Revelation of the Status of Hostages Held by Hamas; Forced Labor of Women and Torture of Men

Israeli Channel 12 reported on testimonies from hostages released from Hamas captivity, stating that some women were forced to perform labor for senior Islamic Jihad commanders during their captivity, while men were subjected to torture and beatings. According to this network, one of the women held by Hamas was kept in the home of a senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad commander and was forced to care for his children. Another hostage lived in a house with several women, where the male head of the household violently compelled her to perform household chores. Released hostages reported that in the days leading up to their release, the captors fed them and forced them to practice a predetermined script for a promotional release ceremony. Channel 12 also reported on male hostages still held by Palestinian forces: 'The released hostages said that one of them heard through the radio about the death of his relatives. Another has been chained by his legs since his abduction and has been subjected to severe torture. One more hostage was beaten so badly that he lost consciousness, and his fellow captives thought he had died.' Many of the remaining hostages are deprived of news access, and their captors have convinced them that no one in Israel is working for their release. One hostage was even told that his wife had forgotten him and that no one was waiting for his return. Following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, five rounds of hostage and prisoner exchanges took place over the past three weeks, with 18 hostages abducted in the October 7 attack exchanged for 582 Palestinian prisoners plus one Egyptian. It is estimated that about 60 Israelis remain captive by Hamas. The United States and Israel have given Hamas an ultimatum to release all hostages by noon on Saturday, February 17, or face 'hell.' However, the Palestinian group has announced that it will only release three more hostages on that day. Trump has revived gas export permits; warning to Hamas and criticism of Europe. Hamas claims to maintain the ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Rubio is heading to the Middle East to 'counter destabilizing actions' of the Iranian government. A senior member of the House of Representatives praised Trump's role in the release of Hamas hostages. The U.S. special envoy stated that the Islamic Republic has taken American citizens hostage. The possibility of Hamas violating the agreement; Israel has called up reserve forces. Netanyahu stated that if the hostages are not released by Saturday, Israel will end the Gaza ceasefire. Trump and King Abdullah's meeting; escalating discussions on how to rebuild Gaza.