Former Chief of Staff Chaim Bar-Lev consults with a bandaged Major General Ariel Sharon during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. GPO / Flash 90.

Hamas confirmed the names of the first three hostages to be set free, including Damari, 28,  Doron Steinbrecher, 31, and Romi Gonen, 24.

William Bender is an investigative reporter who has covered everything from South Philly mobsters to doomsday hucksters. He also contributes to Clout, a column chronicling the underbelly of Philly's ...