gaza on their own years ago in separate incidents.

Both of them had been taken captive after they had crossed into Gaza on their own years ago in separate incidents.