The conclusion of the first stage of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal has many looking anxiously to the release of the remaining living hostages and the bodies of those killed in captivity. Sources in Israel believe that 24 hostages are still alive in the Gaza Strip, including 22 Israelis, one Thai and one Nepali.

In a significant escalation of protests, thousands of demonstrators have surrounded the Kirya, Israel's Ministry of Defense compound and IDF headquarters, demanding the immediate release of all hostages held by the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza. In what they named "Operation Kirya Envelope", the protesters established encampments last night next to each gate of the Kirya, following the massive nationwide demonstration in which Israelis took to the streets in a plea to bring their loved ones home without further delays, partial deals, or drawn-out negotiations.

Meanwhile #qatargate continues in full force, with Netanyahu aides reportedly suspected of recently receiving six-figure sums from Qatar. Investigators say they were surprised by the size of the payouts, amounting to hundreds of thousands allegedly paid through outside firms.

42 days after it began, the first phase of the ceasefire in Gaza has come to an end, with 59 hostages remaining in captivity in the Gaza Strip. Of those that remain — based on intelligence — the IDF has concluded that at least 34 of the remaining hostages are dead.

One of the stories we want to make sure you don’t miss is the interview of freed hostage Eli Sharabi, who spoke in a no holds barred interview this week. As it turns out, one of the people who watched at least some of that interview was none other than President Trump, who invited Sharabi and other former hostages to Washington to hear their stories.

Sharon Sharabi, Eli’s brother, says the US president decided to invite former hostages after being sent the interview in which the bereaved Be’eri father describes torture in captivity. Eli Sharabi, who lost his wife and daughters on Oct. 7; Omer Shem Tov, released from captivity last Saturday; Iair Horn, whose farewell with his captive brother filmed by Hamas; and Aviva and Keith Siegel, whose video shared by US president, will travel to Washington to meet with the US President.

And this week, our worst fears have been realized with the return of the remains of Shiri Bibas and her two little red-headed boys Ariel and Kfir. The return of the Bibas family dashed the hopes of anyone praying for the safe return of the Bibas family, a few weeks after her husband, Yarden Bibas, was returned to Israel as a shell of himself.

As if the occasion marking the end of hopes for the four hostages wasn’t distressful enough, on February 20 Hamas conducted a macabre ceremony in Gaza to release the bodies of four Israeli hostages, including Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir. The event took place in Bani Suhaila, near Khan Younis, where Hamas unveiled black-draped coffins adorned with photographs of the victims and inscriptions marking their "date of arrest" as October 7, 2023 — the day they were abducted from their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz.

The question remains: what happens now to the remaining hostages?

This week marks 500 days since the October 7 attack by Hamas. 500 days during which Israel has been at war. 500 days that hostages remain in the hands of Hamas, starved, tortured, chained, beaten, in constant fear that today will be their last day.

So far, in the tortuous reality show staged by Hamas, 19 Israelis (and five Thai hostages not part of the 33) have walked to freedom, handed over in ceremonies designed to further humiliate the women and men being held by these non-humans.

What will this week bring next for the hostages and the country? We also don't want to forget the shameful displays of antisemitism on display in Australia and elsewhere, but also to highlight and thank today's "The Righteous Among the Nations" for their continued and dedicated towards Israel and Jews throughout the world.

This week saw the release of the three hostages — Eli Sharabi, 52; Ohad Ben Ami, 56; and Or Levy, 34 — who were led from the clutches of Hamas and transferred to the vehicles of the International Red Cross. Grey, emaciated, and frail-looking, the three men were an immediate reminder of something we never believed we would see again - Holocaust camp survivors.

Now the question is how do we ensure that the rest of the hostages are released, and that Bibi and his government don't try to stop their release before it's too late?

79 hostages still remain in Hamas captivity; three captives will be returned in the next three releases, after which 11 more will be freed in the final day of the ceasefire's Phase One

These last few days in Israel have been a whirlwind of joy, hope, and despair. 18 hostages have been released since the ceasefire went into effect (including 5 Thai citizens, held by Hamas for no other crime than working the fields of the kibbutzim where they were captured), including nearly all of the women and two of the oldest hostages. As we celebrate their releases, each hostages helps to bring us closer to the endpoint. But then, their horrifical stories emerge, the constant threat of death and violence they faced daily, and the fear that they would never return.

Add to that the disgusting show of “strength” by Hamas and the Islamic Jihad during the releases, and you can understand what it’s very hard to remain positive despite the release of these true heroes.

And, of course, there is no clear information as to the fate of Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, the little red-headed boys taken on October 7, and the release of Yarden Bibas, the father, only highlights this terrible unknown. Who is still alive and who is not? The names of those that will be released by the end of this first phase is known, but not whether they are alive or dead. And so we wait, and pray together with the families of the hostages.

The hostages are coming home. Three-at-time. Four-at-time… Every day brings news of those who are finally being released from Hamas hell and captivity, but every day, another family sees their hope die, as their loved one remains in captivity. Last week saw the release of Romi, Emily, and Doron. This week we saw four brave female soldiers, paraded by Hamas like trophies, finally released back to Israel. But with that release Hamas reneged on the agreement to release all civilian women first (Arbel Yehud, Shiri Bibas) and a full list of those being released.

And so, Israel refused to allow the Palestinians back into northern Gaza until Hamas agreed to meet the terms. Then, finally, the announcement that Arbel, Agam Berger (another female soldier) and third, unnamed hostage (possibly American-Israeli Keith Siegel), would be released as early as this Thursday.

This lack of clarity and uncertainty has created a tension so intense in Israel you can feel it in the air.

Romi, Doron and Emily coming home and physically able to first meet with their families is great news! Getting Oron Shaul’s body back after over 10 years is also a relief. But we also know that the price of this “deal” is exorbitantly high.

The comparisons made in the press worldwide of a “prisoner exchange,” whereby innocent civilians kidnapped from their homes are equated with hardened criminals, mass murders and rapists, sets a precedent that will probably justify and encourage future kidnappings elsewhere. And yet — we hope that the deal will continue until the last remaining hostage is released.

According to Eve Young of the Jerusalem Post, the facility will include 10,000 square meters of AI data center infrastructure, and will be among the largest and most powerful data center labs in Israel.