by Admin Feb 15, 2025 Hamas released three Israeli captives on Saturday, while Israel began freeing 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees as part of the ongoing ceasefire agreement. The three captives which are Sagui Dekel-Chen, Alexander Sasha Troufanov, and Iair Horn were escorted onto a stage at the release site in Khan Younis by Hamas fighters, according to live footage. Addressing the crowd briefly through a microphone, they called for further hostage exchanges under the ongoing truce before being transferred to Israel via Red Cross vehicles. Shortly after their release, the first bus carrying freed Palestinian prisoners and detainees departed from Israel’s Ofer Prison in the occupied West Bank. The bus arrived in Ramallah to a jubilant crowd, with many waving Palestinian flags. Some of the freed prisoners, dressed in traditional keffiyeh scarves, were lifted onto shoulders and embraced by family members before undergoing brief medical examinations. According to the Palestinian Prisoners Club, some of the released detainees are in extremely poor health. Previously freed prisoners have exhibited signs of severe torture, malnutrition, and illness. Additional buses carrying prisoners departed from an Israeli detention facility in the Negev desert, bound for Gaza. The advocacy group stated that 24 of the released prisoners are expected to be deported, while nearly all of the remaining 345 were arrested in Gaza after October 7. Among them, 36 were serving life sentences, with some having spent more than two decades in Israeli prisons. Meanwhile, in Israel, hundreds gathered in Tel Aviv to watch the captives’ release live on a large screen. Cheers and tears erupted when news broke that the Red Cross was transporting the three Israelis to military forces in Gaza. This marks the sixth exchange since the ceasefire took effect on January 19, easing concerns that the agreement could collapse before the conclusion of its 42-day first phase. Under the terms of the truce, 33 Israeli captives are to be exchanged for hundreds of Palestinian detainees. The deal also allows for the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza and the repositioning of Israeli troops to a perimeter zone. Before Saturday’s exchange, Hamas had already released 16 Israeli captives and five Thai nationals in an unscheduled handover. Last week, three Israelis were freed in exchange for 183 Palestinian prisoners. The six-week ceasefire is intended to facilitate further negotiations for the release of remaining captives and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces. The third phase of the truce would involve discussions on the governance and reconstruction of Gaza. Despite tensions, with Hamas accusing Israel of repeated ceasefire violations and Israel threatening to resume military operations, both sides ultimately proceeded with the latest swap as scheduled. The Palestinian Health Ministry reported on Tuesday that 92 people have been killed and 822 wounded since the start of the truce.
Lawsuit Against Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs Voluntarily Dismissed
by Admin Feb 16, 2025 A woman who accused Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs of raping her when she was 13 years old has withdrawn her lawsuit, according to a court filing. The woman’s attorney stated in a notice submitted Friday to the U.S. District Court in Manhattan that the civil suit was “voluntarily dismissed with prejudice,” which means it cannot be refiled. The plaintiff, now an adult, initially acknowledged inconsistencies in her account when she refiled the lawsuit in December to name Jay-Z. However, she maintained her allegations regarding an incident that allegedly took place in 2000. Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, and Combs have denied any wrongdoing. Carter has stated, “This incident didn’t happen.” Following the lawsuit’s withdrawal, Shawn Carter expressed relief, calling the claim false and harmful to his family. “I would not wish this experience on anyone,” he said. “Today is a victory. The frivolous, fictitious, and appalling allegations have been dismissed. This civil suit was without merit and never going anywhere,” Carter said in a statement through Roc Nation. “The fictional tale they created was laughable, if not for the seriousness of the claims.” The lawsuit alleged that in 2000, the woman was outside the Video Music Awards in New York City when a limo driver invited her to an after-party. She claimed she felt disoriented after consuming a drink and was subsequently sexually assaulted. Alex Spiro, Carter’s attorney praised his client’s response to the lawsuit he said, “By standing up in the face of heinous and false allegations, Jay has done what few can he pushed back, he never settled, he never paid one red penny, he triumphed and cleared his name,” Spiro said in a written statement. Combs’ legal team also welcomed the lawsuit’s dismissal, stating it validated their stance. “Today’s complete dismissal by the 1-800 attorney is yet another confirmation that these lawsuits are built on falsehoods, not facts,” Combs’ legal representatives said. The lawsuit was filed by Texas attorney Tony Buzbee, who has previously represented clients suing Combs. Buzbee declined to comment on Friday’s dismissal. Combs is currently facing federal criminal charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty. Additionally, he has been sued multiple times for alleged sexual misconduct, though his legal team has denied all allegations. Carter has not been accused of any crime. In his statement on Friday, he criticized the legal system for allowing the lawsuit to proceed without consequences for the plaintiff. “The court must protect victims, OF COURSE, while with the same ethical responsibility, the courts must protect the innocent from being accused without a shred of evidence,” Carter said. “May the truth prevail for all victims and those falsely accused equally.”
