Hamas released a group of four Israeli hostages on Saturday morning as part of a negotiated ceasefire with Israel. The women—Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag—were Israel Defense Forces observation troops abducted from their base in Nahal Oz during Hamas's attacks on October 7, 2023. The handover was facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Gaza City.

This marks the second wave of hostages freed under the current agreement between Hamas and Israel. The initial group of three Israeli civilians was released last Sunday, with Israel reciprocating by freeing hundreds of Palestinian detainees.

Yemen's Houthis Release 153 Detainees

In Yemen, the Houthi rebel group unilaterally released 153 detainees, a move lauded by the ICRC as a positive step toward rekindling peace talks to end the country's civil war. The release comes amid ongoing tensions in the region and coincides with a declaration by the Houthis to limit attacks on international shipping following the Gaza ceasefire.

On Friday, the United Nations condemned the Houthis for detaining several UN staff members, calling for their immediate release.

US Freezes Foreign Aid, Exempting Israel and Egypt

The US administration announced a freeze on nearly all foreign aid on Friday, sparing only military assistance to key Middle East allies Israel and Egypt. Secretary of State Marco Rubio cited the need to reassess the effectiveness of existing aid commitments.

The decision has drawn sharp criticism from aid organizations, warning that halting critical funding could have dire consequences, particularly in conflict zones.

Israel Orders UNRWA to Cease Operations in Jerusalem

Israel has mandated the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to terminate its operations in Jerusalem by January 30, 2025. The move, following legislation passed by Israeli lawmakers, has been met with concerns from UNRWA and other international bodies, who argue it could jeopardize the fragile Gaza ceasefire.

UNRWA provides essential aid to millions of Palestinian refugees across the Middle East, including food, healthcare, and education.

These developments highlight the ongoing complexities of Middle Eastern geopolitics, from hostage exchanges and peace negotiations to international aid dynamics and regional diplomacy. Each action carries significant implications for stability in the region.