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‘No country wants them’: 70 released Hamas prisoners stranded in Cairo hotel

David Brummer

(Photo by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash)

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JERUSALEM – Middle East/Israel Morning Brief

70 released Hamas prisoners stranded in Cairo hotel as ‘no country wants them’

Seventy members of Hamas released from Israeli prisons as part of the hostage agreement are currently stranded in a hotel in Cairo, with the countries that had committed to hosting them not yet formally agreeing to do so.

“To date, no Arab country has agreed to receive even a single released and expelled Palestinian prisoner,” a source from the Palestinian Prisoner Authority said.

According to the Algemeiner, the ex-prisoners, who are not allowed to leave their hotel, describe their situation as moving “from an Israeli prison to an Egyptian prison.” The source reports they had to stay for a long time with their prison clothes and sandals, adding “the Egyptians do not treat them warmly.”
In addition to those stuck in Egypt, 23 other prisoners who were supposed to be deported abroad are trapped in the Gaza Strip. Among the countries mentioned as potential destinations are Algeria, Turkey, Tunisia, and Qatar.

In a joint statement, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed al-Thani and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced they would agree to host a portion of the released prisoners, without specifying their number. Al-Thani emphasized hosting the Palestinian prisoners “must be based on their own decision,” while Fidan simply stated: “We have agreed to accommodate a certain number of Palestinian prisoners expelled abroad.”

Hamas terrorists forced U.S.-Israeli hostage to write thank you letter to captors

In a letter distributed online by Hamas, Keith Siegel – who was released Saturday from captivity in Gaza – allegedly thanked the terrorists who held him for 484 days. “I was treated well by them,” he allegedly wrote.

But a statement from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum clarified “the Hamas terrorists who held Keith forced him to write them a detailed letter of thanks. This is one example of many of the cruel and cynical conduct of the Hamas terrorist organization and the urgency of returning all the hostages to Israel,” Ynet reported.

According to the letter Siegel was ordered to write: “My guards during this period took care of all my needs, food and drink, medicine, vitamins, eye drops, a blood pressure measuring device and more. They also made sure I got a doctor’s checkup when I felt unwell for a long time. The guards considered my needs and responded to my requests regarding nutrition, eating habits and more. They made sure I had food that suited my health needs.”

Freed hostage Danielle Gilboa: ‘Only thing that saved me was faith’

Daniella Gilboa, who was released last week from Hamas captivity, published her first post on social media after her release in which she thanked the people of Israel and shared details about her time in captivity.

“What a crazy year I had and I don’t know where to start. I think that first of all, I’ll say thank you to everyone,” Gilboa opened.

She thanked “the people who for a year and three months supported my family, who didn’t leave or give up or lose hope for a moment. Thank you for waiting for me, thank you for not believing the terrible rumors, thank you for continuing to pray for me for this entire time. It was my last request before I was abducted. I didn’t want to give up or say goodbye, so instead I prayed and believed with my whole heart that my end was not there, in that shelter.”

She recounted the moments of the abduction: “I prayed for all the girls who were with me for a half hour since I felt I couldn’t do anything better other than that at the time. I couldn’t hold onto the protection that the army may provide and maybe come to protect me. I couldn’t hold onto the protection that the shelter may have provided, since it wasn’t rockets. At that moment, couldn’t hold onto the few girls who were armed either.

“I knew the only thing that could save us was faith,” Daniella wrote. “Yesterday morning, Karina, Naama, Liri, Agam, and I recited the ‘Hagomel’ (thanksgiving) blessing at the synagogue.

“I waited for this moment from the day I survived Oct. 7, to thank G-d who against all odds saved us from the worst thing of all.”

IDF Rabbinate unveils tactical Holy Ark

The IDF’s Rabbinical Corps has developed, in the course of the past months, in light of the fighting on a number of fronts, a number of revolutionary patents designed to assist the combatants in maintaining their faith, while in combat.

One of the significant developments created by the IDF Rabbinate is a Holy Ark for the Torah scroll, which, at the touch of a button, becomes a table for the scroll, according to Israel National News.

“As far as transporting a Torah scroll is concerned, an Ark is required because of the humidity that damages Torah scrolls”, relates the Chief of Staff of the IDF Rabbinate, Col. Rabbi Shoham Orkabi.

“The ark that is used now is not comfortable to carry and is not waterproof, so the IDF’s Rabbinical Corps developed a Torah carrier with straps on both sides. This carrier is very comfortable to carry, and can be taken on the back to any location.”

71% of Israelis against Palestinian state, even if it nixes Saudi normalization

Seventy-one percent of Israelis oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state in Judea and Samaria, according to a poll conducted on Jan. 29.

The survey comes on the background of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s departure on Sunday to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C.

“The findings are public just in time for Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit with President Trump. Bibi can now go to the president of the United States with a clear statement that this is the will of the people of Israel,” Avi Abelow, CEO of Pulse of Israel, a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which co-sponsored the poll, told Jewish News Syndicate.

The future of Judea and Samaria, commonly known as the West Bank, is likely to be discussed between the two leaders as diplomatic relations with Arab countries is expected to be a key topic.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has signaled a Palestinian state is a condition for normalization of relations with Jerusalem. Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer said during a Jan. 22 speech in the Knesset plenum that Israel has made “no such promise.”

The survey asked respondents whether they would support a Palestinian state as part of an Israeli-Saudi peace deal. More than half said they would not even do so when attached to Saudi normalization.

Iran warns of ‘all-out regional war’ if Israel, U.S. strike nuclear sites

Iran will respond immediately and decisively if its nuclear sites are attacked which would lead to an “all-out war in the region,” Tehran’s foreign minister told Al Jazeera TV in a recently-aired interview, according to the Times of Israel.

Israel and the U.S. launching a military attack on Iranian nuclear facilities would be “one of the biggest historical mistakes the U.S. could make,” Abbas Araghchi said through a translator.

Concerns have grown among Iran’s top decision-makers that U.S. President Donald Trump might in his second term empower Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to strike Iran’s nuclear sites while further tightening U.S. sanctions on its oil industry.

Israel launches criminal investigation into Sara Netanyahu over witness tampering allegations

The State Attorney’s Office revealed Sunday it had launched a criminal investigation in a case linked to Sara Netanyahu, wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, although it stopped short of saying whether she was a suspect.

The probe was recently launched following allegations raised in an investigative report broadcast on the television program “Uvda” regarding supposed efforts to harass a witness in her husband’s ongoing corruption trial currently underway, Israel Hayom reported.

Sara Netanyahu has been in the U.S. for several weeks, although she is expected to return. It is unclear if she will be summoned for questioning. Her husband began an official visit to Washington on Sunday, where he is expected to become the first leader to meet President Donald Trump since his inauguration on Jan. 20.

The investigation, which commenced on Dec. 26, 2024, is being conducted by the Israel Police in coordination with the State Attorney’s Office Cyber Division. The prosecutor’s office emphasized the announcement of the investigation does not represent any stance on her innocence or guilt.

Khamenei says Iranians have courage to say ‘Death to America’

Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei praised the nation’s boldness in standing up to what he called global arrogance, a term mainly referring to the United States.

“The Iranian nation has the courage to say, ‘Death to America,’” Khamenei told an audience gathered at his headquarters on Sunday, Iran International reported.

Noting Iran is not alone in the global struggle against oppressive powers, he said, “The difference between the Iranian nation and others is that it has the courage to say this reality that America is aggressive, a liar, a deceiver, and a colonialist and is not committed to any of the principles of humanity; therefore, it says ‘Death to America,’ but others do not have the courage to express these truths and stand against America and fulfill their share in the fight against arrogance.”

Since its establishment 46 years ago, Iran’s Islamic government has promoted the slogan “Death to America.”

However, many Iranians on social media and commentators within the country advocate for improved relations and criticize such rhetoric.

Trump invites Jordan’s King Abdullah for White House talks

Jordan’s King Abdullah II has received an invitation to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on Feb. 11. The announcement of the invitation coincided with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s departure for Washington aboard the government-owned Wing of Zion plane for his official visit. Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with Trump on Tuesday.

In recent days, President Trump has reiterated his proposal for neighboring countries of Israel, specifically Egypt and Jordan, to absorb residents of the Gaza Strip as part of his “relocation” plan for hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians, according to Ynet. Both Cairo and Amman have rejected the idea, but Trump remains adamant: “They will do it. We do a lot for them – they will do this.”

Trump first raised the proposal last week following the second round of hostage releases of the first phase of the ceasefire deal. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, he described Gaza as a “massive demolition site” and argued rebuilding it would require relocating its residents to Jordan or Egypt. He suggested this could serve as a long-term solution rather than just a temporary measure. “This involves moving 1.5 million people and simply clearing out the entire place,” Trump said.

Katz warns Hezbollah to stop sending drones against Israeli territory, or face consequences

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz has issued a stark warning to Lebanon: stop the drones or there will be no Hezbollah.

The warning followed two incidents in which the Hezbollah terrorist army launched military drones at Israeli territory, according to the Jewish Press.

On Thursday, a Hezbollah surveillance drone flew toward Israeli territory from Lebanon, but was intercepted by the Israeli Air Force.

The next day, the IDF once again intercepted a drone launched from southern Lebanon by the Hezbollah terrorist army. The drone was launched toward the northern Israeli community of Zar’it, but was intercepted before reaching its destination.

The drones “represent a breach of the ceasefire understandings between Israel and Lebanon,” the IDF pointed out on Friday. “The IDF continues to remain committed to the ceasefire understandings between Israel and Lebanon, and will not permit any terrorist activity of this kind. The IDF remains deployed in southern Lebanon and will operate to remove any threat posed to the State of Israel and IDF troops.”

Katz reinforced the message on Sunday during a tour of IDF posts in southern Lebanon together with the commander of the 146th Division, Brigadier General Yiftach Norkin.

IDF continues ‘Iron Wall’ operation in Samaria, blows up Jenin terrorist bases

The IDF eliminated at least 50 terrorists and arrested over 100 wanted individuals in Tammun, as part of Operation Iron Wall, according to a statement on Sunday afternoon, the Jerusalem Post reported.

The military did not clarify within what time period the terrorist eliminations and arrests in Tammun occurred.

This included preliminary airstrikes, which killed “over 15 terrorists,” followed by operations that killed an additional “over 35 terrorists and arrested more than 100 wanted individuals,” the military stated.

During the operation, the IDF located and confiscated dozens of weapons, destroyed hundreds of explosive devices, and dozens of additional charges laid by the roadside which were planted to harm IDF operatives, the military continued.

Israel’s U.N. ambassador raises alarm over Egyptian military buildup adjacent to border

Egypt signed a peace agreement with Israel in 1979 and has been a leading mediating actor between the Jewish state and the terrorist militia Hamas in Gaza. Yet, Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon recently raised concerns about Egypt’s military buildup in an interview with the journalist Mendi Rizel on Kol Barama radio’s News of the Week, according to All Israel News.

“They spend hundreds of millions of dollars on modern military equipment every year, yet they have no threats on their borders,” Danon assessed. “Why do they need all these submarines and tanks? After Oct. 7, alarm bells should be raised. We have learned our lesson. We must monitor Egypt closely and prepare for every scenario,” the Israeli U.N. envoy warned.

Unlike the Iranian and Syrian militaries that largely rely on outdated Russian military systems, Egypt has after its peace agreement with Israel acquired a large quantity of advanced American and Western military equipment. Egypt has emerged as one of the strongest military powers in the volatile Middle East region.

“We need to ask the United States why Egypt requires all this equipment,” Danon said. The Israeli U.N. envoy’s remarks reflect the growing level of distrust between Jerusalem and Cairo.

Nasrallah to be buried Feb. 23, five months after death in IDF airstrike

Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem announced on Sunday the funerals of Hassan Nasrallah, and Hashem Safiedinne – his immediate predecessor – who briefly succeeded Nasrallah, will be held on Feb. 23, nearly five months after their elimination by Israel.

In a detailed statement, Qassem confirmed Safieddine was killed as he was due to take up the post of secretary general, less than a week after Nasrallah was killed, i24News reported.

The two leaders will be honored at a joint ceremony, but buried in separate locations: Nasrallah will be buried in the airport area of Dahiya, while Safieddine will be buried in his native village of Deir Qanoun an-Naher.

On Sept. 27, Israel launched a massive operation in Lebanon and eliminated Nasrallah, who had led Hezbollah for nearly three decades, as well as Ali Karki, commander of the southern front. A week later, on Oct.3, a strike in the Dahiya district – a Hezbollah stronghold – targeting a clandestine headquarters led to the death of Safieddine and more than 25 senior leaders in the organization, including several key intelligence officials.

Morgan Ortagus named as Hochstein’s successor to oversee Hezbollah disarmament

Morgan Ortagus, who replaced Amos Hochstein as the U.S. envoy brokering the ceasefire between Israel, Lebanon, and Hezbollah, began her visit in Lebanon on Thursday, with the aim of ensuring inspection of suspected Hezbollah sites.

According to the pro-Hezbollah outlet Al-Akhbar, Ortagus together with the ceasefire committee was “launching an intensive work program with the Lebanese Army to search around 30 sites suspected of being resistance (Hezbollah) facilities north of the Litani River, especially in al-Zahrani and the Bekaa,” JFeed reported.

The committee reportedly had information on “buildings, depots, valleys and forests in which Hezbollah is hiding ammunition and weapons, based on claims submitted by the Israeli enemy,” meaning the IDF and Israeli security and intelligence services.

To prevent a recurrence of senior and junior Lebanese Army officers providing the terrorist group with vital intelligence information, al-Akhbar reported the Americans “want officer appointments in the army and security forces which suit their interpretation of the ceasefire agreement and who would have no ties to Hezbollah.”

Saudi news outlet says Hamas ‘Shadow Unit’ holds Israeli hostages

The Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat published an extensive report on Sunday about the “Shadow Unit” of Hamas’ military wing, which is responsible for holding hostages in the Gaza Strip, according to Israel Hayom.

Hamas sources who spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat stated that the “Shadow Unit” was created in 2006, following the kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. The abduction was carried out by Hamas terrorists along with other terrorist organizations in Gaza. The existence of the unit was only revealed in 2016 – five years after the deal for Shalit’s release – when footage from his captivity in Gaza was published.

Terrorist sources said the unit was formed about three months after Shalit’s abduction, following a series of attacks on locations where he had been hidden. Initially, the unit was composed of highly experienced terrorists, but over time, others were recruited, including members of Hamas’ intelligence apparatus, the elite Nukhba unit, and other divisions. According to the report, these operatives received intelligence and technological training.

Hamas sources also stated that two senior leaders, Mohammed Deif and Yahya Sinwar – both now eliminated – were behind the decision to establish the “Shadow Unit.” They added most of the unit’s original operatives were from the Khan Younis area.

University of Michigan suspends anti-Israel group for two years

The University of Michigan has suspended an anti-Zionist group responsible for several infractions of school rules for a maximum period of two years, ending on its own terms a dispute with the group which started after Hamas’ massacre across southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

Dean of Students Laura Blake Jones decided to suspend and revoke recognition of Students Allied for Freedom and Equality following an investigation of the group’s conduct that lasted several months, according to The Michigan Daily, the campus newspaper. The university’s intention to discipline the group was first announced in November, with reports an internal office had filed a complaint against it which, according to SAFE, alleged that a Nov. 17 sit-in violated school policies on peaceful assembly, the Algemeiner reported.

“Protests are welcome at U-M, so long as those protests do not infringe on the rights of others, significantly disrupt university events or operations, violate policies, or threaten the safety of the community,” the university told The Daily in a statement which explained its decision. “The university has been clear that we will enforce our policies related to protests and expressive activity, and that we will hold individuals and student organizations accountable for their actions in order to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all.”

Jordan mulls extraditing Sbarro bombing mastermind for U.S. trial

Jordan has reportedly informed the Hamas terrorist group it plans to deport a woman convicted of planning a 2001 suicide bombing, which killed 16 people at a Jerusalem pizza parlor – including two Americans – in a move that could bring a long-delayed measure of justice to families of victims.

Ahlam Tamimi was convicted in an Israeli court of orchestrating the grisly Aug. 9, 2001 attack on a crowded Sbarro’s eatery in central Jerusalem, but released in the 2011 deal for kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit and has found safe harbor in Jordan since, the Times of Israel reported.

In 2017, the U.S. Justice Department announced it was seeking her extradition, a step the family of Israeli-American victim Malki Roth had urged, but which Amman rebuffed.

According to Qatari news outlet Al-Araby al-Jadeed, Jordanian intelligence authorities informed Hamas on Sunday Tamimi would be extradited to the United States unless a third country willing to take her in could be found.

There was no confirmation of the report from any official source.

Marion Wiesel, Nobel Laureate Elie’s widow, dies aged 94

Marion Wiesel, wife of Nobel Laureate, Holocaust survivor and renowned author Elie Wiesel, died on Sunday at her home in Greenwich, Conn., at age 94.
“It is with profound grief that we share that Marion Wiesel – activist, wife, mother and grandmother – passed away this morning, Feb. 2nd, 2025,” according to the Eli Wiesel Foundation for Humanity website, founded with money from his 1986 Nobel Prize.

Marion translated 14 of her husband’s books from French to English. She was most proud of her 2006 translation of his classic work, “Night,” which came out in 1960 before they were married and was originally translated by Stella Rodway.

Marion also wrote and narrated the documentary film “Children of the Night,” about children murdered during the Holocaust, the Jewish News Syndicate reported.

She produced many television programs, including “A Passover Haggadah,” “The World of Elie Wiesel” and “The Oslo Concert: A Tribute to Peace.”

Thai officials pray at Western Wall to give thanks for hostages’ return

As part of their visit to Israel following the release of five Thai hostages, and ahead of continued efforts to secure the release of the remaining captives, a delegation of senior Thai government officials arrived Sunday evening at the Western Wall, Israel National News reported.

Five Thai hostages were released from Hamas captivity on Thursday. One additional living Thai hostage is still held in Gaza.

The delegation included Thailand’s foreign minister, Maris Sangiampongsa, Thai army chief of staff, General Songwit Nunphakdi, deputy foreign minister Russ Jalichandra, and Thailand’s ambassador to Israel, Pannabha Chandraramya.

At the end of the visit, they offered a silent prayer beside the stones of the Wall – giving thanks for those who have returned and praying for the swift release of all remaining hostages, including three Thai citizens still held captive by Hamas.

Netanyahu appoints Caroline Glick to advisory role

Prominent Israeli-American columnist and JNS senior contributing editor Caroline Glick is returning to the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem to serve as International Affairs Adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reported the Jewish News Syndicate.

Glick, who worked with Netanyahu over a quarter century ago before becoming a widely-read columnist, took up her new position on Sunday, almost three years after the first episode of her record-breaking “The Caroline Glick Show” premiered on JNS TV in 2022.

“Life takes you in different directions, and I am going back to the office where I worked nearly three decades ago as the prime minister leads Israel through the most difficult period in the history of the Jewish state,” Glick told JNS on Wednesday. “I take it as a profound compliment that at this critical juncture in our history, Prime Minister Netanyahu has asked me to join him as he continues his historic fight to secure the future of the Jewish state and people.”

Glick, who has been a critic of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, said the war has been especially hard because of the difficulty in getting the hostages seized by the terrorist group out of Gaza alive via a military operation.

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