hostages

US official on hostage deal: Ball is in Hamas' court

Israel has agreed to hostage deal, progress on deal and ceasefire now depend on Hamas' agreement, US official says.

Moving: Mothers of hostages rally in unity

Ditza Or, mother of Avinatan, and Meirav Leshem Gonen, mother of Romi, go on stage together at Families Forum event in Jerusalem: 'We're united for them.' Watch.

Report:

Israel demanding list of hostages still alive

Israel tells Qatar and Egypt there will be no more talks on hostage release deal, until Hamas provides a list of hostages who are still alive.

Defense Min. to Lloyd Austin:

Israel won't tolerate threats against its citizens

Defense Min. Gallant briefs US Defense Sec. Austin on progress of Israel-Hamas war, importance of international pressure in securing hostages' freedom.

Former Amb. Friedman:

'Biden committed negotiating malpractice'

Former ambassador David Friedman denounced US President Joe Biden's ice cream shop talk about the hostage negotiations.

Hostage deals - a rabbinic perspective

Interview with Rav Dr. Ido Rechnitz, co author of Jewish Military Ethics. A Rabbinic perspective on our painful, national moral dilemma of ‘freeing hostages versus a winning a military offensive.

Father of freed 9-year-old:

'If we don't finish the job, it'll happen again'

Thomas Hand, father of nine-year-old Emily who was freed from Hamas captivity after 50 days, says Israel must “finish the job” against Hamas.

Report:

US deal would free 40 hostages for 400 terrorists

Leaked document from Paris talks shows proposal in which Israel would free 10 terrorists for each hostage freed from Hamas' clutches, 90 hostages would remain in captivity.

Report: Hamas examining proposed prisoner swap deal

Second stage of hostage deal to be negotiated separately from first stage; first stage to see release of just 40 hostages.

Lapid:

We'll provide a security net for a hostage deal

Opposition leader MK Yair Lapid says Yesh Atid won't join emergency government, but may provide government with security net for hostage deal - under certain conditions.

Watch:

Biden eats ice cream while discussing hostages

US Pres. Biden is asked about hostage deal - while eating ice cream. 'National Security Adviser tells me that we're close.'

MK Edelstein:

'Yellow badge in the Knesset crosses a red line'

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on his decision not to allow the brother of a hostage to speak after wearing a yellow badge: I oppose the comparison between October 7 and the Holocaust.

Biden:

'I hope for a ceasefire by next Monday'

US President speaks to reporters in New York: My national security adviser tells me that they’re close. My hope is by next Monday we’ll have a ceasefire.

Herzog to hostages' families:

'Redeeming captives is the greatest commandment'

Israeli President meets families of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, says Israel will do everything possible to bring the hostages home.

Ori, rescued from captivity, returns to IDF service

Ori Megidish, IDF lookout rescued from Hamas captivity, will return to military service - in the intelligence corps.

Report:

Netanyahu reprimanded the head of the Mossad

TV report says Prime Minister scolded the head of the Mossad and the negotiating team that had returned from Paris: That's not how you conduct negotiations, you have to be tough.

Dozens of Nukhba terrorists arrested in Khan Yunis

The terrorists were interrogated by IDF intelligence and Shin Bet and provided information on how they held the hostages in Gaza.

Cabinet to decide:

Merchandise to northern Gaza? Only as part of a deal

Harsh criticism leads War Cabinet to rescind decision to approve humanitarian aid to northern Gaza, instead tying it to a prisoner swap deal.

Watch:

Singer Shlomi Shabat performs for released hostage

Singer Shlomi Shabat promised to sing to Louis Har after his release from Hamas captivity. On Sunday, Har's 71st birthday, he came to keep his promise.

Sergeant Oz Daniel was murdered in 7/10 massacre

Sergeant Oz Daniel was murdered on October 7; his body is still held captive by Hamas.

National Security Council chief:

We demand immediate release of all the women

National Security Council chief Tzachi Hanegbi says Israel demanding 'release of all hostages, and immediate release of all the women,' promises Israel will destroy 'all of Hamas' battalions.'

Netanyahu: We will approve plans for Rafah operation

PM Netanyahu says Cabinet will meet to approve plans for Rafah operation, evacuation of Gaza civilians.

10 terrorists for every 1 hostage:

All the details of the proposed prisoner swap

Document reveals: Prisoner swap would see release of around 40 women, elderly, and ailing, in exchange for hundreds of convicted terrorists; six-week ceasefire.

Guterres to protesters:

'There's a glimmer of hope for hostage release deal'

UN Secretary-General to protest who said he works more for the sake of UNRWA than that of the hostages: I have no authority. If I had any, they would have already been released.

Hostage deal talks in Paris:

Israeli officials optimistic, but no agreement yet

Israel willing to be flexible on the days of respite and on humanitarian aid, but will not agree to cessation of the fighting.

Soldier rescued by IDF:

'I believe in G-d, I know He exists'

Ori Megidish, kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 and rescued by the IDF less than a month later, tells what kept her strong in captivity: 'I held faith in my grandmother, I knew I would get out of there, whether in a deal or by rescue.'

War Cabinet okays:

Delegation to Paris for hostage release deal talks

The final approval for the delegation and granting of its powers will be done by the expanded cabinet. The delegation will be headed by Mossad chief David Barnea.

France claims 45 hostages received medications

French govt. echoes claims by Qatar that some hostages in Gaza have finally received medications after 4 months in captivity, but no evidence has yet been provided.

President Herzog:

Be considerate of hostage families' feelings

President Isaac Herzog calls on high school students in Haifa: 'We must consider the feelings of the hostages’ families, understand that they are going through a living hell every day and every hour.'

Yair Lapid:

'Path to victory starts with commitment to hostages'

MK Yair Lapid, opposition leader, addresses Jewish group, says, 'Path to victory starts with our commitment to the hostages, anyone who thinks that commitment is a weakness, doesn't understand Jewish principle of mutual responsibility.'

US to propose:

Hostage release in exchange for Ramadan ceasefire

Ceasefire proposal would see cessation of fighting during Ramadan in exchange for release of hostages, report says.

Egyptian sources:

Yahya Sinwar did not escape to Sinai

Hostages held by Gaza are safe, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar did not escape to Egypt with hostages, report says.

Lital Shemesh to Susan Sarandon:

You have lost touch with reality

News anchor Lital Shemesh responds to Susan Sarandon's call for Israel to end war in Gaza. 'Save your songs, they don't want a Palestinian state, they don't want peace, they want the destruction of the State of Israel.'

Qatar claims:

'The medications were transferred to the hostages'

Prime Minister's Office: Israel will examine the credibility of the report and continue to work for the welfare of our hostages.

Talks on hostage release:

Contacts underway for another summit in Paris

As Hamas delegation arrives in Cairo, diplomatic officials estimate that the upcoming month of Ramadan creates an opportunity for a deal to release hostages.

Poll:

Widespread support for Smotrich's position

Poll conducted following Minister of Finance's interview that caused an uproar finds: A large majority supports his position that victory over Hamas is now Israel's main goal.

Bibas family members:

'There's nothing humane about that video'

Ofri Bibas-Levy, sister of Yarden Bibas, says she does not know if her sister and their family will ever get to see her unborn child after video of family in Gaza found.

Military operation in Rafah to endanger hostages?

Min. Miki Zohar admits Rafah ground operation will endanger hostages, but says it is the only way to bring all of them home.

Bibas family members:

'Taking children is beyond the pale'

Family of couple, children kidnapped on October 7 react to video showing mother and small children in Gaza several days after the massacre.

IDF finds video of Bibas family from 1st days of war

The Bibas family, Yarden, Shiri, and their 4-year and 9-month-old sons Ariel and Kfir were kidnapped on October 7. Kfir, the youngest hostage, turned 1 in captivity.

The only NY Fashion Week dedicated to the hostages

Military inspiration seen throughout the collection was pulled directly from the designer's experience in the IDF during her mandatory service years.

Jordanian FM:

'Netanyahu determined to continue more killing'

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi blames Netanyahu for hostage release deal not having been agreed upon yet.

Netanyahu:

'I urge you to press Qatar to press Hamas'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses Conference of Presidents of the Major American Jewish Organizations: I hope we can achieve a deal soon, but deal or no deal, we have to finish the job.

Hostage coordinator:

'Hamas’ demands are delusional'

Israel’s Coordinator for the Captives and the Missing, Gal Hirsch, to CNN: We want a deal, but Hamas’ demands are disconnected from reality.

Watch:

Freed hostage testifies to crimes committed by Hamas

Aviva Siegel, who was freed in hostage release deal in November, recalls the horrific crimes that she and other hostages went through.

Pres. Herzog:

I had a 'good discussion' with Qatar PM

Israeli Pres. Herzog says hostage negotiations are 'complicated, difficult,' praises Qatari PM for 'major efforts,' and 'enormous focus' on the matter.

Qatari PM:

Hostage release shouldn't be condition for ceasefire

Qatari Prime Minister Al Thani says he hopes prisoner swap deal will happen soon, ceasefire shouldn't be conditioned on hostages' release.

Hamas threatens:

Time running out for injured and ill hostages

'Enemy's leadership and barbarian army' solely responsible for danger to the lives of Israeli hostages,' Hamas spokesman Abu Obaydah claims.

At Khan Yunis hospital

IDF finds medications with names of hostages

IDF says the source of the medications and how they were used is currently under investigation.

Biden:

'There has to be a temporary ceasefire'

US President says he hopes Israel will not launch a land invasion of Rafah before a hostage release deal is reached.

Kibbutz Nir Oz:

Hostage Yair Yaakov was murdered by Hamas

Kibbutz announces one of its residents who was kidnapped on October 7, 59-year-old Yair Yaakov, was murdered that day. His partner and 2 kidnapped children were released during hostage deal in November.

In effort to free hostages:

Pres. Herzog to hold diplomatic meetings

Israel's Pres. Herzog, First Lady Michal, embark on two-day trip to increase international pressure for hostages' release.

Hamas claims: Israel agreed to 42-day ceasefire

Hamas source claims Israel agreed to 42-day ceasefire, release of terrorists with lengthy prison sentences, and exit of injured Gazans.

Talks on prisoner swap renew - without Israel

Following PM Netanyahu's decision not to return delegation to Cairo, negotiations on prisoner swap deal continue - without Israel's presence.

Praying for the hostages

There is a link in this article to the list of hostages and their mothers' names, as is customary in Jewish prayers for someone's welfare.

Brother of hostage:

'Send representatives to talks in Egypt'

Danny Elgarat demands that the government send representatives to the talks in Egypt and act to bring back the hostages, including his brother Itzik.

Brother of hostage explains:

How the suit in The Hague can hurt Hamas

Moshe Or, the brother of the hostage Avinatan Or, explains to Arutz Sheva that the families of the hostages want the ICJ to issue warrants against Hamas leaders in all UN member states.

Freed hostages released from hospital after 3 days

Sheba Tel Hashomer Hospital says 3-day treatment of Fernando Marman and Louis Har after they were freed from 129 days in Hamas captivity shows the danger to the remaining hostages.

PA chief to Hamas:

Reach a prisoner swap deal quickly

All sides bear responsibility for failure to reach prisoner swap agreement until now, Palestinian Authority chairman Abbas says.

Watch: Protesters block aid trucks to Gaza

'None of this aid is going to the civilian population or to the hostages - it all goes to Hamas,' protester says.