GAZA CITY: Hamas will forgo its usual handover ceremony when it returns the bodies of four Israeli hostages on Wednesday night, with Israel expected to free more than 600 Palestinian prisoners in exchange, the militant group said.
The swap will be the final one under the first phase of a fragile Gaza ceasefire deal that went into effect on Jan. 19.
Hamas’s armed wing said Wednesday that under the “framework of the deal, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades have decided to hand over the bodies of four hostages tonight.”
A Hamas official told AFP that in return, Israel would release 625 Palestinian prisoners.
The official also said the return of the four bodies would take place in private “to prevent the occupation from finding any pretext for delay or obstruction.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed the handover was set for Wednesday night, “without Hamas ceremonies.”
Hamas has conducted past handovers in public spaces, with hostages paraded on stage, given certificates and gift bags, and often made to speak in front of crowds.
The spectacles — particularly one in which coffins carrying the remains of dead hostages were displayed — have drawn outrage in Israel, which halted the planned release of prisoners during last week’s exchange to protest what it called the “humiliating ceremonies.”
A second Hamas official familiar with the exchange told AFP that the Palestinian prisoners whose releases were delayed would be freed as soon as the bodies were returned on Wednesday.
“Hamas will hand over the bodies of the four Israeli prisoners by midnight, and in return, Israeli authorities will release the Palestinian detainees and prisoners from the seventh batch simultaneously,” he told AFP.
Another, smaller group of Palestinian women and minors due to be freed in return for the bodies would be released after Israeli authorities had verified the dead hostages’ identities, he added.
“This arrangement was made based on a proposal presented by the mediators, which Hamas agreed to,” the official said.
The Israel Prison Service said Wednesday that it was “making preparations for... releasing imprisoned terrorists in accordance with the agreement for the return of the hostages.”
It did not, however, give any indication of the timing of the releases.
The ceasefire has largely halted the war sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, and seen 25 hostages released alive so far in exchange for more than 1,100 prisoners.
There have been sporadic incidents of violence, however.
The Israeli military said it carried out air strikes on several launch sites inside Gaza after a projectile was fired from there on Wednesday, though the munition fell short inside the Palestinian territory.
In Washington, President Donald Trump’s top envoy to the Middle East said Israeli representatives were en route to talks on the next phase of the ceasefire.
“We’re making a lot of progress. Israel is sending a team right now as we speak,” Steve Witkoff told an event for the American Jewish Committee.
“It’s either going to be in Doha or in Cairo, where negotiations will begin again with the Egyptians and the Qataris.”
The first phase of the deal is supposed to end on Saturday, but negotiations for the next stage — which were due to begin in early February — have not yet started.
Hamas has said it is ready to release all the remaining hostages “in one go” during the second phase.
On Sunday, the group had accused Israel of endangering the Gaza truce by delaying the release of Palestinian prisoners.
On Wednesday, thousands gathered in Israel for the funeral of Shiri Bibas and her sons, who were killed in captivity in Gaza and had become symbols of the country’s hostage ordeal.
The Israeli parliament held a minute of silence to mourn their deaths, as well as those of other victims of Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack.
“Yesterday, the funeral of Oded Lifshitz took place; today, the funeral of Shiri, Kfir and Ariel Bibas is taking place. We remember all the victims of October 7. We remember, and we will not forget,” said speaker Amir Ohana.
Hamas and its allies took 251 hostages that day, with 62 still held in Gaza, 35 of whom are dead.
Israel vowed to destroy Hamas after the attack, the deadliest in the country’s history and has made bringing back all the hostages a central war aim.
The attack resulted in the deaths of more than 1,215 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.
Israel’s retaliation in Gaza has killed more than 48,348 people, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, figures that the United Nations considers credible.
At Bibas family funeral on Wednesday, father Yarden Bibas, who was abducted separately on October 7 and released alive in a previous exchange, apologized to his late wife and sons.
“Shiri, I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you all,” he said in his eulogy, his voice cracking.
The Israeli national anthem was played as the funeral convoy passed through a crowd of mourners in the central city of Rishon LeZion, where the remains of the three hostages had been prepared for burial.
“The Bibas family, I think, is like the symbol of everything that happened to us since October 7,” said retired teacher Ayala Schlesinger Avidov, 72, visibly emotional as she spoke to AFP.
“The two babies and the mother that did nothing to the world and were murdered in cold blood.”
Hamas says to hand over four Israeli hostages’ bodies in private
https://arab.news/nvxbv
Hamas says to hand over four Israeli hostages’ bodies in private
- The swap will be the final one under the first phase of a fragile Gaza ceasefire deal that went into effect on Jan. 19
- Hamas’s armed wing said Wednesday that under the “framework of the deal, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades have decided to hand over the bodies of four hostages tonight“
Amroti ‘Water’ Mosque: Century-old symbol of faith and resistance in southern Pakistan
- Mosque was built around 1890 under guidance of Syed Taj Mahmood Shah Amroti, first translator of Qur’an into Sindhi language
- Mosque’s location became problem when British wanted to built Sukkur Barrage but resistance by Amroti and followers forced retreat
SHIKARPUR, Sindh: Standing on seven pillars in the middle of the Kirthar Canal, a unique mosque in Pakistan’s southern Shikarpur district is more than just a place of worship — it is a symbol of defiance and resistance against British colonial rule.
With its whitewashed walls rising above the flowing waters, the Amroti Mosque’s architecture is as unique as its story.
The mosque was first constructed from mud, wood and palm tree trunks on a mound around 1890 under the guidance of scholar and educationalist Syed Taj Mahmood Shah Amroti, who was the first to translate the Holy Qur’an into the Sindhi landguage and provide detailed explanations of its teachings. For years, the mosque served as a place of workshop for the residents of Junejo village in Shikarpur until its location became an issue when the British colonial rulers of India decided to build the Sukkur Barrage and its canals, ordering the demolition of the masjid.
Historical accounts say Amroti sent over 20 letters to authorities asking to change the canal’s route but received no response and the British eventually issued a warrant for his arrest.
“In 1922, the British government started the Kirthar Canal project to irrigate uncultivated lands of Sindh and Balochistan [provinces],” Sayed Rushdullah Shah Amroti, the administrator of Amroti Mosque and the great grandson of Amroti, told Arab News.
“When Hazrat Amroti came to know that the British government wanted to demolish the mosque, he decided to camp here and offered stiff resistance to British authorities.”
When British officials arrived with machines to demolish the mosque, local villagers joined Amroti in a massive protest. In the end, the British agreed not to destroy the mosque and instead promised to strengthen its structure so that both the mosque and the canal could remain.
“The impact of the resistance was that the British government was forced to kneel down,” Sayed said. “They left the mosque as it was and made the canal around its four sides.”
The mosque in its present shape was subsequently built, serving as a reminder of the importance of both faith and rebellion as it stood amid the waters of the Kirthar Canal, which originates from the Indus River at Sukkur Barrage and became operational in 1932 as a vital watercourse for Balochistan, particularly districts like Jafarabad and Naseerabad.
“STRANGE SPIRITUAL STATE”
In the past, residents would use boats to reach Amroti Mosque for prayers but after independence from British rule in 1947 and the creation of the two separate nations of Pakistan and India, the government rebuilt a proper structure for the mosque, constructed a bridge for easier access and ensured that water continued to flow beneath it.
Though the small mosque only allows 10-12 people to pray at a time, it holds great cultural and spiritual value for the people of the area.
“We are very proud of the religious and Islamic achievements of our ancestors, and wherever we go in the world, the respect we receive because of our connection to Amroti Sharif is largely due to the role of this mosque,” Rushdullah said.
Nasim Bukhari, a local writer, described the mosque as a “great symbol of resistance in history.”
“And this has been the history of Sindh, that we have never accepted defeat. Even if we had to face defeat, we would die with our names still alive. We never ran away,” he said.
Amroti’s struggle was part of a larger resistance movement in Sindh, according to Bukhari.
“Syed Taj Mahmood Amroti fought against the British in his time and became a symbol of resistance. The people of that time, unarmed, fought with perseverance,” the author said, highlighting Amroti as an inspiration for others. One of his disciples, Syed Salah Aajiz Memon, later became the first Sindhi and Muslim figure against whom the British filed a case for rebellion.
“The name and deeds of our leader, Syed Taj Mahmood Amroti, have had their impact, but the resistance movement led by his followers and disciples also carries a remarkable legacy,” Bukhari said.
To date, the mosque continues to serve as a place of deep spirituality and worshippers describe a “profound sense of peace” at the place, especially when the water runs high and the mosque appears to be floating in the canal.
“While praying here, a strange spiritual state occurs,” Maulana Shahnawaz Baloch, the prayer leader at the mosque, told Arab News.
“At this time, the water level is low, yet there is still a spiritual atmosphere. When the water level is higher due to the season, a completely different spiritual experience takes place.”
New York Arab Festival returns with diverse lineup
- The New York-based dance music collective showcases beats from the Arab, Asian, and Pan-African diasporas
DUBAI: The fourth edition of the New York Arab Festival (NYAF) runs from April 1- May 30, with headlining acts including DJ duo Haza Party.
The New York-based dance music collective showcases beats from the Arab, Asian, and Pan-African diasporas. The festival will play host to a special version of the collective’s signature “Haza Souk” event, featuring a lineup of DJ sets, merchandise outlets and food.
On April 8, Palestinian poet Ahmad Almallah will present his latest book “Wrong Winds” while April 13 will see Palestinian rockstar, singer and songwriter Rasha Nahas perform at Brooklyn Art Haus.
A double bill dedicated to the centennial of dancer Samia Gamal will take place at the Jalopy Theatre on April 16, with New York based choreographers and dancers Angie Assal and Soumaya MaRose celebrating the history of the late Egyptian choreographer.
Meanwhile, the NYAF Arab Shorts Film Program at the Bartos Screening will feature the work of filmmakers including Alia Haju and Khaled Jarrar.
From May 1-4, NYAF will collaborate with experimental theater club La MaMa ETC for a “festival within a festival” celebrating Arab artists in four multidisciplinary “happenings” featuring spoken word performances based on texts by the late poets Etel Adnan and Joyce Mansour, dance, music and multimedia visuals. Performers include Andrew Riad, Nadia Khyrallah, Sarah Brahim, and Amr Kotb, among others.
On May 14, Lebanese American singer-songwriter H.Sinno’s “Poems of Consumption” — which turns Amazon customer reviews into pop songs — will be presented.
NYAF was established in 2022 to commemorate Arab American Heritage Month and “fight the erasure of Arab and Arab American identities from NYC, a place Arabs have called home for over three centuries,” the festival said in a released statement.
Jokic scores career-high 61 points, plays nearly 53 minutes in 140-139 double-OT loss to Wolves
- Nikola Jokic’s scoring spree was the most by a player in the NBA this season
- Jokic’s previous career best was 56 points in a loss at Washington on Dec. 7
DENVER: Michael Malone called him Superman. At the moment, Nikola Jokic’s just super-tired.
The Denver Nuggets big man can’t wait to get some sleep after a career-best 61-point performance in which he played nearly 53 minutes. He didn’t leave the court after halftime of a 140-139 double-overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.
His scoring spree was the most by a player in the NBA this season. Jokic also had 10 rebounds and 10 assists, notching the third 60-point triple-double in NBA history. Luka Doncic did it on Dec. 27, 2022 and James Harden did it on Jan. 30, 2018.
“The guy’s Superman,” Nuggets coach Malone said. “He’s on a whole other level, man. People say he’s not athletic, but not many guys can do what he does.”
Jokic’s previous career best was 56 points in a loss at Washington on Dec. 7. The franchise mark is held by David Thompson, who had 73 points at Detroit on April 9, 1978.
On Tuesday, Jokic attempted 24 free throws – making 19 – to match the team mark held by Carmelo Anthony. For all his exploits, Jokic had just one over-riding emotion: “Tired,” he said. “It was an exhausting game.”
Anthony Edwards gave the three-time NBA MVP major props. Jokic’s in a heated race for another MVP award with Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
“Nikola Jokic, he might be the best basketball player that I have ever seen close up, besides myself,” cracked Edwards, who had 34 points and 10 rebounds. “He is incredible. The MVP race is tough. I don’t know. He had 60. That is crazy.”
Of course, this game – a sixth straight loss to Minnesota, including playoffs – will be remembered by Nuggets fans for Jokic’s exploits on the court. But it will also be remembered for a wild finish.
Leading 139-138 with around 14 seconds left, Russell Westbrook stole the ball and dished it over to Christian Braun who then sent it right back to Westbrook for a layup. But Westbrook’s layup clanked off the rim and started a break the other way.
Westbrook ran down the court and fouled Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the corner with 0.1 seconds remaining. The Timberwolves guard hit two of three free throws to steal the victory.
“Obviously, I feel awful for Russ,” Malone said. “That last play we get the turnover, we don’t convert, and then the foul. It was not from a lack of effort or care.
“Sometimes it goes like that, and that’s why we’ve just got to be strong. We’ve got to be resilient.”
The big question: Should the Nuggets have not attempted the layup and pulled the ball back out to run down the clock?
“It’s tough. You’ve got a two-on-one break,” Malone said. “As a coach, am I up on the sideline yelling, ‘Don’t go?’ We’ve got a layup. But it’s easy to say that (pull the ball out) in hindsight, because we missed a layup. ... He (Westbrook) is a tough kid, and I think he knows that everybody in that locker room’s got his back.”
For Jokic, there’s not much time for rest. The Nuggets play Wednesday night against San Antonio. All he said he needs was a little break.
“I think we’re so used to this,” Jokic said. “Tomorrow, I’m not going to remember I played so many minutes.”
Pakistan rules out talks with separatist BLA group following surge in attacks
- Baloch Liberation Army has claimed deadly attacks against Pakistani law enforcers, Punjab-based laborers in past
- BLA, other Baloch separatist groups have been fighting the state for Balochstan’s independence for decades
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif this week ruled out talks with prominent separatist militant group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) following a recent surge in attacks in the southwestern Balochistan province.
The BLA has carried out deadly attacks against Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies, including last month’s train siege in Balochistan. BLA fighters stormed a train in the mountainous Bolan region in March, holding hundreds of passengers hostage. Pakistan’s army said it had killed all 33 militants in the rescue operation. Thirty-one soldiers and civilians had been killed by the militants in the attack.
The BLA has also claimed attacks on laborers and commuters hailing from Pakistan’s Punjab province. The group seeks Balochistan’s independence from Pakistan, blaming the central government and Punjab for denying its locals a share in the natural resources of the province. Both deny the allegations.
“The way laborers and small workers who go there [Balochistan] from Punjab are being killed, I don’t think there can be any talks with them [BLA],” Asif told private news channel SAMAA TV on Tuesday.
Responding to a question about the surge in militant attacks in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province by the Pakistani Taliban, Asif said the country’s military is “dealing with them.”
“It will take a little time but we will prevail over this crisis,” the defense minister said.
Pakistan has been battling twin insurgencies — one mounted by religiously motivated groups like the Pakistani Taliban or the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in KP and the other by Baloch separatists in Balochistan.
Militant attacks in Pakistan surpassed 100 in March for the first time in over nine years, marking it to be the deadliest month since 2015, leading security think tank Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) said on Tuesday.
The think tank said KP and Balochistan were the hardest hit provinces last month, though Punjab and Sindh also experienced an uptick in militant activity.
Islamabad has repeatedly blamed Afghanistan for providing shelter to militant groups targeting civilians and security forces in cross-border attacks, an allegation denied by the authorities in Kabul.
Israel expands military effort in Gaza, 15 killed since morning
- Israeli defense minister says large areas in Gaza would be seized and added to Israel's security zones
- Israel resumed air strikes on Gaza and sent ground troops back this month after fragile truce collapsed
JERUSALEM: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced a major expansion of the military operation in Gaza on Wednesday, saying large areas of the enclave would be seized and added to the security zones of Israel.
In a statement, Katz said there would be large-scale evacuation of population from areas where there is fighting, and urged Gazans to eliminate Hamas and return Israeli hostages as the only way to end the war.
He did not make clear how much land Israel intends to seize, however.
Gaza rescuers say 15 killed in Israeli strikes on two houses
Gaza’s civil defense agency said Israeli air strikes on two houses in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory on Wednesday killed at least 15 people, including children.
“Thirteen martyrs, including children, were killed at dawn when occupation forces (the Israeli army) bombed a house sheltering displaced people in central Khan Yunis, in southern Gaza,” civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP, adding two other people were kiled in an Israeli strike on a house in the Nuseirat camp, in central Gaza.
Israel has already set up a significant buffer zone within Gaza, expanding an area that existed around the edges of the enclave before the war and adding a large security area in the so-called Netzarim corridor through the middle of Gaza.
At the same time, Israeli leaders have said they plan to facilitate voluntary departure of Palestinians from the enclave, after US President Donald Trump called for it to be permanently evacuated and redeveloped as a coastal resort under US control.
Israel resumed air strikes on Gaza and sent ground troops back in this month, after two months of relative calm following the conclusion of a US-backed truce to allow the exchange of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
Efforts led by Qatari and Egyptian mediators to get back on tracks talks aimed at ending the war have failed to make progress yet.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the application of military pressure is the best way to get the remaining 59 hostages back.
