Israel

Trump urges Israel to pardon Netanyahu, sparking concerns over U.S. influence

By Melanie Lidman, Associated Press

President Donald Trump has urged Israel to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a corruption case. Netanyahu is the only sitting Israeli prime minister to be indicted, facing charges of fraud, breach of trust, and accepting bribes.

U.S. officials in Israel to press truce forward as first phase of Israel-Hamas ceasefire winds down

By Wafaa Shurafa, Julia Frankel, Associated Press

As the first stage of the agreement nears its end, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, met on Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his close confidant Ron Dermer in Jerusalem.

Israel says forensic testing confirms it received remains of soldier killed in Gaza in 2014

By Melanie Lidman, Kareem Chehayeb, Associated Press

The return of the remains of Goldin, who has become a national symbol, would be a significant development in the U.S.-brokered truce, which has faltered during the slow return of bodies of hostages and skirmishes between Israeli troops and militants…

Gaza death toll tops 69,000 as Israel and Hamas exchange more remains

By Wafaa Shurafa, Sally Abou AlJoud, Julia Frankel, Associated Press

Over 69,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war so far, Gaza health officials said Saturday, as both sides completed the latest exchange of bodies under the terms of the tenuous ceasefire.

Another set of hostage remains has been handed over in Gaza, Israel says

By Julia Frankel, Associated Press

The Red Cross transferred the remains of a hostage to Israeli troops in Gaza on Friday, the military said, hours after hundreds of mourners flocked to the funeral of a soldier whose body was turned over earlier in the week…

Israeli jets strike southern Lebanon, escalating near-daily attacks

By Kareem Chehayeb, Associated Press

Israeli jets have struck several towns in southern Lebanon after urging residents to leave. This marks an escalation in their near-daily strikes on the country.

Hostage remains returned by Hamas are those of Tanzanian student, Israel says

By Melanie Lidman, Audrey Horowitz, Associated Press

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the remains were identified as those of Joshua Loitu Mollel and that his family has been notified.

Israel says Hamas handed over additional remains believed to be of a hostage

By Wafaa Shurafa, Sam Metz, Associated Press

The Israeli military said Wednesday that Hamas has handed over remains believed to be of a deceased hostage to the Red Cross in Gaza, the latest step forward under the U.S.-brokered ceasefire.

Israel returns bodies of 15 Palestinians to Gaza as exchanges outlined in fragile ceasefire proceed

By Wafaa Shurafa, Sam Metz, Associated Press

The International Committee of the Red Cross has transported 285 bodies since the deal was brokered.

Israel says Hamas has returned the remains of another hostage

By Julia Frankel, Associated Press

Ahead of the announcement, Hamas had returned the remains of 20 hostages to Israel under the ceasefire. If the latest remains are confirmed, that would leave the remains of seven in Gaza.