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hostages

News and updates about hostages

Tikva Forum: There is no blood that is worth more or less

Tikva Forum for hostages' families urges government not to agree to a partial deal. 'Proposed deal leaves behind those who appear in the video clips - how can we decide who is worthy of life and who should remain behind in hell?'

Tikva Forum: There is no blood that is worth more or less

Arab report: Hamas attempting to locate living hostages

Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani says there is 'new momentum' in negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and the Hamas terror group in Gaza.

Arab report: Hamas attempting to locate living hostages

Hamas publishes sign of life from hostage Matan Zangauker

Hamas publishes footage from hostage Matan Zangauker, family approves video's release.

Hamas publishes sign of life from hostage Matan Zangauker

Minister Sa'ar to Blinken:

'Israel seriously intends to advance hostage deal'

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the ongoing cessation of hostilities in Lebanon and the importance of ensuring the agreement is fully implemented.

'Israel seriously intends to advance hostage deal'

Danielle Aloni:

'They tried to convince me to leave Emilia in Gaza'

Danielle Aloni, who was kidnapped to Gaza together with her daughter Emilia and released in a November 2023 prisoner swap deal, talks about the conditions of their captivity and the pressure for her daughter to remain behind in Gaza.

'They tried to convince me to leave Emilia in Gaza'

Smotrich:

Trump made 'clear and morally sound statements'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich thanks US President-elect Donald Trump for clarifying that Hamas will suffer a heavy blow if Israeli hostages are not returned prior to Inauguration Day.

Trump made 'clear and morally sound statements'

Minister Orit Strock:

If there's a hostage deal like the first - we'll support it

Minister Orit Strock slams aid to Gaza, says Jewish settlement of Gaza not part of war's goals, and responds to ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon.

If there's a hostage deal like the first - we'll support it

Hostage Omer Neutra declared fallen IDF soldier

Captain Omer Maxim Neutra, lone soldier from New York, served as a tank commander in the IDF. He was kidnapped to Gaza during the October 7 massacre, and was recently declared dead.

Hostage Omer Neutra declared fallen IDF soldier

Over a thousand rally in New York, demanding action for hostages

Adi Alexander, father of Edan Alexander, urges US President Biden, President-elect Trump, and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu: 'This is a moment for courage, collaboration, and decisive action.'

Over a thousand rally in New York, demanding action for hostages

White House:

War in Gaza would end tomorrow if Hamas released hostages

Video of hostages Edan Alexander a 'a cruel reminder of Hamas’s terror against citizens of multiple countries, including our own,' White House statement reads.

War in Gaza would end tomorrow if Hamas released hostages

Mother of British hostage:

'UN resolution would've been a death sentence for our loved ones'

'If UN & other international organizations had done their jobs, our loved ones would be home by now. Instead, we get excuses, fake support, & empty promises,' Mandy Damari, mother of British-Israeli citizen Emily Damari, says at Sha'ar Hanegev rally.

'UN resolution would've been a death sentence for our loved ones'

Psychological terrorism:

In Hamas video, American-Israeli hostage speaks to Trump

Idan Alexander, an immigrant from New Jersey, was kidnapped from the Kissufim Crossing by Hamas terrorists, and has been held captive in Gaza ever since.

In Hamas video, American-Israeli hostage speaks to Trump

Egypt's proposal:

Temporary ceasefire with hostage release

Egyptian intelligence delegation proposes ceasefire-prisoner swap deal lasting one or two months and including hostage release, talks to end war.

Temporary ceasefire with hostage release

Labor Minister:

'The hostages are the nation's biggest wound'

Labor Minister Yoav Ben Tzur calls to increase diplomatic and military pressure to bring hostages home. 'Time is running out.'

'The hostages are the nation's biggest wound'

Hamas publishes footage which seems to show murdered hostage

'We are examining the information, and at this stage, we cannot confirm or refute it,' IDF spokesman says.

Hamas publishes footage which seems to show murdered hostage

Award-winning actor:

'Let everyone in Gaza die of hunger until the hostages come home'

Israel should have paused all humanitarian aid to Gaza at the start of the war in order to release all the hostages, Israeli actor Uri Gavriel says.

'Let everyone in Gaza die of hunger until the hostages come home'

Hostage's father to AG:

IDF must defeat Hamas, bring back hostages

'IDF is not measured by whether soldiers give water to a woman in Gaza, but by whether it defends the citizens of Israel,' Tzvika Mor, father of hostage Eitan Mor, tells Knesset committee.

IDF must defeat Hamas, bring back hostages

Watch: Residents of Eli and relatives of hostages sing together

Residents of the town of Eli, which has lost several soldiers in the war, sing together with families of hostages during a special evening in Eli dedicated to prayers for the hostages' welfare.

Watch: Residents of Eli and relatives of hostages sing together

More psychological terror:

Fourth sign of life from hostage Sasha Trufanov

Islamic Jihad publishes fourth video, second within a week, of hostage Sasha Trufanov - this time with him begging Shas chief Aryeh Deri not to let him die in Gaza.

Fourth sign of life from hostage Sasha Trufanov

With the Chief Rabbi:

Hostages' families pray for their safe return at Rachel's Tomb

On the anniversary of Rachel the Matriarch's passing, Israel's new Chief Rabbi joins dozens of relatives of hostages in prayers for their safe return.

Hostages' families pray for their safe return at Rachel's Tomb

Islamic JIhad reveals:

Additional sign of life from hostage Sasha Troufanov

Islamic Jihad releases third sign of life from hostage Sasha Troufanov, who turned 29 earlier this week.

Additional sign of life from hostage Sasha Troufanov

Biden's bizarre response to an Israeli reporter's question

US President Joe Biden is asked by an Israeli journalist whether he believes a hostage deal is possible in the near future - and offers a response that raises a storm.

Biden's bizarre response to an Israeli reporter's question

Noa Argamani on Instagram: 'The abandonment continues'

The hostage rescued during Operation Arnon criticized the Israeli government: 'Another day passes and another day passes amid complete uncertainty wrapped in despair.'

Noa Argamani on Instagram: 'The abandonment continues'

Heartbreaking:

Mothers of hostages sing together

Marking 400 days since the October 7 kidnappings and massacre, mothers of hostages sing, 'Bo'ee Ima,' 'Come, Mother,' at Hostages Square rally. Watch.

Mothers of hostages sing together

Released hostage:

Failure to reach a deal seals the fate of the hostages

Maya Regev, kidnapped on October 7 together with her brother and boyfriend, and released last year in a prisoner swap deal, speaks at central rally.

Failure to reach a deal seals the fate of the hostages

Sources: Intense efforts underway to secure prisoner swap deal

Egypt expects progress in ceasefire-prisoner swap deal to lower tensions in region, report says.

Sources: Intense efforts underway to secure prisoner swap deal

Payment for info on hostages:

'There are messages which could be interesting'

Daniel Birnbaum, former SEO of SodaStream, says he's receiving messages from all over the world after promising a reward for hostages' return, explains reasoning behind his offer.

'There are messages which could be interesting'

Watch: Lipa Schmeltzer sings to Noa Argamani

Hasidic American singer Lipa Schmeltzer dedicates song to rescued hostage Noa Argamani, singing praises of her faith and strength of character. Watch.

Watch: Lipa Schmeltzer sings to Noa Argamani

Israeli official:

'Qatar has become more significant in the negotiations'

Israeli source says that after Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar's death, Qatar holds the keys to a prisoner swap deal and the ability to pressure Hamas.

'Qatar has become more significant in the negotiations'

'Dress like Naama'

Women call for the return of Naama Levy in powerful demonstration

Women dress in outfits similar to that worn by hostage Naama Levy at the time of her kidnapping, in a powerful call for her release.

Women call for the return of Naama Levy in powerful demonstration

IDF: Rumors of hostage rescue are untrue

For the third time in less than 24 hours, IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari clarifies that Israelis held captive in Gaza were not freed; investigation opened.

IDF: Rumors of hostage rescue are untrue

Sinwar's body transferred to secret location following autopsy

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar weighed around 70 kilograms at the time of his death; his corpse is expected to be used as a bargaining chip in negotiations for hostages' release.

Sinwar's body transferred to secret location following autopsy

Defense Minister:

Chance hostages will be smuggled out of Gaza is minimal

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant speaks with relatives of the hostages, responding to inquiry regarding possibility that they may no longer be in Gaza.

Chance hostages will be smuggled out of Gaza is minimal

Moving:

The haredi rabbi who has slept on the floor & board since Oct. 7

Families of hostages tour Bnei Brak, learn that Rabbi Yitzhak Koledetski has slept on the floor or on a board since the October 7 massacre. 'How can he sleep comfortably?'

The haredi rabbi who has slept on the floor & board since Oct. 7

13-year-old released hostage: 'Civilians hit me in Gaza'

Eitan Yahalomi, 13, kidnapped to Gaza on October 7, and released in a November 2023 deal, speaks about the kidnapping and his first days in captivity.

13-year-old released hostage: 'Civilians hit me in Gaza'

J Street chooses Palestinian State over prioritizing the hostages

What happened when a hostage's father turned to J Street for help. Op-ed.

J Street chooses Palestinian State over prioritizing the hostages

Hostage Idan Shtivi was murdered the morning of October 7, 2023

Petah Tikva municipality announces that hostage Idan Shtivi was murdered on the morning of the October 7, 2023, massacre, and his body was kidnapped to Gaza.

Hostage Idan Shtivi was murdered the morning of October 7, 2023

Gaza:

Israel frees Yazidi woman kidnapped by ISIS and sold to Hamas

After more than a decade in captivity in Gaza: The IDF led by COGAT, in collaboration with the US Embassy in Israel, rescued a young Yazidi woman held by a Hamas terrorist affiliated with ISIS in the Gaza Strip

Israel frees Yazidi woman kidnapped by ISIS and sold to Hamas

Pray for a hostage in the dark

We know the well-known Gemara (Bava Kamma 92a), that those who daven for others will have their prayers answered first

Pray for a hostage in the dark

Nova artist launches new October 7th exhibition with StandWithUs

'Faces of October 7th' exhibition opens in Jerusalem with the families of victims, ahead of Oct. 7th anniversary.

Nova artist launches new October 7th exhibition with StandWithUs

Former Mossad chief:

We should've released all terrorists in exchange for hostages

'The Israeli government chose revenge, it could've released all terrorists in exchange for all hostages on the morning of October 8,' former Mossad chief Tamir Pardo alleges.

We should've released all terrorists in exchange for hostages

Clashes at Tel Aviv protest:

Hostage's relative detained, protesters surround police car

Police detain Shachar Mor Zahiro, nephew of murdered hostage Avraham Munder; protesters and Labor MKs surround squad car.

Hostage's relative detained, protesters surround police car

Two terrorists who held hostages eliminated

IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari reveals that two of the terrorists who held the six hostages who were murdered in captivity have been eliminated.

Two terrorists who held hostages eliminated

Watch:

Trump invites rescued hostage to join him on stage

Former US President Donald Trump invites Andrei Kozlov, who was held hostage in Gaza and rescued during 'Operation Arnon,' to join him on stage, quipping, 'He has more courage than I do.'

Trump invites rescued hostage to join him on stage

Report:

Israeli proposal for prisoner swap offers an end to the war

Israel has presented the US with a plan to release the hostages, end the war, and allow Hamas leaders to safely leave Gaza.

Israeli proposal for prisoner swap offers an end to the war

Prime Minister's Office:

Despite the pressure, we agreed to all the US offers

'Whoever wants to help the efforts to free our hostages must pressure the murderer, Sinwar, and not the Prime Minister of Israel.'

Despite the pressure, we agreed to all the US offers

Haredi MK tells hostages' families:

There was a proposal for a unity government - it's off the table

In first, MK Moshe Gafni speaks about the discourse regarding a unity government, reveals that the proposal is no longer relevant.

There was a proposal for a unity government - it's off the table

'I trust you'

First sign of life from Matan Angrest

Anat Angrest, the mother of captive soldier Matan Angrest, published an audio clip in which her son is heard addressing the Prime Minister from captivity, asking for help.

First sign of life from Matan Angrest

Video of murdered hostage Alexander Lobanov made public

In a video crafted by Hamas for the purpose of psychological terrorism, murdered hostage Alexander Lobanov can be heard criticizing the Israeli government, and urging his family to stay strong.

Video of murdered hostage Alexander Lobanov made public

Released hostage:

I discovered Yarden Bibas and Ofer Kalderon held in pens

Adina Moshe, released in the November 2023 prisoner swap deal, says Yarden Bibas expressed hope that his wife and children were not kidnapped by the terrorists.

I discovered Yarden Bibas and Ofer Kalderon held in pens

Restating the obvious: Hamas isn’t negotiating

“Unfortunately, many people repeat the narrative that in fact we are the ones preventing a deal,” said Gal Hirsch. “But this is a lie.” Op-ed.

Restating the obvious: Hamas isn’t negotiating

Cabinet ministers horrified after watching terror tunnel footage

IDF presents Cabinet with chilling footage from the tunnel where six Israeli hostages were found murdered and their bodies recovered.

Cabinet ministers horrified after watching terror tunnel footage

Hostage's father: Humanitarian aid torpedoes my son's return

Kobi Samerano, father of murdered hostage Yonatan Samerano, criticizes Israeli government for allowing humanitarian aid to reach Hamas. 'You are torpedoing my son's return while you are feeding Hamas.'

Hostage's father: Humanitarian aid torpedoes my son's return

Arab source: Hamas didn't toughen its positions

Hamas is demanding that a higher number of high-profle terrorists with blood on their hands be released in a prisoner swap deal - even in exchange for 'humanitarian' hostages.

Arab source: Hamas didn't toughen its positions

This is Hamas' new demand for a ceasefire deal

Washington Post reports Hamas is demanding a last-minute change in prisoner swap-ceasefire deal; 'take it or leave it' proposal 'indefinitely' delayed.

This is Hamas' new demand for a ceasefire deal

'We had to smile'

Released hostage gives details on Hamas' hostage videos

Released hostage Aviva Siegel details how she was forced to say her lines 'again and again,' says Hamas tried to make her look presentable before taking photos. 'We had to sit next to them and smile and say everything is OK, just for the picture.'

Released hostage gives details on Hamas' hostage videos

The Oslo effect

Israelis won’t forgive or forget the left’s weaponization of the hostages to do Hamas’s dirty work for it. It is a terrible betrayal. Opinion.

The Oslo effect

A new hostage paradigm

Time for some hard truths on the hostage issue. While it is admirable that Israel values each individual life so deeply, prioritizing the safety of millions over the tragic fate of a few is the best bad choice they can make. Opinion.

A new hostage paradigm

Families of hostages pressuring Biden to make unilateral deal

Families of Americans held hostage in Gaza pressuring Biden administration to work towards unilateral deal with Hamas terror group, NBC reports.

Families of hostages pressuring Biden to make unilateral deal

US official:

Nothing in ceasefire agreement mentions Philadelphi Corridor

Disagreement between Israel and Gaza focuses on 'densely populated' areas, Hamas threatening to execute additional hostages, report says.

Nothing in ceasefire agreement mentions Philadelphi Corridor