Hostages in Gaza

Shiri Bibas was murdered in captivity

Shiri Bibas was murdered in the first weeks of the war, together with her children Kfir and Ariel. 'She was beloved by everyone who knew her, but above all, she was a dedicated mother.'

After 505 days in captivity:

Omer, Eliya, Omer, Avera, Tal, and Hisham are back in Israel

Hisham al-Sayed, Omer Wenkert, Eliya Cohen, Avera Mengistu, Tal Shoham, and Omer Shem Tov are back in Israel after being released from Hamas captivity.

Hamas claims:

'We handed the body of Shiri Bibas to the Red Cross'

Red Cross receives coffin from Hamas, which the group claims contains the body of Shiri Bibas. The coffin will be handed over to the IDF and from there will be transferred to the National Institute of Forensic Medicine.

Trump:

'Netanyahu is angry, and he should be'

US President says he would support whatever course of action Netanyahu decides to take following the murder of the Bibas children.

ZOA: 'Hell needs to rain down' on Hamas after Bibas family murder

Zionist Organization of America responds to murders of Bibas family, says, 'Hell needs to rain down on Hamas and PIJ, until they are destroyed and can never, never, ever harm another Jewish or other soul.'

Prime Minister's Office:

Israel received list of hostages to be freed Saturday

Earlier this week, reports said that six hostages were to be freed Saturday as part of the deal with Hamas: Tal Shoham, Omer Shem Tov, Eliya Cohen, Omer Wenkert, Hisham al-Sayed, and Avera Mengistu.

Netanyahu on Bibas murders: Today is a day of indescribable pain

'I vow that I will not rest until the savages who executed our hostages are brought to justice,' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promises.

Hamas confirms it did not give Israel Shiri Bibas' body

'Remains were mixed with other bodies due to IDF airstrikes,' Hamas terror group claims.

Agam found Rabbi Druckman's book in Gaza

After she read Rabbi Haim Druckman's book, Agam Berger understood that she was permitted to eat non-kosher meat if it is a matter of life and death.

Sharren Haskel:

Switching Shiri's body is a crime against humanity

Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel responds to Hamas' presentation of an anonymous body as that of Shiri Bibas, says Hamas is 'a death cult that needs to be eradicated from the face of the Earth.'

US envoy:

Hamas can return everyone - or face 'total annihilation'

United States Envoy for Hostages Adam Boehler responds harshly to Hamas' decision to return an anonymous body instead of that of hostages Shiri Bibas, warns, 'they're going to face total annihilation right now' if they don't release hostages.

October 7 and February 20:

Liberals, the coffins gave you a second chance you do not deserve

Four dead Jews and nine million living ones, through the gross humiliation they suffered at this corpse parade, have given you a second chance. Will you take it and save the West? Opinion.

American Jewish Committee:

'Hamas must be held fully accountable for their actions'

American Jewish Committee condemns Hamas after it was revealed that Kfir and Ariel Bibas were murdered while in captivity and the body of their mother was not returned: Just another horrific example of the unimaginable cruelty that Hamas has inflicted since October 7, 2023.

After murder of Ariel and Kfir:

Argentinian President declares two days of mourning

Argentinian President Javier Milei condemns Hamas after confirmation by Israel that Ariel and Kfir Bibas were brutally murdered in November of 2023: Their deaths stem from a single motivation - being Jewish.

'Peace will come with moral clarity'

OU condemns Hamas over murder of Bibas family

Orthodox Union comments on the latest developments in Israel: Peace will come when the world recognizes and upholds the human side of this conflict and erases the utter wickedness of the unrepentant promoters and celebrants of evil.

Washington, DC

CPAC Summit panel features emotional pleas from hostage families

Hundreds gather at CPAC National Summit in Washington D.C. for a special panel on hostages featuring testimonies of family members of hostages.

Ambassador Danon:

'UN cannot remain silent in the face of Hamas's barbarity'

Israel's Ambassador to the UN calls for condemnation of the Hamas terrorist organization: Hamas not only murdered Ariel and Kfir Bibas in cold blood – a four-year-old boy and a ten-month-old baby – but continues to violate every basic moral value even after their death.

'Severe violation by Hamas'

Kfir and Ariel identified, Shiri Bibas was not returned

IDF representatives inform the Bibas family that Ariel and Kfir Bibas have been identified. They were brutally murdered while in captivity in November of 2023. The additional body received is not that of Shiri Bibas. IDF: A violation of utmost severity by Hamas.

Steve Witkoff optimistic:

'We're making progress and hopefully it leads to good results'

US Special Mideast Envoy Steve Witkoff says he is optimistic that a resolution can be reached to progress to the second stage of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal.

'Whoever saves even 1 life'

Russian Chief Rabbi thanks Putin for release of Sasha Troufanov

Chief Rabbi of Russia, Rabbi Berel Lazar, meets Russian President Vladimir Putin following the release of Russian citizen Alexander Sasha Troufanov after nearly 500 days in Hamas captivity.

Herzog on American TV:

'What brings somebody to kidnap two toddlers in their pajamas?'

President Isaac Herzog spoke to international US-based media outlets, CNN and MSNBC, and highlighted the terrible cruelty Israel faces in its battle with Hamas terrorists.

Live from Hostages Square:

Ceremony in honor of the murdered hostages

Following the return of the bodies of four hostages, a ceremony is being held tonight at Hostages Square with the participation of Omer Adam, Ivri Lider, Hanan Ben Ari, and Roni Dalumi, alongside the families of the hostages.

Forensic Institute:

Oded Lifshitz murdered over a year ago

The National Institute of Forensic Medicine identified the body of Oded Lifshitz and found that he was murdered over a year ago in Islamic Jihad captivity.

Russian media echoes Hamas propaganda

Russian state-controlled RT uploaded posts blaming Netanyahu for the deaths of the hostages, calling Hamas terrorists 'resistance fighters.' Israeli Ambassador: 'RT demonstrated not only a lack of professionalism but also antisemitism and pure malice.'

Watch:

Jewish man undergoes circumcision, takes names of Bibas boys

Man in Netanya takes name 'Kfir Ariel' in honor of the two young children who were killed in captivity and whose bodies were finally returned today.

Released hostage Iair Horn discharged from hospital

Iair Horn, who was released from Hamas captivity last Saturday, was discharged from Ichilov Medical Center after completing all required examinations.

Netanyahu:

'The blood of our loved ones cries out to us'

PM says on the return of the bodies of hostages Oded Lifshitz, Shiri Bibas, Ariel Bibas, and Kfir Bibas that Israelis are all united in grief, nation obligated to deal with the murderers of Hamas.

'O God, do not be silent'

The Psalm read over the caskets of the deceased hostages

Considered an national elegy over the invasion of Israel by its neighbors, Chief Rabbi of the IDF, Brigadier General Eyal Krim read Psalm 83.

Coffins of four deceased hostages arrive at forensic institute

The coffins of Shiri Bibas and her sons Ariel and Kfir, and Oded Lifshitz, have crossed the border into Israel and arrived at the Abu Kabir forensic institute.

'Evil we have not witnessed'

Actor Michael Rapaport slams Hamas ceremony

Jewish actor Michael Rapaport slams Hamas 'release ceremony' held ahead of return of deceased hostages to Israel. 'The show being put on in Gaza is evil we have not witnessed in the modern era.'

Journalist shares:

'We dug with bare hands under fire to locate bodies of hostages'

Journalist Amir Ettinger, who served in the reserves in Gaza, reveals troops' extreme efforts to locate bodies of hostages: 'We dug for hours in the ruins, under fire, trying to find even a small remnant.'

To the sound of Hatikva:

Remains of four deceased hostages arrive at forensic institute

The four coffins were wrapped in Israeli flags by IDF soldiers and brought into Israel; IDF Chief Rabbi Eyal Karim reads Psalms during military ceremony in Gaza.

Watch: Mourning together at Hostages Square

Crowd gathers at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, waving Israeli flags and some wearing orange hats or shirts, in solidarity with the Bibas family.

Hamas to return bodies of Shiri Bibas, her sons and Oded Lifshitz

Handover of Shiri Bibas, her young sons Ariel and Kfir, and Oded Lifshitz, to begin at approximately 8:00 a.m.

Stefanik after hostage news:

'Never been more important to show our support for Israel'

Elise Stefanik, US Ambassador-Designate to the UN, stresses importance of support for Israel after announcement that the bodies of Shiri Bibas and her young sons Ariel and Kfir will be returned: This must not be Israel’s fight alone but a fight between good and evil.

Agam Berger reveals:

This is how I kept Shabbat and Mitzvot in captivity

Agam Berger, one of the IDF lookouts who was freed from Hamas captivity, meets Rabbanit Tzili Schneider, chairwoman of the "Kesher Yehudi" organization, reveals how she observed Shabbat and the holidays, and fasted on fast days.

Keith Siegel's daughter:

'Dad survived thanks to reciting blessings and Shema Yisrael'

Keith Siegel's daughter, Shir, tells of the strength her father found in the Jewish faith during his time in captivity.

Bereavement amid uncertainty:

Families of deceased hostages face trauma, loss, and neglect

New report reveals severe mental and physical toll on families of deceased hostages. Urgent findings presented in special Zoom briefing with health experts and parents of a hostage.

Bibas family:

'Entire country has become casualty officers knocking on door'

Ofri Bibas, the sister of Yarden Bibas, expressed anger over the publication of the list of names of the four hostages whose bodies will be returned tomorrow without the publication being coordinated with their families.

Netanyahu:

'Tomorrow will be a day of sorrow for Israel'

PM tells nation the return of the bodies of four hostages will be extremely painful. 'The heart of the entire world needs to be torn, because here we see who we are dealing with, what we are dealing with, what monsters we are dealing with.'

Kaddish and Psalms in Gaza:

IDF prepares to receive deceased hostages from Hamas

The IDF will receive the bodies of four slain hostages in the Gaza Strip with a full military ceremony.

Haredi minister to Keith Siegel:

I will continue to support every deal

Construction and Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf meets release hostage Keith Siegel at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, says his thoughts are always with the hostages still in Gaza. 'Your descriptions support what we knew - this is a matter of life-and-death, and about saving lives.'

'I'm ok'

Hostage Nimrod Cohen sent a message to his parents

Yehuda Cohen says his son sent him a message with two hostages who were recently released.

Jewish blood on their hands:

Ari Fuld's murderer to be released

Nael Barghouti, who murdered Mordechai Yekuel in 1978, and Abu Ghanem, convicted of murders of Haim Haviv, Alon Govberg, and Richard Lakin, in 2015, among terrorists to be released in hostage deal.

'Horrific news'

Chris Kenny tears up while reporting on Bibas family hostages

Sky News host Chris Kenny fights tears as he reports on Hamas' announcement that the bodies of Shiri Bibas and young sons Ariel and Kfir will be returned on Thursday.

Romi Gonen shares: Thankful for chance to live my life anew

Romi Gonen, released last month from Hamas captivity, gives thanks for her release and a second chance at life. 'Thankful for the merit of living this life anew, with an appreciation for every little thing.'

500 days in Hamas captivity:

Crowds pray for hostages at national event in Washington, DC

Attendees at national prayer event in Washington, DC give standing ovation as released hostage Noa Argamani calls: 'We have to continue to the second stage and make sure all our loved ones come back.'

Released hostage reveals:

'My brother and I were held together until the last day'

'The only thing I need is for you to bring my brother back,' says released hostage Iair Horn, who was held with his brother Eitan in a Hamas tunnel until his release.

As part of deal:

Gazans suspected of involvement in October 7 to be released

Under the agreement with Hamas, approximately 1,000 Gazans arrested after October 7 will be released, including Gazans who fired rockets, Hamas officials, and a Gaza resident who held hostages.

Senate Majority Leader:

'Imperative that hostages be returned as soon as possible'

Senate Majority Leader John Thune begins his speech at the Capitol with a call for the swift return of the remaining hostages being held by Hamas: I'm grateful that the Trump administration is making this a priority.

Macron supports Bibas family:

'France mobilized for the release of all hostages'

French President shares photo of Bibas family, after Hamas claims that Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas will be returned as part of the release of bodies of hostages: Shiri, Kfir, Ariel. Faces of innocence and love.

IDF asks public not to spread unverified rumors about hostages

The IDF urges the public to rely only on announcements from official sources and to refrain from spreading rumors that harm the families of the hostages and the public.

Minister Ron Dermer to lead negotiations on phase 2 of ceasefire

Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer has been appointed to lead Israel's negotiations on the second phase of the hostage deal with Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff.

Families announce:

These 6 hostages will be released on Saturday

The families of Tal Shoham, Omer Shem Tov, Eliya Cohen, Omer Wenkert, Hisham al-Sayed, and Avera Mengistu announce that they will be among the 6 living hostages who will be released this Saturday.

Shiri, Ariel & Kfir:

'We heard reports, haven't received official update'

Bibas family responds to Hamas reports on the return of their loved ones with the dead bodies: 'We haven't received any official update. Until we are certain, our journey will not end.'

Hostage's partner notified he will be released on Saturday

Hostage Eliya Cohen's partner, Ziv, announces she received notification he will be released on Saturday.

Hostage's wife to Hungarian Pres.:

'My daughters need their father'

President Herzog participates in state ceremony in Hungary and, together with Hungarian President, meets family of hostage Omri Miran and Holocaust survivor Aharon Shabo and his family.

Hamas to release 6 living & 4 deceased hostages by Saturday

Khalil al-Haya confirmed that the group has decided to release four bodies on Thursday and to release six hostages on Saturday, in return for the release of the Palestinian prisoners.

Israel's offer to Hamas

Heavy vehicles in return for 6 living hostages by Saturday

A senior Israeli official said that Israel would allow heavy vehicles to enter Gaza for the removal of rubble if Hamas would release six living hostages by Saturday.

Brother of freed hostage:

'Keith is thinking about those who are still in Gaza'

Brother of Keith Siegel, who was released from captivity, speaks about what strengthened his brother's spirit while in captivity, and about his feelings today.