Hostages in Gaza

Brother of hostage:

'Just one MK came to comfort my family'

During a discussion in the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Danny Elgarat revealed that only a single MK from the coalition offered condolences after his brother's body was returned.

Marco Rubio:

Direct talks with Hamas were 'one-off situation'

US Secretary of State says the talks between hostage envoy Adam Boehler and Hamas have not "borne fruit," will not be repeated.

Trump envoy Witkoff:

'We need deadlines for the release of the hostages'

US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff tells Fox News the conditions the hostages have been kept in are 'deplorable' and deadlines are needed for the release of the remaining hostages.

Pita with yellow ribbon:

Hostage families' Purim gifts to MKs

Hostage families give Knesset members a pita wrapped in a yellow ribbon with a message from a released hostage. Hostage Nimrod Cohen's family confronted Minister Chikli.

After backlash

Trump's envoy clarifies: Hamas are by definition bad people

Trump’s envoy for hostages, Adam Boehler, issues clarification after coming under fire for justifying his secret talks with Hamas leaders: Hamas is a terrorist organization that has murdered thousands of innocent people. They are BY DEFINITION BAD people.

Agam Berger celebrates release with prayers and Challah ceremony

Released hostage Agam Berger held a special thanksgiving ceremony at a Tel Aviv synagogue this weekend, including the ceremonial taking of Challah and a prayer for the remaining hostages.

Defense establishment admits:

We did not properly estimate where the hostages were

After questioning several hostages who returned from captivity, the defense establishment understood that it did not properly estimate the locations where some hostages were being held.

For the first time:

Emily Damari and Romi Gonen visit Hostages Square

The two survivors of Hamas captivity left their hospital beds in the rehabilitation department and traveled to the square in Tel Aviv. 'One square with so much strength, emotion, hope, and prayers.'

Adam Boehler:

'Hamas interested in disarming, not threatening Israel'

Special envoy for the hostage negotiations Adam Boehler claimed that Hamas is interested in ending the conflict in favor of a US-supervised truce.

Released hostage shares a miracle from his time in Gaza

Omer Shem-Tov gives the miraculous story of how he said the Shabbat Kiddush for five months from a seemingly endless bottle of grape juice.

Report:

US demands Hamas release all captive US citizens unconditionally

PA media reports Trump Admin. withdrew from understanding that 250 terrorists would be released in exchange for the 5 remaining American hostages, demanding they be released unconditionally.

Hamas:

'The next released prisoners will free Jerusalem'

Zaher Jabareen, head of Hamas in Judea and Samaria, stated that 'We will not rest until the last prisoner goes home with his head high.'

Report: Hamas agrees to extend first stage of ceasefire deal

Al Hadath reports Hamas agreed to US initiative to extend first stage of ceasefire deal in exchange for the release of several living hostages; Hamas denies report.

Netanyahu's office:

Israeli delegation to leave for negotiations in Qatar

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirms Israeli delegation to leave for Qatar on Monday to negotiate advance negotiations to free hostages.

US advancing:

Initiative to release hostages - without Israel's involvement

US holding negotiations with Hamas to extend ceasefire in exchange for release of some hostages. Israeli source: 'Negotiations are being held above our heads.'

Mother of hostage:

'It's like I had a new daughter'

Shira Albag, mother of released hostage Liri, shares her experiences reconnecting with her daughter.

In Arabic:

Captivity survivor's message to hostages still in Gaza

Released hostage Karina Ariev sends Arabic-language message to hostages still held captive by Hamas, quoting from Isaiah.

Eliya Cohen to bereaved families: We are here because of you

Eliya Cohen, freed from Hamas captivity, thanks bereaved families for their sacrifice, says hostages were released because of them.

Trump Shocked:

'Wasn't anyone there kind? The hostages said no'

President Trump expressed his shock at the treatment of the hostages during an Oval Office press conference.

Progress on talks for deal's second stage? Israel denies it

Hamas claims progress on negotiations for second stage of deal, Israeli source clarifies: 'Not familiar with progress on talks at this stage.'

New York Times:

41 hostages died in captivity so far

A report reveals that 41 out of the hostages taken by Hamas died in captivity, some executed by Hamas, some mistakenly killed by Israel, and others whose cause of death is unclear.

Report:

Israel expressed outrage over secret US-Hamas talks

Axios reports that Israel’s deep concerns over secret negotiations between the Trump administration and Hamas resulted in heated exchange between Minister Ron Dermer and US envoy for hostages Adam Boehler.

Freed hostages urge Netanyahu:

'Bring the remaining hostages home now'

More than 50 hostages who were freed from Hamas captivity write letter to Netanyahu, call for the continuation of the deal with Hamas and the release of the 59 hostages who still remain in Gaza.

Psychological terror

Matan Angrest to Trump: Bring us home as quickly as possible

Family of Matan Angrest approves publication of a video released by Hamas which contains a sign of life from Matan: We are shaken by the video we just saw, in which we see our Matan looking drained and desperate.

Hamas publishes sign of life of hostage Matan Angrest

Hamas releases video of soldier Matan Angrest, kidnapped on 10/7 from a burning tank in Nahal Oz.

"I never lost hope"

British PM Keir Starmer meets freed hostage Eli Sharabi

Released hostage holds emotional meeting on Friday with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street.

Captivity survivor:

'I hope there will be a grave to visit on Memorial Day'

Noga Weiss, kidnapped to Gaza during the October 7 massacre and released from Hamas captivity in a November 2023 deal, says she cannot find closure until Hamas releases her father's body for burial. 'I haven't yet said goodbye.'

Trump on Hamas:

‘Somebody's going to have to get a lot rougher’

Trump asked whether the US and Israel could take military action against Hamas if the group doesn't release hostages: "You're going to find out. I put out a statement, it's sort of self-explanatory, I think, but somebody's going to have to get a lot rougher than they're getting."

Witkoff:

Trump said 'I've had enough' of Hamas's behavior

US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff speaks to reporters about the status of the hostage talks, states US citizen Edan Alexander's release is a top priority for the administration.

'With G-d's help we will succeed'

Released hostage Daniella Gilboa's message of unity

Survivor of Hamas captivity Daniella Gilboa published a video of her singing the song 'I'm Coming Home' and sent a message to the people of Israel: 'The most important thing is to be united.'

'You are a national hero'

President Herzog meets with released hostage Tal Shoham

President Herzog visited the home of former hostage Tal Shoham. 'All of Israel is moved to see you.'

Released hostage:

'I saw the evil in their eyes, I thought it was my end'

'I saw the evil and hatred in their eyes, I was sure they were going to slaughter us,' released hostage Liri Albag reveals.

Released hostages hold meeting with PM Netanyahu and wife Sara

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and wife Sara meet released hostages Tal and Adi Shoham, listening to their experiences, offering support, and promising to do everything to free remaining hostages.

'We're doing everything to free you':

Sasha Troufanov sends moving message to friend in captivity

Released hostages Sasha Troufanov sends moving message to friend left behind in Hamas captivity, explains, 'I can't disconnect from the people who stayed behind.'

Released hostage recalls meeting with Sinwar in Gaza's tunnels

Margalit Moses, kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7 massacre and released in November 2023, tells of her dream to return to her kibbutz and rebuild her home.

Captivity survivor Sasha Troufanov

From Hamas' tunnels to the Western Wall Tunnels in Jerusalem

Former hostage Sasha Troufanov visits Western Wall, in a journey of hope and resilience.

Hostages' families:

Death and destruction of Gaza - or the hostages released now

Tikva Forum for hostages' families calls on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to seize opportunity offered by US President Donald Trump, set deadline for Hamas' release of all hostages at once, on a single bus. 'The ball is in your court.'

'It’s a miracle I’m alive'

Hostages tell Trump of captivity horrors

Watch: Eight freed hostages who met US President Donald Trump in the White House tell the President of some of the horrors they experienced during captivity.

Hamas official confirms talks with Trump administration

Senior Hamas official states that even during the Biden administration, there were attempts to hold discussions with representatives of the administration to reach a partial deal for the release of hostages with US citizenship.

'You were our hope'

Freed hostages thank Trump

US President meets a group of hostages who were recently released by Hamas. Naama Levy: “You were our hope when you were there, and now you're their hope.”

Trump warns Hamas:

'Release all the hostages now or it is over for you'

President Trump issues ultimatum to Hamas after meeting recently freed hostages: You can choose. Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you. This is your last warning!

Minister Katz:

US President's support is a strategic asset that we must maintain

Minister of Defense Israel Katz addressed the General Staff Forum on Wednesday in its first meeting after Eyal Zamir assumed the position of Chief of Staff.

Human Rights Council:

UN Special Rapporteur report presents hostage-taking as torture

Dr. Alice Jill Edwards, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, presented her report to the Human Rights Council in which she highlighted the Hamas war crimes, hostage-taking, and sexual violence.

Report:

Trump Admin. holding secret direct talks with Hamas over hostages

US hostage envoy Adam Boehler reportedly engaged in the first direct talks between the US and Hamas in decades over the remaining American hostages and chances for a deal to end the war.

Hostages' families meet with UNHRC

Idit Ohel told the UN Human Rights Council how her son Alon is chained in a dark tunnel, starved, beaten, and at risk of losing his sight.

Harvard police investigating tearing down of Bibas posters

Man wearing university employee badge filmed tearing down posters posted by Harvard Chabad with the faces of Ariel and Kfir Bibas, chanting 'resistance is justified.'

Half of all terrorists serving life sentences released

274 terrorists serving life sentences released in first stage of hostage deal, 300 remain in prison.

UN:

Hostage families to be recognized as victims of Hamas terrorism

UN special envoy to present report recognizing Hamas' psychological terrorism against hostage families as violation of international laws of war.

Ohad Yahalomi, killed in Hamas captivity, is laid to rest

Funeral for Ohad Yahalomi, kidnapped to Gaza on October 7 and murdered in Hamas captivity, begins in Rishon Lezion; he will be buried in Kibbutz Nir Oz.

Trump in Congress speech:

'Zelenskyy is ready to come to the negotiating table'

Hamas captivity survivors and families of hostages expected in attendance as US President addresses Congress for the first time in his second term. Trump briefly mentions the hostage issue: "In the Middle East, we’re bringing back our hostages from Gaza."

Former hostages to attend Trump's State of the Union tonight

Iair Horn, Keith and Aviva Siegel, Noa Argamani, and Omer Shem Tov, along with the families of hostages still in Gaza, invited to attend the US President's annual address to Congress and the nation.

Watch:

Freed hostage Eliya Cohen leaves hospital to songs of joy

After completing the required medical tests, Eliya Cohen was released from Beilinson Hospital to the sound of singing from his family and staff.

After a week and a half:

Captivity survivor Omer Wenkert returns home

Survivor of Hamas captivity Omer Wenkert, who was released from Hamas captivity a week and a half ago, was discharged from Beilinson Hospital.

Eli Sharabi to meet Trump:

'Saving lives is our goal, we will fight to the end'

Released hostage Eli Sharabi is meeting with US President Trump tonight 'on a mission to restore hope to the hostages'.

Omer Shem Tov's father:

Faith kept him and us strong the entire time

Malachi Shem Tov tells Arutz Sheva about his son's resilience in captivity and how Omer worked to maintain his Jewish identity. 'They would recite the Kiddush for five months on a bottle of grape juice that they received.'

Uncle of Hostage:

'Maximum pressure on Hamas, we need them all back now'

Micha, uncle of hostage Eitan Mor, urges the government to abandon Steve Witkoff's plan, saying that it prolongs the hostages' suffering.

Without direct involvement

Hamas agrees to committee to manage Gaza

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem says that the organization agrees to the establishment of a local management committee for the Gaza Strip, in which it will not be a member.

Moving footage:

Yarden Bibas dedicates Torah scroll in memory of his family

Yarden Bibas, who lost his family in Hamas captivity, received a personal Torah scroll that will accompany him. He wrote three letters in the scroll, which was dedicated before the funeral procession.

1st photo of hostage Matan Angrest in captivity released

Six months after the first sign of life from kidnapped soldier Matan Angrest, a photo of him from captivity was published tonight.

Defense Minister:

If Hamas doesn't release hostages, the gates of hell will open

Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a threatening message to Hamas this evening demanding the release of the hostages: "We will return to fighting and they will meet the IDF with strength and in ways they have never known."