Negotiations between Israel and Hamas, facilitated by Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S., are focused on bridging significant gaps in a proposed hostage release-ceasefire agreement. Hamas wants guarantees that the ceasefire will lead to a longer-term agreement, while Israel insists on a plan that includes the steady release of hostages—starting with 10 in the first week. Despite Hamas submitting alternative proposals, both were rejected, and pressure is mounting for a resolution by the end of the week.

In this reflection, Hillel Jewish Agency Israel Fellow Shirly A. shares her family’s history and how she uses her pride in her Jewish and Israeli identities to inspire her students. Drawing inspiration from her grandfather’s rescue from the Holocaust and her cousin Ron Afrimi’s death in Gaza, Shirly organized meaningful activities to help students connect personally with Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day. These included dedicating a bench at the Hillel building, painting Ron’s favorite flowers, and reciting prayers for fallen soldiers and hostages.

Families of the 58 hostages who remain in Hamas captivity marked 600 days since October 7th at a press conference in Tel Aviv. Leah Goldin, mother of fallen soldier Hadar Goldin, said the issue had grown from a personal tragedy to a national crisis: “Now there are 58 more Hadar Goldins in Gaza.”

Israeli singer Yuval Raphael secured second place at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, with her song “New Day Will Rise.” A survivor of the Nova music festival massacre, Raphael won the public vote with 297 points but placed 14th in the jury vote, resulting in a second place overall finish.

After 584 days in Hamas captivity, Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old U.S. and Israeli citizen from Tenafly, New Jersey, was released and has returned safely to Israel. Edan has been reunited with his family as part of a deal brokered between Hamas and the United States.

Israel’s celebrations of its 77th Independence Day, Yom Ha’atzmaut, were subdued this year as massive wildfires near Jerusalem disrupted events. Fueled by strong winds and high temperatures, the fires led to evacuations of 10 communities and the closure of major highways. Despite these challenges, more than 100,000 Israelis gathered in parks where permitted, and President Isaac Herzog held a ceremony honoring soldiers at his residence.