With a potential ceasefire deal in the Middle East, Ruby Chen, father of US-Israeli IDF soldier Itay Chen, about his efforts to bring the body of the 19-year-old home.

Hamas took Oded and Yochke Lifschitz hostage. Forty-five days later, Yochke was released, but her husband was forced to stay.

Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire deal, mediators announced Wednesday, pausing a devastating 15-month war in the Gaza Strip and raising the possibility of winding down the deadliest and most destructive fighting between the bitter enemies.

There is cautious optimism among San Diego’s Middle Eastern communities over the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal. Members of the House of Israel and House of Palestine, both located at Balboa Park, said the terms of the agreement give them hope after 15 months of agony that included protests for peace and vigils to honor victims of the war.

Project Dynamo is a veteran-led organization that rescues Americans around the world. Back in 2023, they helped rescue nearly 400 American citizens from Israel.

President Joe Biden and his top diplomats, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, had sought closure during his term.

Several national news outlets have reported that Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire deal that involves exchanging hostages. President Joe Biden on Wednesday issued a release describing the deal.

Deputy national security adviser Jon Finer; Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif.; Steve Bannon, former strategist for President-elect Donald Trump; Jonathan Dekel-Chen and Gillian Kaye, parents of Israeli American held hostage by Hamas.

The Israel Defense Forces continues its intense airstrike and ground campaigns in Gaza with ceasefire talks ending with success in Qatar.

Here's what you need to know in the Friday, Jan. 17, 2024, edition of the 10News Wake Up Call newsletter. San Diegans are continuing their support of Los Angeles-area wildfire victims through numerous outreach efforts.