Kat Lonsdorff

In a statement, the Israeli military called it a, quote, targeted ground operation, saying the aim is to expand what it calls the security perimeter, separating the enclave from southern Israel. The actions come as Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz released a video statement addressed to, quote, Gaza residents.

In a statement, the Israeli military called it a, quote, targeted ground operation, saying the aim is to expand what it calls the security perimeter, separating the enclave from southern Israel. The actions come as Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz released a video statement addressed to, quote, Gaza residents.

Speaking in Hebrew with Arabic subtitles, Katz said the video was the, quote, final warning to return all the hostages and remove Hamas from power. What comes next will be much harsher, and you will bear the full consequences, he said, warning of more evacuation orders. He said that Israel will, quote, act with force beyond anything you have ever seen. Kat Lonsdorf, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

Speaking in Hebrew with Arabic subtitles, Katz said the video was the, quote, final warning to return all the hostages and remove Hamas from power. What comes next will be much harsher, and you will bear the full consequences, he said, warning of more evacuation orders. He said that Israel will, quote, act with force beyond anything you have ever seen. Kat Lonsdorf, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

This is NPR News.

This is NPR News.

In that telegram statement, Hamas said it will release 21-year-old Idam Alexander, an Israeli soldier, an American dual citizen who was serving at the time of his capture. It also agreed to release the bodies of, quote, four other dual nationals. It's unclear what the terms of their release would be or whether a formal proposal has been put forward to either side by the mediators.

In that telegram statement, Hamas said it will release 21-year-old Idam Alexander, an Israeli soldier, an American dual citizen who was serving at the time of his capture. It also agreed to release the bodies of, quote, four other dual nationals. It's unclear what the terms of their release would be or whether a formal proposal has been put forward to either side by the mediators.

The statement comes after the U.S. has, in recent weeks, held direct talks with Hamas, a major shift in U.S. policy. Both U.S. officials and Hamas confirmed they discussed the release of American hostages. In response to the announcement, Israel called Hamas' willingness to release the Americans, quote, alleged, and said it was intended to sabotage negotiations. Kat Lonsdorff, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

The statement comes after the U.S. has, in recent weeks, held direct talks with Hamas, a major shift in U.S. policy. Both U.S. officials and Hamas confirmed they discussed the release of American hostages. In response to the announcement, Israel called Hamas' willingness to release the Americans, quote, alleged, and said it was intended to sabotage negotiations. Kat Lonsdorff, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

Ahead of the prayers, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that only Muslim men over the age of 55 and women over 50, as well as children under 12, would be allowed. All needed to obtain a special permit and undergo screening in order to leave the West Bank and enter Israel.

Ahead of the prayers, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that only Muslim men over the age of 55 and women over 50, as well as children under 12, would be allowed. All needed to obtain a special permit and undergo screening in order to leave the West Bank and enter Israel.

The restrictions, which Israel says are for security and were similar to last year's during Ramadan, caused long waits and traffic at the main Israeli checkpoints for Palestinians. Still, according to Palestinian authorities, nearly 100,000 people attended Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa, one of the holiest sites in Islam.

The restrictions, which Israel says are for security and were similar to last year's during Ramadan, caused long waits and traffic at the main Israeli checkpoints for Palestinians. Still, according to Palestinian authorities, nearly 100,000 people attended Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa, one of the holiest sites in Islam.

Israel said it had deployed thousands of police across Jerusalem to allow for freedom to worship safely. There were no serious incidents reported. Kat Lonsdorf, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

Israel said it had deployed thousands of police across Jerusalem to allow for freedom to worship safely. There were no serious incidents reported. Kat Lonsdorf, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

The talks began as early as January and were over the release of several American-Israeli dual citizens taken hostage in the October 7th, 2023 attacks on southern Israel, according to a Hamas official who spoke to NPR on the condition of anonymity, as he's not authorized to speak to the media.

The talks began as early as January and were over the release of several American-Israeli dual citizens taken hostage in the October 7th, 2023 attacks on southern Israel, according to a Hamas official who spoke to NPR on the condition of anonymity, as he's not authorized to speak to the media.

The official did not specify if the talks, which were originally reported by Axios, were with members from the Biden administration or President Trump's administration. Both were present at talks for a ceasefire that took effect in January, before Trump took office. The U.S. designated Hamas a terrorist organization in 1997. It has been longstanding U.S.

The official did not specify if the talks, which were originally reported by Axios, were with members from the Biden administration or President Trump's administration. Both were present at talks for a ceasefire that took effect in January, before Trump took office. The U.S. designated Hamas a terrorist organization in 1997. It has been longstanding U.S.