Shock, anger at condition of newly released Hamas hostages
Hamas released three more hostages on Saturday in exchange for dozens of Palestinian prisoners as part of the ceasefire deal reached with Israel.
Or Levy, 34; Eli Sharabi, 52; Ohad Ben Ami, 56, were released by Hamas after they were abducted during the terror group’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack against Israel that prompted the war in Gaza.
The trio were released from Deir al-Balah in the central part of the Gaza Strip. The hostages arrived at the hand-over point in a Hamas vehicle.
Red Cross vehicles also arrived at the location.
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The hostages, as with others before them, were forcibly paraded onto a stage and made to take part in a ceremony with their captors. Israeli leaders noted that the three men looked thin and exhausted.
“This is what a crime against humanity looks like! The whole world must look directly at Ohad, Or, and Eli—returning after 491 days of hell, starved, emaciated and pained—being exploited in a cynical and cruel spectacle by vile murderers,” Israeli President Isaac Herzog wrote in a post on X.
The Hostages and Missing Families forum wrote that “The disturbing images from the release of Ohad, Eli, and Or serve as yet another stark and painful evidence that leaves no room for doubt – there is no time to waste for the hostages!”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made it clear in a statement from his office that the condition of the men did not go unnoticed, saying the “appropriate actions will be taken,” without adding details.
“The horrific scenes we witnessed today will not be ignored,” a statement from the prime minister’s office read. The statement included a vow to rescue the remaining hostages and a reference Psalms 31:16, which says “Rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my pursuers.”
Ruby and Hagit Chen, the parents of Hamas hostage Itay Chen, who is a US citizen, reacted to the images of Sharabi, Ben Ami and Levy.
“Today’s visuals emphasize the torture and agony of the hostages, similar to pictures the world has not seen since the Holocaust,” Ruby and Hagit Chen wrote in a statement to Fox News Digital. In the same statement, they call on Prime Minister Netanyahu to lead “intensive negotiations to finalize the release of all of the remaining hostages, including our son.”
“We urge President Trump to remember there are six US citizens still held by the Hamas terrorist organization that must be included in the next phase of the hostage release deal,” they added.
This was the fifth time since the ceasefire began on Jan. 19 that Hamas released hostages in exchange for prisoners. Eighteen hostages and more than 550 Palestinian prisoners have been released thus far.
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The ceasefire paused the 15-month war in Gaza sparked by Hamas’ attack on the Jewish State, leading to military retaliation from Israeli forces.
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau reportedly caught on hot mic talking about Trump
President Donald Trump has for weeks suggested that Canada become the United States’ 51st state, and while opinion has been divided about whether Trump is serious or merely trolling its neighbor, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has reportedly said that it’s the former, according to reports.
In a closed-door meeting with Canadian business and labor leaders, Trudeau reportedly affirmed that Trump’s ambitious aims of annexation are “a real thing.”
“Mr. Trump has it in mind that the easiest way to do it is absorbing our country and it is a real thing. In my conversations with him on …” Trudeau said before the microphone cut out, according to CBC.
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The news media had been asked to leave the room before Trudeau delivered his comments, but CBC and The Toronto Star were able to hear them and record them.
“I suggest that not only does the Trump administration know how many critical minerals we have, but that may be even why they keep talking about absorbing us and making us the 51st state,” Trudeau added according to people in the room who listened to his comments. “They’re very aware of our resources, of what we have, and they very much want to be able to benefit from those.”
Gil McGowan, president of the Alberta Federation of Labor, confirmed what Trudeau said in a post on social platform X.
“Yes, I can confirm that Trudeau said his assessment is that what Trump really wants is not action on fentanyl or immigration or even the trade deficit, what he really wants is to either dominate Canada or take it outright,” McGowan wrote. “Tariffs are a tactic towards that end.”
Trump first pitched the idea during a dinner at Mar-a-Lago with Trudeau in late November. Trump has also suggested annexing Greenland.
Canada is home to more than 40 million people and is a founding NATO partner. It is a natural resource-rich nation that provides the U.S. with commodities such as oil.
Trump has long said Canada – as well as Mexico – has failed to do enough to prevent the flow of illegal migrants and drugs, particularly fentanyl into the U.S. In addition, Trump claims the U.S. has subsidized Canada to the tune of $200 billion annually.
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Last weekend, Trump again repeated his suggestion of absorbing Canada, noting that it would not be subjected to his incoming tariffs should the country join the U.S.
“We pay hundreds of Billions of Dollars to SUBSIDIZE Canada. Why? There is no reason,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “We don’t need anything they have. We have unlimited Energy, should make our own Cars, and have more Lumber than we can ever use. Without this massive subsidy, Canada ceases to exist as a viable Country. Harsh but true!”
“Therefore, Canada should become our Cherished 51st State,” Trump added. “Much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada – AND NO TARIFFS!”
But Trump agreed to pause the tariffs for 30 days on Monday after a call with Trudeau, who made some concessions to temporarily stave off the levies.
Trudeau said Canada will implement a $1.3 billion border plan and appoint a fentanyl czar. In addition, Canada will reinforce its border with new helicopters, technology, personnel and enhanced coordination with American authorities. He added that nearly 10,000 personnel are and will be working on border protection.
“We will list cartels as terrorists, ensure 24/7 eyes on the border, launch a Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl and money laundering,” Trudeau wrote on X. “I have also signed a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl and we will be backing it with $200 million.”
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The U.S. imports approximately 60% of its crude oil from Canada, with Alberta alone supplying 4.3 million barrels per day. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the U.S. consumes about 20 million barrels a day, while domestically producing about 13.2 million barrels a day. This means about a quarter of the oil the U.S. consumes every day is from Canada.
Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $2.7 billion worth of goods and services cross the border each day.
Meanwhile, Canada is home to dozens of minerals considered critical for use in various industries, including for electric car batteries, solar panels, and semiconductors, according to the New York Times. Some commonly recognized examples of critical minerals include lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite and zinc.
Federal judge issues ruling on lawsuit attempting to block DOGE access to Labor Dept
A federal judge on Friday said he would not immediately block the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, from accessing systems at the Labor Department.
U.S. District Judge John Bates said he had concerns about DOGE but that the labor unions who sued to block their access to the systems have not yet provided evidence of any legal injury.
“Although the court harbors concerns about defendants’ alleged conduct, it must deny plaintiffs’ motion at this time,” Bates wrote.
The Labor Department has investigated companies like SpaceX and Tesla that are owned by Elon Musk, who leads DOGE, and keeps records on these investigations. The department also has information about these companies’ competitors’ trade secrets, the unions said in the lawsuit.
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The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has investigated and fined SpaceX and Tesla over worker safety, the unions said.
The Labor Department’s systems contain medical and financial records of millions of Americans, including those who have filed safety complaints about their employers.
The ruling comes after the Trump administration agreed earlier this week that DOGE would not receive access to the Labor Department until this court decision.
The Justice Department said there are three DOGE staffers assigned to the Labor Department and reporting to its acting secretary, although they have been made special government employees and are required to follow the law with any sensitive information about corporations or workers as they conduct a review.
Musk’s DOGE team had gained access to sensitive Treasury Department payment systems, although a judge has since blocked that access to Treasury records containing sensitive personal data such as Social Security and bank account numbers for millions of Americans. DOGE has also largely dismantled the U.S. Agency for International Development and offered financial incentives to millions of federal workers to resign.
“At every step, DOGE is violating multiple laws, from constitutional limits on executive power, to laws protecting civil servants from arbitrary threats and adverse action, to crucial protections for government data collected and stored on hundreds of millions of Americans,” labor union lawyers represented by the advocacy group Democracy Forward wrote.
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Labor Department leadership told a union member this week that DOGE would be visiting and workers should let them do “whatever they ask, not to push back, not to ask questions,” the unions wrote.
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The Justice Department said there is no evidence of wrongdoing and the judge should not issue “a sweeping, prophylactic order … based on plaintiffs’ rank speculation that DOL will violate the law.”
Nineteen states have sued over DOGE’s access to federal payment systems.
Kamala Harris, husband Doug Emhoff barely noticed at Lakers game
Former Vice President Kamala Harris was spotted at a Los Angeles Lakers game this week and appeared to receive a rather icy reaction from fans in attendance on Thursday night.
Videos shared on social media showed Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, walking to their seats at the Crypto.com Arena for Thursday’s game against the Golden State Warriors.
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Social media users pointed out Harris’ seats, which appeared several rows up from the court, and the overall lack of reception as Harris and Emhoff made their way up.
Comedian Jeff Dye, who was in attendance, shared a video of Harris’ and Emhoff’s seats.
“Kamala Harris is at the Lakers Warriors game in like row 58. Should’ve saved some of that money. @KamalaHarris @DouglasEmhoff,” he said in a post shared on X. “lol. What a world.”
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“Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff arrive at the Lakers game. Pretty much nobody cared,” one user wrote on X.
“Crowd is completely unfazed,” another commented.
“The crowd’s unenthusiastic response says it all,” one post read.
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Following Harris’ failed campaign, speculation about the former vice president’s future in politics has linked her to a possible California gubernatorial bid in 2026.
Prior to Thursday’s NBA game, Harris visited areas damaged by the Palisades wildfires and spoke with displaced residents at a Red Cross shelter.
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That same day, when speaking with reporters, Harris appeared to dodge the rumors about her future political endeavors.
“I have been home for two weeks and three days,” Harris said. “My plans are to be in touch with my community, to be in touch with the leaders and figure out what I can do to support them.”
When pressed further, Harris responded that she “would be here no matter what office I hold, because it is the right thing to do.”
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Ritzy town issues warning to criminal aliens despite blue state sanctuary law
Officials in East Hampton, one of the wealthiest towns in New York’s Hamptons enclave, are trying to reassure locals that noncriminal employees and neighbors are not subject to detention under state law amid President Donald Trump’s crackdown on known criminal aliens.
At a community meeting on Wednesday, local authorities told concerned residents they do not have the authority to detain suspected illegal aliens for civil immigration offenses but will comply with federal criminal warrants.
East Hampton Village Mayor Jerry Larsen told community members at a public meeting that law-abiding migrants should still call police to report any crimes or emergencies without fearing deportation. Criminals, however, will be arrested.
Larsen told Fox News Digital over the phone Friday that he called the meeting to address residents’ concerns and prevent any “chaos” that could grow out of confusion about enforcement in the community.
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One concern is that people who may fear deportation would avoid reporting crimes like extortion and robbery, allowing thieves to prey upon them and remain on the streets.
“What caused me to call a meeting was the fact that people were calling me directly saying, ‘What’s going to happen? Are the local police going to be enforcing immigration laws?'” Larsen said. “The fact is that we don’t have the authority to hold anybody on administrative stuff, and there was already a lawsuit filed in Suffolk County on that, and there’s case law on it, and you’re not allowed to hold on civil or administrative holds.”
Police departments in New York are handcuffed by the state’s sanctuary laws — but they are not turning a blind eye to migrant criminals, East Hampton Village Police Chief Jeffrey Erickson added.
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“I will assist our federal counterparts as much as I can,” the chief told Fox News Digital. “It needs to be a judicial warrant, signed by a judge, the same as everybody else.”
Last month, U.S. District Judge William Kuntz, nominated by then-President Barack Obama in 2011, ordered Suffolk County to pay $60 million to illegal aliens for holding them in custody in violation of New York state’s sanctuary laws. The plaintiffs were held longer than they normally would have been jailed because Immigration and Customs Enforcement had lodged detainer requests.
The Town of East Hampton is one of 10 towns in New York’s Suffolk County, where a county-wide police department handles the most serious crimes and the county sheriff’s office runs the county jail. Within the town, there is also a Village of East Hampton, which has a small police force of its own, headed by Erickson.
Even though the detainers came from the federal government in the county lawsuit, the judge’s order puts only local taxpayers on the hook and federal agencies were not held liable for placing the detainer requests to begin with.
Some see it as a slap in the face to Suffolk voters, a majority of whom turned out in support of President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign, in part due to his record on immigration enforcement in the county, which had been a bastion of violent MS-13 gangsters at the start of his first term. County officials are appealing the ruling.
Under New York law, local authorities are only allowed to hold people accused of bail-eligible crimes, regardless of their immigration status. Most immigration offenses, except for the act of illegally crossing the border, are considered civil matters and thus not bail-eligible in the state.
“Nothing’s changed in our policy, except, we haven’t had any [federal criminal warrants] in the last administration,” Erickson said. “So when it comes again, we will assist our federal counterparts.”
Authorities are also disputing recent reporting that made it seem as though they were turning a blind eye to migrants in the local labor force.
“If anybody commits a crime, whether they’re legal or illegal, they will be arrested, and they will be prosecuted,” Erickson said. “It doesn’t matter what your status is. It’s not like we’re looking the other way.”
A nationwide crackdown involving federal and local law enforcement on targets that the Trump administration has identified as known criminal aliens, largely linked to drug trafficking, gang violence or terrorism, has netted thousands of arrests since the president took office on Jan. 20.
“Public safety threats and national security threats, they’re up first,” Trump’s border czar Tom Homan said in a recent video released by the White House.
At the Wednesday East Hampton meeting, residents peppered local leaders with questions about whether they can protect illegals in places like inside a church or at the workplace, according to a report in the East Hampton Star, which ran an editorial Thursday praising opposition to ICE detainers.
“Immigrant labor has helped keep the Hamptons humming for decades, longer if one includes late-19th and early-20th-century mostly Irish and Italians who worked on the estates of the oceanfront rich,” wrote paper owner David Rattray. “The first stirrings of a Spanish-speaking wave came in the 1980s, with just a handful of men arriving and finding work largely in the landscaping trade.”
In the area today, many immigrants, both legal and illegal, hold jobs in the landscaping, hospitality and construction industries.
One East Hampton local told Fox News Digital that the Hispanic community is the “bread and butter” of the labor force.
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East Hampton Town Police Chief Michael Sarlo told town board members that his officers would also continue to cooperate with federal investigators on criminal warrants, which he said are rarely served in the area to begin with, and that civil offenses would not land an illegal immigrant in a local jail cell, according to the paper.
“I haven’t seen an ICE agent in this town in I can’t tell you how long,” he said.
In one exchange, however, he reportedly pointed to his gun and told residents that law enforcement officers do not interfere with each other’s lawful duties.
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“People who wear this and put this on don’t interfere with other people who wear this and put this on because then people die,” he said. “You don’t step in front of an Immigration Enforcement officer in uniform with a gun and a badge who’s taking his action. That’s for attorneys to get involved in, and that is for policies and procedures through the state to get involved.”
Sarlo did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital on Friday.
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Authorities said they wanted to make sure all residents, legal or not, are comfortable calling 911 in an emergency.
“I don’t want anybody getting hurt,” said Larsen, himself a former police chief. “You have somebody who’s undocumented, and they’re driving a car, and a police car is trying to pull them over for running a stop sign. And all of a sudden, this turns into a pursuit and somebody gets hurt or killed.”
He said police in East Hampton are focused on apprehending criminals, not checking the immigration status of everyone they run into.
“You’ve gotta feel comfortable calling the local police,” Larsen said. “I don’t want chaos in our community. We still have to function.”
Comedian reveals the ‘real’ problem with Hollywood as he sues over DEI
One comedian is exposing Hollywood’s casting culture with a lawsuit after being allegedly cut from acting roles over D.E.I. policies.
Comedian Tyler Fischer, a frequent guest on “Gutfeld!” and host of the new Fox Nation special, “No Pardon Needed,” pulled the curtain back on the acting industry during an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, detailing what he says some experts call the “clearest discrimination case” they have ever seen.
“I was doing TV shows and acting and my career was growing in Hollywood. But these DEI policies, I was told explicitly, we have too many white guys,” Fischer said.
“Or you booked the job, but they said they need someone who’s not a straight white guy. And that was happening for ten years until the last time it happened.”
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Fischer revealed that he recorded a closed-door conversation where a manager from AGI Entertainment Media & Management, a Manhattan outfit that reps comedians Samantha Bee and Colin Quinn, television host Julie Chen and journalist Natalie Morales, told him that it is “company policy” to avoid hiring “straight white guys.” It was a conversation that would turn into evidence in his ongoing lawsuit.
“I recorded the call and filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court three years ago. So, I’ve been fighting this stuff for ten years,” he said.
“It’s real. And that’s another reason why people are turning to alternative media sources.”
“People would just go, ‘Sit down, shut up. You look like Macaulay Culkin and David Spade. You’re going to be fine.’ But it’s real. And that’s another reason why people are turning to alternative media sources.”
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Fischer explained that he filed his lawsuit against the talent agency about three years ago and the case remains in the discovery phase.
“It’s in the early phases. Whether or not we go to trial, I don’t know. But it’s on tape. And I’ve been told by certain people it’s the clearest discrimination case they’ve ever seen because it is recorded,” he revealed.
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Despite the challenges faced in his early career, Fischer is currently touring throughout the U.S., and has additionally released a comedy special called “No Pardon Needed,” which is available exclusively to Fox Nation subscribers.
The program was filmed at famed podcast host Joe Rogan’s new club, The Comedy Mothership in Austin, TX on Jan. 20 — the same day President Donald Trump returned to the White House for his second term.
The Inauguration-inspired, 45-minute special is a satirical look at the current state of politics and culture, with Fischer blending his razor-sharp political commentary with impersonations of President-elect Trump, President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Elon Musk and others in Trump’s cabinet.
Fischer is well known for his unapologetic performances, having gained popularity for his impressions of political leaders and commentators; on YouTube, a skit of him mimicking the voice of Daily Wire commentator Jordan Peterson has over one million views.
Along with making his own comedic videos on political and social issues on social media platforms, Fischer is currently touring the United States doing more stand-up routines. He has also appeared on some of the biggest podcasts and talk shows in the world, including “The Joe Rogan Experience,” “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver” and “Kill Tony.” The rising star also acted in the film, “Terror on the Prairie” and voiced a character in the animated show, “Mr. Birchum.”
To hear more from Tyler Fischer, subscribe to Fox Nation and stream “No Pardon Needed.”
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The Super Bowl team Trump may not be rooting for on Sunday
President Donald Trump, taking to social media ahead of the Super Bowl, praised both teams facing off in professional football’s biggest game.
“Two great Quarterbacks in this game. Also, an unbelievable running back, and the absolute best tight end in football (Ever!). Incredible coaching!” the president wrote Friday in a post on his Truth Social platform. “IT WILL BE A GREAT GAME!!!”
Trump is expected to make history this weekend as the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl in person, when the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans, Louisiana.
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The Chiefs are aiming to make history as the first National Football League team to win three straight Lombardi trophies as Super Bowl champions.
The Eagles, playing in their third Super Bowl in seven seasons, seek to avenge their 38-35 loss to the Chiefs in the championship game two years ago.
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Trump earlier this week appeared to indicate which team he may be rooting for in the big game.
When asked by reporters in the Oval Office which team he wanted to win the Super Bowl, the president responded, “I don’t wanna say.”
“But there’s a certain quarterback that seems to be a pretty good winner,” he added as he apparently pointed towards Chiefs’ star quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
The president the next day gave a shoutout to Mahomes and his wife Brittany, who hinted at support for Trump in last year’s presidential election.
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“Congratulations to the Chiefs GREAT Quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, and his very beautiful and BRILLIANT wife, Brittany, on the birth of their new baby daughter, Golden Raye. This is what I call a baby with great genes, both mother and father. It’s happy times in the wonderful Mahomes family. See you all on Sunday!” he wrote.
While Trump theoretically is staying neutral in Sunday’s game, he does appear to have an acrimonious history with the Eagles which dates back to his first White House administration.
During his first year in office, Trump repeatedly criticized NFL players who refused to stand for the national anthem as they symbolically protested racism. After the Eagles won the Super Bowl that season, most of the players on the team said they would boycott the traditional White House appearance by the championship team.
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Trump, responding, disinvited the team.
“The Philadelphia Eagles are unable to come to the White House with their full team to be celebrated tomorrow,” Trump said at the time. “They disagree with their president because he insists that they proudly stand for the national anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country.”
The Eagles are also the team long cheered on by former President Joe Biden, a Pennsylvania native who for nearly his entire life has called neighboring Delaware home.
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As he addressed the Democratic National Committee, which met in Philadelphia amid a blistering cold weekend in early 2023 for their annual winter meeting, the then-president said “Fly, Eagles, fly!”
And former First Lady Jill Biden, a devout Eagles fan who often wears the team’s garb, will be attending Sunday’s Super Bowl.