hostages

German Chancellor praises prisoner swap: 'Good news'

'Israeli government has done the right thing,' says Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

UK Foreign Secretary:

Prisoner swap 'crucial step' toward relief of crisis

UK Foreign Sec. says prisoner swap offers 'important opportunity' to ensure aid reaches Gaza, urges 'all parties' to follow through.

Former Mossad & NSC head:

'Military campaign will be difficult to renew after deal'

'It will be much more difficult to resume the military campaign until Hamas collapses,' warns Efraim Halevy, former Mossad chief.

Tzohar rabbi meets families of hostages

Rabbi David Stav meets families of hostages, families evacuated from Kibbutz Nahal Oz.

Hostage deal:

These are the 300 terrorists on the list for release

The Ministry of Justice published a list containing the names of 300 prisoners 'intended for release,' as part of the hostages deal.

Hamas to provide Israel with list of 10 hostages to be released

On Wednesday evening, Hamas is expected to send Israel a list of the 10 hostages to be released Thursday under prisoner swap deal.

European Commission President:

'Wholeheartedly welcome agreement for pause in hostilities'

European Commission President von der Leyen: 'Every day these mothers and children are held hostage by terrorists is one too many.'

Religious Zionist ministers support hostage deal

Minister Smotrich: 'This is a good deal that will contribute to raising national morale. Fighting will resume until Hamas is destroyed.'

President Herzog:

'I back and support the hostage release deal'

President Isaac Herzog comments on deal to release hostages which was approved by the government: This is a moral and ethical duty.

Biden welcomes hostage deal:

'Important that all aspects of this deal be fully implemented'

US President vows that he will not stop until all American hostages are released.

Otzma Yehudit votes against

Government approves hostage release deal

Government approves deal which will see 50 Israelis released in batches during a four-day ceasefire. The releases will begin on Thursday.

Brother of Hadar Goldin:

'Operation must not end until last soldier returns'

Tzur Goldin, whose brother's body is being held by Hamas: "Make sure that this operation does not end until the last soldier returns."

Hostages' families:

'Increase pressure on Hamas instead of current deal'

Several familes of hostages in Gaza: "The pressure on Hamas must be increased out of an obligation to release all the hostages."

Haredi influencer: "Hope the hostage deal includes all of them"

Haredi influencer Yanky Goldhaber: "It is forbidden to leave even one hostage with them. Without that, there is no deal and no ceasefire."

Netanyahu:

'Red Cross to visit Hamas hostages, provide medical assistance'

For 1st time ever, the Red Cross will visit Israelis held hostage by Hamas, under terms of hostage deal.

MK Saada: "Sinwar should not be allowed to perform selection"

Likud MK Moshe Saada criticizes the outline of the deal for the release of the hostages: "We must reach a deal that includes everyone."

Otzma Yehudit: We will oppose hostage deal

Party gives reasons for not supporting deal to release hostages and emphasizes: "We need a deal that will release everyone - on our terms"

MK Ohad Tal:

'Only way to release our hostages is to pressure Hamas more'

MK Ohad Tal: "We have to pressure Hamas much, much more and that is the only way we will be able to bring our hostages back home."

Avi Maoz: 'Strongly oppose surrendering to terror'

Deputy Minister Avi Maoz: calls on the government to return the army to full combat operation until the mission is completed.

Cabinet discusses hostage deal with some ministers opposed

Religious Zionist parties to oppose deal to fee terrorists and pause fighting in exchange for 50 hostages, haredi parties to support deal.

Religious Zionist Party:

'Proposed deal is bad - we must not agree to it'

Religious Zionist Party: "deal for release of the hostages is bad for Israel's security, bad for the hostages and bad for the IDF soldiers"

Chief of Staff:

'IDF pressure on Hamas makes better conditions for hostages'

Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi visits soldiers in Gaza, says Israel still determined to dismantle Hamas rule.

Hostage release deal outline:

12 to be released each day, respite set for 4 days

A political official outlined the agreement for the release of the hostages in Gaza - which may be expanded during implementation.

We’ll make difficult decisions, return of the hostages is closer

Minister of Defense: "To bring about the return of the hostages is an ultimate goal that I will make every effort to reach."

Report:

Cabinet to meet at 8 tonight to vote on hostage deal

PM to convene War Cabinet, Political-Security Cabinet, and Cabinet tonight to approve deal to free dozens of Hamas hostages.

Hostages' parents support DM, demand increased pressure on Hamas

Parents of hostages call to end humanitarian aid to Gaza, worry release of women and children will harm hostages left behind.

UN rapporteurs should focus on immediate release of all hostages

'Imperative for international community to exert every effort to secure safe return of the hostages,' expert Dr. Shelly Aviv Yeini says.

Liberman:

Obsession with discussing prisoner swap raises price

'Hamas has identified that this is our weak spot, and is utilizing that to its fullest,' opposition MK Avigdor Liberman says.

Israeli source: We are close to closing a prisoner swap

Senior Israeli source says Israel and Hamas are nearing prisoner swap - but lowers the number of terrorists to be freed.

Report:

Swap to include 50-100 hostages, in exchange for 300 terrorists

Details of deal will be publicized by Qatar when they are finalized, senior Hamas official promises.

Proof of life as a prerequisite for any hostage deal

Israel should only value living hostages in a deal, although it must demand the bodies of those who have died. Op-ed.

Herzog on Fox News:

'Hamas is holding children hostage, where are the protests?'

President Herzog criticizes pro-Hamas protesters in the US, says they support terrorism.

Red Cross president meets Hamas leader Haniyeh in Qatar

The Red Cross has not been permitted to visit the more than 200 hostages who are held by Hamas in Gaza.

Netanyahu:

'We are committed to bringing back the hostages'

Prime Minister Netanyahu and the War Cabinet meet with families of the hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza,

White House:

'We're closer to a hostage deal than we've been before'

WH National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby rejects accusations Israel committing genocide, calls for PA to rule Gaza.

Report: Prisoner swap won't include Hamas-affiliated terrorists

Female and underage terrorists released in exchange for hostages won't include Hamas terrorists, Egyptian source tells Wall Street Journal.

Reports:

Hostage deal would see prisoners released in small groups

Negotiator: Hostages will be released gradually during ceasefire. Diplomatic source: 'Progress on negotiations, but nothing final yet.'

Washington Post report:

Tentative deal reached to pause conflict, free hostages

Report says tentative deal would free dozens of hostages in exchange for five-day pause. White House spokesperson: No deal in place yet.

White House adviser:

'Hostages must be freed before significant pause'

White House adviser Brett McGurk says hostages taken by Hamas must be free before a “significant pause” can happen.

Seinfeld star supports effort to release hostages

Actor Jason Alexander records video in which he serves as the voice of nine-year-old boy who celebrated his birthday in Hamas captivity.

Hamas: 87 hostages in exchange for ceasefire, terrorists, & fuel

Hamas sets new terms for prisoner swap, offering less than half of the hostages in exchange for jailed terrorists, fuel, & time to regroup.

Biden, Qatari Emir discuss need for hostages to be freed

Qatar has been mediating efforts to reach an agreement for Hamas to release some hostages in exchange for a ceasefire.

Families of hostages pray at Lubavitcher Rebbe's gravesite in NY

Representatives of the families of those held hostage by Hamas are greeted by thousands of New York Jews with songs of 'Am Israel chai.'

Smotrich:

'Sinwar is still setting conditions? Time to show some strength'

Minister Smotrich criticizes the conduct vis-à-vis the negotiations for the release of the hostages.

Netanyahu:

'Stong indications hotsages were held at al-Shifa Hospital'

PM tells CBS News the hostages were one of the reasons the IDF entered Gaza's main hospital.

Hamas hostage's mother:

'Struggle for Noa's return not over because she died'

Mother of IDF lookout who died while being held hostage by Hamas says Israeli govt. responsible for return of the 240 hostages.

On Dresdening Gaza and being vaccinated against antisemitism

I am vaccinated. My reaction is: “Israel: keep bombing. Keep crushing Hamas. All hostages not freed? Keep bombing their tunnels..." Op-ed.

Report:

Qatar deal to free 50 hostages in exchange for 3-day ceasefire

Deal would include freeing of women and minors arrested for terrorist activity, leave near;y 200 people in Hamas captivity.

Biden and Netanyahu discuss efforts to rescue hostages

White House says Biden spoke with Netanyahu regarding the latest developments in Israel and Gaza.

Senior Israeli source:

'Progress made on deal to free hostages'

Senior Israeli political source tells ABC News a breakthrough on a deal could come in the next 48-72 hours.

German newspaper Bild screens photos of hostages on building

Since the beginning of the war, the German newspaper has flown the Israeli flag on its HQ building and exposed Hamas propaganda lies.

Biden's message hostages' familes: Hang in there, we're coming

President Biden says he believes a deal to free the Hamas hostages will happen.

FM to Red Cross President:

You must demand a sign of life from the hostages

Foreign Minister Eli Cohen meets with President of the Red Cross, demands that the Red Cross demand a visit to the hostages held by Hamas.

IDF confirms:

Soldier who appeared in Hamas video no longer alive

Noa Marciano, the 19-year-old soldier who appeared in a Hamas video, is no longer alive, IDF confirms.

Report:

Israel and Hamas close to agreeing on prisoner swap

Swap would see temporary ceasefire, and the release of some - but not all - hostages held by terrorists in Gaza.

'Confession' video published of Israeli woman kidnapped in Iraq

Terrorists in Iraq publish video of Elizabeth Tsurkov 'confessing' to have worked for the Mossad and the CIA

Biden: 3-year-old among American hostages held by Hamas

US President tells Qatari Emir that a toddler whose parents were murdered on October 7 is among the US citizens kidnapped by Hamas.

Watch:

Hamas terrorists take hostages from music festival, fire RPG

New footage shows Hamas arrive at music party when 260 people were murdered on October 7.

Gallant to hostages' families:

'Only military pressure brings us closer to the goal'

Defense Minister meets for the third time with a group of families of hostages being held in the Gaza Strip.

'Creator of the world, I love you'

Our sages taught that righteous people can transform G-d’s severe judgment into Divine acts of compassion.