‘Absolute fear’: Israeli hostage describes abuse during 505-day Hamas captivity
Omer Wenkert says he was held mostly in darkness – and his mistreatment was often sparked by events in war
An Israeli hostage freed by Hamas last month has described the distressing conditions and abuse he says he endured during 505 days held in Gaza.
In an interview on Israeli television, Omer Wenkert, 23, said he had hidden in a bomb shelter with a close friend when it became clear the Nova music festival was under attack by Hamas and other militants from Gaza on 7 October 2023.
Continue reading...
Read more at The Guardian
-
Gaza War Led to Deaths of More Than 3 Dozen Hostages, Officials Say
Israel’s leaders promised that their military campaign in Gaza would help save the lives of hostages. At least 41 have died in captivity, some killed by Hamas and others in Israeli airstrikes.The New York Times - 4d -
Trump hostage envoy says ‘deal’ in which every Hamas hostage freed ‘could come together within weeks’
Adam Boehler, the White House Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, said Sunday that a “deal” in which every hostage taken by Palestinian militant group Hamas is freed “could come together in weeks.” ...The Hill - 3d -
Israeli airstrike kills 2 in southern Gaza amid push for ceasefire extension
An Israeli airstrike killed two Palestinians in Rafah in Gaza on Saturday as mediators pushed ahead with talks to extend a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.NBC News - 4d -
Hamas offering 5-to-10-year truce with Israel: US official says
Hamas offered to hand over governance of the Gaza Strip in exchange for a five-to-10-year truce in its war with Israel, President Trump’s special envoy for hostage negotiations said on Sunday. Adam ...The Hill - 2d -
Separatists say they have taken hostages in attack on train in Pakistan
Separatist militants said they had taken hostages during an attack on a train carrying hundreds of people in southwestern Pakistan on Tuesday.NBC News - 1d -
US envoy’s secret talks with Hamas anger Netanyahu administration
Adam Boehler says Hamas proposed a ceasefire and prisoner exchange in negotiations that did not involve Israel. A US envoy has said Hamas proposed a five-to-10-year ceasefire and a full prisoner ...The Guardian - 2d -
Israeli Energy Minister Cuts Off Electricity to Gaza
The move, which will mainly affect a single wastewater treatment plant, appeared intended to put pressure on Hamas.The New York Times - 2d -
A cache of explosives in Sydney provoked antisemitic terrorism fears. Police now say it was faked
Police in Australia say an explosives-filled trailer that politicians earlier described as an antisemitic terrorism plot and a foiled mass casualty event was staged by criminals in a complicated hoaxABC News - 2d -
Border czar on Columbia arrest: 'Absolutely we can' deport a legal immigrant
Tom Homan, President Trump’s border czar, said Monday that federal authorities “absolutely can” deport a legal immigrant after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested a Columbia ...The Hill - 2d -
Americans should ‘absolutely not’ brace for recession despite bank warnings: Commerce secretary
In an exclusive interview with Meet the Press, Commerce Sec. Howard Lutnick says Americans should “absolutely not” brace for a recession amid warning signs from major banks like JP Morgan and ...NBC News - 3d -
Pakistan militants attack train and take passengers hostage
Police say at least three people were injured in the attack and it is unclear how many people are being held hostage.BBC News - 1d -
Refusing to fight: Israelis against the war in Gaza – video
For many Israelis, military service is a rite of passage that lasts two to three years. Being such a formative part of the social contract in Israel, it is unusual for eligible young people to ...The Guardian - 11h -
At least 450 taken hostage in Pakistan train attack
At least 450 people were taken hostage and six military personnel were killed when the Balochistan Liberation Army attacked a train in Pakistan.ABC News - 1d -
Two men arrested in India over alleged rape of Israeli and local woman
The two women were said to have been stargazing with three male travellers when the incident took place. Two men have been arrested in India in connection with the alleged rape of an Israeli and a ...The Guardian - 4d -
Operation underway to rescue hostages on hijacked train in Pakistan
Security forces in Pakistan say they have freed 155 hostages after militants hijacked a train there carrying more than 400 people. The Balochistan Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for the ...CBS News - 6h -
Israel to cut off electricity in Gaza in apparent effort to force hand of Hamas
Humanitarian officials say move could hit already meagre water supply, as ceasefire talks grow increasingly chaotic. Israel is to cut off any remaining electricity supplies to Gaza in an apparent ...The Guardian - 2d -
Houthi rebels in Yemen say they're resuming attacks on Israeli ships
Yemen's Houthi rebels say they will resume attacks on Israeli ships in response to Israel's blockage of aid to Gaza. CBS News foreign correspondent Ramy Inocencio has more on that and the future of ...CBS News - 3h -
France angry after Dupont suffers 'serious' injury
France head coach Fabien Galthie fears captain Antoine Dupont has sustained a "serious" knee injury during their Six Nations victory over Ireland.BBC News - 4d -
CNBC reporter: Trump's tariffs moves 'absolutely insane'
CNBC reporter Steve Liesman blasted President Trump over his trade policies and broader economic strategy in the wake of a struggling stock market this week. "I'm going to say this at the risk of ...The Hill - 5h -
Maasai girls take up self-defense as protection from sexual abuse and early marriage
Maasai girls are taking up martial arts to protect themselves from sexual abuse and violence stemming from early marriageABC News - 4d -
Reuters beclowns itself, to Hamas’s benefit
Reuters retracted a report that falsely claimed a victim of a Palestinian terrorist attack was a member of Mossad, Israel's top intelligence agency, despite lacking evidence to support this claim.The Hill - 2d -
Israeli police raid Palestinian bookshop in East Jerusalem twice in a month
Books about Banksy and by Noam Chomsky and Ilan Pappé were removed, and one of the owners detained. Israeli police have raided the leading Palestinian bookshop in East Jerusalem for the second time ...The Guardian - 1d -
Pakistani security forces exchange gunfire with separatists holding about 300 people hostage aboard a train
Pakistani security forces exchange gunfire with separatists holding about 300 people hostage aboard a trainABC News - 13h -
This story isn’t about the priest who abused me. It’s about my mother
She was a master archivist of lies, enabling my stepfather’s crimes against me and my siblings. Despite everything, I needed to believe she loved me. The church, though aware of our abuser’s ...The Guardian - 1d -
‘A ribbon dancer’: captive baby sea lion performs acrobatics with artificial kelp
‘It look so artistic under the water,’ staff at Washington state aquarium says of Pepper. A baby sea lion toting an artificial kelp strip was filmed performing intricate rhythmic gymnastics-style ...The Guardian - 4h -
Pakistan rescues remaining hostages after militants kill 100 people in train hijack
Pakistani forces have freed 190 passengers from a train that was hijacked by militants, as fighting continued to free more hostages held by militants in explosives-filled vests.NBC News - 7h -
Yemen's Houthi rebels say 'any Israeli vessel' in nearby Mideast waterways again a target
Yemen’s Houthi rebels have warned shippers that “any Israeli vessel” traveling through nearby Mideast waters is now a target as Israel continues to block aid to the Gaza StripABC News - 15h -
When, where to see the full "Blood Worm Moon" during a lunar eclipse
A total lunar eclipse will make the moon appear red during the across the Western Hemisphere during the "Blood Worm Moon" this week.CBS News - 8h -
Militants say 182 people taken hostage as train hijacked in Pakistan
Baloch Liberation Army claims to have killed 20 soldiers after blowing up tracks in south-western Balochistan region. A separatist militant group in Pakistan’s south-western Balochistan province ...The Guardian - 1d -
Pakistan operation to free hostages after train hijacking ends with dozens killed
Security services claim to have rescued about 190 people being held by Baloch Liberation Army in remote area. An operation to rescue hundreds of people taken hostage when a train was hijacked by ...The Guardian - 30m -
Family and friends kept abuse by French doctor a secret, but his crimes spanned decades
Joël Le Scouarnec, a once highly respected surgeon, is now standing trial after being charged with raping and sexual abusing 299 people, many of whom were children.NBC News - 4d -
Syrians describe terror as Alawite families killed in their homes
Witnesses said the situation stabilised when security forces arrived following the violence.BBC News - 3d -
Passengers describe 'doomsday scenes' on Pakistan hijacked train
More than 400 passengers were on board a train in south-west Pakistan when armed militants attacked.BBC News - 5h -
Coe targets Musk and Zuckerberg talks over ‘pond life’ abuse of female athletes
IOC presidency candidate wants discussions if elected ‘It is vital that women feel that sport is a safe space’ Sebastian Coe will demand urgent talks with Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg to stop ...The Guardian - 4d -
Stocks Drop as Recession Fears Surface
The S&P skidded 2.7 percent, amid investor fears that tit-for-tat tariffs could raise prices, slow the economy and sow uncertainty among businesses.The New York Times - 1d -
Palestinians: Casualties after Israeli drone attack in Gaza
Yahoo News - 2d -
Report: Five Palestinians killed in Gaza by Israeli airstrike
Yahoo News - 1d -
Stocks plunge, market closes down on recession fears amid escalating tariffs
The major stock indexes plunged on Monday amid fears of a possible recession.ABC News - 1d -
Undocumented Workers, Fearing Deportation, Are Staying Home
Fearing roundups, many immigrants are staying home. Construction, agriculture, senior care and hospitality employers say labor shortages will worsen.The New York Times - 1d
More from The Guardian
-
Putin threatens to treat Ukrainian soldiers in Kursk as ‘terrorists’ ahead of US envoy’s Moscow visit – live
Russian president makes threats in first visit since Ukrainian incursion as world waits for Kremlin’s reaction to ceasefire proposal. Trump hints at financial repercussions if Russia rejects ...The Guardian - 18m -
US pauses water-sharing negotiations with Canada over Columbia River
Break in talks comes as Trump escalates trade war with Canada and threatens its sovereignty. The United States has paused negotiations with Canada on a key water-sharing treaty as Donald Trump ...The Guardian - 4h -
Canada announces retaliatory tariffs on nearly $30bn worth of US imports
Canadian government says it will follow ‘dollar-by-dollar’ approach and institute 25% tariffs on US imports. Canada announced retaliatory tariffs on nearly $30bn worth of American imports after ...The Guardian - 58m -
Atlético Madrid v Real Madrid: Champions League last 16, second leg – live
Champions League updates, 8pm kick-off ( first leg: 1-2 ) Live scores | Read today’s Football Daily | And mail Scott The teams are out! Atléti in their mattress-influenced red and white ...The Guardian - 13m -
Ayo Edebiri ‘got insane death threats’ after Elon Musk shared fake report about Pirates of the Caribbean casting
The Bear actor called Musk a fascist and an idiot after his reaction to a post from a rightwing account that claimed she was replacing Johnny Depp . Ayo Edebiri, the actor best known for her ...The Guardian - 2h
More in World
-
Putin visits Kursk as Russia pushes back Ukrainian troops in captured region
Moscow’s soldiers step up the offensive just hours after Kyiv backs 30-day, US-brokered armisticeFinancial Times - 11m -
Atlético Madrid v Real Madrid: Champions League last 16, second leg – live
Champions League updates, 8pm kick-off ( first leg: 1-2 ) Live scores | Read today’s Football Daily | And mail Scott The teams are out! Atléti in their mattress-influenced red and white ...The Guardian - 13m -
Aston Villa v Club Brugge, Arsenal v PSV: Champions League last 16, second legs – live
Champions League updates, 8pm kick-offs, and more Live scores | Read today’s Football Daily | And mail Will “You have to feel for Nathan Butler-Oyedeji,” writes Kieran McKintosh . “He’s ...The Guardian - 16m -
Putin threatens to treat Ukrainian soldiers in Kursk as ‘terrorists’ ahead of US envoy’s Moscow visit – live
Russian president makes threats in first visit since Ukrainian incursion as world waits for Kremlin’s reaction to ceasefire proposal. Trump hints at financial repercussions if Russia rejects ...The Guardian - 18m -
Eggciting news
The American egg shortage is liftingFinancial Times - 23m