hostages

IDF declares Egypt crossing a closed military zone

Following protests against Gaza aid, IDF's Southern Command chief declares Nitzana Border Crossing a closed military zone.

Report:

Israel agrees to six-week ceasefire for all hostages

Israel has signaled its agreement to a plan that would see all civilian hostages released in exchange for a two-month lull in the fighting in Gaza.

Report: Israel transferred around 100 bodies to Gaza

Gazans bury dozens of bodies sent by Israel in trucks intended to carry humanitarian aid, Reuters says.

Amid negotiations on deal

Hostages' families meet US National Security Advisor

Family members of eight hostages with US citizenship meet Jake Sullivan in Washington: Every day that the hostages remain in Gaza, they are at risk.

Egyptian officials:

Hostage deal expected as early as next week

Egyptian officials told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that negotiations were 'moving in a positive direction.'

Release of soldiers and bodies:

Hamas official sheds light on proposed hostage deal

A senior Hamas official told Reuters that the organization received a proposal that would see a three-stage deal.

Netanyahu in Eli:

'We will not release thousands of terrorists'

Prime Minister Netanyahu visited the Bnei David Institutions and addressed reports of a hostage deal.

Ben-Gvir:

'Irresponsible deal? No government'

The National Security Minister tweeted this afternoon to warn against the most recent proposals for prisoner exchange agreements with Hamas.

Hamas leader:

'Open to any proposal that leads to end of war'

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh says terror group received Paris summit proposal, has not rejected it outright.

Saudi normalization deal in exchange for end of war?

New proposal for prisoner swap offers promise of Israel-Saudi Arabia normalization - if Israel agrees not to dismantle Hamas.

Blinken:

'There is real hope for a hostage release deal'

US Secretary of State says "important, productive work has been done" on a deal to free the hostages still being held by Hamas.

Prime Minister's Office:

'Reports of hostage deal are incorrect'

Prime Minister's Office denies reports that Israel agreed to a deal that would see the firingof thousands of terrorists in return for the remaining Israeli hostages.

Leader of anti-aid protest arrested at Gaza border

Sima Hasson, leader of the struggle to end aid to Gaza and mother of two IDF soldiers, is arrested at the Kerem Shalom Crossing.

Brother of hostage in Gaza:

‘Strongly object sending aid to Hamas’

Elkana Libman, brother of Elyakim who was taken hostage in Gaza, at the Knesset education committee: “The only way to bring my brother home is to defeat Hamas.”

Benny Gantz to residents of southern Israel:

The war could last an entire generation

In closed meeting with residents of Gaza border region, Min. Benny Gantz stresses hostages need to take priority, warns war against Hamas may last years.

Torah scroll dedicated to hostage's speedy release

Family of hostage Avinatan Or dedicates Torah scroll in town of Shiloh, praying for his immediate release from Hamas captivity.

Paris summit:

'Progress in discussions; differences still wide'

Israel is demanding to put additional pressure on Hamas to reduce its demands and agree to an outline of a two-month ceasefire, in exchange for the release of the hostages.

After protests at site:

Kerem Shalom Crossing declared closed military zone

Following protests against humanitarian aid to Gaza, Commander of IDF's Southern Command declares Kerem Shalom Crossing to be closed military zone.

Israel’s isolated generals

The Israeli public has made clear that it opposes cutting a deal for the hostages that will enable Hamas to survive the war. Its leaders should listen.

Smotrich:

'There will be military rule in Gaza after the war'

Finance Minister in TV interview: Anyone who undertakes to bring all the hostages back alive is not telling the families the truth.

Report:

Deal that would halt Gaza war for two months close

New York Times report: American-led negotiators are edging closer to an agreement in which Israel would suspend Gaza war for about two months in exchange for release of hostages.

'Save the lives of hostages'

Righteous Among Nations families' message to Gazans

Families of Righteous Among the Nations urge Gaza residents to save hostages' lives.

Efforts to release hostages

Biden and Qatar's Emir speak about Gaza

US President speaks with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani about efforts to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas.

Psychological terror:

Hamas releases video of three female hostages

Hamas releases propaganda video showing three women in captivity: Karina Ariev, 19, Doron Steinbrecher, 33, and Daniela Gilboa, 19.

Majority of Israelis:

Hostages' families correct in stepping up protest

Women more likely than men to support increasing scope of protests demanding to bring hostages home, poll shows.

Defense Min. Gallant to Lloyd Austin:

US pressure important to bring hostages home

Defense Min. Yoav Gallant briefs US Sec. Lloyd Austin on progress in dismantling Hamas, urges, 'US pressure important in efforts to return the hostages home.'

Minister Sofer to Arutz Sheva:

'Promote hostage deal, strive for victory'

Minister Ofir Sofer tells Arutz Sheva-Israel National News in an interview that a deal for the release of hostages must be promoted, but one that will ultimately allow for the defeat of Hamas.

Minister Tropper:

'We will not agree to end the fighting'

Minister Hili Tropper says bringing back the hostages is more urgent right now, but Israel cannot end the war as part of a deal.

MK Ohad Tal to Arutz Sheva:

'Deal must ensure that Israelis return home safely'

MK Ohad Tal: "There's only one result for this war; a complete and clear victory for Israel over Hamas. We have to eradicate Hamas in a way that they will understand that the atrocities of October 7th cannot happen again.”

Hostage’s sister-in-law:

'If you send trucks to Hamas, I'll lie on the road'

Tzofit Libman, sister-in-law of hostage Elyakim Libman, screamed at policemen during a demonstration: “My brother-in-law was kidnapped. We don’t know if he is alive, and you are sending trucks into Gaza?”

Minister Gantz criticizes leaks on hostages:

'Tearing families apart and harming efforts'

Minister Benny Gantz criticizes the leaks about the hostages, speaks about continuation of the war in Gaza.

Released hostage:

'Sinwar came and waved to us'

A hostage who was released from captivity recalls the moment when she was taken to a tunnel where the murderer Yahya Sinwar was. “He was smiling and looked so happy."

In anti-Hamas protest:

Gazans call for release of Israeli hostages

IDF Arabic spokesman publishes rare footage of anti-Hamas protest in Gaza.

Marwan Barghouti may be released in hostage deal

Several foreign intermediaries are cautiously optimistic about a new prisoner swap plan with Hamas.

Nitsana Darshan-Leitner:

'The world ignores what happened on October 7'

Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, founder of Shurat HaDin: The world has to wake up and the only way to wake up the world is to bring the terrorists to justice, both internally but also outside.

Report:

Israel, Hamas mulling one-month truce

Reuters reporting that Israel offered to end the war if Sinwar and five other Hamas leaders leave Gaza. Hamas rejected the proposal.

Israeli actress Adi Arad:

'Where the hell are you, world? Wake up!!'

In a conversation with Arutz Sheva - Israel National News Actress Adi Arad expressed her disappointment with the silence of Jewish actresses, 'Where is Natalie Portman? I'm calling you, where are you? Where is Julia Garner, the star of Netflix?'

Israel proposing:

Release of all hostages for two months of respite

Two senior Israeli officials say they passed a proposal calling for a two-month truce in the fighting in exchange for the release of all the hostages.

For first time since war began:

Vote of no confidence falls, 18 MKs vote in favor

Labor leader, who filed the vote: 'Since October 7th, the government has involved itself in everything but recovering the hostages. We have no confidence in it.'

Pfizer CEO joins efforts; contributes to Israeli PR

The emotional meeting of the CEO of Pfizer with the hostages’ families promoted an awareness campaign aimed at influencing policy makers in the US.

Hostages’ families burst into Knesset session:

'You won't sit here while the hostages are in Gaza'

Hostages’ families burst into Knesset Finance Committee session and called on the MKs to stand up and take action for the release of the hostages. Watch.

Hostages' families set up tent outside PM's home

Gabriela Leimberg, who was freed from Hamas captivity: Every day in captivity is hell. The soldiers and the hostages were abandoned on your watch.

New footage shows moment of Yotam Haim's kidnapping

New footage reveals how four Nukhba terrorists lead hostage Yotam Haim, shirtless, through kibbutz fields, forced into a vehicle, on Oct. 7. Yotam was later killed by friendly fire.

Revealed:

The tunnel where hostages were held in Khan Yunis

IDF reveals new footage showing enormous tunnel in Khan Yunis, where some of the hostages were held.

Netanyahu rejects Hamas' conditions:

Only absolute victory will ensure hostages' return

PM Netanyahu rejects outright 'Hamas monsters' capitulation terms': 'Were we to agree to this – our soldiers would have fallen in vain.'

Mother of massacre victim:

I don't want soldiers endangered for a corpse

Ricarda Louk, mother of massacre victim Shani Louk, explains why she is not willing to risk soldiers' lives for her daughter's body: 'I believe that we need to sacrifice for those who are alive - not for a corpse.'

IDF announces:

Body of soldier who fell 7/10 held captive in Gaza

Staff Sergeant Shay Levinson, 19, was killed on October 7 and his body is being held by a terror group, IDF reports.

Wall Street Journal:

New proposal for Israel-Hamas agreement

Agreement includes a phased diplomatic process, starting with a release of hostages and, eventually, leading to a withdrawal of Israeli forces and an end to the war in Gaza.

Hostages' DNA found in tunnel uncovered by IDF

Ayala Metzger, says the DNA of her father-in-law, Yoram Metzger, was found in a tunnel uncovered by the IDF in Khan Yunis, but has little hope he will return alive.

These are Hamas's conditions for a hostage deal

The terror organization is demanding a total end to the war, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, and international guarantees that Hamas would be able to continue to rule the Strip.

In Khan Yunis

Footage: This is the tunnel where hostages were held

Soldiers of the 98th Division operated in an underground tunnel in Khan Yunis where hostages were being held. The length of the tunnel was about 830 meters and it was about 20 meters deep.

Popular TV drama raises awareness to hostages

Season premiere of popular US TV series “Law & Order” tackled the issues of the hostages in Gaza and the antisemitism on US campuses.

Israeli singer:

Treat most Gazans as involved in fighting

'Gazan Palestinians are not rising up against the Hamas terror group - we should treat most of them as involved,' singer Idan Raichel urges.

IDF: We located a tunnel where hostages were held

IDF releases photos of drawings by young hostages, tunnels where hostages were held.

Watch:

Matisyahu kicks off rally to bring hostages home

Jewish singer Matisyahu performs at start of hostage families' demonstration. 'You have my voice, and all we're thinking about is the return of the hostages.'

Released hostage:

Injured girls became their own doctors

'When we were released, we parted from the women hostages who were with us barely holding on. Who knows what has become of them now?' released hostage Chen Goldstein Almog says.

Congresswoman to families of hostages:

We stand with you

'I want all the families praying for the release of their loved ones to know that America stands with you,' Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz says.

Sister of murdered hostage:

'He was shot by his captor after an Israeli strike'

Merav Svirsky, sister of Itay Svirsky, in TV interview: The goals of eliminating Hamas and freeing the hostages do not go hand-in-hand. We are being lied to.

Kfir Bibas' birthday marked at Berlin art exhibit

The Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) and ISRAEL-is organized a special art exhibit in Berlin, Germany, to draw international attention to the ongoing plight of the Bibas family.

IDF takes bodies of suspected hostages from Gaza

IDF spokesman for foreign media confirms to NBC News that the IDF conducted search and rescue operations, including for the bodies of dead hostages, in a cemetery in Gaza.