The IDF has recovered the bodies of three slain hostages, Ofra Keidar, Jonathan Samerano, and Staff Sgt. Shay Levinson, in a joint operation with Shin Bet. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum urged the government to take advantage of the current situation and reach a hostage deal to bring the remaining 50 hostages home.
Edan Alexander, an American-Israeli who was held hostage by Hamas since October 7, 2023, was released in May 2025 and returned home to Tenafly, New Jersey this past weekend. He was greeted by hundreds of supporters lining the streets to welcome him back with signs and chants. His homecoming was celebrated by New Jersey leaders from across the political spectrum, including U.S. Representative Josh Gottheimer and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.
In response to the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran, Birthright Israel rerouted approximately 1,500 participants from the Israeli port city of Ashdod onto a cruise ship bound for Cyprus. The decision was made to ensure student safety. The participants were eventually routed to other parts of Europe before returning safely home to the U.S. and Canada.
In response to Israel’s preemptive strike against Iranian nuclear facilities and military leaders, Iran launched a wave of ballistic missiles at Israel, hitting major cities including Haifa and Tel Aviv. The attack killed eight civilians and left 300 injured, marking one of the deadliest escalations in the region since the start of direct hostilities.
The IDF confirmed that the body of hostage Aviv Atzili, who was killed during Hamas’s October 7th attack and taken into Gaza, was recovered last week in a military operation. Atzili was a respected artist and a pillar of the Kibbutz Nir Oz community. His wife, Liat, was also taken hostage but was released in November 2023 during a week-long truce between Israel and Hamas.
Israel launched coordinated overnight strikes across Iran, targeting nuclear and military sites in cities including Tehran and Natanz. A number of top Iranian commanders are reportedly among the casualties. Israeli officials say the operation is meant to disrupt Iran’s nuclear weapons program and missile capabilities. Israel has declared a nationwide state of emergency. This is a developing story.