INTERNACIONAL
Israeli hostage families make desperate plea to Trump as ‘time is running out’
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
JERUSALEM—The family members of Israeli hostages held in captivity by the U.S.-designated terrorist movement Hamas published an open letter on Thursday to President Trump, urging him to intervene to help free the 53 remaining people held in Gaza.
«As Iranian missiles streak across the sky above us, our hearts remain consumed by thoughts of our beloved family members enduring brutal Hamas captivity. 53 precious souls—our children, parents, siblings, and spouses—remain trapped in hell.
«For over 620 endless days, they have had no shelter, no family’s embrace, no whispered words of comfort. Their time is running out. We write to you united in this unique anguish, yet bound by unshakable faith in your leadership and commitment to bringing our loved ones home,» wrote the Israeli group Hostages and Missing Families Forum on the social media platform Truth Social -Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) is the parent company of Truth Social.
AMERICAN HOSTAGE EDAN ALEXANDER RELEASED BY HAMAS AFTER MORE THAN 580 DAYS IN CAPTIVITY
President Donald Trump met with seven hostages freed from Hamas captivity, Match 7, 2025. (Photo provided by Hostages Families Forum)
The family members urged the President to «seize the opportunity while Iran and Hamas are at their weakest point.»
President Trump secured the freedom of the 21-year-old American-Israeli Edan Alexander from Hamas captivity on May 12. Eden returned to his hometown in New Jersey on Thursday after nearly 600 days in captivity.
Fox News Digital sent press queries to the White House and the U.S. State Department, seeking comment about the open letter published on Truth Social to President Trump.
Hamas terrorists take up positions ahead of a hostage release in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (AP)
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters at Soroka Hospital in Be’er Sheva—the site of an Iranian missile strike—that «The real barrier of Hamas is Iran. It will bring down Iran . . . Hamas is dying, and it will undoubtedly help to return the hostages.»
Netanyahu said Israel’s military campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran is aiding the Jewish state’s efforts to secure the release of hostages held by the Iran-backed Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza.
Edan Alexander, an American taken hostage during the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, returned to his hometown of Tenafly, New Jersey, on June 19, after he was released on May 12 in a deal. People gathered in the streets to pay tribute, many waving Israeli and American flags. (Photo by Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images)
FOX NEWS POLL: VOTERS THINK IRAN POSES REAL THREAT TO U.S. SECURITY
He added, «I do not close my eyes for a moment» about the hostages. Netanyahu told Isarel’s Kan public broadcaster that «Hamas relies on Iran.»
Hamas’ recalcitrance about agreeing to a ceasefire that would enable the hostages to be released has been the major obstacle for America’s efforts to secure their freedom after 623 days of war. Hamas invaded Israel on October 7, 2023, and massacred over 1,200 people, including Americans. and kidnapped more than 250 people.
Netanyahu stressed, with respect to the hostages and the war against Iran, that «I am determined to bring all of them home . . . I will not give up on this, and there are also steps that we will take in these moments for this goal. . . . The destruction of the nuclear weapons, the destruction of missiles, the elimination of our targets.»
Supporters of Israelis held hostage in the Gaza Strip since October 2023 lift placards and flags during a rally calling to complete the exchange deal with the Palestinian Hamas group to bring the remaining captives back, in front of the prime minister’s office in Jerusalem on February 11, 2025. (Menahem Kahana/AFP via Getty Images)
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters released a statement from family members about the burial of murdered hostage Yair Yaakov on Friday, who was laid to rest at Kibbutz Nir Oz after 623 days in captivity.
Or Yaakov, Yair’s son, who was released from Hamas captivity as part of a deal, said, «Dad, you were such a special person. An exemplary father, a true friend. You left behind an enormous void that nothing will ever be able to fill. But I promise you, I will keep your memories alive within me. I will tell your stories, I will laugh at and with your jokes, and most importantly, I will live the way you would want me to live – with flow, simplicity, and contentment. Rest in peace, my dear father. You will always be in my heart, with every breath I take. I love you forever.»
Smoke rises from the building of Iran’s state-run television after an Israeli strike in Tehran, Iran, Monday, June 16, 2025. (AP Photo)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The Times of Israel reported that the operation to recover Yair Yaakov was carried out by the army’s 36th Division following precise intelligence from military and security intelligence. Reuters named Aviv Atzili as the second person recovered during the operation. Atzili, a warrant officer in the reserves and a member of Kibbutz Nir Oz’s civil defense squad, was killed battling Hamas-led terrorists in the Gaza border community on October 7, 2023.
Reuters contributed to this report.
INTERNACIONAL
Biden accuses Trump of erasing history and squandering US leadership role on global stage: ‘Dark days’
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Former President Joe Biden on Friday accused President Donald Trump of attempting to «erase the truth» and squandering the United States’ role as the leader of the world.
«It’s not just my record Trump’s trying to erase,» Biden told South Carolina Democrats, while talking about the president’s efforts to get rid of the Affordable Care Act.
«He’s trying to erase fairness, equity, history, the truth,» he continued, citing incidents in which information about slavery has been removed or altered from museums and national parks since Trump took office.
«Great nations don’t bury the truth, Biden balked. «They face it. This is a great nation.»
Former President Joe Biden on Friday accused President Donald Trump of attempting to erase the truth and squandering the United States’ role as the leader of the world. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)
Last summer, Trump wrote that «The Smithsonian is OUT OF CONTROL, where everything discussed is how horrible our Country is, how bad Slavery was, and how unaccomplished the downtrodden have been — Nothing about Success, nothing about Brightness, nothing about the Future.»
He also ordered a review of the Smithsonian to make sure its exhibits align with celebrating «American exceptionalism.»
Biden — the guest of honor at Friday’s «thank you» event organized by state Dems who helped resuscitate his presidential campaign six years ago — claimed the U.S. is currently living in «dark days.»
LIZ PEEK: AMERICA EXPECTED ONE THING FROM TRUMP’S STATE OF THE UNION. IT GOT ANOTHER
«Our future is literally on the line,» he said. «We have to be unapologetic about fighting for our country.»
Biden also issued a warning about the upcoming midterms, claiming that Trump is «trying to steal the election because he knows he can’t win your vote, so he’s going to do everything he can to prevent you from wanting to vote. … Mark my words. I hope I’m wrong.»
He said the more that voters see of Trump, the «less they like him.»
SPEECHWRITERS SPLIT AFTER TRUMP’S RECORD-BREAKING SOTU: ‘LIVING IN HIS OWN REALITY’ VS. ‘RESOUNDING SPEECH’
«They don’t like that he’s raising health care costs, fighting against the Affordable Care Act, and they sure as hell don’t like what they saw in Minnesota: Mass ICE agents pulling people out of their homes and literally murdering two people in the street,» he swiped.
President Trump delivered his State of the Union speech on Tuesday. (Kenny Holston-Pool/Getty Images)
Biden, 83, added, «They don’t believe the president should be king or dictator.»
He said because of this, Democrats are winning in places «you’d never expect.»
BIDEN TO HEADLINE NATIONAL BAR ASSN GALA DESPITE SON HUNTER’S DISBARMENT, ALONG WITH CROCKETT, TISH JAMES
«So, we have reason to be hopeful, because time and again throughout history, in the moments of great crisis, Americans have summoned the better angels of our nature and brought our country back from the abyss.»
Biden also predicted that Democrats would take back both the Senate and House of Representatives in November.
Biden boasted that he knew more heads of state than any other president in history, adding, «Americans knew they had a president who believed in, respected and followed the Constitution.»
Citing a Pew Research Poll that he said showed a «dramatic drop in our reputation around the world,» he claimed, «We’re no longer the way we were.»
He added if the U.S. doesn’t lead the world, it could be Russia or China that does.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets with President Donald Trump, Jan. 23, in Davos, Switzerland. (Ukranian Presidency/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Biden also blasted Trump’s State of the Union speech on Tuesday for what he left out.
«The guy talks for almost two hours but never mentioned the anniversary of Putin invading Ukraine,» Biden admonished. «Never once.»
He also noted that the president didn’t mention Renee Good or Alex Pretti, the Americans who were killed by ICE agents earlier this year in Minneapolis, «or offer even a word of solace to their families.»
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
«He doesn’t offer a word of support, even recognition to Epstein’s victims sitting in front of him during the entire time,» Biden said, mentioning the Jeffrey Epstein survivors who were in the audience for the speech. «He never acknowledged them.»
The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Related Article
joe biden,politics,donald trump,south carolina,democratic party
INTERNACIONAL
Donald Trump dice que “no está contento” con las conversaciones con Irán y crecen los temores a un ataque de EE.UU.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) accused Everett, Washington, Mayor Cassie Franklin of escalating tensions with federal authorities after she issued a directive limiting immigration enforcement in the city.
Franklin issued a mayoral directive this week establishing citywide protocols for staff, including law enforcement, that restrict federal immigration agents from entering non-public areas of city buildings without a judicial warrant.
«We’ve heard directly from residents who are afraid to leave their houses because of the concerning immigration activity happening locally and across our country. It’s heartbreaking to see the impacts on Everett families and businesses,» Franklin said in a statement.
«With this directive, we are setting clear protocols, protecting access to services and reinforcing our commitment to serving the entire community.»
ICE blasted the directive Friday, writing on X it «escalates tension and directs city law enforcement to intervene with ICE operations at their own discretion,» thereby «putting everyone at greater risk.»
Mayor Cassie Franklin said her new citywide immigration enforcement protocols are intended to protect residents and ensure access to services, while ICE accused her of escalating tensions with federal authorities. (Google Maps)
ICE said Franklin was directing city workers to «impede ICE operations and expose the location of ICE officers and agents.»
«Working AGAINST ICE forces federal teams into the community searching for criminal illegal aliens released from local jails — INCREASING THE FEDERAL PRESENCE,» the agency said. «Working with ICE reduces the federal presence.»
«If Mayor Franklin wanted to protect the people she claims to serve, she’d empower the city police with an ICE 287g partnership — instead she serves criminal illegal aliens,» ICE added.
DHS, WHITE HOUSE MOCK CHICAGO’S LAWSUIT OVER ICE: ‘MIRACULOUSLY REDISCOVERED THE 10TH AMENDMENT’
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement blasted Everett’s mayor after she issued a directive restricting federal agents from accessing non-public areas of city facilities without a warrant. (Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
During a city council meeting where she announced the policy, Franklin said «federal immigration enforcement is causing real fear for Everett residents.»
«It’s been heartbreaking to see the racial profiling that’s having an impact on Everett families and businesses,» she said. «We know there are kids staying home from school, people not going to work or people not going about their day, dining out or shopping for essentials.»
The mayor’s directive covers four main areas, including restricting federal immigration agents from accessing non-public areas of city buildings without a warrant, requiring immediate reporting of enforcement activity on city property and mandating clear signage to enforce access limits.
BLOCKING ICE COOPERATION FUELED MINNESOTA UNREST, OFFICIALS WARN AS VIRGINIA REVERSES COURSE
Everett, Wash., Mayor Cassie Franklin said her new directive is aimed at protecting residents amid heightened immigration enforcement activity. (iStock)
It also calls for an internal policy review and staff training, including the creation of an Interdepartmental Response Team and updated immigration enforcement protocols to ensure compliance with state law.
Franklin directed city staff to expand partnerships with community leaders, advocacy groups and regional governments to coordinate responses to immigration enforcement, while promoting immigrant-owned businesses and providing workplace protections and «know your rights» resources.
The mayor also reaffirmed a commitment to «constitutional policing and best practices,» stating that the police department will comply with state law barring participation in civil immigration enforcement. The directive outlines protocols for documenting interactions with federal officials, reviewing records requests and strengthening privacy safeguards and technology audits.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Everett, Wash., Mayor Cassie Franklin issued a directive limiting federal immigration enforcement in city facilities. (iStock)
«We want everyone in the city of Everett to feel safe calling 911 when they need help and to know that Everett Police will not ask about your immigration status,» Franklin said during the council meeting. »I also expect our officers to intervene if it’s safe to do so to protect our residents when they witness federal officers using unnecessary force.»
Fox News Digital has reached out to Mayor Franklin’s office and ICE for comment.
Related Article
police and law enforcement,immigration,washington,immigrant rights
Qué ver en Netflix, la miniserie de 8 episodios que es el mejor plan para el fin de semana de sábado y domingo: «Incontrolables»
Por qué volvió a subir el riesgo país y qué impacto tendrá en las empresas argentinas y los números del Gobierno
Vélez Sarsfield vs. Deportivo Riestra: formaciones, hora y dónde ver por tv
Biden accuses Trump of erasing history and squandering US leadership role on global stage: ‘Dark days’
Los principales puntos del nuevo régimen penal juvenil: garantías, penas y asignación presupuestaria
Se reavivó la interna entre Kicillof y el kirchnerismo: acusaciones cruzadas y una convivencia en tensión
Jorge Macri prepara su discurso para abrir el año legislativo: el deseo de reelección y el espejo en Bukele
Crisis en la industria: otra multinacional se achica y cierra una planta en la Argentina
Alarma por la salud de Divina Gloria tras salir de Gran Hermano: “La internaron directamente en terapia intensiva”
Uno por uno, todos los famosos que saludaron a Mirtha Legrand por sus 99 años
POLITICA3 días agoJorge Macri prepara su discurso para abrir el año legislativo: el deseo de reelección y el espejo en Bukele
- ECONOMIA2 días ago
Crisis en la industria: otra multinacional se achica y cierra una planta en la Argentina
- CHIMENTOS1 día ago
Alarma por la salud de Divina Gloria tras salir de Gran Hermano: “La internaron directamente en terapia intensiva”
