After 482 days in Hamas captivity, Israeli soldier Agam Berger was finally reunited with her family on Thursday. Her release, along with Arbel Yehud and Gadi Moses, came as part of a previously unplanned exchange, bringing relief and celebration across Israel. "Our hero Agam has returned to us," her family declared in a heartfelt statement. "She is strong, faithful, and brave. We thank the security forces and the people of Israel for their support and prayers."

The United States is applying significant pressure to ensure the rapid release of as many hostages as possible, a senior diplomatic source told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday. "This is what the Americans want more hostages released in shorter periods of time and I hope it happens," the source stated. A second source confirmed that the US is actively engaged in negotiations to accelerate the process. US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff, currently in Israel, met with hostage families in Tel Aviv, expressing optimism about the next steps in the ongoing efforts.

President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping executive order to combat antisemitism, mandating tougher legal action against antisemitic harassment and violence, particularly on college campuses. The order directs federal agencies to identify legal tools to hold accountable individuals and institutions failing to protect Jewish students. The executive order, signed Wednesday night, follows an unprecedented rise in antisemitic incidents since Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel.

Israel has been ranked the sixth-strongest economy in 2024, according to The Economist, outperforming many larger nations despite facing war on multiple fronts and global financial challenges. The report evaluated 37 countries based on stock market performance, inflation, unemployment, and fiscal deficits placing Israel ahead of economic powerhouses like Germany, the U.S., and the U.K.