Day 498 - 3 freed hostages find new baby, murdered dad, captive brother

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.


Military reporter Emanuel Fabian joins host
Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.


Released hostages Sagui Dekel-Chen, Sasha Troufanov and Iair Horn
crossed back into Israel this morning after being paraded on a
stage in southern Gaza in a propaganda-filled release ceremony by
the Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror groups after 498
days in captivity. Fabian fills us in on the ceremony and their
health status. We learn about how the IDF has handled the
heightened tensions in the Gaza Strip this past week and its
readiness to return to war-footing.


In a meeting on Friday morning, Israel Defense Forces Chief of
Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi apologized to four recently released
hostage soldiers for their warnings not being treated seriously
before the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, as well as for their
long captivity. Halevi met with Agam Berger, Liri Albag, Naama
Levy and Karina Ariev, who were released from Hamas captivity
after some 15 months. We learn what else was leaked from the
meeting.


The outgoing deputy commander of UNIFIL was injured Friday, the
international peacekeeping force said, after a convoy taking
troops to the Beirut airport was attacked amid pro-Hezbollah
demonstrations in the area. This occurred as the IDF is
reluctantly readying a drawdown from Lebanon on February 18 --
which may or may not be its final withdrawal of troops, reports
Fabian.


Finally, we hear updates on the ongoing counter-terrorism
operation in the West Bank and learn how much security
cooperation there is with the Palestinian Authority for it.


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


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podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.


For further reading:


Released hostages Dekel-Chen, Troufanov and Horn in
Israel after 498 days in captivity


Hamas made surveillance troops watch torture videos of
male hostages, says mother


IDF chief apologizes to freed surveillance soldiers for
failing them on and before Oct. 7


‘I was starved and tortured’: Keith Siegel urges Trump to
ensure all hostages freed


Two weeks after his release, former hostage Ofer Calderon
hospitalized with pneumonia


UNIFIL’s outgoing deputy chief wounded as convoy attacked
by pro-Hezbollah rioters


IDF strikes Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon, citing
‘direct threat’ to Israel


Lebanon tells Iranian flight it can’t land, after IDF’s
Hezbollah smuggling claim


Troops neutralize bomb-laden car, Palestinian shot dead
near IDF base, in West Bank


IMAGE: A woman holds pictures of three released Israeli hostages
in Tel Aviv on February 15, 2025 in the city's Hostages Square.
(Jack GUEZ / AFP)


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