Hamas

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, who represents parts of Bloomington-Normal and Peoria, said he hopes the death of the leader of the Hamas movement provides an opportunity to push forward with a deal to release Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

A Central Illinois congressman says the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, the political head of the Hamas movement, during a visit to Iran was justified, even though it complicates efforts to secure a cease fire between Hamas and Israel in the war in Gaza.

While war is waged in Gaza, trauma can have an impact a lot closer to home — even in Bloomington-Normal.

U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen took a tour Friday night of the Illinois State University campus with interim president Aondover Tarhule and discussed the state of education in central Illinois, and national and international affairs.

Illinois State University politics and government professor Ali Riaz calls on the U.S. to take a more forceful role in trying to broker a deal to create an independent Palestinian state.

Natalie Raanan, 18, and her mother Judith Raanan, 59, were kidnapped Oct. 7 and taken hostage by Hamas. They were released nearly two weeks later. The Consul General of Israel to the Midwest Yinam Cohen announced Natalie Raanan’s return to Chicago but did not mention when Judith Raanan would return home.

Judith Raanan, 59, and her daughter Natalie Raanan, 17, had been held hostage since Oct. 7 after Hamas attacked Israel.