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Protesters in Tel Aviv say government responsible for captives’ fate

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Protesters in Tel Aviv say government responsible for captives’ fate

Angry demonstrators demand the Israeli government secure the release of captives held in Gaza.

There have been more large protests in Israel, demanding that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conclude a captives-for-prisoners exchange deal with Hamas.

There are about 58 captives still held in Gaza, 34 of whom the Israeli military says are dead.

Family members of the captives and those supporting them rallied, with tensions rising between them and police in Tel Aviv on Saturday.

People take part in a protest demanding the immediate release of captives held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Israel [Maya Alleruzzo/AP]

Demonstrators condemned the government’s decision to return to war, and held aloft pictures of their family members in captivity. They said they were holding the Israeli government responsible for their lives.

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Saturday’s protest comes as Hamas’s armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, released a video titled, Time is Running Out, purporting to show an Israeli captive in Gaza calling on the government to secure his release, the second such video shared by the group within days.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum campaign group identified the man as Elkana Bohbot, who was taken captive from the site of a music festival in southern Israel during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack that led to Israel’s latest campaign against Gaza.

The footage lasts more than three minutes, showing Bohbot speaking in Hebrew and pleading for his freedom.

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‘Trailer Park Boys’ Star Mike Smith Charged With Sexual Assault (Report)

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‘Trailer Park Boys’ Star Mike Smith Charged With Sexual Assault (Report)

Mike Smith, who starred as Bubbles on the cult classic comedy series “Trailer Park Boys,” has been charged with sexual assault, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

According to documents filed in Nova Scotia provincial court obtained by the outlet, Smith was charged on Oct. 2 in connection with an alleged assault that took place in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, on Dec. 30, 2017.

Smith’s rep and lawyer did not immediately respond to Variety‘s request for comment.

Production banner Trailer Park Boys Inc. told CBC in a statement that it was “aware of the allegation concerning Mike Smith,” and confirmed he has “stepped away” from his post as the company’s managing director.

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“We recognize how difficult an allegation of this nature is for all involved,” read the statement. “Out of respect for the legal process, we will not comment further on the case.”

Smith made up one-third of the leading trio behind “Trailer Park Boys,” alongside John Paul Tremblay and Robb Wells. The mockumentary comedy first debuted in 2001 on the Canadian TV network Showcase, and was picked up by Netflix in 2014. “Trailer Park Boys” has run for 116 episodes and spawned a number of films and spin-off series. The show follows three trouble-making trailer park residents, Julian (Tremblay), Bubbles (Smith) and Ricky (Wells), who are inexplicably the subject of a documentary about their lives.

“Trailer Park Boys” Season 13 recently wrapped production in August. Set to stream on their recently launched TPB+ streaming service, the 13th season is expected to debut in April 2026, coinciding with the show’s 25th anniversary.

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Body of Israeli hostage who ‘fought heroically’ to defend community during Oct. 7 massacre is returned: IDF

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Body of Israeli hostage who ‘fought heroically’ to defend community during Oct. 7 massacre is returned: IDF

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The body of an Israeli hostage who advocates say “fought heroically” to defend his community during a “fierce battle” Oct. 7, 2023, has been returned by terrorists for burial, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

The Israeli military announced that Lior Rudaeff, 61, was given back after he “fell during battle while defending his community during the Oct. 7 Massacre” and “was taken captive by the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization.”

“Lior is brought home after 763 days,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said on Saturday. “On the morning of October 7th, Lior, with the emergency response team of Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak, fought heroically near the kibbutz gate and stopped many terrorists.

“After a fierce battle, Lior was killed, and his body was kidnapped to Gaza along with Tal Haimi of blessed memory, whose body was later returned for burial.”

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Israeli soldiers walk through Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak in Israel Oct. 25, 2023. The body of Lior Rudaeff, who was killed in the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, was returned to Israel Friday, according to the Israeli military. (Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images; The Hostages and Missing Families Forum/AP)

The IDF said Rudaeff’s death was confirmed May 7, 2024. He leaves behind his wife and four children.

“The IDF expresses deep condolences to the family, continues to make every effort to return all the deceased hostages, and is prepared for the continued implementation of the agreement,” it said in reference to an ongoing ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas.

“Hamas is required to fulfill its part of the agreement and make the necessary efforts to return all the hostages to their families and to a dignified burial.”

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A Red Cross convoy carrying the body of a person believed to be a deceased hostage handed over by Hamas makes its way toward the border crossing with Israel in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip Friday, Nov. 7, 2025.  (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP)

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The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said Rudaeff was born in Argentina and immigrated to Israel at the age of 7.

“Those close to him say he had a generous spirit and volunteered for 40 years as an ambulance driver in the Eshkol Regional Council and as a member of the Nir Yitzhak emergency response team. He always volunteered first and extended a helping hand to everyone,” it added.

Protesters hold a sign with a photo of Israeli hostage Lior Rudaeff in Tel Aviv, Israel, Aug. 15, 2024.  (Matan Golan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

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As of Saturday, the organization said, the bodies of five deceased hostages remain held in the Gaza Strip.

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Trump hands Viktor Orbán a win as Hungary locks exemption for Russian energy imports

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White House sources say exemption for Budapest to continue buying Russian oil will apply for a year. The move represents a political win for Orbán heading into an election in April, with the Hungarian economy in dire straits. Low energy prices could be a determining factor in the campaign.

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