Hostages in Gaza

Yarden Bibas reveals meeting with Sinwar in captivity

Captivity survivor Yarden Bibas shares his longing for his friend David Cunio, who is still held by Hamas in Gaza. "Sinwar promised me we’d stay together, but we were separated."

'I had to survive for them':

Edan Alexander recounts harrowing Hamas captivity

In first meeting with former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, freed hostage Edan Alexander reveals source of his strength: Knowing his Golani brothers were fighting for him.

Tortured, starving, alone:

Matan Zangauker’s dire condition in Hamas captivity

Shocking new details paint grim picture of Matan Zangauker’s life in Hamas captivity: severe weight loss, physical decline from a degenerative disease, psychological torture, and isolation. 'I don’t know if he can hold on,' his mother says.

Chief of Staff to Gazans: We aren't the ones who started this war

In bold message from the battlefield, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir reminds Gazans that Hamas — not Israel — is to blame for Gaza’s suffering, adds that Hamas can release the hostages or face the consequences.

Handwritten note by Matan Zangauker found in Gaza

A handwritten note by Matan Zangauker, containing his name and ID number, found in an underground Hamas compound in Gaza and delivered to his mother, Einav.

Watch:

Captivity survivor Omer Shem Tov throws out first pitch in Boston

Omer Shem Tov, who was abducted by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and freed after 505 days in captivity, attends Jewish Heritage Night at Fenway Park, throws out ceremonial first pitch.

Boehler:

'Israel's operation strengthens prospects for a hostage deal'

Speaking at JPost Conference in New York, US hostage envoy Adam Boehler says a hostage deal is closer than ever, attributing progress partly to Israel's renewed ground offensive against Hamas in Gaza.

Neutra Family:

'Bringing them home is not political — it’s a people’s issue'

Orna and Ronen Neutra recall their son Omer's dedication as a lone soldier, his tragic fate on October 7th, and their ongoing efforts to advocate for hostages held by Hamas.

Report:

Eliminated terrorist abducted and held Arbel Yehud

Ahmad Sarhan, who was reportedly eliminated in an IDF special operation this morning, was said to have overseen the abduction and captivity of Arbel Yehud.

White House:

Trump wants to see all hostages released and the end of the war

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt states that President Donald Trump has conveyed to Hamas his desire for the release of all hostages.

Hostage's brother:

'No humanitarian aid until all hostages are home'

Hostage families from the Tikva Forum call on government to stop humanitarian aid to Gaza: 'political echelon displaying weakness.'

Minister Bezalel Smotrich:

'Humanitarian aid a necessity, will not reach Hamas'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich defends limited aid to Gaza, insisting it won’t reach Hamas and is vital to securing military and strategic support for Israel’s war effort.

'Our fates were bound in hell'

Sagui Dekel-Chen embraces fellow hostage Edan Alexander

Following heartfelt hospital visit, former hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen recounts shared captivity with newly-released Edan Alexander, who revealed harrowing details of Hamas abuse and the moment he learned his family was fighting for him worldwide.

Former hostage Arbel Yehud:

'I survived in Holocaust conditions'

Hostage survivor Arbel Yehud delivers emotional testimony, describing severe abuse and pleading for return of remaining hostages, including her partner. 'I came to cry the cries of the other hostages,' she says.

Gantz:

'Fight with Hamas will take years—hostages don’t have that time'

At the Jerusalem Conference in NYC, National Unity Party chairman Benny Gantz calls on Israel and the world to act urgently to free the remaining hostages held by Hamas.

Congressman Lawler:

'World doesn’t understand the horror of Hamas captivity'

Speaking at the Jerusalem Conference in NYC, Rep. Michael Lawler condemns Hamas for holding 58 hostages and calls it “barbaric.” He urges Qatar to exert more pressure and stresses that peace depends on Arab normalization with Israel.

Minister Miki Zohar:

'We’ll annex Gazan land until the hostages come home'

Speaking at the Jerusalem Conference in NYC, Minister Miki Zohar vows Israel will hold territory in Gaza until all hostages are freed, rejects a Palestinian state and expresses support for application Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria.

'I touched death'

Keith and Aviva Siegel share their captivity story

Freed Hamas hostages Keith and Aviva Siegel share their harrowing ordeal at the Jerusalem Conference in New York City, urging global action to free the 58 remaining captives. Keith: “Please do whatever you can to help us bring them all back.”

Hostage’s mother:

'The UN chose terror over Israeli lives'

At the Jerusalem Conference in New York, Ayelet Samerano, mother of hostage Yonatan Samerano who was kidnapped by an UNRWA worker, delivers an emotional plea for the return of her son and 57 other hostages. “The people of Israel live—and we will not stop until all our loved ones return.”

Israeli Eurovision Star:

'My real victory will be when the hostages return'

Yuval Raphael, Israel’s Eurovision 2025 star, returned home to a hero’s welcome after securing second place in the international song contest.

Operation Gideon's Chariots:

'Nothing will stop us except the return of the hostages'

IDF Spokesperson Effie Defrin announced this evening that the new operation is intended to provide 'all necessary flexibility to bring the hostages back.'

To avert full Gaza operation

Report: Trump administration offers new ceasefire deal

Updated offer proposes 45-60 day ceasefire for release of 10 hostages and prisoners, with new provisions hinting at path to end the war.

For a 2-month ceasefire

Hamas willing to release up to nine hostages

A senior Hamas leader told CNN that the terror organization was willing to release between seven and nine hostages in exchange for a two-month ceasefire and release of 300 terrorists.

'Bring Them Home!':

NY Gov. Kathy Hochul delivers fiery speech at Israel Day parade

New York Governor Kathy Hochul channeled JFK and called for the return of Israeli hostages still held after 589 days. “Bring them home,” she declared, vowing unwavering support for Israel from the Empire State.

‘Every day was suffering’

Hamas hostage survivors speak out in NYC

Keith and Aviva Siegel, survivors of Hamas captivity, speak at Israel Day on Fifth Parade in New York, calling for continued efforts to free the remaining 58 hostages.

Israeli official:

We're optimistic, but there was no breakthrough in Qatar

An Israeli official warned Hamas that if no progress is made in the negotiations shortly, Israel will intensify its operations in Gaza.

PMO admits:

Israel prepared to end war to return all hostages

Netanyahu's office admitted that the Israeli negotiating team in Doha is discussing the possibility of an agreement to end the fighting and release all the hostages while disarming Gaza and Hamas.

Watch:

Phone call between Edan Alexander & President Trump

Following his releade last week, Edan Alexander told President Trump, “You’re the only reason I’m here. You saved my life.”

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.

Full scale ahead:

IDF broadens Gaza offensive, launches 'Gideon's Chariots'

IDF announces launch of Operation "Gideon's Chariots," expanding its Gaza campaign to seize strategic areas, defeat Hamas, and secure hostage release.

Israeli official:

Gaza offensive to begin if no hostage deal reached in coming days

Senior Israeli official warns that if a hostage deal isn’t reached within days, the IDF will launch an offensive in Gaza with no pauses. While mediators proposed a new framework in Doha, Israel remains firm on the original Witkoff plan.

Hamas threatens to harden stance in future hostage negotiations

Hamas threatens to adopt a tougher approach in future hostage exchange talks, citing unmet conditions following its release of IDF soldier Edan Alexander, demands immediate aid to Gaza and a permanent ceasefire.

Hostage's father to UN:

'We're here with a message in the name of the deceased'

Ruby Chen, father of hostage Itay Chen, addresses the United Nations Security Council and says the UN cannot declare an end to the war in Gaza if all of the hostages are not returned.

Doha pessimistic

Qatari PM blasts Israel's 'bad signal' on Gaza

Qatari PM Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani questions Israel's commitment to meaningful negotiation on a ceasefire, fails to mention Hamas’s previous refusal to release hostages.

Father of Golani soldier:

Edan Alexander stayed on base instead of my son, saving him

Simon, whose son served with Alexander in the Golani Brigade's 51st Battalion, revealed that his son got to stay home on the weekend of the massacre because Edan volunteered to remain on base.

Hamas won't rule Gaza

Witkoff's new hostage deal framework

Witkoff plan, backed by Trump and international mediators, seeks extended ceasefire and hostage release while excluding Hamas from future governance in Gaza.

Former hostages to Netanyahu:

Don’t waste this Diplomatic momentum

Survivors of Hamas captivity appeal to Israeli leadership and US President Trump to sustain negotiations for the release of all hostages.

Moving moment

Hostage's mother stops to hug son's picture in airport

Ditza Or, mother of abducted Avinatan Or, stops to hug and update his photo at Ben-Gurion Airport before departing to the US with Yesha Council Chairman Yisrael Gantz for an awareness campaign.

Douglas Murray to Arutz Sheva:

'No hierarchy of hostages, no excuse for antisemitism'

At the European Jewish Association (EJA) conference in Madrid, author and commentator Douglas Murray delivered a powerful defense of Israel's right to self-defense and condemned what he called the 'triple standard' applied to the Jewish state.

Released hostages and influential figures thank President Trump

Hostages and Missing Families Forum launch a campaign, with several released hostages, political voices, and media figures, to thank President Trump

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.

Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor awarded to German President

President Herzog awards Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor to German President Steinmeier, in a ceremony marking 60 years of diplomatic relations and highlighting moral leadership, solidarity, and and urgent need to bring all hostages home.

Hostage's sister gets engaged

Emuna Or, sister of Avinatan Or who is being held hostage in Gaza, is engaged to Mordechai Meir Noam Schreiber, 'We are praying that Avinatan will be here to dance with us at our wedding.'

Steve Witkoff's touching gesture to released hostage

Steve Witkoff's touching gesture: President Trump's envoy presents precious keepsake to Hamas captivity survivor Edan Alexander

Freed hostage tells Trump: Life got better after election

Edan Alexander tells US President Trump his treatment improved significantly after the election, in first call following release from Hamas captivity.

Alexander Family:

Witkoff was calling US officials at 3 AM to share the good news

Released hostage's father thanks US President Trump, urges continued negotiations to free remaining hostages.

'Home sweet home'

Edan's first Instagram story after being released

Released hostage Edan Alexander posted a photo of him with the words: 'Home sweet home.'

Herzog to Edan Alexander:

'Welcome home, beloved son of Israel’

President tells released hostage, ‘You were in the hearts of half the world,’ and praises his family’s strength and resilience.

Backchannel via Bahbah:

How covert talks freed Edan Alexander

Pro-Trump Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah reportedly served as key intermediary in covert talks with Hamas.

Witkoff to families:

Trump will not tolerate anything less than full hostage return

US envoys Witkoff and Boehler meet with hostage families in Tel Aviv, affirm full US commitment to securing the return of all 58 hostages.

Netanyahu to Edan Alexander: 'All of Israel embraces you'

Freed soldier Edan Alexander speaks with PM Netanyahu and President Trump after release from Hamas captivity; US envoy praises Israeli leadership in emotional exchange.

'A Beacon Of Hope':

Steve Witkoff visits Hostages Square after Edan's release

In a visit to Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff called the release of Edan Alexander “a beacon of hope” for the families of the remaining hostages and credited key international players for their roles in the breakthrough.

Former NSA Chief:

Trump is a friend, not a messiah

Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Yaakov Amidror urges Israelis to rely on their own strength, says US support under Trump is welcome but limited by American interests.

Edan Alexander speaks with President Trump

Steve Witkoff and Adam Boehler meet Alexander at Tel Aviv’s Ichilov Medical Center, Witkoff praises his resilience and reaffirms US commitment to bring all hostages home.

'An Underground City:'

Former ISA official predicts years of fighting in Gaza

Following the release of Idan Alexander from Hamas captivity, former ISA field coordinator Ilan Segev warns that despite the joy, the road to rescuing the remaining 58 hostages is long and fraught with complexity.

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.

Burning questions unanswered

Unanswered questions about the Israeli Hostages, the Pope, President Trump, and Rabbis who do not seem to know what the Torah says. Op-ed.

Hamas:

'Release of Alexander a prelude to negotiations for ceasefire'

Senior Hamas official says the release of Alexander could advance a ceasefire, IDF withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the start of Gaza's reconstruction, and a "just" exchange deal.

Kamala Harris:

'Edan is free — now free them all'

Former US Vice President welcomes Edan Alexander’s return, warns against complacency in efforts to return the remaining hostages.