hostages

Hamas downplays progress as hostage deal talks advance in Doha

New framework proposes immediate release of 10 hostages, ceasefire of up to two months; release of terrorists remains a point of contention.

Edan Alexander tells details of year of horror in Hamas captivity

Newly freed Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander describes brutal conditions in Hamas captivity, says photograph of his family meeting US President Donald Trump gave him hope.

Report: Alexander’s release part of wider US-brokered ceasefire

Ceasefire, hostage releases, and indirect talks expected as part of emerging deal mediated in Qatar, report says.

Edan Alexander declines Qatar visit, plans to meet Trump in US

Released Israeli-American soldier cites medical needs after captivity; family says meeting with US President Donald Trump will happen later in the US.

IDF preparing for release of Edan Alexander from Hamas captivity

Staff Sgt. Edan Alexander to be brought to Re'im upon release from Hamas captivity, footage will be released only with the family's permission.

Minister Eli Cohen:

Hamas' fear of escalation led to hostage release

Energy Minister Eli Cohen credits IDF pressure and US diplomacy for the expected release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, warns against temporary truces that allow Hamas to regroup.

Israeli source:

21 hostages alive, concerns for lives of 1 Israeli, 2 foreigners

Israeli source says families of the three hostages from whom signs of life were not received were informed of concerns for their loved ones' welfare early on in the war.

Psychological terrorism:

Hamas publishes sign of life from hostage Maxim Herkin

The video is Hamas' second of Maxim Herkin, after the terror group publicized a video him Herkin and Bar Kupershtein last month.

New proposal:

All hostages released, six-month ceasefire

Qatar and Egypt propose six-month ceasefire, release of terrorists, in exchange for release of all hostages.

Hamas offers:

All hostages released in exchange for five-year ceasefire

Senior Hamas delegation arrives in Cairo to discuss prisoner swap, full IDF withdrawal from Gaza.

Abbas to Hamas: 'Sons of dogs, release the hostages'

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas calls on Hamas to release hostages, hand its weapons over to the Palestinian Authority.

Smotrich: Bringing hostages home isn't top priority

'Bringing hostages home is important, but we want to neutralize threat of another October 7 massacre,' Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich explains.

Israel weighing re-arrest of terrorists freed in previous deals

Ministers push to give Hamas a deadline to agree to Witkoff plan, re-arrest terrorists released in previous deals.

These hostage videos are not a message — they’re manipulation

Hamas' hostage videos are part of its strategy to shake the foundations of Israeli unity, ignite division, and stir unrest. If they did not serve Hamas’ goals, the videos would never have been released. Op-ed.

PM's spokesman:

'We can't bring everyone back - that's a political spin'

'Right now we cannot make a single deal to bring all the hostages back,' says Omer Dostri, spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

For the third time:

Hamas publishes additional video of hostage Elkana Bohbot

Hamas publishes third sign of life on one month from hostage Elkana Bohbot.

Hamas interested in single-stage deal

Hamas-affiliated analyst says Israel has two options: ending the war and bringing the hostages back, or continuing the political and military crisis with no end in sight.

Hostages' families fume: Our loved ones have been abandoned

Minister Ron Dermer, leader of the hostage negotiations team, enrages hostages' relatives: 'Don't you dare differentiate between hostages - all must be released together.'

Report: US asked Egypt to investigate condition of Edan Alexander

US asks Egypt to find out condition of dual citizen hostage Edan Alexander following Hamas' claims that contact with the group holding him captive was lost.

Trump expands role of Adam Boehler as hostage envoy

US President grants Adam Boehler broad authority to coordinate across government agencies on hostage-related matters. The move follows controversy over Boehler’s meeting with Hamas and comes as efforts intensify to secure the release of American hostages in Gaza.

Hostage's brother:

End the war only when there is a deal to bring everyone home

Gal Gilboa-Dallal, brother of hostage Guy Gilboa-Dallal, demands Israeli government end war only after clear agreement is signed to bring all hostages home.

The hostage families' new demand from Netanyahu

Families of hostages call on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to meet them as soon as possible, hold meeting in Kibbutz Nir Oz.

Egypt's proposal: Hamas will release 11 living hostages

Egyptian proposal would see 40-70 day ceasefire in Gaza, alongside release of 1,100 terrorists, Al Akhbar reports.

Hostages' families: Bring them all home - together

Families of hostages mark 18 months since October 7 massacre, demand all hostages released at once.

Captivity survivor Omer Wenkert:

For 505 days, I was starved, humiliated, and beaten

Hamas captivity survivor Omer Wenkert speaks of his time in captivity. 'I was held in extreme conditions in a narrow tunnel with a waste pit beside me.'

Sign of life from Maxim Herkin and Bar Kupershtein

Hamas releases first sign of life from hostages Maxim Herkin and Bar Kupershtein, who were kidnapped from the October 7 massacre.

'He was lynched'

Family of hostage Matan Angrest to reveal footage from kidnapping

Family of kidnapped IDF soldier Matan Angrest says they will publish footage of his kidnapping. 'We have no choice, we need to prove that he is in danger of his life.'

Message for Eid al-Fitr March 29-April 1, 2025

"Eid Mubarak". “Let us love, Let us be loved”

The hostages' Muslim captors certainly do not love them, and equally certainly seek no love from them. Eid or no Eid, we offer no love to these monsters, and it is just as well they do not seek any from us. Opinion.

Hamas captivity survivors take off for US

Delegation of released hostages and relatives of hostages still held in Gaza takes off for ten-day trip to the US.

Israel passes counter-proposal for ceasefire to mediators

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds series of meetings following receipt of Hamas' ceasefire offer, counter-offer passed to mediators.

IDF and ISA:

Remains of hostage Manny Goddard found in Gaza

Israeli forces located remains of hostage Manny Menachem Goddard, did not succeed in retrieving body.

Israel demanding 10 living hostages; Hamas insists on only 5

Egyptian sources say Hamas agreed to release five Israeli hostages, including dual citizen Edan Alexander and four others, some of whom are alive.

Hamas publishes additional video of hostage Elkana Bohbot

Hamas publishes additional sign of life from hostage Elkana Bohbot, who has been in captivity for 540 days.

Captivity survivor: 'I was kidnapped from my bed under gunfire'

Crowds gather in Tel Aviv calling for the release of the 59 hostages still held captive in Gaza.

Israel expands benefits for released hostages

Defense Ministry, National Security Ministry, coordinator for hostages and missing, promote legislative amendment providing those returned from Hamas captivity with expanded benefits.

Eliya Cohen:

The epileptic seizure that changed my life - & led to my release

Eliya Cohen, kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7 massacre and released in exchange for convicted terrorists, tells of an a epileptic seizure three years ago that changed his life.

Hostage's mother:

'They have a sadist guard, he's in serious condition'

Galia David, mother of hostage Evyatar David, tells of her meeting with released hostage Tal Shoham, who was held together with Evyatar and Guy Gilboa-Dalal. 'I saw how serious his condition is, it shook me, I can't sleep. I can't get the pictures out of my head.'

Netanyahu to negotiating team:

Prepare for talks to release 11 hostages

Following high-level meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructs negotiating team to prepare to continue talks for hostages' release.

"You will not execute me like ISIS"

Captivity survivor Tal Shoham: I refused to kneel

Released hostage Tal Shoham tells of severe physical abuse during his time in captivity, but says he vowed to never lose his humanity. 'I am not a victim.'

Freed hostage: 'I sat on the mattress and prayed to G-d'

Captivity survivor Omer Shem Tov in first message to attendees at Hostages Square rally: 'I was alone 450 days, it's a terrible feeling. I came back thanks to you, but the task is not yet complete.'

Omer Shem Tov:

In the tunnels, I felt every prayer you said for me

Hamas captivity survivor Omer Shem Tov attends rally in Herzliya alongside friends and released hostages Maya and Itay Regev. 'Even when I was in the darkest place, I felt a spark of light.'

50-day ceasefire

Steve Witkoff's new proposal for a ceasefire deal

US envoy Steve Witkoff proposes Israel resume humanitarian aid to Hamas, release terrorists, in exchange for the release of several hostages.

Jewish families honor Ariel and Kfir Bibas with Batman costumes

Children in Israel and beyond are dressing as Batman for Purim to honor the slain Bibas brothers.

Eliya Cohen gives thanks:

'Your prayers were felt in the tunnels, they protected me'

Grandfather of former hostage Eliya Cohen holds thanksgiving meal honoring his release from Hamas captivity. 'Down there, we feel every prayer.'

Report: Hamas agrees to extend first stage of ceasefire deal

Al Hadath reports Hamas agreed to US initiative to extend first stage of ceasefire deal in exchange for the release of several living hostages; Hamas denies report.

Netanyahu's office:

Israeli delegation to leave for negotiations in Qatar

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirms Israeli delegation to leave for Qatar on Monday to negotiate advance negotiations to free hostages.

US advancing:

Initiative to release hostages - without Israel's involvement

US holding negotiations with Hamas to extend ceasefire in exchange for release of some hostages. Israeli source: 'Negotiations are being held above our heads.'

In Arabic:

Captivity survivor's message to hostages still in Gaza

Released hostage Karina Ariev sends Arabic-language message to hostages still held captive by Hamas, quoting from Isaiah.

Eliya Cohen to bereaved families: We are here because of you

Eliya Cohen, freed from Hamas captivity, thanks bereaved families for their sacrifice, says hostages were released because of them.

Progress on talks for deal's second stage? Israel denies it

Hamas claims progress on negotiations for second stage of deal, Israeli source clarifies: 'Not familiar with progress on talks at this stage.'

Captivity survivor:

'I hope there will be a grave to visit on Memorial Day'

Noga Weiss, kidnapped to Gaza during the October 7 massacre and released from Hamas captivity in a November 2023 deal, says she cannot find closure until Hamas releases her father's body for burial. 'I haven't yet said goodbye.'

Released hostages hold meeting with PM Netanyahu and wife Sara

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and wife Sara meet released hostages Tal and Adi Shoham, listening to their experiences, offering support, and promising to do everything to free remaining hostages.

'We're doing everything to free you':

Sasha Troufanov sends moving message to friend in captivity

Released hostages Sasha Troufanov sends moving message to friend left behind in Hamas captivity, explains, 'I can't disconnect from the people who stayed behind.'

Released hostage recalls meeting with Sinwar in Gaza's tunnels

Margalit Moses, kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7 massacre and released in November 2023, tells of her dream to return to her kibbutz and rebuild her home.

Captivity survivor Sasha Troufanov

From Hamas' tunnels to the Western Wall Tunnels in Jerusalem

Former hostage Sasha Troufanov visits Western Wall, in a journey of hope and resilience.

Hostages' families:

Death and destruction of Gaza - or the hostages released now

Tikva Forum for hostages' families calls on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to seize opportunity offered by US President Donald Trump, set deadline for Hamas' release of all hostages at once, on a single bus. 'The ball is in your court.'

Ohad Yahalomi, killed in Hamas captivity, is laid to rest

Funeral for Ohad Yahalomi, kidnapped to Gaza on October 7 and murdered in Hamas captivity, begins in Rishon Lezion; he will be buried in Kibbutz Nir Oz.

Chabad Torah booklet and Psalms

The books that carried Omer Shem Tov through captivity

Omer Shem Tov's parents revealed that his captors gave him books that soldiers left behind including a pamphlet on the Torah portion and Psalms.

Watch:

Torah scroll brought to hostage Alon Ohel's room

Kobi and Idit, parents of hostage Alon Ohel, bring Torah scroll into Alon's room, praying for his recovery and release from Gaza.

'I am here thanks to you'

Sasha Trufanov speaks for the first time since his release

'I will never be able to pay you back for what you have done to me, it moves me to know that it was important to so many people that I return home.'