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Hostages

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Protesters demand freedom for 9000+ Palestinian ‘political prisoners’ held hostage by Israel

February 1, 2026

Asia Pacific Report New Zealand protesters in Tamaki Makaurau today heralded a global demand for the freedom of thousands of Palestinians who have been unlawfully imprisoned by Israel in its illegal occupation of Palestine. Today is the Red Ribbon Campaign’s global day of solidarity for Palestinian hostages or political prisoners. It is the culmination of ... <a title="Protesters demand freedom for 9000+ Palestinian ‘political prisoners’ held hostage by Israel" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/01/protesters-demand-freedom-for-9000-palestinian-political-prisoners-held-hostage-by-israel/" aria-label="Read more about Protesters demand freedom for 9000+ Palestinian ‘political prisoners’ held hostage by Israel">Read more</a>

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Caitlin Johnstone: It was never about hostages. It was never about Hamas

May 6, 2025

Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – COMMENTARY: By Caitlin Johnstone Benjamin Netanyahu said last Thursday that freeing the Israeli hostages in Gaza was not his top priority, suggesting instead that defeating Hamas should take precedence over a hostage deal. “We have many objectives, many goals in this war,” Netanyahu said. “We want ... <a title="Caitlin Johnstone: It was never about hostages. It was never about Hamas" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/05/06/caitlin-johnstone-it-was-never-about-hostages-it-was-never-about-hamas/" aria-label="Read more about Caitlin Johnstone: It was never about hostages. It was never about Hamas">Read more</a>

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NZ Palestinian network advocate Janfrie Wakim praises ‘heroic Gaza’, calls for more action

February 1, 2025

Asia Pacific Report One of the key early leaders of a national Palestinian solidarity network in Aotearoa New Zealand today praised the “heroic” resilience and sacrifice of the people of Gaza in the face of Israel’s ruthless attempt to destroy the besieged enclave of more than 2 million people. Speaking at the first solidarity rally ... <a title="NZ Palestinian network advocate Janfrie Wakim praises ‘heroic Gaza’, calls for more action" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/02/01/nz-palestinian-network-advocate-janfrie-wakim-praises-heroic-gaza-calls-for-more-action/" aria-label="Read more about NZ Palestinian network advocate Janfrie Wakim praises ‘heroic Gaza’, calls for more action">Read more</a>

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‘All I wanted was to bid my daughter a final farewell’ – Gaza hostages, mainstream media and truth

January 31, 2025

Palestinian politician, MP and activist Khalida Jarrar . . . AFTER being jailed by the Israeli military and released last Sunday as part of the ceasefire deal. Image: www.solidarity.co.nz COMMENTARY: By Eugene Doyle Watching footage of Palestinian parliamentarian and hostage Khalida Jarrar emerge from Israeli captivity was jarring — a far, muffled cry from the ... <a title="‘All I wanted was to bid my daughter a final farewell’ – Gaza hostages, mainstream media and truth" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/01/31/all-i-wanted-was-to-bid-my-daughter-a-final-farewell-gaza-hostages-mainstream-media-and-truth/" aria-label="Read more about ‘All I wanted was to bid my daughter a final farewell’ – Gaza hostages, mainstream media and truth">Read more</a>

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NZ Palestinian network co-founder Janfrie Wakim praises ‘heroic Gaza’, calls for more action

January 26, 2025

Asia Pacific Report A co-founder of a national Palestinian solidarity network in Aotearoa New Zealand today praised the “heroic” resilience and sacrifice of the people of Gaza in the face of Israel’s ruthless attempt to destroy the besieged enclave of more than 2 million people. Speaking at the first solidarity rally in Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau ... <a title="NZ Palestinian network co-founder Janfrie Wakim praises ‘heroic Gaza’, calls for more action" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/01/26/nz-palestinian-network-co-founder-janfrie-wakim-praises-heroic-gaza-calls-for-more-action/" aria-label="Read more about NZ Palestinian network co-founder Janfrie Wakim praises ‘heroic Gaza’, calls for more action">Read more</a>

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27 years in captivity – free Marwan Barghouti, ‘Palestine’s Mandela’

April 30, 2024

SPECIAL REPORT: By Eugene Doyle He is the most popular Palestinian leader alive today — and yet few people in the West even know his name. Absolutely no one in Gaza or the West Bank does not know him. That difference speaks volumes about who dominates the media narrative that we are spoon-fed every day. ... <a title="27 years in captivity – free Marwan Barghouti, ‘Palestine’s Mandela’" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/04/30/27-years-in-captivity-free-marwan-barghouti-palestines-mandela/" aria-label="Read more about 27 years in captivity – free Marwan Barghouti, ‘Palestine’s Mandela’">Read more</a>

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Israeli offensive in Rafah ‘not a way forward’ for Gaza, says NZ’s Luxon

February 15, 2024

RNZ News With an “appalling” loss of life unfolding in Gaza, it’s essential Israel halts plans for an assault on the city of Rafah, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. The government has hardened its position towards Israel’s actions in Gaza, saying air strikes on the southern city of Rafah should stop and Israel should not ... <a title="Israeli offensive in Rafah ‘not a way forward’ for Gaza, says NZ’s Luxon" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/02/15/israeli-offensive-in-rafah-not-a-way-forward-for-gaza-says-nzs-luxon/" aria-label="Read more about Israeli offensive in Rafah ‘not a way forward’ for Gaza, says NZ’s Luxon">Read more</a>

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War on Gaza: Israeli failures, US charades and a negotiated truce

November 24, 2023

ANALYSIS: By Mouin Rabbani In the early hours of November 22, Qatar formally announced that an agreement had been reached for an Israeli-Palestinian exchange of captives — and it came into force today. The available details suggest it largely reflects the proposal offered by Hamas several weeks ago that was initially rejected by Israel. Тhe ... <a title="War on Gaza: Israeli failures, US charades and a negotiated truce" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/11/24/war-on-gaza-israeli-failures-us-charades-and-a-negotiated-truce/" aria-label="Read more about War on Gaza: Israeli failures, US charades and a negotiated truce">Read more</a>

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Hipkins urges release of NZ hostage six months after Papua kidnapping

August 9, 2023

RNZ Pacific Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has called again for the immediate release of New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens, who has now been held hostage by pro-independence fighters in West Papua for six months. Speaking in Auckland, Hipkins said Mehrtens — a pilot for the Indonesian airline Susi Air which provide air links to remote ... <a title="Hipkins urges release of NZ hostage six months after Papua kidnapping" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/09/hipkins-urges-release-of-nz-hostage-six-months-after-papua-kidnapping/" aria-label="Read more about Hipkins urges release of NZ hostage six months after Papua kidnapping">Read more</a>

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Armed gunmen kidnap 17 girls from remote PNG village – freed for ransom

June 12, 2023

Reports from Papua New Guinea say that 17 girls from a remote village have been held captive by a large group of armed men. The National reported this, according to an eyewitness, and the story has been corroborated by a government worker from Komo Hulia. The eyewitness said the men had been demanding $40,000 kina ... <a title="Armed gunmen kidnap 17 girls from remote PNG village – freed for ransom" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/06/12/armed-gunmen-kidnap-17-girls-from-remote-png-village-freed-for-ransom/" aria-label="Read more about Armed gunmen kidnap 17 girls from remote PNG village – freed for ransom">Read more</a>

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Jakarta should ‘learn from the Aceh, Philippines experience’ and talk to West Papuan rebels, says researcher

April 26, 2023

By Singgih Wiryono in Jakarta An Indonesian human rights researcher has cricitised his government’s failure to negotiate with West Papuan rebels, saying security officials should learn from the 2005 Aceh peace pact. The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) research and mobilisation division head, Rozy Brilian, said the Indonesian government had always ... <a title="Jakarta should ‘learn from the Aceh, Philippines experience’ and talk to West Papuan rebels, says researcher" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/04/26/jakarta-should-learn-from-the-aceh-philippines-experience-and-talk-to-west-papuan-rebels-says-researcher/" aria-label="Read more about Jakarta should ‘learn from the Aceh, Philippines experience’ and talk to West Papuan rebels, says researcher">Read more</a>

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Jakarta should ‘learn from the Aceh, Philippines exerience’ and talk to West Papuan rebels, says researcher

April 18, 2023

By Singgih Wiryono in Jakarta An Indonesian human rights researcher has cricitised his government’s failure to negotiate with West Papuan rebels, saying security officials should learn from the 2005 Aceh peace pact. The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) research and mobilisation division head, Rozy Brilian, said the Indonesian government had always ... <a title="Jakarta should ‘learn from the Aceh, Philippines exerience’ and talk to West Papuan rebels, says researcher" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/04/18/jakarta-should-learn-from-the-aceh-philippines-exerience-and-talk-to-west-papuan-rebels-says-researcher/" aria-label="Read more about Jakarta should ‘learn from the Aceh, Philippines exerience’ and talk to West Papuan rebels, says researcher">Read more</a>