In a cruel and depraved move, Hamas brought two hostages to the release ceremony of Omer Wenkert, Eliya Cohen, and Omer Shem Tov and forced them to watch it from the vehicle they were in. Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Eviatar David, best friends who were abducted from the Nova party in Re’im, were then forced to beg for their lives on camera. Their families approved the publication of the cruel video, in which the two, both looking emaciated, are forced to beg their families for their release and accuse Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu of finishing them off. One of them is forced to say: “Military pressure is not the solution” and “Israeli citizens, don’t stop protesting.” Eviatar’s sister, Yaela Daivd, stated: “They’re alive. They put both of them this morning in the most shocking and horrific situation imaginable. There is no limit to the sick cynicism of these monsters.” (YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)
Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed were freed on Shabbos after almost ten years in Gazan captivity. According to reports, the two are in very poor condition. Kan News reported that Mengistu is barely communicating and his family is very concerned by his mental state. Sayed is also in a very bad state. His father, Shaaban al-Sayed, told Kan News that he is “shocked” by his son’s deteriorated mental and physical state. “Hisham is destroyed, emotionally and cognitively,” he said. “His mental state is bad, he is not communicating, and he looks as if he has been in a torture camp for 10 years. We never thought that Hamas would be so cruel.” The doctors confirmed that Al-Sayed is exhibiting signs of extreme psychological trauma, with Channel 13 reporting that the medical staff compared Mengistu and Al-Sayed’s conditions to people who endured years of forced labor and extreme isolation. (YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)
After 505 harrowing days in captivity, Omer Shem Tov, Tal Shoham, Eliya Cohen, and Omer Wenkert returned from Israel and recounted the horrors they experienced in the tunnels of Gaza. The four were held in particularly harsh conditions, suffering from intentional starvation and physical and psychological violence, and were forced to spend long months in complete isolation. Channel 12 News reported that Eliya Cohen, who was shot in the leg on October 7, did not receive medical treatment, and was handcuffed, causing him deep wounds and severe cuts. He was held in tunnels and starved, losing 66 pounds while in captivity. He was held in cages at times and his hands and feet were shackled for prolonged periods. The Hamas terrorists not only intentionally starved him and the other hostages but also ate in front of them as a form of psychological torture. The terrorists would also occasionally psychologically torture them by shining flashlights in their eyes in the dark tunnels. Omer Shem Tov said that at the beginning of his captivity, he was held with Itay Regev, who due to his age (18) was released in the November 2023 deal. After Regev’s release, Omer was left alone for a long time, dealing with complete isolation and disconnection from the outside world. He lost 37 pounds due to prolonged starvation, was transferred between apartments and tunnels, and during the transitions was forced to disguise himself by dressing as a Muslim woman. When he was transferred to tunnels, where he spent most of the time, he was lowered there in a bucket. His hands were shackled and his captors spit at him and cursed him. He tried to keep the mitzvos and when he was able to, made Kiddush with the little he had. At his release ceremony, he was forced to kiss his captors on their heads. Shem Tov, Tal Shoham, and Omer Wenkert were held together for the last eight months in inhumane conditions, in extremely humid and dark tunnels, where there was no distinction between night or day or the seasons. They lost extreme amounts of weight, but in the period leading up to their release, they were “overfed” so they wouldn’t appear emaciated during their release. (YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)
After 505 harrowing days in captivity, Omer Shem Tov, Tal Shoham, Eliya Cohen, and Omer Wenkert were released from Gaza and reunited with their families in Israel. Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed reunited with their families after almost 10 years! in captivity. Omer Wenkert reunites with his parents: Avera Mengistu reunites with his relatives at an IDF facility near the border: Avera reunites with more relatives at the hospital: Omer Shem-Tov reunites with his parents: Eliya Cohen reunites with his parents: Eliya reunites with his siblings at the hospital: Hisham Al-Sayed reunites with his relatives: (YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)
Three of the hostages released on Shabbos and their relatives attended a moving Havdalah ceremony on Motzei Shabbos. Omer Shem Tov, Eliya Cohen, and Omer Wenkert were evacuated to Beilinson Hospital after their release, where they reunited with their extended families. Eliya Cohen’s grandfather, Aharon Rabi, recited Havdalah. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
Kibbutz Nir Oz announced that Shiri Bibas, H’yd, who was abducted from her home on the kibbutz on October 7, 2023, along with her two young children, Ariel and Kfir, was brutally murdered in captivity. The announcement came two days after Hamas transferred the body of a Gazan woman instead of Shiri along with the remains of her sons, H’yd. Hamas transferred another body on Friday night that was later identified as Shiri Bibas, H’Yd at the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute. According to Abu Kabir officials, Shiri, H’yd, was brutally murdered in November 2023, along with her two sons, whom the terrorists choked to death with their bare hands. Kibbutz Nir Oz stated that “Shiri, who was kidnapped at the age of 32, was born and raised in Nir Oz. For years she diligently cared for the kibbutz’s children as part of the education system and was beloved by all who knew her. In the past two years, she worked in the kibbutz’s accounting management, but above all, she was a devoted mother, who dedicated herself to parenting with endless love. Shiri, Yarden, Ariel, and Kfir loved their home in Nir Oz, the balcony, and the lawn, where they spent countless happy moments as a family and from which they were abducted on October 7.” “Shiri’s parents, Yossi and Margit Silverman, H’yd, were murdered on that terrible day. Today, after 16 unbearable months, the painful circle has finally closed for the family, and in the coming days, she will return, along with her two young sons, to eternal rest in the land of Israel. Shiri leaves behind a husband, a sister, nephews, family, and loving friends who will always remember her for her smile, her kind heart, and the joy of life she spread wherever she went. May the memory of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir be blessed.” Her family stated, “Tonight our Shiri was brought home. We received the news we feared, that our Shiri was murdered while in captivity and is now back home with her sons, her husband, her sister, and all her family. Despite our fear for their fate, we continued to hope that we would be zocheh to embrace them and now we are in pain and broken.” “We sought certainty for 16 months, and now there is no comfort in it, but we hope for the beginning of closure. Shiri was a wonderful mother to Ariel and Kfir, a loving partner to Yarden, a devoted sister and aunt, and an amazing friend. In this difficult hour, we continue to demand and call for the immediate return of the other hostages still in captivity. There is no goal more important than this. There will be no rehabilitation without them. Details of the shiva and levaya will be published later. Please give the family space to process and mourn. Thank you all for the support and love over these 16 months. If only Shiri would have been zocheh to see it.” (YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)
Omer Shem Tov, Tal Shoham, Avera Mengistu, Eliya Cohen, Omer Wenkert, and Hisham al-Sayed were released from captivity in Gaza on Shabbos in three separate handovers and are back in Israel. On Shabbos morning, Tal Shoham and Avera Mengistu were forced to parade across a stage in Rafah in southern Gaza before being released to the Red Cross who transferred them to IDF forces. Later on Shabbos morning, Omer Shem Tov, Omer Wenkert, and Eliya Cohen, all dressed in mock IDF uniforms, were also forced onto a stage in a cruel propaganda ceremony in Nuseirat in central Gaza before being transferred to the Red Cross. On Shabbos afternoon, Hisham al-Sayed was released to the Red Cross without a ceremony beforehand. Mengistu and al-Sayed were held by Hamas in Gaza for over ten years. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
Hamas’s al-Qassam Brigades has reportedly handed over a body that is now claimed to be that of Shiri Bibas hy”d, who was abducted alongside her two young children, Ariel hy”d (4) and Kfir hy”d (nearly 1), during Hamas’s October 7 terror attack on Israel. This development comes after Thursday’s horrifying debacle, when the body initially transferred by Hamas was found to belong to neither Shiri nor any other known hostage, triggering international condemnation and adding to the unimaginable anguish of the Bibas family. Israeli officials confirmed that the Red Cross was called by Hamas on Friday evening to collect the remains—ostensibly that of Shiri Bibas. The IDF are now preparing to conduct DNA and forensic testing to confirm the identity of the remains, with authorities stressing the utmost caution in handling the case. “We are in close contact with the Bibas family and emphasize their request for responsibility and restraint in reporting, so as not to harm the ongoing efforts,” the IDF stated. The Israel Police have already begun preparing to escort the remains to the Forensic Medicine Institute for examination. On Thursday, Hamas claimed to have released the bodies of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas alongside the remains of other hostages, only for Israeli forensic teams to determine that one of the bodies did not match any known hostage. Instead, the corpse was found to be an unidentified individual, leading to speculation that Hamas had either made an egregious error or deliberately engaged in psychological warfare. Following the revelation, Hamas attempted to deflect responsibility, claiming that an “error or mix-up” may have occurred due to Israeli airstrikes. The terror group later announced it would conduct its own investigation into the matter—a move widely dismissed by Israeli officials and international observers as yet another attempt to evade accountability. Now, as Israel awaits final forensic confirmation, the Bibas family and the entire nation hold their breath, hoping for clarity after months of unimaginable agony. The question remains: Is this truly Shiri Bibas’s body, or is Hamas once again manipulating the truth? (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
BREAKING: Al Jazeera reports that Hamas has handed over a coffin, claiming it contains the body of Shiri Bibas, to the Red Cross, and the IDF is currently investigating. More details to follow.
MISSING PERSON ALERT: Catskills Hatzolah is searching for 69-year-old Stewart “Stewie” Mandel, last seen in Presidential Estates, Swan Lake, NY. He has red hair, blue eyes, is 6’1″, and weighs 180 lbs. *He was driving a blue Ford Edge with license plate KNN-1853.* If you have any information, please call 718-387-1750.
AGAIN: Ernst Delma, a violent repeat offender with 17 prior arrests, who punched a female NYPD cop in Aug 2024 and was released by Bronx Judge Eugene Bowen, has slugged a 23-year-old woman in Times Square on Feb 18 in a random attack. He is now held at Rikers with no bail. Soft-on-crime rulings are putting the entire NYC at risk.
The U.S. deported 177 Venezuelan migrants from Guantanamo Bay to Venezuela. Among them were 126 individuals with criminal charges or convictions, including 80 linked to the notorious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
Israeli security forces have detained three individuals, including a Jewish Israeli suspected of transporting a terrorist, a Palestinian living illegally in Israel, and another unidentified suspect, in connection with last night’s bus bombings in Bat Yam and Holon, with the Jewish suspect scheduled for a court hearing today.
Israel has confirmed receiving a list from Hamas with the names of six hostages scheduled for release from Gaza tomorrow. Hamas previously identified the hostages as Tal Shoham, Omer Shem-Tov, Eliya Cohen, Omer Wenkert, Avera Mengistu, and Hisham al-Sayed. Their names had already been shared earlier this week when their families were informed.
A construction worker tragically lost his life this morning after falling from a high-rise office building under construction in Lakewood’s rapidly expanding Cedarbridge Business Park. Read the full story on Lakewood Alerts.
In a revelation that should shock the conscience of humanity, Israeli authorities have confirmed that Kfir and Ariel Bibas—just 10 months and 4 years old—were choked to death with the bare hands of Hamas terrorists. IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari made the grim announcement: “Kfir and Ariel Bibas were brutally murdered by the terrorists. They murdered them with their bare hands. We collected forensic findings and intelligence information.” “Contrary to Hamas’ lies, they were not killed in an airstrike. Kfir the infant and Ariel the four-year-old were murdered in cold blood. The terrorists did not murder them by shooting them, they murdered them with their hands. Afterwards, they committed terrible acts in order to try to cover up the atrocities,” he says. The truth, long obscured by Hamas’s lies and disinformation, was finally revealed with confirmation from Yarden Bibas, the boys’ father, who insisted that the world must know his children were slaughtered by human animals. For months, Hamas toyed with the hopes of the Bibas family, refusing to disclose any details about the fate of Kfir, Ariel, and their mother, Shiri Bibas, who were abducted during the October 7th massacre. Instead, the terror group deliberately spread falsehoods—first claiming the family was alive, then blaming Israeli airstrikes for their deaths. Now, the reality has emerged, and it is beyond horrifying: Hamas terrorists executed defenseless children with their bare hands. This was not war. This was not collateral damage. This was pure, unfiltered evil. The barbarity of Hamas is not a matter of debate—it is a matter of undeniable fact. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
A nationwide recall has been issued for more than 2.4 million cases of MadeGood granola bars over concerns that they may contain metal fragments, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The voluntary recall was initiated on December 9, 2024, by Chicago-based Riverside Natural Foods Inc. The FDA has since classified it as a Class II recall, meaning consumption could result in temporary or medically reversible health effects. The contamination involves “a small, flat brush bristle” found in specific batches. The company claims the presence of metal in individual bars is “highly unlikely” but is recalling products “out of an abundance of caution.” Seven complaints have been reported, though no injuries have been documented. Consumers should not eat the affected bars and should return them to the store for a full refund. The recalled MadeGood granola bars were produced between January 2024 and November 2024 and distributed across the U.S., Canada, and other international markets. The following flavors and varieties are included in the recall: Chocolate Chip Granola Bars Chocolate Banana Granola Bars Mixed Berry Granola Bars Strawberry Granola Bars Cookies & Creme Granola Bars Halloween Chocolate Chip Granola Mini Bars Chocolate Drizzled Birthday Cake Granola Bars Chocolate Drizzled Cookie Crumble Granola Bars Chocolate Drizzled Granola Bars Variety Pack Holiday Sprinkles Chocolate Drizzled Granola Mini Bars Chocolate Drizzled Vanilla Granola Bars MadeGood Variety Pack A full list of affected products, including UPC codes and “best by” dates, can be found on the FDA’s official recall notice. MadeGood has stated that it has identified and resolved the manufacturing issue and implemented new safety measures to prevent future contamination. While the company insists the risk is low, consumers are strongly advised not to consume the recalled products and to check their pantries immediately. For additional details or refund requests, visit MadeGood’s recall Q&A page. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
