Hostage Deal

Released Hostage:

'I was sure that I was the last one'

Agam Berger, captured from the Nahal Oz base during the October 7th massacre, shares details of her 482-day captivity.

Military correspondent:

Hamas was not defeated in the war - far from it

Yoav Zitun describes how Hamas is using the ceasefire to rebuild, regroup, and aim rockets at Israel.

To free more hostages:

Israel seeks 42-day extension of deal

Israel wishes to extend the first phase of the hostage deal, during which additional hostages would be released.

Egyptian sources:

'Trump is not interested in resuming fighting in Gaza'

Egyptian sources tell Al-Araby Al-Jadeed newspaper that Trump is working to complete a deal to return all the hostages, and he has no interest in resuming the fighting.

We'll walk together on kibbutz paths:

Sagui Dekel Chen invites Prime Minister to Nir Oz

PM Netanyahu speaks with released hostage, Sagui Dekel Chen, who invited him to visit Kibbutz Nir Oz: 'We have different opinions, but I always believed that your considerations were professional.'

Report:

Hamas may send bodies of 2 hostages to Egypt for 300 terrorists

Hamas reportedly proposes way to avoid the usual dehumanization ceremonies staged at every previous hostage release in exchange for the release of half of the terrorists whose release was delayed on Saturday.

Bibas family asks the public: 'Don't publicize agonizing details'

Bibas family's lawyer Dana Pugach makes public appeal to refrain from publishing details about the horrific murder of Shiri, Ariel and Kfir without the family's permission.

Freed hostage returns home:

'My home is broken like my heart'

3 weeks after he was freed, Keith Siegel returns to his home in Kfar Aza, from which he was kidnapped on October 7, 2023. 'A flood of traumatic and painful memories that will forever remain etched in my body and mind.'

Report: Hamas may release two deceased hostages Mon. evening

Saudi newspaper reports progress in negotiations to solve crisis; two bodies of murdered hostages may be released in exchange for the over 600 terrorists whose release was delayed.

Omer Wenkert:

Two of my brothers stayed behind, I will make sure they come home

Released hostage Omer Wenkert says he will fight for the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza.

Due to fear of rescue:

Terrorists chained Eliya Cohen to other hostages

Sigi Cohen, mother of released hostage Eliya Cohen, tells of her son's time in captivity.

With Israeli flags lining the road:

This is what Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir's funeral will look like

As per the family's request, the funeral will be limited to invitees only, but the public may honor the memory of Shiri and her sons Ariel and Kfir, accompanying the funeral procession by holding Israeli flags along the roadside.

Released Hostage:

'President Trump, the hostage deal must continue'

Released hostage Keith Siegel published a video message to US President Trump urging him to continue pushing for the release of the hostages.

Israel forces Hamas to fold

Hamas spokesman in Gaza says terror group willing to agree to proposal to free hostages in order to end crisis and free terrorists.

Senior Hamas member:

'Ceasefire talks conditioned on release of prisoners'

Hamas official Basem Naim tells Reuters that talks with Israel about the next steps of the ceasefire agreement are contingent on the release of terrorist prisoners as previously agreed.

Senior Hamas official:

'Hamas is dictating terms to Israel'

Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior official in Hamas, claims the terror group has enough leverage to force Israel to abide by the ceasefire agreement.

Prayers and Kiddush during Eliya Cohen’s time in captivity

Sigi Cohen, mother of Eliya who was freed from Hamas captivity, speaks about his observance of mitzvot while in captivity.

'An appropriate response'

White House backs Israel's decision to delay terrorist release

White House expresses support for Israel’s decision to delay the release of more than 600 terrorist prisoners, says Trump "prepared to support Israel in whatever course of action it chooses regarding Hamas.”

500 Days in Hell:

Thousands rally with hostage families in Central Park

Thousands rally with hostage family members and captivity survivors in Central Park, demanding immediate action: “Phase 2 of the deal must move forward — we cannot leave anyone behind.”

The real reason why Omer Shem Tov kissed his captors

Video shows Hamas terrorists forcing Omer to kiss the terrorists' foreheads.

Omer's mother to Trump:

'Mr. President, you did it, but the mission is not yet complete'

The families of captivity survivors Omer Shem Tov, Omer Wenkert, Eliya Cohen, and Tal Shoham, addressed the press after their loved ones' release.

Avera's brother:

'Hearts filled with gratitude to the Creator for the miracle'

The families of captivity survivors Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed addressed the media, Sha'aban al-Sayed attacked Hamas: 'We saw Hamas making spins and cheap politics on the back of a mentally ill person.'

Ofri Bibas:

'Our family journey has ended in the most devastating way'

'We are suffering indescribable pain,' says Ofri Bibas, sister of Yarden, who learned of his wife and sons' murder after his release from Hamas captivity.

Bibas family:

'Thank you for the love, embrace, and tears'

'Warm embrace, love and strength that you have sent us from all over Israel and the world strengthen us and accompany us during these moments of crisis,' say family members of Shiri, Ariel and Kfir.

Hostage's grandfather:

'When I recited Havdalah - something inside me broke'

Aharon Rabi, the grandfather of Eliya Cohen, who returned from Hamas captivity after over 500 days, recited the Havdalah prayer and shared the emotional reunion with his grandson, the hardships he went through in captivity, and his strengthened faith.

Released hostage's father:

Despite horrors of captivity, Sagui’s resilience shines through

'Pain and sorrow are there, but they cannot overshadow the beauty of this moment; seeing him with his three little girls,' says father of released hostage, Sagui Dekel Chen.

Witkoff working extend first phase of hostage deal

White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said he will arrive in the region on Wednesday to discuss an extension to phase one of the hostage and ceasefire deal.

'I met Yotam in the tunnels'

Released hostage writes to mother of killed hostage

Iris Haim speaks about the letter released hostage Karina Ariev sent her, 'Yotam's words kept me going during captivity.'

Omer Wenkert's gift from the Gaza 'duty-free'

Niva Wenkert shared a moving and funny story about the moment she reunited with her son after his release from Hamas captivity. 'Mom, I brought you something from the duty-free.'

Released terrorists banned from Temple Mount during Ramadan

The Israel Police have banned released Hamas prisoners from Temple Mount, aiming to prevent conflicts during Ramadan.

Cousin of Hostage:

'I knew they would not break his spirit'

Inbal Tzach, cousin of released hostage Tal Shoham, said, "He is very strong mentally and emotionally." On the families of the abductees: "A family I did not choose but it is for life."

Mother of hostage:

'It is hard even to hear his voice'

The mother of one of the hostages that was brought to the release ceremony on Saturday but not freed shares the turmoil the video caused her.

Freed hostage's brother:

'Hostages wouldn't have been freed without fight against Hamas'

Itay Dekel-Chen, the brother of Sagui Dekel-Chen, thanks the religious Zionist community for their support of the families of the hostages over the last 16 months.

Bereaved son:

'Releasing murderer is like my father is being murdered again'

Micah Avni reacts to the expected release of the terrorist who murdered his father, Richard Lakin.

Father of Hostage:

'As a Muslim, I am furious with Hamas'

Shabaan al-Sayed, father of released hostage Hisham, denounced Hamas's treatment of his son over more than a decade of captivity.

Omer Shem Tov began keeping Shabbat in captivity

Omer's parents say he grew stronger during the 505 days he was held hostage by Hamas despite losing dozens of pounds in weight from malnutrition.

Trump at CPAC:

'The hostages are coming back in pretty bad shape'

US President comments on hostage deal during speech at Conservative Political Action Conference. “October 7th would have never happened if I was president. Biden got none of the hostages back and would have never gotten any of them back."

Freed hostage:

'May the memory of every soldier be a blessing'

Eliya Cohen, who was freed from Hamas captivity on Saturday, writes in a post on Instagram: Every prayer of yours was felt in my heart and soul and strengthened me anew at every moment.

Until humiliating ceremonies stop

Israel delays release of terrorists

Prime Minister's Office announces that it has been decided to delay the release of the terrorists due to the humiliating ceremonies held by Hamas. Terrorists who were set to be released were returned to their prison cells.

Terrorist slated for release 'among the most dangerous prisoners'

Israeli analyst Ohad Hemo claims that one of the terrorists to be released is among the most dangerous of Israel's security prisoners.

Cruelty and evil:

Hamas brought two additional hostages to release point

Hamas publishes video clip showing hostages Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Evyatar David, sitting in a car while forced to watch their friends' 'release ceremony.'

Released terrorist dead after falling from roof in Isawiya

Nael Abed, a dangerous terrorist released last week as part of the deal with Hamas, falls from a rooftop to his death.

Father of Hostage:

'We have merited to receive our Tal back'

Gilad, the father of released hostage Tal Shoham, spoke at a rally on Saturday evening in the Hostages Square.

Proposal:

Buenos Aires street to be changed to 'Bibas Family Street'

The city of Buenos Aires proposed to honor the Bibas family, who held Argentinian citizenship, by renaming a street for them.

Returning from captivity:

Eliya discovers that his girlfriend is alive

Eliya Cohen, released from Hamas captivity after 505 days, thought his girlfriend Ziv had been killed in the 'bomb shelter of death.' Prior to the massacre, he had bought a ring - but did not manage to propose before he was kidnapped.

Starved and abused:

Testimonies from Omer, Tal, Omer, and Eliya

Tal Shoham and Omer Wenkert were held together for most of their time in Hamas captivity; Eliya Cohen was kept in complete darkness formost of the time; Omer Shem Tov lost 17 kilograms.

Ben-Gvir:

'We must resume fighting'

MK Itamar Ben-Gvir demanded of Prime Minister Netanyahu: 'It is time to open the gates of hell on Hamas, we must return to war, to destroy and avenge.'

Sign of life received from hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal

Father of hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal says family received 'sign of life' from one of the six hostages who returned to Israel earlier on Saturday.

After nearly a decade: Hisham al-Sayed reunites with his family

Hisham al-Sayed, released from Hamas captivity after nearly a decade in Gaza, meets his father Shaaban and brother Wasim at the initial reception point in Israel, and additional family members at the hospital.

'How good is G-d!'

Moving 'havdalah' ceremony with returned hostages

Omer Shem Tov, Eliya Cohen, and Omer Wenkert attend 'havdalah' ceremony marking the conclusion of Shabbat at Beilinson Hospital. Watch.

'Thank you to everyone who prayed': Yarden Bibas' moving post

One day after his wife Shiri's remains were returned to Israel, Yarden Bibas thanks those who supported and cared for his family.

Netanyahu on Bibas murders: 'We shall neither forgive nor forget'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says heart 'bursts with excitement' at return of six living hostages from Hamas captivity, Israel will 'neither forgive nor forget' brutal murders of Shiri Bibas and her young sons Ariel and Kfir.

Dr. Chen Kugel:

'We have witnessed unimaginable depths of cruelty and evil'

Dr. Chen Kugel, head of the Abu Kabir forensic institute, says there is 'no evidence' that Shiri Bibas was killed in a bombing, proving Hamas' earlier claims were lies.

Due to Bibas family's murder:

Israel delays release of 602 terrorists

Israel announces that it will delay the 602 terrorists due to be released in exchange for six living hostages; terrorists' families informed that the release will take place around 8:00 p.m.

Watch:

After over a decade, Avera Mengistu reunites with his family

Avera Mengistu, held captive in Gaza since September 2014, reunites with his family at the initial reception point in Israel and at Ichilov Hospital.

With praise to G-d:

Moving: Omer Wenkert reunites with his parents in Israel

Omer Wenkert meets his parents Niva and Shai at the initial reception point in Israel. Watch.

'That's it, don't cry anymore'

Eliya Cohen's moving reunion with his parents

Watch Eliya Cohen's moving reunion with his parents, Sigalit and Maimon, and his partner Ziv.

Omer Shem Tov returns to his family:

'That's it, we're together, it's over'

Watch Omer Shem Tov's emotional meeting with his family, as they reunite at Beilinson Hospital.

Shiri Bibas was murdered in captivity

Shiri Bibas was murdered in the first weeks of the war, together with her children Kfir and Ariel. 'She was beloved by everyone who knew her, but above all, she was a dedicated mother.'

After 505 days in captivity:

Omer, Eliya, Omer, Avera, Tal, and Hisham are back in Israel

Hisham al-Sayed, Omer Wenkert, Eliya Cohen, Avera Mengistu, Tal Shoham, and Omer Shem Tov are back in Israel after being released from Hamas captivity.