hostages

Unbelievable:

Irish PM says freed nine-year-old girl was 'lost'

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar writes on X that Emily Hand, who was freed by Hamas after 50 days in captivity, had been "lost".

These are the hostages who were released Saturday night

As the second group of released hostages reaches the Rafah Crossing, friends and neighbors in Israel learn of their return.

'We have a long way to go':

Family members respond to the release of their relatives

Family members of the 13 hostages who were freed by Hamas welcome the release of their relatives.

Kibbutz Be'eri: Hamas callously trampled the agreement

Following negotiations, Egypt succeeds in resolving crisis caused by technical issues; second stage of prisoner swap took place as planned.

Watch:

Eden Hason sings Psalms with families of hostages

Israeli music star Eden Hason leads the families of the hostages in singing 'Shir Lam'alot,' Psalms 121.

Released hostages:

'We were afraid we'd be lynched on the way to Rafah'

Hostages released Friday night told of dwindling food supplies, said they ate only rice during last two weeks of captivity.

Hamas delays release of second group of hostages

Hamas' military arm claims it decided to delay release of hostages 'until Israel meets terms of agreement.'

Security sources give Hamas until midnight to release hostages

Hamas delays release of 2nd group of hostages; security sources warn ground operations resume if hostages are not released by midnight.

Report: Qatar tells Hamas to 'quit the games'

Magen David Adom explains why hostage release not on the horizon at the moment.

Defense Min.:

Any negotiation to bring home hostages will be held under fire

'We won't leave Gaza until all the hostages are brought back home, any negotiation will be held under fire,' Defense Min. Gallant promises.

The price of hostage/terrorist prisoner exchanges

Great efforts must be made to release captives, but it is forbidden to do so at the cost of endangering the lives of thousands of soldiers.

Hamas terrorist lays hand on boy hostage Ohad Munder

Terrorist from Hamas' military arm lays arm on Ohad Munder, 9, before Munder is released from Hamas captivity.

Grandchildren of released hostage:

The fight is not over until all of the hostages are back

Adva and Alon Adar, grandchildren of released hostage Yaffa Adar, urge international community, 'Don't stop until they are all home.'

Family reunification: 'The dream came true, we're at home'

Watch: Yoni Asher reunites with wife Doron and daughters Aviv and Raz, after their release from Hamas captivity.

Chief of Staff:

When the ceasefire ends we'll return to attacking in Gaza

'We do not intend, do not want, and are not willing, to stop before we have brought all of the hostages home,' Chief of Staff Halevi says.

The hostage deal is not occurring in a vacuum

It's time for hate agendas to be recognized for what they are--an affront to what Israel and America represent within:  Op-ed.

Watch: Freed hostages runs towards his father

Ohad Munder, 9, who was held hostage with his mother and grandmother, runs towards his father in emotional reunion at hospital.

49 days later:

First group of hostages returns to Israel

Hamas releases first batch of 13 hostages as agreed upon in ceasefire deal. Israel releases 39 security prisoners.

IDF Spokesperson:

'During the pause, IDF will prepare for next phases of the war'

IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari after Hamas releases 13 hostages: More than ever, we must take care not to distribute unverified information.

Watch:

Hamas hands over hostages to the Red Cross

Footage released by Hamas shows Israeli and Thai hostages handed over to the Red Cross before their return to Israel.

President Herzog:

'The job isn't done until all the hostages return home'

President Isaac Herzog welcomes release of first batch of hostages: I pray for return of those who are still in the hands of the enemy.

Biden on hostage release:

'This is only the beginning'

President Joe Biden after Hamas releases 13 hostages: We will not stop until we get the hostages brought home.

Gallant on hostage release:

'We have taken an important first step'

Defense Minister stresses Israel will continue to do everything to bring all the hostages home.

Netanyahu:

'We are committed to the return of all our hostages'

Netanyahu welcomes release of first batch of 13 hostages by Hamas.

Gallant:

'We will do everything necessary to bring back the hostages'

Minister of Defense visits Hatzerim airbase, observes IDF preparations to absorb the hostages who will return to Israel.

'Heaven's Doors'

Headphones, children's toys prepared for released hostages

IDF completes preparations to receive the first hostages released by Hamas later today, asks public to respect hostage's privacy.

Sky News reporter's explanation for anti-Israel question

Kay Burley says she merely presented opinion that Israel sees Palestinian lives as less valuable to give Israeli spokesman chance to respond

Ceasefire broken already?

Red alert sirens activated 15 minutes after start of ceasefire

Sirens activated in Kissufim and Ein Hashlosha after ceasefire goes into effect at 7 am.

13 hostages will be released:

Hostage release deal begins today

Ceasefire went into effect at 7:00 a.m. At 4:00 p.m., 13 hostages will be freed. Their families were informed about it on Thursday.

A half failure looks more likely

Interview for L'informale:.'One cannot fight a war if the families of hostages sit in the war room and have a role in determining strategy.'

'When it comes to Jewish blood, the Red Cross disappears'

Cousin of Shiri, whose family was abducted and her parents murdered: We will have to hold the Red Cross accountable for their silence.

'I was looking up laws of mourning, then came the videos'

Elai knows that his brother Evyatar will not return in this part of the deal, but also feels relieved over the expected release of children.

'We remain optimistic':

Lone soldier's adoptive family is waiting for his return

Doron, whose family adopted lone soldier Idan Alexander who was kidnapped to Gaza, maintains optimism that Idan will be home soon.

Friend of hostage:

'Sad he won't be released, happy that others will return'

Aviv, friend of Omer Wenkert who was abducted to Gaza, talks about situation in which some hostages will be released, but not Omer.

Report:

Hamas willing to release Thai hostages unconditionally

Hamas reportedly refusing to allow Red Cross to visit hostages despite deal, willing to release Thai hostages after Iranian intervention.

Minister Akunis:

Hostage deal was 'deal with the devil' but had to be done

Science and Technology Minister Ofir Akunis tells Arutz Sheva the hostage deal is not the end of the war but the beginning.

Ahead of hostage release:

Government rep. asks not to publish names of released hostages

Brg. Gen. (Res.) Gal Hirsch requested that the media not publish the list of the first hostages to be released until they arrive in Israel.

We support and we hold responsible

We support the Israeli government's decision but hold resonsible all those who made it necessary. Op-ed.

Qatar Foreign Ministry:

Ceasefire on Friday at 7 am, hostages will be released at 4 pm

Spokesperson for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry says Qatar has lists of people to be released from both sides, 13 Israelis to be released tomorrow

'A disgusting accusation'

Israeli spokesman left speechless by ridiculous question

Eylon Levy is shocked by the suggestion that Israel sees Palestinian lives as less valuable than Israeli lives.

Netanyau to David Cameron:

'We hope to get our hostages, but there are challenges'

PM meets British Foreign Secretary, says peace can only happen if Hamas is eliminated.

Relative of kidnapped family:

'They will not come back the same people'

Oriyah Yahbas, cousin of Jordan Bibas, who was abducted to Gaza together with wife Shiri & their children, speaks about the prisoner swap.

SWC: Hamas could end all the suffering by releasing all hostages

'The suffering of the families of Israeli hostages is on the hands of Hamas terrorists,' Simon Wiesenthal Center says.

Analyst:

The soldiers on the ground believe ceasefire is a mistake

Military analyst Yossi Yehoshua: 'Significant' discrepancies between how top IDF bronze, soldiers fighting on the ground, see prisoner swap.

Why is Hamas calling the shots?

Did you get back all the hostages in this deal? That would have been something.Op-ed.

Top White House official:

'The war won't be over after the truce ends'

White House official John Kirby speaks to US Jewish community leaders, says Hamas still poses a real threat to Israel.

Will the Red Cross finally do its job?

The Red Cross will finally visit Hamas hostages. But will the org.that failed in the Holocaust and failed Shalit protect Jews? Op-ed

Ben Gvir, Zohar argued at Cabinet meeting on hostage deal

Ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Miki Zohar clashed at Cabinet meeting to approve hostage deal. Ben Gvir: This isn't Likud Central Committee.

White House:

'Hostage deal was agreed, parties are working out final details'

National Security Council spokesperson says the US is hopeful that implementation of hostage deal with Hamas begins on Friday.

Biden speaks to Netanyahu, welcomes hostage deal

White House says Biden assured Netanyahu he will continue working to secure the release of all remaining hostages.

Report:

These are the reasons for delay in hostage deal

According to The Wall Street Journal, Hamas did not provide adequate info about the hostages it was going to release.

NSC head:

Hostage release will not take place before Friday

Tzachi Hanegbi says implementation of hostage release deal is being delayed and will not happen before Friday.

Simon Wiesenthal Center:

'Tragically, hostage deal gives Hamas a lifeline'

Simon Wiesenthal Center says it is relieved to see dozens of hostages released, but Hamas must be 'removed permanently' for peace to exist.

Diplomatic source:

Hostages' families will be told only when the release happens

Israeli source explains why families will not be informed ahead of time that their loved ones are being released by Hamas.

'You don’t negotiate with terrorists' - Binyamin Netanyahu

This is an agreement that does not take the future into account. Op-ed.

Smotrich's condition for supporting hostage deal

After voicing opposition, the Religious Zionism party voted in favor of the hostage deal thanks to a clause added to the Cabinet decision.

Media consultant:

'No regrets about leading the campaign to release Gilad Shalit'

Activist who pushed for Shalit deal: 'Saving lives is most important value in Israeli society,' says she'd be 'happy' to see alternative.

Minister Orit Strock:

'Hostages deal - achievement for IDF commanders and soldiers'

Minister Orit Strock explains why the Religious Zionist party members changed their mind and decided to vote in favor of the hostages deal.

In the heart of Gaza:

Watch: IDF soldier celebrates birthday of kidnapped brother

Together with other soldiers, Elisha Libman celebrates birthday of brother Elyakim, who was kidnapped by Hamas.

What is wrong with us?

The same people whose mistaken view of the situation allowed the massacre on October 7th, made the decision fot a ceasefire now. Op-ed.