Day 499 - Freed Nir Oz hostages reveal torture, Hamas torment

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute
audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and
the Jewish world.


Times of Israel founding editor David
Horovitz joins host
Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.


As certain details emerge regarding the 15-month captivity of the
three hostages released on Saturday, Horovitz discusses the
scraps of information shared so far, including what's known about
Iair Horn's brother Eitan, who is still a captive, that Sagui
Dekel-Chen was tortured, and the potential implications of any
information that is shared. 


Horovitz also reviews the latest in the hostage deal, how many
hostages remain to be released in the first stage and the delayed
start to negotiations for the second stage of the ceasefire. He
discusses whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is debating
whether to return to negotiations and what kind of leverage US
President Donald Trump has in this situation. 


Horovitz also discusses comments made by a former Israeli hostage
negotiator regarding the missed opportunities for a hostage deal
months earlier while the Prime Minister's Office offered an
official statement dismissing the accusations.


Please see today's ongoing live blog for more
updates.


Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple
Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your
podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.


For further reading:


Hours after release, freed hostages talk of Hamas
torture, psychological torment


Netanyahu cagey on Israel’s next steps as Trump deadline
to free all hostages passes


Former Israeli hostage negotiator says Israel missed two
windows for deal


IMAGE: Freed hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen is reunited with his wife
Avital on his return to Israel after 498 days in captivity in
Gaza, February 15, 2025. (IDF)


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