Hostages in Gaza

Report: Hamas receives new ceasefire proposal

Israel insists on full hostage release as partial deal remains under discussion.

Cabinet ministers:

'Rule out possibility of a partial hostage deal'

Cabinet ministers demand PM clarify that Israel will not agree to a partial hostage deal, only a move that will return all the hostages together from Hamas captivity.

Schneider opens therapeutic playroom in memory of Bibas family

Schneider Children’s Medical Center inaugurates first therapeutic playroom, honoring murdered hostages Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas, and offering hospitalized children a space for play, healing, and hope.

Lapid to Trump:

Supporting Israel means supporting a deal to bring hostages home

Mass protests weren't political? MK Yair Lapid responds to recent protests, calls on US President Donald Trump and 'friends across the world' to support an 'end to the war.'

'Pausing for Psalms'

Thousands participate in rally led by hostage families

Thousands across the country take part in the "Pausing for Psalms" rally, initiated by hostage families, calling for the swift return of their loved ones.

Bereaved father:

'Shutting down the country will only encourage the enemy'

Oren Smadga, who lost his son Omer in Gaza, warns that protests and economic shutdowns may encourage the enemy.

Captivity survivor Eli Sharabi:

'The terrorists ate four meals a day while starving us'

Captivity survivor Eli Sharabi recounts the harsh conditions of Hamas captivity: “They ate three or four meals a day, while we survived on a single bowl of pasta.”

Shabbos Kestenbaum:

Israeli protests misplace anger over hostage crisis

US-based activist says demonstrations demanding Netanyahu resign and hostages’ release misdirect anger at Israel instead of Hamas, harming the cause.

Report

Hamas planning to move hostages to combat zone to stop Israel

Saudi media reports that Gaza's terror groups are considering moving the living hostages to Gaza City in an effort to stop Israel from conquering the city. Israeli sources dismiss reports as propaganda.

Tel Aviv:

Hundreds of thousands gather to call for release of hostages

Over 400,000 people gathered at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, demanding the release of Hamas-held captives, with organizers warning: 'Don’t let them turn to ash.'

Week before the massacre

New footage of the kidnapped Armored Corps soldiers

New footage released today (Sunday) shows armored fighters Omer Neutra, Oz Daniel, and Nimrod Cohen just a week before their abduction on October 7.

'I miss you'

New footage of Matan Zangauker in captivity

The family of hostage Matan Zangauker released new footage seized by the IDF in Gaza, showing him sending love to relatives and urging friends to keep fighting for his release.

Smotrich to Netanyahu:

Order a charge into Gaza, we'll have victory before winter

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich dismissed nationwide protests as a failure, urging Prime Minister Netanyahu to ignore pressure and order the IDF to fully defeat Hamas in Gaza.

Hirsch, Ben-Gvir clash over prison visit to terrorist Barghouti

PMO Hostages Coordinator Gal Hirsch urged Minister Ben-Gvir to lower rhetoric after his prison confrontation with Marwan Barghouti, warning it could endanger the hostages.

President Herzog meets family of abducted Nepalese student

After visiting Hostages Square, President Isaac Herzog met the family of abducted Nepalese student Bipin Joshi, urging the international community to help secure his release.

Hostages Square

Mock wedding for Israeli hostage and girlfriend

At Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, Ilana Gritzewsky held a symbolic wedding to partner Matan Zangauker, still in Hamas captivity, vowing to fight until his safe return.

Hostage’s father:

Protests Aim to topple gov’t, not free hostages

Avishai David, father of hostage Evyatar David, accused nationwide protests of exploiting hostages’ suffering for political purposes, saying their real aim is to oust the government.

'Day of Disruption'

32 arrested for rioting, blocking roads, across the country

Police arrested 32 protesters during nationwide demonstrations led by the Hostages’ Families Forum and anti-government groups, as roadblocks, clashes, and disruptions hit major cities.

PM: Protests are hardening Hamas' stance

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Cabinet meeting: 'Calls to end the war without victory delay the release of the hostages and guarantee an endless war.'

Injured soldier:

'The strike is at my personal expense'

Wounded armored soldier, Kfir Zar, calls on the protesters to look at his and his comrades' injuries and stop the strike that is harming those who have fought for them and for the return of the hostages.

Politicians respond to protests:

'Solidarity for our hostages turned into a political campaign'

Israeli politicians respond to country-wide protests for hostages in Gaza, saying that protesters are turning solidarity for our precious hostages into a political campaign and strengthening Hamas.

President Herzog:

'International leaders, stop being a bunch of hypocrites'

President Isaac Herzog Hostage Square and met with families. Herzog urged the international community to pressure Hamas and insist on the hostages immediate release.

'Just The Beginning':

Day of Disruption begins with protests across Israel

This morning (Sunday), families of hostages and members of the October Council protst movement launched a nationwide protest dubbed the 'Day of Disruption' to end the war with a hostage deal.

Mother of hostage opposes nationwide strike

Iris Haim, mother of hostage Yotam Haim, opposes the strike, warning it would divide Israelis, damage the Israeli economy, and benefit Hamas without helping the hostages.

Tomorrow:

Wave of protest strikes expected nationwide

Tomorrow (Sunday), hundreds of rallies, demonstrations, and public displays are set to take place across Israel, calling for the immediate return of the hostages.

Report:

New document reveals Hamas shift on hostage deal

A new document reportedly presented to PM Netanyahu reveals that Hamas has changed its approach, now open to a "partial deal" for the release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza.

'Promises must be kept'

Captivity survivors urge Katz to bring hostages home

Captivity survivors and families of hostages hold Shabbat reception outside the Defense Minister's home: "We are here to tell all the hostages - we are fighting for you! The people of Israel stand here together, we will not give up."

'We have no grave to visit'

Today should have been Meny Godard's 75th birthday

The family of Meny Godard, murdered on October 7 and whose body is held in Gaza, issued a heartfelt plea on what would have been his 75th birthday: bring him home.

Hostage's brother furious at UEFA’s double standard

Just one day after UEFA displayed a massive anti-Israel banner in Italy, the family of hostage Rom Braslavski was barred from holding signs calling for his return at a match in Bucharest.

Netanyahu

'Only our principles for concluding the war will bring security'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once again presented the five conditions set by the cabinet for ending the war.

'Be the President of Peace'

Captivity survivors, murdered hostages' wife appeal to Trump

Captivity survivors and wife of murdered hostage appeal to President Trump, warning expanded military activity endangers hostages and urging comprehensive deal for their release.

Autopsy finds

Itzik Elgarat was tortured to death in Hamas captivity

Danny Elgarat revealed his brother Itzik suffered fatal injuries under Hamas captivity, showing signs of torture including broken ribs and toes during interrogation.

UJA donates $1 million to Gaza:

Insanity or worse?

How nice to pat yourself on the back for your aid to the implacable enemies who are starving Jewish hostages, thereby joining the ranks of useful Jewish idiots in every generation. Opinion.

Report:

Egypt receives Hamas's demands for comprehensive agreement

Al-Arabiya reports that Egypt is working to finalize a comprehensive ceasefire deal in Gaza, expected by the end of August.

IDF eliminates terrorist who abducted troops on October 7th

The IDF and Shin Bet eliminated Abdullah Saeed Abd al-Baqin, a deputy commander of a Nukhba company who took part in the abduction of Ron Sherman, Nik Beizer, and Tamir Nimrodi.

The real reason for calling a strike:

Shutting the economy won’t help the hostages

When did cutting off one’s own nose ever succeed in spiting his foe’s face? The answer is that the protest movement considers Netanyahu a greater enemy than Hamas. Opinion.

Hostage's father:

How will paralyzing the economy bring back my son?

Tikva Forum member and father of hostage Eitan Mor warns 'October Council' protest planned for Sunday will harm Israelis and play into Hamas’ hands. 'The State of Israel must not surrender.'

Rubio:

'No peace in Gaza until Hamas is gone'

In a radio interview with Sid Rosenberg, Secretary of State Marco Rubio says peace in Gaza is impossible while Hamas exists, confirms Muslim Brotherhood is under review for terror designation, and dismisses European pressure on Israel as driven by domestic politics.

Grandson of hostages:

'Hamas must go, hostages must return'

Daniel Lifshitz, grandchild of hostages, calls for global pressure to free all Hamas hostages, 'Every family of a hostage is also a hostage until their loved one returns, we must leave no one behind.'

Mothers of hostages to Red Cross: 'They have no time left'

Mothers of hostages meet with Red Cross President in Geneva as health expert presents urgent medical reports.

Health Ministry Report:

Shocking conditions for hostages in Gaza

A newly released report from the Health Ministry’s Medical Division reveals the severe physical and psychological toll endured by hostages who were held in Gaza, painting a stark picture of the dangers still facing those who remain in captivity.

Released Hostage:

'Government abandoned us during and after the massacre'

Hostages and their families denounced the government in a meeting of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee today.

'The guilt stabs me'

Minister Waserlauf's tearful address to hostages' families

Minister Yitzhak Waserlauf expresses deep personal guilt and vows relentless efforts to secure the release of all hostages, declaring their plight a matter for the entire nation.

The new deal that will be proposed to Hamas

A new Egyptian-led proposal offers a full hostage exchange and calls for Hamas to disarm and accept IDF withdrawal under Arab-American and Turkish supervision.

Moving:

Message of hope to a hostage at his sister's wedding

At the wedding of Emunah Or, sister of hostage Avinatan Or, the rabbi spoke of love, faith, and hope for the swift return of all captives from Gaza.

Mike Huckabee, Yehuda Kaploun, Mike Walker:

Silence is complicity

Truth is not buried in policy papers or press releases; it lives in the voices of grieving families and the hollow eyes of hostages still waiting for rescue. Opinion.

Bereaved parents dispute claim of unified support for strike

Bereaved mothers Laly Dery and Ofra Lax dispute Channel 12 News report of unified support for strike to shut down Israeli economy next week.

Netanyahu: We are on the verge of concluding the war

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clarifies remarks from Sunday's press conference, underlines commitment to all hostages - both living and deceased.

Hostage's father to Netanyahu:

'No more soldiers to waste'

Tzvika Mor, father of hostage Eitan Mor, urges that the goal of military operations must be to defeat Hamas, not to push for negotiations.

Software giants to join strike aimed at forcing end to war

Hi-tech companies to allow employees to join strike showing 'solidarity' with hostages' families, hope to bring Histadrut into group of strikers.

Supreme Court to state:

Justify your conditions for ending the war

Justice Khaled Kabub gives state until Aug. 24 to explain how and to whom it must account for its decisions on ending fighting and securing hostage releases.

Netanyahu presents five conditions for ending the war

In English-language press conference, PM vows to finish Hamas’s defeat, rejects starvation claims, outlines post-war Gaza plan, and says Israel will win 'with or without the support of others.'

MK Rothman: We've turned the hostages into an asset for Hamas

MK Simcha Rothman criticizes government's approach to hostage crisis, says if Hamas isn't defeated, hostages are at risk, stressing Hamas must view hostages as a burden, not an asset.

Hostage families declare economic strike over Gaza conquest plan

Hostage families and families of the fallen from the October 7th attack announced that they plan to shut down the economy next Sunday, August 17th, in protest against the Cabinet's decision to conquer Gaza.

Captivity survivor:

During last moments in captivity, I prayed aloud

Hamas captivity survivor Eliya Cohen recalls experience in captivity, says he lives with feelings of guilt every day. 'Make a deal that will bring everyone back.'

Palestinian-American mediator cuts ties with US negotiating team

Dr. Bishara Bahbah, a mediator close to President Trump, says Israel and US left Doha talks too soon, claims gaps with Hamas were bridgeable and will now work independently.

Rubio:

'Giving Hamas statehood would be a reward for terrorism'

Secretary of State Marco Rubio addresses the Gaza conflict, emphasizing that Israel must determine its security strategy and criticizing international moves that have emboldened the Hamas terrorist group.

Demands ceasefire

Canadian Prime Minister slams Israel’s Gaza plan

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemns Israel’s plan to take over part of Gaza, stating it would worsen the humanitarian crisis and endanger hostages.

Netanyahu:

'We will free Gaza from Hamas, not occupy it'

Prime Minister Netanyahu clarifies Israel’s objectives in Gaza, stating the plan approved by the Cabinet aims to demilitarize Gaza, establish a peaceful civilian administration, and prevent future threats to Israel, while securing the release of hostages.

Protest outside DM's home

'Until they return, it’s not Shabbat for us'

Captivity survivors and families of hostages hold Kabbalat Shabbat in front of Defense Minister Israel Katz's home: "On Fridays in captivity, we would make kiddush over water and say the blessing over bread. Until all the hostages return, we will not have a real Shabbat meal.”