Hostages in Gaza

The highest prayer for the hostages in the world

Ten Jewish men set out to carry a Torah scroll more than 6,000 m up the Himalayas to hold the highest prayer for the hostages in the world.

'Victory will bring the hostages'

Netanyahu: We won't give up on victory in Gaza

Netanyahu on the Houthis: 'The US, in coordination with us, is acting against them. It's not boom and finished, but there will be booms.'

Captivity survivor: We returned to life but can't truly heal

Crowd gathers in Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, with released hostages recounting their experiences and sharing their pain at the captivity of the remaining hostages.

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.

King Charles to Herzog:

'Our thoughts and prayers remain with the hostages'

King Charles III sends official letter of congratulations to President Isaac Herzog on the occasion of Israel's 77th Independence Day, expresses solidarity with the people of Israel and acknowledging the ongoing pain of those still held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.

Hersh's mother reveals shocking details about her son's murder

Rachel Goldberg-Polin, mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin who was murdered while in captivity, speaks to diplomatic staff stationed in Israel, reveals details about her son's murder in a Hamas tunnel.

Trump:

Fewer than 24 hostages are still alive

President Donald Trump said that released hostages told him that 24 hostages were still alive and now it is the number is probably lower.

Captivity survivor:

'I always believed I would return, those still there will return'

Released hostage Omer Shem-Tov speaks at President's Residence ceremony honoring outstanding soldiers. 'I always knew there was someone taking care of me.'

Watch:

Captivity survivor Agam Berger plays violin alongside Dudu Fisher

Captivity survivor Agam Berger plays an ancient violin and accompanies Dudu Fisher during the broadcast of the torchlighting ceremony marking the start of Independence Day celebrations.

Bereaved father:

'We are not families of bereavement, but families of heroism'

'Yom Hazikaron is a day of brokenness, meriting Independence Day,' Rabbi Yoram Eliyahu, father of Sergeant first class (res.) Yedidya Eliyahu, who fell in Gaza, says.

Chilling testimony:

Released hostage eulogizes his wife and two daughters

Released hostage Eli Sharabi eulogizes his wife and two daughters, who were brutally murdered on 10/7 describing their love, humility, and kindness and promising, 'We will never forget you.'

Romi Gonen at her friend's grave:

'In captivity I tried to convince myself you were still alive'

Captivity survivor Romi Gonen parted from her friend Gaya Halifa, who was murdered at the Nova Music festival.

UK press regulator defends claim terrorists are 'hostages'

Independent Press Standards Organisation in the UK dismisses complaint against Scottish newspaper that claimed hundreds of terrorists freed in hostage deal were "hostages."

Hostage survivor joins Israeli singer in emotional song

In a Yom Hazikaron event hostage survivor Sagui Dekel Chen joins Idan Raichel in singing 'Children of Life.'

Netanyahu mentions number of hostages, Sarah whispers ' fewer'

PM's wife whispers 'fewer' after Netanyahu notes 24 hostages still alive, during meeting with Independence Day torchbearers.

Hostages' families warn:

Bodies of deceased hostages could become unrecoverable

A Hostages and Missing Families Forum medical report outlines several risks to the bodies of the deceased hostages still being held in Gaza.

Minister Dermer:

'In 12 months, the war will end, and Israel will win'

Minister for Strategic Affairs responds to questions at a conference in Jerusalem: "Many more countries will want peace with Israel, but the key to that is victory."

Report:

Significant breakthrough in Gaza ceasefire negotiations

Cairo-brokered ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas are reportedly making headway, though disagreements persist.

Yarden Bibas:

'No independence while they are still there'

Released hostage Yarden Bibas posted a sobering message for the approaching Independence Day.

Captivity survivor to Trump:

'I saw tortures taken from the Middle Ages'

Freed hostage Keith Siegel begs US President Donald Trump, 'I saw tortures taken from the Middle Ages, we must bring them all home.'

Hostage's parents:

Alon lost one eye, the other can be saved

The parents of the hostage, Alon Ohel, attacked the international organizations providing aid to Gaza but not caring for their son: 'What country provides medical care to one side, knowing that there are wounded hostages in danger who are not receiving medical care?'

Bereaved father:

Bereaved father talks about his son faith

'My son's mission, apparently, was to save souls from the Jewish Nation,' Rabbi Elchanan Danino, father of Ori, who was murdered in Hamas captivity admits.

State Comptroller:

We have access to military materials, we're auditing failures

Israel's State Comptroller, Matanyahu Englman, revealed that in addition to auditing the failures that led to the October 7th Massacre, his office is looking into the government's treatment of the hostages and their families.

Qatar:

Some progress achieved in mediation efforts with Hamas

Qatar’s Prime Minister says after meeting with Mossad chief David Barnea that some progress has been made in efforts to end the war.

Freedom and Love:

The haunting art of Yarden Bibas

Yarden Bibas, a released hostage who lost his wife and two sons, displayed an emotional art piece at the exhibition at Ben Gurion Airport calling for the return of the hostages.

Qatari Prime Minister:

Qatar-gate - 'Baseless propaganda'

Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Al Thani said that allegations that his government employed aides of the Israeli Prime Minister have 'no basis in truth.'

European Broadcasting Union:

PLO flag permitted at this year’s Eurovision

A flag bearing the symbol of the hostages complies with the rules, but it was clarified that any symbol inciting hatred or violence violates the law.

After the visit to Auschwitz:

Ori Megidish and Shai Abramson lead Havdalah ceremony

IDF lookout Ori Megidish, who was rescued from Hamas captivity, and Chief Military Cantor Shai Abramson lead the Havdalah ceremony at the conclusion of the "Israeli Shabbat" initiative held as part of the March of the Living.

Released hostage:

Matan Angrest suffered repeated electric shocks

Released hostage Ron Krivoi tells parents of kidnapped IDF soldier Matan Angrest that he was held with their son in a small cage in a tunnel, where they suffered extreme starvation.

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.

Released Hostage:

'God, thank you for the miracle'

Released hostage Eliya Cohen celebrated his first birthday after being freed today, surrounded by his family and friends.

Chief of Staff in Gaza:

'If hostages don't return, we will escalate our operations'

Chief of the General Staff conducts situational assessment in Rafah on Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Sign of life

Omri Miran sobs in video: 'I miss my family'

The family of the hostage Omri Miran authorized the publication of parts of the Hamas psychological terror video of him. 'The situation here is very difficult.'

Moving:

Captivity survivor and 10.7 orphan take the stage in Auschwitz

Daniel Weiss, who lost both his parents in the October 7th Massacre, and former hostage Agam Berger performed the song 'Shir L'Maalot' at the March of the Living in Poland.

Keith Siegel pleads:

'We Must Bring Omri Back Now'

After seeing a Hamas video of Omri Miran, who spent time with him in captivity, captivity survivor Keith Siegel turned to President Trump and called on him to help.

Eli Sharabi in Auschwitz:

'The Jewish people will exist forever'

Released hostage Eli Sharabi joined the March of the Living, spoke near the Auschwitz crematoria and called for the release of all 59 hostages remaining.

Hamas called wife of released hostage to threaten him

Released hostage Tal Shoham shares that Hamas continued to threaten his wife even after setting her free.

Moving footage from Auschwitz:

Holocaust survivors and captivity survivors sing 'Hatikvah'

Holocaust survivors and Hamas captivity survivors gather at the crematoria of Auschwitz, pray together for the remaining hostages, sing Israel’s national anthem "Hatikvah," and declare: "Am Yisrael Chai".

Hamas publishes sign of life from Omri Miran

The Hamas terror organization published a sign of life on Wednesday from the hostage Ormi Miran.

Hostage's father:

'On 10/7 we were abandoned, just like in the Holocaust'

Chaim Hayman, father of Inbar, murdered in Hamas captivity, speaks to Knesset Holocaust Remembrance Day Committee and connects the Holocaust to October 7 massacre.

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.

Mother of freed hostage:

'Hope and faith in God sustained Eliya during captivity'

Sigi Cohen, mother of Eliya who returned from captivity, discusses in interview with Arutz Sheva-Israel National News the complex emotions accompanying the family since his return. "Eliya strengthened those who were with him in captivity."

Trump clarifies:

'No role for Hamas in Gaza's future governance'

US President firmly states that Hamas will not govern Gaza post-war, emphasizing US opposition to the group’s role.

Security Cabinet to decide on continuation of activities in Gaza

Cabinet members are divided on the correct rate at which military pressure should be increased.

Report:

Egypt and Qatar propose new ceasefire deal

According to a Palestinian Arab official, the mediators proposed a deal that would include, among other things, a 5-7-year ceasefire and the release of all hostages.

Netanyahu:

'We'll destroy Hamas rule and return the hostages'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared at a memorial ceremony for fallen Irgun fighters that Israel will realize its goals: overthrowing the Hamas regime, returning the hostages, and thwarting any future threat from Gaza.

Independence Day

Hamas captivity survivor Eli Sharabi to light torch

Minister Miri Regev has announced that Eli Sharabi, who survived over a year in Hamas captivity and demonstrated extraordinary leadership to assist his fellow hostages, was selected to light an Independence Day torch.

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.

Emily responds:

I have been granted the privilege, Am Israel Chai!

Captivity survivor Emily Damari responds to the announcement that she will light a torch at the Independence Day opening ceremony.

Independence Day:

Bereaved father and released hostage to light torch

Released hostage Emily Damari and Oren Smadja, who lost his son in Gaza, will jointly light a torch on Independence Day.

Closure:

Eliya Cohen prays at the exact spot he was captured

Released hostage Eliya Cohen returned to the roadside bomb shelter where he was captured to don Tefilin and pray.

"Just a little longer"

The cry of the hostage families at the Gaza border

The grandmother of Edan Alexander states at the Gaza border, "Grandma doesn't give up on her grandson! Grandma is strong for her grandson."

'Just believe':

Hostage's father sends his son a message of strength

Adi Alexander calls on the Trump administration to hold direct negotiations with Hamas for release of the hostages and sends a message to his son: 'No one has forgotten you, we are fighting for your release.'

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.

Captivity survivor:

'I told Trump that he'd been sent by G-d to save us'

Released hostage Omer Shem Tov turns to US President Donald Trump, asking him to use his power to bring the remaining 59 hostages home to their families. 'They need a miracle, too.'

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.

Brother of hostage:

'Siege on Hamas until hostages return'

Roi Baruch, the brother of hostage Uriel Baruch whose body is held in the Gaza Strip, asked MK Tzvi Succot to exert pressure on the government not to carry out a partial deal.