Israel Continues Airstrikes on Gaza Strip as Hamas Hostage Release Delayed
Jerusalem — Israel's military continued pummeling the Gaza Strip Thursday after a four-day cease-fire intended to see the militant group Hamas free dozens of Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of some 150 Palestinian prisoners was delayed at least until Friday. About 10 U.S. citizens remain unaccounted for after Hamas' brutal Oct. 7 terror attack, and some of them are thought to be hostages, including three-year-old Abigail Mor Edan.
No list of the Israeli hostages to be released in the first wave — expected to be about 50 people, many of them children — has been published by Hamas, so Israeli-American families such as Abigail's were left to hope on Thanksgiving that their loved ones might soon be free.
Under the agreement reached in Qatar this week, Hamas is incentivized to release more of the 236 captives Israel accuses it of seizing during its rampage across southern Israel, which saw the U.S.-designated terror group kill some 1,200 people. Every 10 additional hostages freed by Hamas will see Israel extend the temporary cease-fire by one day. More Palestinian prisoners would also be released if the deal is extended, at a ratio of three prisoners for every hostage handed over.
Hostages' Families Await Release in Israel
In Israel, six weeks of anxious waiting could soon be over for some of the hostages' families.
Hadas Calderon told CBS News that her life ended and her "family was broken" the moment Hamas gunmen stormed through their small farming community of Kibbutz Nir Oz on Oct. 7 and abducted her daughter Sahar, 16, and her son Erez, who's 12.
Asked what she thought her children have been through since that day, Calderon said: "Hell! Hell is what they're going through… I just want them to come back and [to] heal them."
As other American families prepared tables for Thanksgiving dinner, in central Tel Aviv, a dining table was set with a seat for every one of the 236 hostages that Israel says are being held in Gaza.
Palestinians demand end to Gaza war, release of all prisoners
But with Israel's military still carrying out regular airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza — all of which it says target the Palestinian territory's long-time Hamas rulers or other extremist groups — and the death toll said to be over 13,000, besieged residents have told CBS News that a four-day pause in the fighting isn't enough.
"We've lost thousands of people," said one girl at a protest in Ramallah, the biggest city in the other Palestinian territory, the Israeli-occupied West Bank. "If the war continues, we'll lose everyone."
The demonstrators are demanding an immediate end to the ongoing war and the release of all Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. According to Palestinian prisoners' rights groups, there are currently more than 200 Palestinian children and around 75 women in Israeli prisons.
Over the past few weeks, dozens of people have been arrested, further increasing the total number of Palestinians currently held in Israeli jails to over 7,000, according to prisoner rights advocates.
"Ultimately, I want freedom and I want for liberation," said Palestinian journalist and activist Joharah Baker, who is based in Jerusalem. "Palestinians deserve to be free."
Samaher Aouwad's daughter Norhan is among those who may be released from prison this week. Norhan was arrested at the age of 15 for the alleged attempted stabbing of an Israeli soldier. She has consistently denied the charge and has spent nine years in prison for it.
"The Israeli occupation stole her childhood, and that's what I feel sad about," Aouwad told CBS News. "No one can replace her childhood."
For decades, Israel has used the release of Palestinian prisoners as a bargaining chip in negotiations with various Palestinian leaders.
In 2011, Hamas and Israel reached an agreement where Hamas would release kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in exchange for over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Gershon Baskin, an Israeli hostage negotiator involved in the previous agreement, stated that the fact that Hamas is only receiving three prisoners for each hostage they release this time indicates their eagerness to hand back women, children, and elderly hostages they are holding. He believes that once Hamas has only the soldiers, they will then demand the release of all Palestinian prisoners in Israel.
Hamas has not yet made this demand, and it is unclear how many of the hostages are civilians and how many are soldiers. However, Hamas currently has significant leverage in the situation.
Meanwhile, Israel is continuing its mission to "destroy Hamas" as the expected pause in the fighting approaches.
Scientists Discover New Species of Butterfly in the Amazon Rainforest
Scientists have made an exciting discovery in the Amazon rainforest. A team of researchers from the University of Science and Nature have identified a new species of butterfly that has never been seen before.
The butterfly, named Amazonia aurora, has vibrant blue wings with intricate patterns. It is larger than most butterfly species found in the region and is believed to have evolved unique characteristics to adapt to its specific habitat.
The discovery was made during a month-long expedition in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. The researchers collected several specimens of the butterfly and conducted extensive analysis to confirm that it was indeed a new species.
Dr. Maria Rodriguez, the lead researcher on the project, expressed her excitement about the discovery. "Finding a new species is always a thrilling experience, but discovering one in such a biodiverse region like the Amazon is truly remarkable. It highlights the importance of preserving these ecosystems for future generations."
The team of scientists will continue their research to learn more about the behavior, habitat, and life cycle of the Amazonia aurora butterfly. They hope that their findings will contribute to the conservation efforts in the Amazon rainforest and raise awareness about the importance of protecting its unique biodiversity.
