Hostages in Gaza

Trump:

Judea and Samaria are 'going to work out very well'

US President Donald Trump responds to questions about annexing Judea and Samaria, deadline for hostage release.

'Hostages are Hamas' insurance policy'

Arab affairs analyst says Hamas is 'flexing its muscles' and does not intend to give up leadership of Gaza easily.

Hamas Trump Witkoff Bibi Bibas Hostages Terrorists

Does the Trump-Witkoff-Netanyahu Deal have an unwritten secret annex that Phase Two never will reach fruition? Op-ed.

Smotrich's ultimatum:

Harm a hostage and we'll annex 5% of the Gaza Strip

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich calls on Israel to set an ultimatum for Hamas if it would continue to delay the release of hostages.

Shlomo Mansour's daughter-in-law:

We hoped he would return in the deal, we received the bad news

Chana Mansour eulogized her father-in-law, who was abducted and murdered by Hamas, and lamented: 'Since he was abducted, a dark cloud has been over us, but we hoped he would be released.'

Hostage's son to Arutz Sheva:

'Despite everything, more hostages will return on Saturday'

Yizhar Lifshitz, whose father, Oded, is being held by terrorists in Gaza, says he believes that despite Hamas's threats, the hostage deal will continue as planned.

IDF:

Shlomo Mansour, 86, was murdered on 10.7, Hamas holding his body

The family of Shlomo Mansour was notified that he was murdered in Hamas captivity on October 7th, 2023. 'He was a father, grandfather, a true friend, and Kissufim's beating heart.'

Family of hostages Gali and Ziv Berman receive sign of life

The family of twin hostages Gali and Ziv Berman sent a message to their kibbutz: 'We know whose hands they are in and how much their lives are at risk.'

Niece of hostage:

'If hostages aren't returned, stop the aid to Gaza'

‎Yael Savariego, niece of hostage Lior Rudaeff whose body is being held in Gaza, demands that aid to Hamas be stopped following the terrorist group’s announcement that it would be suspending the implementation of the hostage deal.

Trump threatens Hamas:

'Release all the hostages by 12:00 p.m. on Saturday'

US President warns Hamas that if all hostages in Gaza are not released by 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, the ceasefire should be cancelled, but leaves the decision to Israel.

Freed hostage's cousin confronts Minister Smotrich

Eyal Calderon, cousin of Ofer Calderon who was freed from Hamas captivity, interrupts Smotrich's remarks during a meeting of the Religious Zionist Party, before being removed by security.

Ben-Gvir proposes law to block aid to Gaza

Itamar Ben-Gvir is pushing for Israel to legally forbid transferring humanitarian supplies to Gaza in response to Hamas suspending the hostage deal.

Released hostage's mother:

'Romi Gonen to undergo complex surgery'

Meirav Leshem-Gonen, mother of released hostage Romi Gonen, says the young women who returned from Hamas captivity 'are not okay, to lose 20% of your weight is not okay.'

Yarden Bibas released from hospital

A week and a half after being released from Hamas captivity, Yarden Bibas is released home from the hospital. 'Path to healing will not be complete until Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir return.'

Psychological terror:

Father of released hostage shares chilling message with Knesset

Father of released hostage Arbel Yehud shares emotional account of psychological tactics used by Hamas: 'I didn’t believe hostages had become a political debate, until I returned to Israel.'

Louis Har recalls the moments of his heroic rescue

Louis Har, rescued from Hamas captivity one year ago, tells Kan Reshet Bet that in those moments, 'I became one of the soldiers.'

Hostage's girlfriend:

'You don't know I'm alive'

Ziv Abud, girlfriend of hostage Eliya Cohen, posted on social media, after hearing released hostages' testimonies: 'You don't know I'm alive.'

Brother of freed hostage:

'Eli's return is the victory of the people of Israel'

Sharon Sharabi, brother of Eli, and Michael Levy, brother of Or, speak about their brothers' conditions one day after they were freed by Hamas.

Trump:

'The three hostages looked like Holocaust survivors'

US President says Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben Ami and Or Levy, who were freed from Hamas captivity "looked like Holocaust survivors” and warns Hamas: At some point, we're going to lose our patience.

Diaspora Minister:

'No more pathetic doormat than the Prime Minister of the UK'

Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli criticized PM Starmer for failing to condemn Hamas in a statement about the released hostage Eli Sharabi's condition.

Captivity survivor's daughter:

'My father went through horrors, it's worse than I thought'

Ella, whose father Ohad Ben-Ami was released from Hamas captivity, delivered remarks: 'We haven't even begun to hear and delve deep into the inferno and hell that he was in.'

Ohad, Or and Eli watched one of the hostages collapse

Terrorists choked the hostages, tied them up, tied their mouths with rope and strangled them, hung them by their legs and burned them with hot objects.

Pres. Herzog shows Fox News before and after photos of hostage

During an interview to Fox News, President Isaac Herzog displays photographs of Eli Sharabi before and after captivity, 'Israel, as the only democracy in the Middle East, fights for the entire free world.'

'Wounded, not being treated'

Sign of life from hostage Alon Ohel

The family of Alon Ohel, who was abducted by Hamas terrorists on October 7th, received for the first time a sign that he is alive.

New York City:

Councilwoman quits Caucus for silence on Hamas treatment of women

Councilwoman Inna Vernikov left the NYC Council's Women's Caucus after it failed to unequivocally condemn Hamas's actions against Israeli women.

Father of Oct. 7th hero:

'We want to hug each one that Aner saved'

'Or Levy's release from captivity was very emotional; we want to meet him, we feel close to all survivors,' Father of Aner Shapira, murdered at the Nova Festival on 10/7, says.

Until they all return:

Daily vigil to be held at Western Wall for return of hostages

Tehillim vigil will be held daily at 1:00 PM at the Western Wall to pray for the return of all the hostages until the very last one comes home.

President Herzog to BBC:

'Hostages were starving and badly bruised'

President Herzog told BBC about the harsh conditions the hostages endured for 491 days of captivity.

Footage from Bangkok:

Released Thai hostages return home, reunite with their families

The five Thai hostages released last week from Hamas captivity reunited with their families after nearly 500 days apart.

'The hostages were in locations where there was humanitarian aid'

Dr. Einat Yehene, head of rehabilitation in health for the Hostages Famly Forum, says Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben-Ami, and Or Levy were 'intentionally starved.'

Gallant charges:

'Gantz and Eisenkot's resignation harmed return of hostages'

Former Defense Minister claims that the military pressure exerted by the defense establishment was not translated into diplomatic achievements, partly due to changes in leadership.

UN chief calls for ceasefire, silent on freed hostages

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls for permanent ceasefire in Gaza, does not mention frail condition of freed hostages. Former Israeli Ambassador to the UN: You don’t give a damn about the security of the people of Israel. Shame on you. Resign!

British PM on Eli Sharabi:

'I was dismayed to see his frail condition'

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who met with family of freed hostage Eli Sharabi, comments on his release: We must continue to see all the hostages freed. These people were ripped away from their lives in the most brutal circumstances and held in appalling conditions.

Eli receives horrific news: His wife and daughters were murdered

Eli Sharabi, returned to Israel after 491 days in captivity, is informed that his wife Leanne and daughters Noya (16) and Yahel (13) were murdered in the October 7 massacre, and his brother Yossi was killed in captivity.

First hug - after 491 days:

Or and his son Almog meet for the first time

Or Levy, released from Hamas captivity after 491 days, reunites with his three-year-old son Almog.

Pres. Herzog on hostages' state:

'This is what a crime against humanity looks like'

'Whole world' must see how Ohad, Eli, and Or starved and emaciated, were exploited in a cynical and cruel spectacle by Hamas, Israeli President Isaac Herzog says.

Hostages' testimonies:

'They did not see daylight, they were starved and abused'

Testimonies reveal that hostages Eli Sharabi and Or Levy were held in a tunnel during their entire time in captivity, were not exposed to media and did not know about the events of the October 7th massacre.

Former Hostage:

'It was a nightmare, I will not forget IDF's sacrifices'

Former hostage Karina Ariev gave a recorded address to a rally in Hostages Square: 'I do not forget for a moment the sacrifice of the IDF soldiers. Do not forget this unity, it is what saved us.'

'They will pay the price'

Netanyahu: We have again seen the monsters of Hamas

We will do everything to return all of our hostages, but Hamas will not be there. We will eliminate Hamas, and we will return our hostages,' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promises.

Wrapped in a tallit:

Sharon Sharabi meets his freed brother Eli, says 'Shema Yisrael'

Heartbreaking: Sharon Sharabi meets his brother Eli in Sheba Medical Center after Eli returns from Hamas captivity, wraps Eli in his tallit and says, 'Shema Yisrael.'

Hamas' brutal show:

World horrified by hostages' condition, Hamas's show

British, US, and German representatives rush to condemn Hamas' cruel 'release ceremony,' note emaciated states of released hostages Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben-Ami, and Or Levy.

Israel to mediators: 'We will not ignore this'

Gal Hirsch, Israeli Coordinator for the Hostages and Missing, promises that Israel will not ignore the conditions of released hostages Ohad Ben-Ami, Eli Sharabi, and Or Levy, who were filmed gaunt and pale at their 'release ceremony.'

Eighty years later:

Medical source: 'Just like the Jews in concentration camps'

Health Ministry's General Medicine Division head responds to condition of returning hostages, says, 'We saw malnutrition which proves the horrors they suffered.'

Watch: Eli Sharabi arrives at hospital, wrapped in Israeli flag

Released hostage Eli Sharabi arrives at Sheba Medical Center, walking erect and wrapped in an Israeli flag.

Or Levy meets his family: 'We waited so long for you, sweetie'

Watch the moving moments when released hostage Or Levy first meets his family in Sheba Medical Center.

Ohad Ben-Ami after his release: 'I have a ton to make up'

Watch the emotional reunification of Ohad Ben-Ami with his daughters and brother, after he and his wife arrive at Ichilov Hospital.

Thin and pale:

Eli Sharabi, Or Levy, and Ohad Ben-Ami released from captivity

The Hamas terror group held a cynical 'ceremony' leading Ohad Ben-Ami, Eli Sharabi, and Or Levy onto a stage in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza.

Yarden Bibas:

'As long as my family is still in Gaza, everything here is dark'

Yarden Bibas, who was freed from Hamas captivity and whose wife and two young boys remain in captivity, in first public message: Unfortunately, my family has not yet returned to me. As long as they are there, everything here is dark. Help me bring the light back into my life.

After 491 days in captivity

Or Levy, Eli Sharabi and Ohad Ben Ami to be freed

Hamas to free hostages Or Levy, Eli Sharabi and Ohad Ben Ami from captivity on Saturday.

Moving meeting:

Former hostages identified aunt's voice in captivity

Professor Ruhama Albag, aunt of former hostage Liri Albag, gave an interview to Kan Reshet Bet about the Shavuot holiday. Liri, Naama, Karina, Daniella, and Agam heard her voice and drew strength from her message.

Israel waits for names of fifth group of hostages to be released

Israel waiting for Hamas to announce names of hostages to be released Saturday, as Hamas fumes over Trump announcement and Israeli delegation readies for talks in Qatar.

New testimonies from captivity:

Hostages tell of severe physical and psychological violence

Released hostages say they were subjected to severe physical violence, forced to eat rotten food and were humiliated.

Resolving the Gaza “Custody Battle”

This might be the capstone of Trump’s Mideast Peace Negotiations harkening back to the successes of his first term. Opinion.

Trump to hostages' families:

'I will not rest until they return'

President addressed captivity survivor Noa Argamni, who was in the crowd, calling her an inspiration.

Gadi Mozes returns to Nir Oz:

'I hope to soon return and work the fields'

A week after being released from Hamas captivity, Gadi Mozes returns to his home in Nir Oz. 'I hope to soon return and work the fields and contribute to the rebuilding of Kibbutz Nir Oz.'

'I'm finally home'

Daniella Gilboa comes home and plays the piano

IDF lookout Daniella Gilboa returns to her home in Petah Tikva, after being released from Beilinson Hospital, where she had been since being freed from Hamas captivity in Gaza.

Watch:

Released hostages plant trees as they leave hospital

In a moving ceremony, the five IDF lookouts who returned from Hamas captivity planted olive trees at the entrance to Beilinson Hospital.

Hostage's parents in DC:

'US and Israeli leaders both must focus on recovering hostages'

Ronen and Orna Neutra, parents of hostage Omer Neutra, explained their message to President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu in an interview with Arutz Sheva from Washington DC.

Watch:

Released hostages leave hospital and return home

The five IDF lookouts who returned from Hamas captivity were discharged from Beilinson Hospital and were met with great excitement by crowds that waited outside their homes.

Times Square video highlights Bibas family's suffering

Video ad featured in Times Square features Kfir and Ariel Bibas with their mother, demands: 'Hamas, where are the Bibas babies?'