German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Sunday that Germany has a responsibility to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive.

"I am against turning the page, saying 'that was long ago,'" Scholz told a gathering of the Jewish community in Frankfurt to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp in Nazi-occupied Poland.

Scholz also highlighted the "worrying and alarming normalization" of antisemitism fueled by the 15-month war against Hamas in Gaza, which is often accompanied by calls to violence.

"The internet and social networks in particular often become a hotbed for extremist positions, incitement and hatred," the German leader warned.

He noted that such incitement puts citizens' lives in danger, adding that the authorities have a responsibility to protect them.

The Jewish population of Judea, Samaria and the Jordan Valley grew by 12,297 in 2024, according to a report published over the weekend by the Yesha Council umbrella group of Jewish communities.

As of Jan. 1, 2025, 529,704 Israelis live in the territory, amounting to approximately 5.28% of the total population of the Jewish state.

That figure does not include the some 350,000 Jews living in the eastern part of Jerusalem, which the Palestinians claim despite it being part of the Jewish state’s capital.

The Yesha Council noted that the annual growth of Judea and Samaria's Jewish population is 2.38%—more than twice Israel's national rate. The report also noted that over the past decade, there has been an exceptional 36% increase in the territory's Jewish population.

The report also noted that 13% of all Israeli troops killed during the war sparked by Hamas's Oct. 7, 2023, attack were from Judea and Samaria.

Israel Ganz, who heads the Yesha Council, as well as the Binyamin Regional Council of communities in southern Samaria, said the data showed the "significant work that is taking place in Judea and Samaria."

"Every year, we see how the communities continue to grow and strengthen; a living example of the Zionist vision being realized," he said. "The growth in the communities is not just numbers, but the story of families, communities and pioneers from all over the country who see their place and future in the communities of Judea and Samaria."

Ganz said he expects the government in Jerusalem to "move to the next stage and apply proper sovereignty to this region of the country, and to stop discrimination against the country's dedicated citizens."

This year's report, he added, "emphasizes the role of the pioneers of Judea and Samaria as partners—not only in the forefront of settlement activity but also in maintaining Israel's security on the country's borders."

In 2023, the Jewish population in the territories liberated during the 1967 Six-Day War grew to 517,407, according to a previous report compiled by former Israeli lawmaker Ya'akov Katz based on Interior Ministry data. The January 2024 report projected the Jewish population in the area would reach 613,554 by 2030, 706,233 by 2035 and 1,020,506 by 2047.

In the realm of cinema, where the boundaries between good and evil are sharply drawn and the villains are unmistakably monstrous, one might imagine a collision as stark and tragic as the one currently unfolding in the Middle East. The reality, however, is far from fiction. The contrast between two societies—one fighting to protect its citizens and the other entrenched in a culture of violence—is painfully evident. The fragile ceasefire brokered to exchange hostages and prisoners has exposed not just a sliver of hope, but also the enduring abyss of hatred that fuels Hamas.

The scenes of joy accompanying the release of Israeli hostages like Romi, Emily and Doron—imprisoned for over a year in the brutal confines of Hamas’ regime—were a bittersweet reminder of human resilience. These young women, held captive in a society that thrives on terror, were finally returned to their families. Yet, their liberation only underscores the broader tragedy. More than 90 other hostages remain in captivity, their fate uncertain as negotiations continue.

Stark realities on the ground

In southern Israel, the rescue helicopters landed on the same grounds where Hamas committed atrocities during the Nova music festival massacre. The joy of the moment could not mask the persistent tension. Israeli soldiers, medical teams and journalists bore witness to the sobering reality: the war is far from over and the ceasefire remains tenuous. Political fractures within Israel, including the resignation of figures like Itamar Ben Gvir, reveal a nation grappling with its democratic values while prioritizing the immediate goal of saving lives.

Meanwhile, in Gaza, the atmosphere is chillingly different. The “liberation” of prisoners by Hamas is accompanied by triumphant rallies, orchestrated with the precision of a military parade. Thousands of men, armed and jubilant, crowd the streets, chanting slogans of defiance and displaying the ethos of an organization committed to perpetuating violence. The release of Palestinian prisoners—some of them hardened militants—signals Hamas’ intent to regroup and continue its so-called holy war against Israel.

A ceasefire as a pretext for war

Hamas’ celebrations are not a prelude to peace, but a calculated effort to rearm and reorganize. Despite agreements aimed at demilitarizing Gaza, evidence suggests that humanitarian aid, including truckloads of food and supplies, is being diverted to bolster Hamas’s infrastructure. The militant group has reinstated its control, complete with armed guards, green headbands and military-style parades.

The ongoing release of prisoners—700 in the first phase, potentially rising to 1,700—raises grave concerns. Many of these individuals have been convicted of terrorism and their return to Gaza risks further inflaming the region. Among them are young men likely to embrace the path of martyrdom, perpetuating the cycle of violence that has plagued the area for decades.

The ethical abyss of Hamas’s rule

The ethos of Hamas, marked by hatred, violence, and the subjugation of dissent, continues to dominate Gaza. Reports of ideological purges and the brutal silencing of opposition underscore the regime’s stranglehold on the territory. A lone woman protesting against the celebratory distribution of sweets is a stark reminder of the oppressive environment that stifles even the smallest acts of defiance.

Israel has vowed to dismantle Hamas’s rule in Gaza, but the path forward is fraught with uncertainty. While the international community has called for peace, meaningful pressure to liberate Gaza from the Hamas grip remains elusive. Without global intervention, the people of Gaza risk being perpetually trapped under the shadow of an organization that thrives on war and oppression.

Hope amid uncertainty

As Israel navigates the challenges ahead, the smiles of its rescued daughters serve as a poignant reminder of what is at stake. These moments of joy, though fleeting, embody the resilience of a nation determined to protect its people and uphold its values. Yet, the broader question remains: Can the world muster the resolve to address the root causes of this conflict and bring lasting peace to a region that has seen too much suffering? For now, Israel braces for an uncertain future, holding tightly to the hope embodied in the faces of those it has saved.

Israel Defense Forces Staff Sgt. Oron Shaul, whose body was recovered from Gaza by Israeli security forces on Sunday, was set to be laid to rest in Porio Illit, just west of the Sea of Galilee, on Monday at 2 p.m.

Shaul fell in combat in the Gaza neighborhood of Shuja'iyya on July 20, 2014, during the IDF's “Operation Protective Edge.” His remains were held by Hamas for more than 10 years.

“I didn’t believe I’d reach this moment. I have chills all over," his mother Zehava told Ynet. "I want to thank all those who made the supreme effort to return Oron to me; what I thought would not happen. Here, it happened. I am very excited. It’s hard for me to even speak. I am very grateful to the prime minister and the defense establishment. I thank all the soldiers ... I hope all the abductees who are still in Gaza will return,” she said.

Oron’s brother, Aviram, said that it was a difficult, bittersweet moment for the family.

“This is closure for the family, that received relief, comfort and peace. We are still not processing [the return of his body], it’s hard to express in words what I'm feeling,” he said.

Israeli security forces retrieved the body in a covert operation in the Gaza Strip that involved special units of the Israel Defense Forces and the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet).

Following the operation, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), Maj. Gen. Rassan Alian, and the commander of the Golani Brigade, Col. Adi Ganon, visited Shaul’s family.

Alian, who served as the commander of the Golani Brigade, in which Shaul served, during "Protective Edge," expressed his condolences to the family and emphasized the IDF’s commitment to working toward the return of all abductees currently held captive in the Gaza Strip.

Ganon said, “The Golani Brigade will continue to embrace and support the family. In an emotional closure, forces from Battalion 51 took part in the emotional rescue operation alongside other special forces. The Shaul family, your Oron, our Oron, has returned home.”

According to Israeli estimates, there are 97 hostages still in Hamas captivity in Gaza, including 94 abducted during the Oct. 7 attacks.

Of the 251 hostages taken on Oct. 7, 157 have been returned or rescued, and Hamas is believed to be holding 35 bodies, 34 of them taken on Oct. 7, 2023. Lt. Hadar Goldin's remains were kidnapped by the terror group in 2014.

Some 100 supporters stood with hostages' family members on Sunday in the shadow of the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., to call for their safe return from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip.

The rally, planned by The Hostages and Families Forum, an Israeli group representing some of the hostages' families, came a few hours after the first three Israeli hostages were released by Hamas as part of the ceasefire that took effect earlier in the day. 

In frigid conditions that led to cancellation of Monday’s planned outdoor presidential inauguration, the families mainly addressed the media, with passers-by stopping occasionally to ask questions.

“We are dealing with monsters. Hamas is a monster organization,” Liran Berman, older brother of twin captives Ziv and Gali Berman of Kibbutz Kfar Aza, told JNS. “We expect them to do their worst in this deal, but we hope that the international community and the Israeli government and the Israel Defense Forces will make sure that the deal goes through.”

He expressed concern regarding his brothers, who he said “are running out of time. Every moment that they remain in captivity is another moment their lives are at risk. We have already seen hostages murdered in captivity. We cannot afford to lose even one more.” 

Jonathan Dekel-Chen is the Israeli-American father of Sagui, kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Asked whether he has faith that the Trump administration will continue to focus on the hostages over the coming weeks and months, he said he has heard a repeated “absolute commitment” from Trump’s team “to complete this agreement until the final hostage comes home.”

Berman watched the three hostages being released earlier in the morning with a sense of happiness. He said he has known two of the them—Doron Steinbecher and Emily Damari, also residents of Kfar Aza—“since they were little kids.”

However, he knows his brothers would only qualify for release during the second phase of the deal, which is many weeks away, if it comes to pass at all. 

“I'm here to urge President Trump to see the deal through until the last hostage. So I'm hopeful. Hope will die last, and we'll do whatever we can to bring everyone home.”

Noa Argamani, who became one of the more well-known faces of the Hamas attack on the Nova Music Festival on Oct. 7, was kidnapped to Gaza with her boyfriend, Avinatan Or. After 245 days in captivity, Argamani and three other hostages were rescued from Gaza and she was reunited with her ailing mother only three weeks before her death. 

Or, however, remains a hostage.

“Until Avinatan returns, my heart is in captivity, and I will never feel truly free until all of them come back home again,” Argamani told those in attendance at the Sunday rally.

She stressed the urgency of the moment, describing her time as a hostage as one in which “every second feels like the last second of life. This is why it's absolutely critical that we put an end to this terrible tragedy and commit to a full and complete deal.”

Dekel-Chen did the same, noting that, earlier Sunday, the body of IDF soldier Oron Shaul was extracted from Gaza in a special operation hours before the ceasefire took effect. Shaul was killed in Gaza ten-and-a-half years ago.

“That's a stern reminder of the urgency of the situation. We must not stop,” he said, adding, “This is an amazing American moment today, at the cusp of transition between the Biden and Trump administrations that have worked shoulder to shoulder—in this incredibly partisan time in which we live—on behalf of the hostages. We know their commitment. We feel their commitment. We need their commitment for all 98 to come home.”

Daniel Neutra spoke on behalf of his family on Sunday. He’s the brother of Israeli-American hostage Omer Neutra, who was thought to have been kidnapped alive by Hamas, only for Israeli authorities to declare this past December had he been killed on Oct. 7, 2023. Omer's body remains in Gaza

While Daniel told JNS he feels “a lot of happiness” over Sunday’s return of the three hostages, “it's the start of a possibly long journey here and the effort that we're going to need to put in cannot stop.” 

He said that if Israel can get back all of the hostages—living and dead—then “hopefully we can reach some kind of peace with ourselves. My brother went to Israel and was drafted out of his own choice to defend the people of Israel. He's a hero, and he deserves to be buried in the Land of Israel and not to be held by Hamas for who knows how long.”

Israel Defense Forces Sgt. 1st class (res.) Eviatar Ben Yehuda, 31, from Nitzan in the country's south, was killed during "operational activities" in northern Samaria, the military announced on Monday morning.

An officer in Ben Yehuda's unit, the 8211 Reserve Battalion of the IDF's Ephraim Brigade, was seriously wounded in the same incident, according to military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari.

Three more Israeli soldiers sustained injuries of various degrees in the incident, which took place in the Palestinian town of Tammun, northeast of the city of Nablus (Shechem), according to Ynet.

The soldiers had been traveling in a vehicle that hit an explosive device, according to the report.

Last week, five members of the IDF's Nahal Brigade were killed fighting Hamas in northern Gaza, according to the military. A truce with the Palestinian terrorist group went into effect at 11:15 a.m. on Sunday.

The death toll among troops since the start of the IDF ground incursion in Gaza on Oct. 27, 2023, currently stands at 408, and at 841 on all fronts since the Hamas-led terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

Additionally, Chief Inspector Arnon Zamora, a member of the Israel Border Police’s Yamam National Counter-Terrorism Unit, was fatally wounded during a hostage-rescue mission in Gaza in June, and civilian defense contractor Liron Yitzhak was mortally wounded there in May.

Emily Damari, who was freed on Sunday following 471 days in Hamas captivity, took to Instagram on Monday for the first time since being taken captive on Oct. 7, 2023, thanking her family, friends and God for her release.

"I'm loving, loving, loving. Thanks be to God. Thanks to my family, to Oreli, to the best friends I have in this world. I have returned to life, my loved ones," she wrote.

"I have only managed to see just a tiny bit of everything, and you have exploded my heart from emotion. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I am the happiest person in the world, just to be," she added.

At the end of her post, she added an "I love you" emoji. Damari lost two of her fingers during her Oct. 7 kidnapping.

Damari, 28, and the other two released hostages Romi Gonen, 24, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31, were handed over by Hamas to representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross in the Gaza Strip on Sunday as part of a ceasefire agreement with the terrorist group.

Following an initial medical examination at the Israel Defense Forces reception point near the Gaza border and their subsequent transfer to a hospital via helicopter, Tel Hashomer General Hospital Director Dr. Yael Frenkel Nir told local media that the women's physical condition was good enough to allow them to focus on reuniting with family members.

Hundreds of exhilarated Israelis were awaiting the return of the three hostages outside the hospital as the helicopters touched down.

Damari’s mother Mandy, a dual Israeli-U.K. national, shortly after her daughter’s return thanked “everyone who never stopped fighting for Emily throughout this horrendous ordeal, and who never stopped saying her name. In Israel, Britain, the United States and around the world.

“While Emily’s nightmare in Gaza is over, for too many other families the impossible wait continues. Every last hostage must be released, and humanitarian aid must be provided to the hostages who are still waiting to come home.”

Israel has said that 25 of the 33 people on the list of hostages to be returned in the first stage of the ceasefire deal are still alive. Ninety-four hostages are still being held in Gaza, at least one-third of whom are believed to be dead.

Emily Damari (28), Doron Steinbrecher (31) and Romi Gonen (24) have begun their journey back to life at Sheba Medical Center following 471 days in Hamas captivity. Medical teams, having spent months preparing for the hostages' return, prioritized the family reunions while establishing the foundation for an intricate medical and psychological rehabilitation process.

Following the hostages' return yesterday, Hospital Director Dr. Yael Frankel Nir announced: "I am deeply moved to report that we have received the three hostages. Their medical condition allows us to focus on family reunification. We will proceed with examinations in the coming days. We had the privilege of meeting them ... and we continue this journey until the last hostage returns."

Dr. Sefi Mendlovich, Deputy Director General of the Israeli Health Ministry, stated: "Today we welcome Emily, Doron, and Romi after 471 days in Hamas captivity. This represents an unimaginable reality. We, as medical authorities within the healthcare system, stand fully prepared to address all medical conditions."

Immediate priority: Nutrition

The primary medical concern currently centers on refeeding syndrome. Following 15 months of malnutrition, sudden food reintroduction risks dangerous disruptions to the body's fluid and electrolyte balance. Previous hostage exchanges revealed weight losses of between 10% to 17% of body mass, translating to 17-33 pounds. Given the three women's extended period in captivity, the medical team anticipates even more complex challenges.

Consequently, they must undergo extensive medical evaluation. The established medical protocol encompasses comprehensive testing: infectious disease screening, thorough nutritional assessment including vitamin levels, potassium, zinc and vitamin B12, pregnancy testing for women of reproductive age, blood clot screening—a condition previously observed in hostages due to prolonged immobility—and detailed examinations of neurological, respiratory and cardiac function.

Systematic readiness

Six hospitals nationwide are prepared for hostage reception—four in central Israel and two near the border with Gaza. Health Ministry guidelines recommend a minimum four-day hospitalization, allowing for necessary testing and gradual adjustment.

A multidisciplinary expert team was assembled to conduct the hostage examinations. The hospital deploys specialists across various fields: ophthalmologists assessing vision after extended darkness exposure, gynecologists performing comprehensive examinations, geriatric specialists evaluating prolonged immobility effects, dentists addressing captivity-related dental issues and mental health professionals providing immediate and long-term psychological support.

Specialized psychological care

"We face both emotional and medical complexities," emphasized Dr. Frankel-Nir. "The care system we've developed is based on past experiences and insights from previous events." The mental health team is focused on giving the returnees and their families privacy and peace, making sure they're not overwhelmed by outside stresses or too many visitors.

The care system extends beyond hospital discharge, continuing into community care. "We've developed a comprehensive ongoing care program," Dr. Mendlovich explained. "Our aim is facilitating smooth transitions from hospitalization to daily life while maintaining thorough medical and psychological monitoring."

'Part of them is still in the tunnel'

Professor Hagai Levine, head of Health Services at the Hostages' Families and Missing Forum, told Israel Hayom on Monday morning that recovery for the released hostages began the moment they were released, but will be a lifelong journey.

"Mentally, part of them is still in that tunnel," he explained. "They spent so long with their fellow hostages that they feel guilty about doing anything enjoyable—even though they should be able to. This sense of guilt toward those still in captivity is holding back their recovery."

Professor Levine noted that this extends to the families of those who've returned—they remain deeply involved in fighting for the release of those still held captive, driven by the same sense of obligation. "Even Israeli society as a whole can't fully move forward—and understandably so—while people are still focused on bringing everyone home."

Both the hostages' physical and mental health will need to be addressed, said Levine.

"Physically, we check for various medical conditions—in past cases, we've found blood clots in leg veins, hormone imbalances and malnutrition. We screen for vitamin and mineral deficiencies, weight loss and skin problems. Some patients need physical therapy. On the psychological side, there's a long road ahead—rebuilding trust and helping them regain a sense of control over their lives."

After suffering such trauma, a significant social adjustment will be required for the hostages to reintegrate back into their former lives, he explained.

"They need to relearn how to navigate everyday interactions and eventually return to work. It's a complex, long-term recovery process that affects both the released hostages and their families. But full recovery is particularly challenging while others remain in captivity—they find it impossible to focus entirely on their own healing while knowing others are still held hostage."

Originally published by Israel Hayom.

Crowds of cheering Palestinians late overnight Sunday greeted 90 terrorists in Beitunia in Judea after they were released by Israel as part of the first phase of the ceasefire deal with Hamas, AFP reported.

Earlier on Sunday, three Israeli female hostages were released from the Gaza Strip after 472 days in captivity and were escorted by the Israel Defense Forces to reunite with their families.

The Israel Prison Service said in a statement just before 1:30 a.m. that “All the terrorists were released from Ofer prison and the Jerusalem detention center.”

AFP reported that members of the crowd climbed on the lead bus and unfurled a Palestinian flag, later being joined by others who waved the flags of the Fatah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist factions.

The IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee issued a warning on X against participation in riots or armed marches supporting terrorism.

“Anyone who participates in such terrorist acts exposes himself to danger,” Adraee said in Arabic.

Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan harshly criticized the ceasefire agreement, expressing his concerns over the consequences of releasing Palestinian terrorists to Judea and Samaria.

“Releasing terrorists into Judea and Samaria is a clear danger to the country! This is a dramatic and negative change on the ground,” Dagan was quoted as saying by Israel National News.

“Sadly, we are now witnessing celebrations of terror supporters in Judea and Samaria and around the world,” he went on to say.

Dagan stressed that “Every Jewish heart and every normal person in the world is moved to tears seeing the hostages returning to their families.”

But, he added, “The wholesale release of terrorists into Judea and Samaria is a clear danger to the country. It doesn’t just endanger the residents of Judea and Samaria; it clearly endangers all citizens of Israel, especially the ‘Judea and Samaria envelope’—from Tel Aviv through Netanya, Hadera to Jerusalem. The Israeli government made a terrible and difficult decision.”

Israel’s Supreme Court, sitting as the High Court of Justice, on Sunday morning rejected a petition filed by terror victims that sought to block the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners as part of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas.

“It is not our place or custom to intervene in matters of this type in which the scope of judicial review is extremely narrow,” the justices stated in their ruling.