The brutal saga of captivity that gripped Israel since the savage October 7, 2023 attacks reached its conclusion today as Hamas handed over the final 20 living hostages to the Red Cross. These survivors, snatched from their homes and communities during a rampage that left over 1,200 dead and entire villages scarred, now cross back into freedom after more than two years in the tunnels and hideouts of Gaza.
The first seven—Gali Berman, Ziv Berman, Matan Angrest, Alon Ohel, Omri Miran, Eitan Mor, and Guy Gilboa-Dalal—were transferred to Israeli forces this morning, with the remaining 13 following shortly after. Bodies of 28 others, long presumed murdered by their captors, are slated for return in the coming days.
This exchange stems from a ceasefire agreement hammered out under President Trump’s direct involvement, a move that forces Hamas to relinquish its grip on power in Gaza with oversight from Israel’s Arab neighbors. In return for the hostages, Israel will release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, many convicted of violent crimes and serving life sentences. Humanitarian aid trucks are already rolling into the Strip, and Israeli troops have pulled back from key positions, effectively pausing a war that leveled much of Hamas’s infrastructure.
Survivors like Evyatar David, who appeared in a chilling propaganda video last August digging what he believed to be his own grave, embody the depravity inflicted on these innocents. Starvation, torture, rape, and summary executions marked their ordeal—recall the six hostages gunned down at point-blank range in September 2024 as rescuers closed in.
The full list of those now free includes young soldiers and civilians alike: Matan Angrest (22), Ziv Berman (28), Gali Berman (28), Elkana Bohbot (36), Rom Braslavski (21), Nimrod Cohen (20), Ariel Cunio (28), David Cunio (35), Evyatar David (24), Guy Gilboa-Dalal (24), Maxim Herkin (37), Eitan Horn (38), Segev Kalfon (27), Bar Kupershtein (23), Omri Miran (48), Eitan Abraham Mor (25), Yosef-Chaim Ohana (25), Alon Ohel (24), Avinatan Or (32), and Matan Zangauker (25).
Yet questions linger about the true cost of this deal. Whispers in intelligence circles suggest the prolonged suffering of these hostages wasn’t just Hamas’s doing—funding trails from Iran and Qatar point to a broader network that previous U.S. leadership turned a blind eye to, perhaps to appease globalist agendas that prioritized “stability” over justice.
Trump’s intervention, arriving in Israel today to greet the returnees personally, including the remains of American citizens like Itay Chen and Omer Neutra, exposes how bureaucratic entanglements and backroom deals may have delayed this moment a long time. Some analysts even speculate that elements within the deep state worked to undermine earlier rescue efforts, funneling aid that ended up arming the very terrorists holding these people captive.
As families reunite and a battered Gaza begins to rebuild, the release serves as a stark reminder of unchecked evil’s toll. With Hamas disarmed and sidelined, the path forward demands vigilance against those who enabled this horror in the first place.
Why the National Debt Is the Looming Threat to Your Retirement Plans
The Hidden Crisis No One Is Talking About
Every day, headlines warn about inflation, market volatility, and global instability—but the greatest looming threat to your retirement might be something far more fundamental: America’s skyrocketing national debt.
You can learn more about how the national debt affects you by reading this 3-minute report titled, “Debt Will Hit $40T in 2026: Prepare Your Retirement Now“.
With debt growing faster than most Americans can possibly fathom, the government’s borrowing habits have reached historic—and dangerous—levels. To cover spending, Washington is making moves with their budget packages, tariffs, and taxes. Is it enough? No. It’s not even close to what would be necessary to stop out-of-control debt, let alone reverse it.
How Debt Erodes Your Nest Egg
There are only so many levers government and the Federal Reserve can pull to try to protect Americans, assuming that’s even a top priority for them. Unfortunately, pulling one level to relive one pressure invariably adds pressure from another direction. This is why prices keep going up even as inflation reportedly slows.
For retirees and pre-retirees, that’s a perfect storm. The dollars you’ve worked hard to save lose value, and your cost of living increases while your investments lag behind.
If you’re relying solely on paper-based assets—stocks, bonds, or mutual funds—you’re essentially tied to the same system that’s creating the problem. It’s a system that was designed to work well in the 20th century, not in today’s world with people living longer and the dollar rapidly losing value.
This is why the 3-minute report, “Debt Will Hit $40T in 2026: Prepare Your Retirement Now,” is so important.
The Precious Metals Hedge
Thousands of Americans are looking for a tangible, time-tested hedge: physical gold and silver.
Unlike paper assets, precious metals aren’t dependent on government policy or the stock market’s mood swings. They’re real, finite resources that have maintained value for thousands of years through wars, recessions, and inflationary periods.
In fact, during times of high inflation and fiscal instability, gold often performs its best—because it’s seen as a store of value when faith in the dollar weakens. This is why prices have skyrocketed this year and are expected by many economists to continue going up in the future.
Take Control with a Gold IRA
One of the most effective ways to protect your retirement from national debt fallout is through a self-directed Gold IRA. This IRS-approved account lets you hold physical gold and silver within your retirement portfolio, giving you:
- Direct ownership of your assets
- A hedge against inflation and dollar decline
- The control to diversify beyond Wall Street
Augusta Precious Metals specializes in helping Americans just like you take this step with confidence. The company has earned a strong reputation for transparency, education, and personalized service—making it one of the most trusted names in the industry.
The Next Step: Secure Your Financial Future
Augusta Precious Metals has helped thousands of Americans with at least $50,000 to invest from their IRAs, 401(K)s, TSPs, and other retirement accounts safeguard their savings through precious metals.
If you’re concerned about what the rising national debt could mean for your future, now is the time to act.
Read this 3-minute report titled, “Debt Will Hit $40T in 2026: Prepare Your Retirement Now“ and learn the simple steps you can take to protect your retirement.