Hamas

IDF eliminated five senior Hamas commanders prior to ceasefire

The commanders operated both in the Gaza Strip and in Judea and Samaria and participated in planning the October 7th massacre.

Hamas explains separation of families during exchange

Hamas claims to have been unable to find some of the captives scheduled to have been released.

Report: Hamas to free Russian-Israel hostage at Putin's request

Russian President Vladimir Putin is reported to have interceded to secure the release of an additional Israeli with Russian citizenship.

Red Cross official:

'We can't make predictions' on Hamas releasing hostages

Red Cross crisis response director Pascal Hundt tells Sky News release of hostages was 'extremely emotional moment' for all present.

Hamas confirms military commander of northern Gaza killed

Terror organization says Ahmed Ghandour, 1 of the most wanted Hamas leaders, was killed during Swords of Iron war.

Hamas ordered hostages: 'Keep waving'

Pro-Israel activist Yoseph Haddad shows Hamas forcing prisoners to act cheerful for the camera before the exchange.

Chief of Staff:

IDF will resume war with Hamas 'with determination' after pause

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi writes to soldiers that the IDF's successes paved way for current hostage deal, war will continue.

Qatar:

13 Israeli women and children to be released today

Number of Israelis released to rise to 39 with third group this evening. 7 foreign nationals to also be released, according to reports.

Report:

Netanyahu pledged not to target Hamas leaders in Qatar

French newspaper Le Figaro reports Qatar extracted a promise from Israel to leave Hamas leaders on Qatari soil alone in hostage deal.

US officials:

'Disappointed no Americans have been freed yet'

US officials say they remain hopeful at least three Americans held by Hamas will be freed as part of the deal.

Qatar:

'We hope the ceasefire can extend beyond four days'

Qatari Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson says he hopes ceasefire can be extended in order to lead to the release of more hostages.

Hamas leader:

'The Hamas attack caused Israel a moral defeat'

Senior Hamas official Khaled Mashaal says he is opposed to any participation of international or Arab forces in ruling Gaza after the war.

Israel caved to Hamas:

Hila Rotem's mother, Raya, remains in Hamas captivity

Despite the agreements before the ceasefire, Israel agreed to break up a family held in Gaza.

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".

'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.

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.'

Report: Qatar tells Hamas to 'quit the games'

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

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.

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.

'A strong, threatening Israel will free more hostages for less'

Military analyst Ron Ben-Yishai warns against allowing prisoner exchanges to draw out the ceasefire.

'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.

Report:

Gazans attempting to return home during ceasefire clash with IDF

Residents who did not flee south again ignore IDF warnings on first day of 4-day ceasefire.

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.

After Hamas ban:

German police search properties of Hamas members and followers

Hundreds of police officers search 16 properties of Hamas members and followers in Germany following ban on the group.

Directed attacks by sea:

Hamas naval commander in Khan Yunis eliminated

IDF fighter jets, directed by IDF and Shin Bet intelligence, eliminate Amar Abu Jalalah, commander of the Hamas naval forces in Khan Yunis.

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.

Report:

Hamas demanded IDF withdraw from al-Shifa hospital

Terrorist organization made another demand before signing hostage deal, but dropped the demand after Israel refused.

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.

We support and we hold responsible

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

Unit 8200:

Junior officer who warned of Gaza told 'You're imagining it'

Officer in IDF signal intelligence unit warned of mass infiltration event of the kind that occurred on Oct. 7 for a year, to no avail.

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

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.

Hamas: We fired a rocket at northern Samaria town

Hamas releases footage purportedly showing launch of Qassam 1 rocket towards the town of Shaked in northern Samaria.

Former NSC chair:

'Gaza is like Nazi Germany, you don't send aid to the enemy'

Giora Eiland, former head of the National Security Council, criticizes the decision to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Why is Hamas calling the shots?

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

Exasperated

I oppose any pause. Hamas will use the pause to resupply tunnels with food, water, and fuel. 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.

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.

Amb. Erdan:

'UN Women maliciously disregards Hamas rape and murder'

Israeli Ambassador to the UN lambasts UN agencies at Security Council for deliberately ignoring Hamas crimes against women and humanity.

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.

First Lady:

'Women's orgs silence in face of Hamas mass rape a betrayal'

First Lady Michal Herzog expresses shock and anger at international, UN women's organizations for completely ignoring Hamas' mass rapes.

Jewish USC professor barred from campus after criticizing Hamas

University of Southern California forces Economics Professor John Strauss from teaching on campus after activists misrepresent his comments

Israel must fight for the support of young Americans

A second battle front has opened and Israel must be prepared to fight and win. Op-ed.

European Commission official:

'This is a war that was imposed on the Israelis by Hamas'

Peter Stano, European Commission spokesman, stresses war was 'imposed on Israelis by Hamas, Israel is retaliating against terrorist attack.'

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.

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.

'Barbaric':

Bahrain’s Crown Prince condemns Hamas' attack on Israel

Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister publicly condemned Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, called on group to release hostages.

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."

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."

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."

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.

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.

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."

IDF launches website revealing how Hamas uses Gaza hospitals

New website provides detailed information on Hamas use of hospitals for military purposes.

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.

IDF in Gaza:

'Any children who speak Hebrew, run to us'

IDF forces call out to civilians leaving Gaza, in the hopes of finding hostages being smuggled south.