4 h. ago Middle East crisis live: Hamas releases six hostages as Israel prepares to free hundreds of Palestinians

Hisham al-Sayed, Tal Shoham, Avera Mengistu, Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem Tov and Omer Wenkert have now been releasedA masked militant has sat down at a table on the stage with a Red Cross representative and they appear to be signing documents.Live images from Rafah are showing masked Hamas fighters taking to the makeshift stage, with one speaking into a microphone. Continue reading...

Events

5 h. ago Hamas frees five hostages as first phase of ceasefire nears end

Militant group due to release one more hostage on Saturday as part of exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners

Events

3 d. ago Trump’s Gaza takeover won’t happen. But it has already changed the face of Israeli politics | Yair Wallach

The US president’s support for forcibly relocating Palestinians has laid the ground for Netanyahu’s ultimate fantasyWhen President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum to Hamas last week to release all hostages by noon on 15 February, warning that otherwise “all hell [will] break loose”, the Israeli right was ecstatic. Here was a chance to finally move ahead with the complete occupation and annihilation of the Gaza Strip. The families of Israeli hostages were petrified about the prospect of the ceasefire collapsing, yet members of the ruling coalition called to kill the deal. “We have international support, give the order!” demanded the Israeli finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich.But the order never came. Hamas abided by the agreement and freed three hostages; Israel then released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Trump shrugged and said that it was Israel’s decision. His envoy, Steve Witkoff, who visited Israel on Sunday, signalled that the direction of travel is not towards resuming h...

Politics

4 d. ago Fist pumps and smirks: Hundreds of prisoners are released early as Scotland follows England with mass release of dangerous inmates in bid to tackle jail overcrowding

Prisoners offered fist pumps and smiles for waiting TV cameras as they emerged from HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow after being freed under the Scottish government's early release scheme.

Events

4 d. ago Victims of hundreds of prisoners released early in Scotland can check if they are affected

The charity Victim Support Scotland and the Scottish Prison Service have jointly urged victims of crime to if they will be affected by a prisoner release.

Events

4 d. ago Prisoners pictured leaving Scotland's jails as early release scheme starts

The emergency legislation was passed last year and will allow eligible inmates who have been sentenced to less than four years to be released after serving 40 per cent of their sentence rather than 50 per cent.

Events

4 d. ago Prisoners in Scotland to be released today as hundreds to be freed early over next 6 weeks

Prisoners are set to be released as early as today as First Minister John Swinney looks to free up space in the prison system.

Events