Meanwhile, the November ceasefire in Lebanon is holding despite ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah targets, which Israeli officials say are responses to ceasefire violations by the Iranian-backed militant group. Israeli forces also remain active inside the Syrian border region as victorious rebels there build a transitional government.
Tensions remain high between Israel and Iran after tit-for-tat long-range strikes in recent months and threats of further military action from both sides. The IDF and the Yemeni Houthis also continue to exchange attacks.
Trump resumes shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, reversing Biden-era hold on the weapons
President Donald Trump has ordered that the U.S. resume shipments of the 2,000-pound bombs to Israel that former President Joe Biden halted, according to a White House source and a U.S. government official.
"The President has ordered the hold to be lifted on the 2000-pound bomb shipment to Israel,” a U.S. government official told ABC News.
In this June 7, 2019, file photo, MK84 bombs sit in a storage igloo at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
U.S. Air National Guard, FILE
Biden halted the shipment of the 2,000-pound bombs in May of 2024. At the time, he cited the fact that the weapons were being used in areas with high concentrations of civilians, leading to civilian deaths.
"Civilians have been killed in Gaza as a consequence of those bombs and other ways in which they go after population centers," Biden said in May, during a sit-down interview with CNN.
Jan 25, 2025, 1:35 PM EST
Thousands of Palestinians gather in hope of returning to northern Gaza
Thousands of Palestinians have gathered in Gaza, just south of the Wadi Gaza, hoping to be able to return home to northern Gaza for the first time since October 2023.
The Wadi Gaza is the line Israel used to demarcate north from south in Gaza, warning over a million people to move south of the riverbed at the very beginning of the war. A majority of Gazans did, resulting in 1.9 million people crowded into south Gaza.
Internally displaced Palestinians wait to return to the northern Gaza Strip from the southern Gaza Strip, along Al Rashid road, in the west of Al Nusairat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, Jan. 25, 2025.
Mohammed Saber/EPA via Shutterstock
Under the current ceasefire deal, the Israel Defense Forces were to withdraw from parts of the Netzarim corridor -- the military area it created between the Wadi Gaza and Gaza City -- which has until now stopped anyone from being able to return to the north.
However, Israel and Hamas are currently engaged in a back-and-forth argument over the continued captivity of a civilian woman hostage, which is being worked out through the mediators of the ceasefire. As a result, the IDF has not yet withdrawn from the Netzarim corridor and thousands of Palestinians are waiting to return north are forced to wait.
Internally displaced Palestinians wait to return to the northern Gaza Strip from the southern Gaza Strip, along Al Rashid road, in the west of Al Nusairat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, Jan. 25, 2025.
Mohammed Saber/EPA via Shutterstock
Internally displaced Palestinians wait to return to the northern Gaza Strip from the southern Gaza Strip, along Al Rashid road, in the west of Al Nusairat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, Jan. 25, 2025.
Mohammed Saber/EPA via Shutterstock
The confusion over the delay has created some chaos in the area, with shots being fired toward the crowds and reports of injuries.
Jan 25, 2025, 11:37 AM EST
Trump takes credit for release of hostages
President Donald Trump celebrated the release of four hostages on Saturday, emphasizing the White House's partnership with Israel and calling on the release of the remaining hostages.
"Today the world celebrates as President Trump secured the release of four more Israeli hostages who were, for far too long, held against their will by Hamas in horrific conditions. The United States will continue with its great partner Israel to push for the release of all remaining hostages and the pursuit of peace throughout the region," the White House said in a statement.
Jan 25, 2025, 8:51 AM EST
Families of hostages celebrate the release of 4 soldiers
The families of four soldiers who were being held hostage by Hamas are now celebrating the release of their loved ones.
"We are overjoyed and moved to see Naama standing strong and returning to us. Our hearts are with the Berger and Yehoud families who are still waiting for their loved ones. We will not rest until the last hostage returns," the family of Naama Levy said in a statement.
The families pledged to continue to support families of hostages still being held.
4:14
Father of Israeli-American hostage on latest releasesFather of Israeli-American hostage Johnathan Dekel-Chen discusses the latest hostage release as a part of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
ABCNews.com
"Our hearts are with the families of Arbel Yehoud, Agam Berger, the Bibas family, and all other hostages still waiting to return home. Our thoughts are with them, even in these moments of joy, and we are determined to fight until the last hostage returns home," the family of Liri Albag said in a statement.
Daniela Gilboa, Liri Elbag, Naama Levy and Karina Ariev are greeted by their parents after their release on Jan. 25, 2025.
