Three more Israeli hostages were released this week, despite calls from President Trump to release them all. Did Israel cave to Hamas, by not insisting on a full hostage release? In addition, IDF troops were sent south indicating that Israel would perhaps restart the war in Gaza. Is Israel headed for phase two of the ceasefire, or back into battle? These questions and all the latest news, on this week’s Israel Uncensored, with Josh Hasten.
Three more Israeli hostages – Or Levy, 34, Eli Sharabi, 52, and Ohad Ben Ami, 56, were released from Hamas captivity over the weekend. On today’s Israel Uncensored, Josh Hasten says it was painful to see the three emaciated Jews come home, clearly starved by Hamas – modern day Nazis, after over 480 days in captivity. After seeing how the three were mistreated, Josh can’t wrap his head around the fact that all this time, Israel was providing Gaza, an enemy population, with humanitarian aid, which clearly wasn’t being distributed to our hostages.
President Donald Trump has reinstated a “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, signing an executive order that directs the Treasury Department to impose strict economic sanctions, particularly on Iran’s vital oil exports.
The move coincides with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the White House. Trump admitted he was “torn” over the decision, but bipartisan lawmakers are pushing for even tougher measures. Will this escalate tensions in the Middle East?
For analysis, Veronica Dudo speaks with Middle East correspondent Josh Hasten from JNS.
Listen to my full interview which starts at 19:40
Josh Hasten, Middle East Correspondent for JNS, is interviewed by Laura Ingle of NewsNation Live on Netanyahu’s upcoming meeting with Trump in Washington, DC. This interview took place on February 2, 2025
Holocaust survivor Galina Bailin (left) with a member of the International Fellowship of Jews and Christians. Photo: Mishel Amzalleg, IFCJ.
Ceremonies are being held around the world on Monday, Jan. 27, to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The date for the annual commemoration was proclaimed by the United Nations in November 2005, marking the date of liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi death camp by the Soviet army on Jan. 27, 1945. It is now 80 years since the camp’s liberation.
After a one day delay for failing to uphold their end of the terrorist for Israeli hostage deal, Gazans this morning started heading north, as Israeli troops cleared a path via the Netzarim corridor. This Thursday, three more Israeli hostages will be freed including Arbel Yehud and Agam Berger, with another three to be released on Saturday. Israelis continue to celebrate for now as the hostages are freed, but in the back of the minds of many – the 1,900 Arab terrorists who have started to re-enter into society, both in Gaza, Judea and Samaria, and Jerusalem. This story, plus all the latest news from Israel on this week’s Israel Uncensored, with Josh Hasten.
US Congressional Caucus for Judea and Samaria with Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan, Washington DC, Jan. 2025. Credit: Avi Dir
(Jan. 22, 2025 / JNS) A top-level delegation from the Yesha Council, representing Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, was in Washington, D.C., this week as invited guests for President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Josh Hasten, the Middle East Correspondent for JNS, joins Sky News to discuss the latest news on the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal. This interview took place on January 16, 2025.