United News of Bangladesh

Pakistan said Wednesday it agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire with Afghanistan following days of violence that have killed dozens of people on both sides of the border. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said the ceasefire was at Afghanistan’s request. Moments later, the Taliban government's chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said the truce was at “the insistence” of the Pakistani side. His social media post on X did not mention a 48-hour timeframe. All Afghan forces have been instructed to observe the ceasefire “as long as no one violates it,” Mujahid added. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring armed groups, a charge rejected by the country's Taliban rulers. Pakistan is grappling with militant attacks that have increased since 2021, when the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan. The escalation of tensions is likely to destabilize a region where groups, including the Islamic State and al-Qaida, are trying to establish a foothold and resurface. Earlier Wednesday, before the ceasefire announcement, Pakistan said its troops killed dozens of Afghan security forces and militants in overnight fighting. The clashes had stopped briefly Sunday following appeals from major regional powers, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Pakistani forces said they had repelled “unprovoked” assaults, but denied targeting civilians after the Taliban government said more than a dozen were killed and over 100 others wounded when Pakistan targeted sites in a border area of Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province. Mujahid, the Taliban government's chief spokesman, said earlier that Pakistan used light and heavy weapons in assaults on Spin Boldak in Kandahar. Afghan forces returned fire and killed several Pakistani soldiers, seized military posts and captured weapons including tanks, Mujahid added. Pakistan's army also targeted militant hideouts in the Afghan capital, two Pakistani security officials said Wednesday on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak with the media. People in the Pakistani border town of Chaman reported mortars falling near villages and some families were seen evacuating early Wednesday. “This fighting has been going on since early (Wednesday) morning, and people who live close to the border are leaving the area,” said Chaman resident Najibullah Khan, who urged the two countries to end the fighting to prevent further shelling. Pakistan’s border regions have experienced violence since 1979 when it became a frontl-ine state in the U.S.-backed war against the Soviet Union. “After the Sept. 11 attacks, Pakistan’s tribal belt descended into chaos as the Afghan Taliban, al-Qaida, and other groups operated from both sides of the border for attacks on NATO forces and Pakistani security forces," said Abdullah Khan, a defense analyst and managing director of the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies. As of Wednesday, key border crossings remain closed.

More than a dozen Afghan civilians have been killed and over 100 injured following fresh clashes between Afghan and Pakistani forces along the shared border, officials reported Wednesday. Hostilities between the two countries reignited over the weekend, with cross-border shelling resulting in dozens of fatalities. Afghanistan claimed its forces had killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in overnight operations, saying the attacks were in retaliation for repeated violations of its airspace and territory. Pakistan, meanwhile, reported losing 23 troops in the skirmishes. Wednesday's fighting began before dawn and was concentrated near the village of Chaman, according to officials on both sides. Later in the day, Pakistan’s state broadcaster reported that Afghanistan had called for a ceasefire in the area. Pakistani security sources and state media accused Afghan troops of initiating “unprovoked fire” in the Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. In response, Pakistani forces reportedly killed 30 Afghan Taliban fighters and destroyed a major training camp in Afghanistan’s Khost province used by the Pakistani Taliban. Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Taliban government, alleged that Pakistan had used both light and heavy weaponry to strike Spin Boldak in southern Kandahar province, opposite Pakistan’s border town of Chaman. Mujahid claimed Afghan forces retaliated, killing several Pakistani soldiers, capturing military posts, and seizing weapons including tanks. Pakistan's military denied these claims, accusing the Taliban of staging the attack through villages straddling the border, with disregard for civilian safety. It said Pakistani troops repelled the assault and killed between 15 and 20 Afghan Taliban fighters in Spin Boldak. On Tuesday, Pakistan had also accused Afghan Taliban fighters of collaborating with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in an attack on its border posts in Kurram. The military said it successfully repelled the assault and inflicted significant damage on Afghan positions. At Chaman hospital, Dr. Awais Ahmad confirmed that several injured civilians were being treated. Local residents reported seeing mortar fire near Pakistani villages, prompting many families to evacuate. “This fighting has been going on since early morning,” said Najibullah Khan, a resident of Chaman. “People living near the border are leaving the area. The two sides should end the conflict to prevent more harm to civilians.” Clashes had briefly ceased on Sunday after mediation efforts from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, but key border crossings remain closed. The recent violence highlights the growing tension between the neighboring nations. Last Friday, the Taliban government accused Pakistan of launching airstrikes in Kabul and an eastern Afghan marketplace. In turn, Pakistani state media reported targeting TTP hideouts, which it says operate with support from Afghan territory. Pakistan holds the Taliban-led Afghan government responsible for sheltering the TTP, a group responsible for multiple deadly attacks in Pakistan. Kabul has denied this, insisting it does not allow its soil to be used against other countries.

NATO’s newest members, Finland and Sweden, announced Wednesday that they will purchase additional U.S. weapons for Ukraine, following reports of a recent drop in foreign military aid to the country. This summer, NATO began coordinating regular deliveries of large weapons packages to Ukraine, aiming to provide at least one shipment per month valued around $500 million. European arsenals are nearly depleted, and NATO officials say the U.S. has $10–12 billion worth of arms, air defense systems, and ammunition available for Kyiv. Under the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), European allies and Canada are buying U.S. weapons to help Ukraine defend against Russian forces, with $2 billion already allocated. Finland’s Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen said the country joined PURL to ensure Ukraine receives critical U.S. arms and will also send its own military equipment. Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson emphasized that Sweden is ready to provide more and welcomed discussions among Nordic and Baltic countries on sending additional support. Concerns over declining Western aid were raised, with Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur noting a significant reduction in U.S. contributions. New data shows Western military aid to Ukraine fell 43% in July and August compared to the first half of the year, according to Germany’s Kiel Institute. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged more countries to step up contributions, while NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said overall support remains roughly in line with last year. Finnish officials called on all NATO members to share the burden, criticizing some European nations, including France, Italy, and Spain, for not doing enough. France insists European funds should support local defense industries rather than U.S. programs and does not plan to participate in PURL.

The United Nations’ food aid agency has warned that severe funding cuts from its major donors are disrupting operations in six countries and could push nearly 14 million people into emergency hunger. The World Food Program (WFP), usually the U.N.’s most-funded agency, said in a new report that its funding this year “has never been more challenged,” mainly due to reduced contributions from the U.S. under the Trump administration and other leading Western donors. The agency said 13.7 million of its food aid recipients could face emergency-level hunger as funding drops. The countries most affected are Afghanistan, Congo, Haiti, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan. “We are watching the lifeline for millions of people disintegrate before our eyes,” WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain said. WFP expects 40% less funding this year, cutting its projected budget to $6.4 billion from about $10 billion last year. “This is not just a funding gap – it’s a reality gap between what we need to do and what we can afford,” McCain added, warning that decades of progress in fighting hunger are at risk. Global hunger is already at record levels, with 319 million people facing acute food insecurity, including 44 million at emergency levels. Famine has emerged in Gaza and Sudan, and in Afghanistan, aid reaches less than 10% of those in need. The agency received roughly $1.5 billion from the U.S. this year, down from nearly $4.5 billion last year, while other top donors have also reduced support. Many U.N. agencies, including those focused on migration, health, and refugees, have announced significant aid and staffing cuts amid reduced funding from traditional donors such as USAID.

Syria’s interim leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, who led a rapid rebel campaign last year that removed former President Bashar Assad, arrived in Russia on Wednesday for his first visit. Al-Sharaa is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin to “discuss the current condition and prospects for Russian-Syrian ties in trade, economy, and humanitarian matters, as well as recent Middle East developments,” the Kremlin said. The meeting highlights Moscow’s interest in engaging with Syria’s new leadership and maintaining its military presence in the country. Assad, a longtime Russian ally, was supported by Moscow during the civil war, which allowed him to stay in power until his removal in December. Russia, focused on the Ukraine conflict, did not intervene against the rebel offensive but offered Assad asylum after he fled. According to Syrian state news agency SANA, al-Sharaa and Putin will also explore ways to strengthen cooperation in regional and international matters of mutual interest. In a recent CBS “60 Minutes” interview, al-Sharaa said Syria’s current authorities “will use all available legal means” to seek Assad’s trial. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow granted asylum to Assad on humanitarian grounds, rejecting rumors of poisoning and confirming that Assad has lived safely in Russia. Despite being on opposing sides during the war, Syria’s new rulers are taking a pragmatic approach toward Russia. Moscow continues to maintain air and naval bases on the Syrian coast and has supplied oil to the country. Russian and Syrian officials have met several times this year, reflecting ongoing strategic and economic ties, with al-Sharaa noting Syria’s reliance on Russian energy and food supplies.

Russian forces carried out overnight airstrikes using glide bombs and drones on Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, hitting a hospital and injuring seven people, local officials said Tuesday. Regional head Oleh Syniehubov said the city’s main hospital was struck, forcing the evacuation of 50 patients. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said energy facilities were also among the main targets of the attack. “Every day and night, Russia strikes power plants, power lines, and gas facilities,” Zelenskyy said on Telegram, calling for more Western air defense systems to shield Ukraine’s vast territory. Zelenskyy urged the U.S., Europe, and G7 nations to “force Moscow to negotiate” and help protect civilians from Moscow’s long-range assaults, which have repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s power grid since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. However, European military support for Kyiv has dropped sharply. The Kiel Institute in Germany reported that aid in July and August fell 43% from the first half of the year, following the launch of a NATO fund to buy U.S. weapons for Ukraine under the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL). Zelenskyy is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Friday to discuss the possible supply of Tomahawk cruise missiles—long-range weapons that could hit deep inside Russia and potentially shift the dynamics of the war.

Leading maritime nations are meeting in London this week to consider adopting global regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping industry and accelerating its shift away from fossil fuels. If approved, the plan would introduce the world’s first global levy on carbon emissions from ships. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) meeting, which continues through Friday, faces political challenges as the Trump administration has rejected the proposal and warned of possible retaliation. IMO member states had agreed in April on the framework of the Net-zero Regulations, which seek formal adoption this week. The rules propose a fuel standard that gradually reduces allowable emissions and introduce a carbon pricing system. Ships exceeding emission limits would pay US$380 per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent to meet baseline compliance and an additional US$100 per ton for stricter compliance. Vessels performing better than required would earn credits, while the fees collected—estimated at US$11–13 billion annually—would support green fuel research, low-emission technologies and assist developing countries. Shipping accounts for nearly 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The IMO aims for the sector to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, with the new rules expected to take effect in 2027 and penalties starting in 2028 for large ocean-going ships. Environmental groups have welcomed the move but cautioned against excessive reliance on biofuels derived from food crops, urging investment in scalable alternatives such as green ammonia and methanol. Despite opposition from the United States, Russia and Saudi Arabia, observers said most countries are expected to support the deal. Failure to adopt it could delay efforts to decarbonize the shipping sector and prolong its contribution to global warming.

Israel and Hamas took a crucial first step in their fragile ceasefire agreement on Monday by exchanging hostages and prisoners, offering cautious hope that the U.S.-brokered deal might eventually end the devastating two-year conflict in Gaza. However, key unresolved issues — including the disarmament of Hamas, the future governance of Gaza, and the broader question of Palestinian statehood — highlight how delicate and temporary this truce remains. For now, it only halts what has become the deadliest conflict in the history of Israeli-Palestinian relations. For many in Israel, the return of the final 20 surviving hostages was a moment of celebration and emotional closure. But with those hostages now home, the widespread pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to advance to the next stages of the agreement may begin to ease. Alongside the hostages, the bodies of four deceased captives were also returned, with 24 more expected in the coming days. The ceasefire’s first phase also requires Israel to allow significantly more humanitarian aid into Gaza, including food and essential supplies. Relief and Destruction on Both Sides While Palestinians rejoiced over the release of prisoners from Israeli jails, daily life in Gaza remains dire. After months of heavy Israeli bombardment, the region is in ruins — infrastructure is collapsed, the economy has been destroyed, and countless homes lie in rubble. It's still unclear who will fund the years-long process of rebuilding. Trump and Netanyahu Claim Progress Former U.S. President Donald Trump visited the region to mark the ceasefire’s early progress. In an address to Israel’s parliament, he called on leaders to pursue long-term peace. He later joined other global leaders in Egypt to begin negotiating the more complex parts of the agreement. Although Netanyahu didn’t attend the Egypt summit due to a Jewish holiday, he told Israeli lawmakers that the deal fulfills Israel’s military goals. He repeated that Israel’s conditions for ending the war — freeing all hostages and defeating Hamas — have been met. Still, critics argue he prolonged the war for political gain, something he denies. The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel's military response has since killed over 67,000 people, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. Though the ministry’s figures don’t distinguish between fighters and civilians, they are widely cited by the UN and global observers. The war’s effects have spread throughout the Middle East, with clashes involving Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iranian-backed militants in Yemen, and even direct exchanges with Iran. Emotional Reunions in Israel Public celebrations broke out across Israel as citizens watched the return of hostages on large screens. Families reunited in deeply emotional scenes. One father, Zvika Mor, greeted his son with disbelief: “You are alive! Two arms and two legs.” Another freed hostage, Bar Kupershtein, was embraced by his father, who stood up from his wheelchair for the first time in years to hug his son. This time, Hamas conducted no formal ceremonies before releasing the captives. Instead, masked fighters allowed brief video calls between hostages and their families before their return home. The hostage crisis had united much of Israeli society, with weekly protests pushing the government to prioritize their release. Many believed that Netanyahu’s dual goals — bringing hostages home and eliminating Hamas — were at odds with one another. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that any delay in returning the bodies of deceased hostages would be seen as a breach of the ceasefire agreement. Palestinians Celebrate Prisoner Release In both the West Bank and Gaza, large crowds welcomed the release of over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. Many flashed victory signs as they disembarked from buses headed for the West Bank, Gaza, or exile. Among the released was Mahmoud Fayez, arrested during an Israeli raid on Gaza’s Shifa Hospital last year. “Praise be to God, who honored us with this joy,” he said. The released prisoners included 250 individuals serving life sentences for attacks on Israelis and 1,700 people from Gaza detained during the war, most held without formal charges. Prisoner issues remain highly emotional in Palestinian society, where many people have relatives who have been detained. Many Palestinians see them as freedom fighters. Trump Urges Peace During Regional Visit Speaking to the Israeli parliament, Trump emphasized that the military phase of the conflict had reached its end. “Israel has won everything it can through military force,” he said. “Now is the time to turn those victories into peace and prosperity for the region.” His speech was briefly interrupted by a protest from two Knesset members, one holding a sign saying “Recognize Palestine,” before being removed. Later in Egypt, Trump joined Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and leaders from over 20 nations to discuss Gaza’s future. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who governs parts of the West Bank, also took part. Major Hurdles Still Lie Ahead Among the most contentious issues still unresolved is Israel’s demand that Hamas disarm — something Hamas has rejected, while also insisting that Israel fully withdraw its troops from Gaza. Currently, Israeli forces have pulled out of much of Gaza City and Khan Younis, but they remain in Rafah, northern towns, and along Gaza’s border with Israel. The question of who will govern Gaza after the war remains unclear. Under the U.S.-backed proposal, an international body would oversee governance, with Palestinian technocrats managing daily operations. Hamas insists that only Palestinians should determine Gaza’s political future. The plan envisions a possible future role for the Palestinian Authority, although Netanyahu has opposed this idea. The plan also demands reforms to the Authority before it takes any responsibility in Gaza. A key part of the proposal includes deploying an Arab-led international security force, supported by Palestinian police. Israeli forces would gradually withdraw as these units are deployed. Around 200 U.S. troops are already stationed in Israel to help monitor the ceasefire. Finally, the deal leaves open the possibility of a future Palestinian state — a prospect long rejected by Netanyahu.

During a global summit on Gaza’s future, former President Donald Trump urged regional leaders to move beyond historical animosities and embrace a new chapter of peace in the Middle East. His remarks followed a visit to Israel celebrating a U.S.-negotiated ceasefire with Hamas. “We now have a rare opportunity to move past the longstanding grudges and deep-rooted hostilities,” Trump said, calling on leaders to reject the divisions of the past and build a shared future. The summit in Egypt, which Trump attended after speaking at the Israeli Knesset, came at a moment of cautious optimism following two years of intense conflict between Israel and Hamas. “Everyone said peace wasn’t possible. But it’s happening,” Trump said, standing beside Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. Delegates from nearly 30 countries, including Middle Eastern and European nations, attended the summit. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was invited but declined due to the proximity of a Jewish holiday. Trump’s Knesset speech briefly interrupted over Palestine Trump joined el-Sissi, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in signing a framework for Gaza’s future development, which he said would support lasting peace. While many details about Gaza’s future remain uncertain, Trump expressed a strong commitment to fostering a new regional order. In his speech to the Knesset earlier in the day—where he received a hero’s welcome—Trump declared victory over Hamas and encouraged Israelis to turn military success into long-term peace. “You’ve won,” he told lawmakers. “Now it’s time to turn those victories into lasting peace and prosperity for the entire region.” He also vowed to assist with rebuilding Gaza and appealed to Palestinians to renounce violence once and for all. All surviving hostages released amid Trump’s visit to Knesset “After years of pain and loss,” Trump said, “the focus must shift to lifting people up instead of tearing others down.” In a surprise remark, Trump extended an olive branch to Iran, a country he had ordered strikes against during its brief conflict with Israel earlier in the year. He said the U.S. remained open to cooperation and friendship. A Fast-Paced Diplomatic Tour Trump arrived in Egypt behind schedule due to extended speeches at the Knesset, joking about Israeli leaders being long-winded. During his visit, 20 hostages were released as part of a broader agreement aimed at ending the war that began on October 7, 2023, with a Hamas-led attack. Trump met with some of the released hostages’ families. A woman told him, “Your name will be remembered for generations.” Trump received multiple standing ovations in the Knesset, with some attendees wearing red hats echoing his signature campaign slogan, altered to say: “Trump, The Peace President.” Netanyahu praised Trump as “Israel’s greatest friend in the White House” and pledged to work with him to secure peace. Trump, in turn, urged Israel’s president to pardon Netanyahu, who is facing corruption charges—though hearings have been delayed due to the war. Trump also took the chance to thank allies and donors while criticizing previous Democratic administrations. A Fragile But Historic Moment The first stage of the ceasefire involves releasing the remaining hostages held by Hamas, freeing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, increasing humanitarian aid into Gaza, and a partial Israeli troop withdrawal from urban centers. Trump emphasized that the ceasefire marked a pivotal moment to reframe Israel’s relationship with its Arab neighbors. “The war is over,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One. “People are exhausted. That’s why this peace can hold.” He credited the opportunity to recent U.S. support for Israel’s actions against Iranian-backed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. The White House also noted increased engagement from Arab and Muslim nations toward resolving the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Back in February, Trump had envisioned Gaza becoming the “Riviera of the Middle East,” but on the flight to Egypt, he acknowledged the reality. “Right now, it looks like a demolition site,” he said, though he expressed hope to visit it one day. Key issues remain unresolved, including postwar governance in Gaza, reconstruction plans, and Israel’s demand for Hamas to disarm. Talks could break down, and Israel has warned that it may resume military operations if progress stalls. Much of Gaza lies in ruins, with its 2 million residents facing severe humanitarian conditions. As part of the deal, Israel has reopened five border crossings to allow aid to flow more freely into the besieged territory, where famine conditions persist. To support and monitor the ceasefire, around 200 U.S. troops will join a coalition of international partners, NGOs, and private organizations.

Their faces stare down from every street corner in Israel on posters now sun-faded and ripped. Their stories, told by anguished family members, are almost as well-known as celebrities. They are civilians and soldiers, fathers and sons. Some were at the Nova music festival, where almost 400 people were killed and dozens kidnapped. On Monday, Hamas released 20 hostages into the custody of the Red Cross, which then brought them to Israel as part of a new ceasefire deal that many hope will signal an end to two years of war in the devastated Gaza Strip. Under the agreement, all living hostages were to be released, as well as the bodies of the deceased. Two hostages previously thought to be living were confirmed dead: Tamir Nimrodi and Bipin Joshi. Israel had previously expressed “grave concern” over their status. The war was triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, when some 1,200 people were killed and 251 kidnapped. The fighting has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants but says around half the deaths were women and children, and displaced around 90% of the Gaza population of some 2 million. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government, and the United Nations and many independent experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties in Gaza. Prior to Monday's release, there were 48 hostages held in Gaza, including the body of one soldier from a previous war. Israel had determined that at least 25 of the hostages were killed on Oct. 7, 2023, or died while in captivity. Under the ceasefire agreement that took effect last Friday, the remaining hostages were to be released within 72 hours. Israel released around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange. Here is a look at the 20 hostages released Monday: Gali Berman & Ziv Berman, 28 The fraternal twins were taken from their homes in kibbutz Kfar Aza, on the border with Gaza, during the Oct. 7 attack. Seventeen others were also abducted from Kfar Aza, but the Berman twins were the only hostages from the kibbutz who remained in captivity. The family had heard from hostages who returned in a previous deal that, as of February, the brothers were alive but being held separately. Liran Berman, their older brother, said it’s the longest the two have ever spent apart. In Kfar Aza, the twins lived in apartments across from each other. Gali is more outgoing, while Ziv is more reserved and shy with a sharp sense of humor, their brother said. Omri Miran, 48 Omri Miran was kidnapped from the Nahal Oz kibbutz. During the attack, militants held his family, including his two daughters, ages 2 and 6 months, hostage in the kitchen of a neighbor’s house and then broadcast it on Facebook Live. Miran and the father of the other family, Tsachi Idan, were kidnapped. Idan’s body was released during the last hostage exchange after he was killed in captivity. Lishay Miran Lavi, Miran’s wife, said their younger daughter knew “daddy Omri” only through photos and videos, and didn't really understand what a father is. Matan Angrest, 22 Matan Angrest, an Israeli soldier, was taken from his military tank in southern Israel. He is the oldest of four children from Kiryat Bialik, outside of Haifa. His family has been among the most vocal protesters and very critical of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. On Tuesday's two-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack, his mother, Anat Angrest, addressed her son at a rally. “I know you’re in pain, and I can’t hug you. I hear you whisper, ‘Come for me, Mom,’ and I can’t protect you," she said. Eitan Mor, 25 Eitan Mor was working as a security guard at the Nova music festival, where he helped evacuate people injured in the attack. Mor’s parents helped found the Tikva Forum, a loosely organized group of hostage families. They advocated for military pressure, not an immediate ceasefire or hostage release deal, as the best chance for bringing the hostages home. That stance has put Mor’s father at odds with many of the other families of hostages. Alon Ohel, 24 Alon Ohel, who also has German and Serbian citizenship, was kidnapped at the Nova music festival from a mobile bomb shelter along with Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American-Israeli who was killed in captivity in August 2024. A talented pianist, his family has placed pianos across Israel and several sites around the world to raise awareness of his plight. Three other hostages who had been held with Ohel for more than a year were released during the previous ceasefire, including Eli Sharabi, who said Ohel was like his adopted son. Sharabi said they were kept chained for the entire period of their captivity and subsisted on a moldy pita per day. Ohel has shrapnel in his eye from the attack on the bomb shelter and his family is worried he may be partially blind. Guy Gilboa-Dalal, 24 Guy Gilboa-Dalal was among those abducted from the Nova music festival, while his brother managed to escape. In the past year, he’s appeared in two videos released by Hamas. In one, he appears alongside his childhood friend, David, with militants filming them pleading for their freedom in a vehicle while they watch three other hostages on stage being released to the Red Cross. Elkana Bohbot, 36 Elkana Bohbot was kidnapped from the Nova music festival. In the past year, Hamas has published multiple videos of Bohbot, filmed under duress, including one where he has a fake telephone conversation with his wife, Rivka; their son, Reem; his mother and his brother — pleading with them to help him get out of Gaza. His son made binoculars in kindergarten which he often used to go out and “look for his father,” according to Bohbot’s mother, Ruhama. Rom Braslavski, 21 Braslavski was working as a security guard at the Nova festival. He attempted to help festival goers evacuate and was wounded in both hands before being kidnapped, witnesses said. In August, the Islamic Jihad militant group released a video of a skeletal Braslavski sobbing and pleading for his life, adding that injuries to his foot prevent him from standing. The videos of Braslavski and Evyatar David digging his own grave horrified Israelis, sparking some of the largest attendance in months at weekly protests. His father, Ofir, said Rom is usually a strong, happy-go-lucky kid, and that video is the first time he’s seen his son cry. Nimrod Cohen, 21 Nimrod Cohen was taken from a tank where he was stationed as a soldier in southern Israel. Cohen is obsessed with Rubik's cubes, his family said, and a burned Rubik's cube was found in the tank he was abducted from. This year, his mother, Viki Cohen, illustrated a Passover haggadah, the text laying out the rituals and story recited during the Passover holiday, in honor of hostages, partly because her family stopped celebrating holidays after the attack. “We don’t gather as a family, because it reminds us how much he is missing,” Cohen said. The only time the extended family would gather is at protests, she said. Ariel Cunio, 28 The youngest of four Cunio brothers, Ariel was kidnapped from the Nir Oz kibbutz with his girlfriend, Arbel Yehoud, and her brother, Dolev, a married father of four who was later killed in captivity. According to news reports, Cunio and Yehoud had returned from an extended trip to South America weeks before the attack and had just adopted a puppy. Yehoud was released during the ceasefire in January. David Cunio, 35 David Cunio, brother of Ariel Cunio, was kidnapped with his wife, Sharon, and their 3-year-old twins from the Nir Oz kibbutz. Sharon’s sister Danielle and her 5-year-old daughter, who were visiting, also were kidnapped. All were released in November, except for David Cunio. In July, Sharon shared a photo of the twins marking their fifth birthday, their second without their father, writing on Facebook that the girls have changed so much while he’s been in captivity that “they’re not the same little girls he knew.” Evyatar David, 24 Evyatar David was taken hostage at the Nova music festival along with his childhood friend, Guy Gilboa-Dalal. In August, Hamas released a video of David, gaunt and pale, who said he was digging his own grave. The condition of the hostages in the videos horrified Israelis and led tens of thousands of protesters to take to the streets and demand a ceasefire deal, in one of the largest turnouts for the weekly hostage protests in months. Maksym Harkin, 37 Maksym Harkin was abducted from Nova, which was the first festival he had ever attended, according to his family. Harkin was born in Ukraine and moved to Israel with his family, where he lived in Tirat HaCarmel in the north. He has a 3-year-old daughter and was the primary provider for his mother and 11-year-old brother. Just before he was taken, his mother said he sent a final text message that said, “I love you.” In July, Hamas released a video of him filmed under duress several months prior. Eitan Horn, 38 Eitan Horn, originally from Kfar Saba, was visiting his brother Iair at the Nir Oz kibbutz on Oct. 7. Both were kidnapped. For most of the war, the two were held with three other hostages in a filthy cell underground. In early February, militants filmed the emotional interaction between the brothers as they were told that Iair would be released and Eitan would stay in Gaza. Since his release, Iair Horn has campaigned for his brother and the other hostages, flying frequently to the United States and meeting with politicians. Segev Kalfon, 27 Segev Kalfon was kidnapped from the Nova music festival, where he was last seen attempting to flee militants along the highway. Before the attack, he worked at his family’s bakery in Dimona, in southern Israeli. The middle child of three, Kalfon had recently been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, a condition his family has highlighted in urging his release. Kalfon’s family received a sign of life from him after the last ceasefire, when some of the hostages said they were held with him for months. Kalfon’s family has focused on religious rituals in their fight for his release, including traveling to the grave of prominent rabbis and dedicating a Torah scroll in his honor. Bar Kupershtein, 23 Bar Kupershtein was working at the Nova festival as a security guard when he was abducted. Witnesses said Kupershtein stayed at the festival to try to provide first aid to people who had been shot and injured. Kupershtein was the main financial support for his family after his father was severely injured in an accident several years ago, his aunt, Ora Rubinstein, told reporters. She said that his father worked with a physical therapist to regain the ability to speak, so he could meet with politicians to advocate for his son’s release. He has told the family that he would walk again when his son came home, she said. Yosef-Chaim Ohana, 25 Yosef-Chaim Ohana was kidnapped from the Nova music festival, where he was working as a bartender. Witnesses saw him attempting to help others escape before he was kidnapped. He is the oldest of three brothers, one of whom previously died from an illness. Avinatan Or, 32 Avinatan Or was kidnapped from the Nova music festival along with his girlfriend, Noa Argamani, who was rescued by Israeli forces in June 2024. On Oct. 7, Hamas released a video of the pair that has become one of the most well-known videos from that day. It showed Argamani on an all-terrain vehicle crying, “Don’t kill me!” and reaching out her arms to Or, who is being marched away from her by militants. Or worked in hi-tech in Tel Aviv before his abduction. Matan Zangauker, 25 Matan Zangauker was kidnapped from kibbutz Nir Oz along with his girlfriend, Ilana Gritzewsky. The two met while working on a medical cannabis farm there. Gritzewsky was released after 55 days and has since advocated tirelessly for his release, wearing a hat of Zangauker’s she rescued from their burned home. His mother, Einav, has been a constant presence at protests, giving impassioned speeches and even being hoisted in a cage above the crowd to draw attention to the hostages’ plight. Zangauker, who said she was previously a Netanyahu supporter, has emerged as one of his harshest critics. Two hostages determined to be dead: Bipin Joshi, 24 Bipin Joshi arrived in Israel from his native Nepal a month before the attack. He had been the only non-Israeli hostage believed to be alive in Gaza. He came to Israel on a student exchange to work and study agriculture at kibbutz Alumim on the Gaza border. Ten of the 17 Nepali students in the program were killed during the attack. Joshi, who was able to throw a number of live grenades out of the bomb shelter where they were hiding, was injured and kidnapped. Joshi’s sister, 17-year-old Pushpa Joshi, regularly travels eight hours each direction on buses to Kathmandu from her home in western Nepal to lobby officials to secure her brother’s release. In August, his family traveled to Israel to meet with President Isaac Herzog and join families demonstrating in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square. Last week, Joshi’s family released footage of him in captivity filmed under duress from around November 2023. Tamir Nimrodi, 20 Tamir Nimrodi was taken from Erez, a crossing on the northern border of Gaza that had been the main route for people entering and leaving the territory. He had been serving with the Israeli defense body overseeing humanitarian aid in Gaza. Nimrodi was taken with two other soldiers by militants who walked them to the Gaza gate and forced them to cross. Israel confirmed the deaths of the two soldiers who were taken with Nimrodi. There had been no sign of life from Nimrodi in the two years since he was seen in footage walking into Gaza in shorts and a T-shirt without his glasses. Herut Nimrodi, his mother, said she didn't know what was worse: to think he has been killed in captivity, or that he was alive but being held in terrible conditions. “I’m scared to even imagine,” she said.