“During an inspection cruise by the Marine Unit inspectors 2.5 miles off the coast of Rishon Lezion following a trawler, three dolphins were suddenly spotted,” reported Guy Levian, the director of the Marine Unit area at the Nature and Parks Authority. “The three played in the waves for several minutes and continued on their way.”

The first phase of the ceasefire that paused 15 months of war between Israel and Hamas militants is set to end on Saturday. It’s unclear what comes next.

Thousands of people lined the streets of Israel to pay their respects as the funeral procession of Shiri Bibas and her two young sons made its way to a cemetery.

Thousands of mourners, carrying flags and orange balloons, joined the funeral procession Wednesday for Shiri Bibas and her two sons, who were killed in Gaza captivity and had become symbols of Israel's hostage ordeal.

Israeli and Hamas officials say they have reached an agreement to exchange the bodies of dead hostages for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Israel warns of “additional consequences” if Hamas doesn’t accept what Israel says is a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire extension.

An Israeli security official says Hamas has handed to the Red Cross the bodies of four Israelis who were held hostage in Gaza.

The story of Shiri Bibas and her two sons, Ariel and Kfir, came to embody the profound sense of grief experienced by Israelis after Hamas' October 7 attacks. | ITV National News

A bot photographs the coffin containing the body of former hostage Oded Lifshitz, as the van carrying it departs for his funeral ceremony, in Rishon Lezion, central Israel, on Tuesday,