While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, Jan 20, 2025
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Released British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari arrives at Sheba Medical Centre in Ramat Gan, Israel on Jan 19.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Hamas hands over first Israeli hostages under ceasefire deal
Three female Israelis have been freed by Hamas, the first of several dozen hostages set to be released under a new ceasefire deal in Gaza.
The three women – Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari, who’s also a British national – were transferred by the Red Cross to the Israel Defense Forces in the Gaza strip and have crossed the border into Israel, according to statements Jan 19.
They have arrived at a reception point in southern Israel, where they will be reunited with their mothers and undergo an initial medical assessment. From there they will be flown by military helicopters to hospitals across Israel.
“The Israeli government embraces the three returnees. Their families were informed by the appointed officials that they joined our (IDF) forces,” according to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.
Freed hostage Emily Damari’s ‘nightmare’ is over, says mother
PHOTO: REUTERS
Mandy Damari, mother of British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari freed on Jan 19 said her daughter’s “nightmare in Gaza is over” and she is “finally home” in a statement shared with AFP.
“After 471 days Emily is finally home,” her mother said, thanking “everyone who never stopped fighting for Emily throughout this horrendous ordeal”.
“Thank you for bringing Emily home”, said Mandy Damari, who has campaigned relentlessly for the return of her daughter.
Biden welcomes Gaza truce, says region ‘fundamentally transformed’
PHOTO: AFP
US President Joe Biden on Jan 19 welcomed the ceasefire taking hold between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, saying the “region has been fundamentally transformed.”
“After so much pain, death and loss of life, today the guns in Gaza have gone silent,” the outgoing president said, just hours after the ceasefire took effect.
Mr Biden was speaking during a visit to South Carolina on the last full day of his presidency, with Donald Trump set to succeed him – and to inherit the complex task of helping shepherd the initial ceasefire to a more lasting peace.
TikTok restores service after Trump vows to extend deadline
PHOTO: REUTERS
TikTok said on Jan 19 it was restoring its service after President-elect Donald Trump said he would revive the app’s access in the US when he returns to power on Jan 20.
“As a result of president Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the US,” the platform said in a message to users.
TikTok also issued an earlier statement after US users reported being able to access the Chinese-owned service’s website while the far more widely used TikTok app itself began coming back online for some users with just a few basic services.
Trump draws thousands to pre-inauguration victory rally
PHOTO: REUTERS
Thousands of Donald Trump’s supporters packed a Washington arena on Jan 19 to celebrate his victory, a day before the president-elect returns to power with plans to aggressively reshape US immigration and trade policy.
Throngs of fans danced to musician Kid Rock’s performance as they awaited Trump’s arrival at a “Make America Great Again Victory Rally” at Capital One Arena, an indoor hockey and basketball arena and the venue for some of Jan 20’s inauguration festivities after forecasts of bitter cold prompted officials to cancel the planned outdoor festivities.
The rally was likely to resemble the free-wheeling speeches that have been a Trump staple since his first White House campaign in 2016. The event marked his first major address in Washington since he delivered a speech on Jan 6, 2021, to his supporters that preceded the storming of the US Capitol.
