Hostages in Gaza

Bibas family:

'Yarden feels good, he's strong and amazing'

Bibas family issues statement following Yarden Bibas' release from Hamas captivity, thanks public for support. 'We can finally breathe.'

Witkoff to released hostages:

'President Trump could not be happier for your return'

The four hostages who returned last week met with US special envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff and thanked him and all those involved in securing their release.

Herzog to Thai FM:

'Thai hostages are our brothers'

President Isaac Herzog met with Thailand’s Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa. He welcomed the return of the five hostages and stressed his concern for all the remaining hostages.

Interior Min. awards residency status to released Thai hostages

Interior Minister Moshe Arbel announced at a meeting with Thailand's Foreign Minister, that he has decided to grant residency status to the five Thai hostages released from captivity.

Daniella Gilboa:

'The only thing that saved me was faith'

Daniella Gilboa, who was released from Hamas captivity, shared that from the moment she was abducted, she waited to recite the thanksgiving blessing.

Infuriating comparison:

BBC news presenter calls Israeli hostages 'prisoners,' apologizes

BBC news presenter Nicky Schiller referred to the three Israeli hostages released yesterday as 'prisoners,' similar to the term used for the terrorists imprisoned in Israel.

Beit El Yeshiva Dean:

The hostage deal and its implications

Dean of the Beit El Yeshiva and leading Religious Zionist Rabbi, Shlita, delivers a lecture about the current agreement that frees hostages in exchange for freeing terrorists, and includes retreating from areas in Gaza.

Little food and severe abuse:

Keith, Yarden, and Ofer were held in harsh conditions

Hamas terrorists treated Ofer as if he were a reservist. Yarden underwent severe psychological abuse, with the terrorists constantly talking about his wife and young children.

Biden:

'Keith Siegel was freed as part of deal my team and I negotiated'

Former US President welcomes release from Hamas captivity of Keith Siegel, who also holds US citizenship: I look forward to the remaining hostages, including additional Americans, being reunited with their families.

'Thank God, I am home'

Karina Ariev in first social media post

Karina Ariev, one of the IDF lookouts who were freed from captivity, publishes her first post on social media since being freed: I was held captive by Hamas for a year and three months. Today, thank God, I am home, in Israel, with my family and my people.

Netanyahu:

'Our thoughts are now with the remaining hostages'

Israel's leaders and the families of the hostages responded Saturday evening to the release of the hostages, expressing joy for those released and determination to recover the rest.

Released hostage:

'I'm here thanks to you, and I'm okay'

Released hostage Doron Steinbrecher tells attendees at Hostages Square rally: 'Thanks to everyone who supported and embraced, thanks to all of the soldiers, and the security forces.'

Netanyahu after hostages' release:

'Our steadfast stand proved itself'

'We'll continue to take determined action to bring hostages back home, and achieve all of our objectives for the war,' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says.

Released hostage testifies:

'It was very hard for Yarden, his fear was very great'

Tami Metzger, released in a November 2023 prisoner swap deal, tells of her time in captivity alongside Yarden Bibas and Ofer Calderon.

Watch:

'Dad, that's it, it's over - now you're with us'

Ofer Calderon, 54, kidnapped with his children to Gaza during the October 7 massacre, reunites with his children and other family members in Israel, after 484 days in captivity.

Bibas family: Yarden has returned to an unbearable reality

After meeting his father and sister in Re'im, released hostage Yarden Bibas arrived at Sheba Medical Center, where he met his mother Penina. His wife Shiri and children Ariel and Kfir are still in Gaza.

Siegel family reunites:

'Dad, you came back to us!! You're a hero for surviving!'

Watch the emotional reunion as released hostage Keith Seigel meets his family after 484 days in captivity.

After 484 days in captivity:

Keith, Ofer, and Yarden returned to Israel

Hostages Keith Siegel, Yarden Bibas, and Ofer Calderon were released Saturday from Hamas captivity.

After 484 days in captivity

Yarden Bibas, Ofer Calderon, Keith Siegel to be released tomorrow

Hamas submits list of three male hostages who are scheduled to be released from captivity. The release is scheduled to take place in the early morning hours of Saturday from two different points in the Gaza Strip.

White House:

'Trump is committed to the release of all remaining hostages'

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt: Trump’s working meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister next week emphasizes his continued support for Israel and ensuring that brutal terrorists in that region have hell to pay.

Watch:

Gadi Mozes' first Shabbat dinner with his family

Freed hostage Gadi Mozes, 80, enjoys Shabbat dinner with his family for the first time in 482 days.

Freed hostage's mother:

'She was held in UNRWA facilities and denied medical treatment'

Mandy Damari, mother of Emily Damari who was freed after 470 days in captivity, reveals during conversation with British PM that her daughter was held in UNRWA facilities in Gaza: It's a miracle that she survived.

Arbel Yehud's father:

'She in reasonable health, considering the hell she endured'

Yechi Yehud, father of Arbel who was freed from captivity after 482 days, delivers public statement from Sheba Hospital: She survived heroically until the very end, displaying immeasurable courage.

Bibas family:

'We face very difficult days'

Ahead of Yarden Bibas's expected release from captivity, his family asked: 'Please, protect Yerden's heart and respect his privacy and the privacy of the family in the coming time.'

Agam Berger's father to Trump:

'History will never forget your generosity and leadership'

Merav and Shlomi, the parents of returned hostage Agam Berger, delivered remarks at the hospital.

Liri Albag's first social media post after leaving captivity

In her first social media post after being released from Hamas captivity, Liri Albag thanked the people of Israel for their support and the security forces for their sacrifice.

Watch:

'Dad's coming! Dad's on the list!'

Wife and daughter of Keith Siegal react with joy to learning of his impending release tomorrow after 484 days in captivity.

Sivan Rahav-Meir:

What I learned from Meirav Berger, Agam's mother

Thank you, Meirav, for reminding us about the big story and making us more connected to it.

The wickedness perpetrated by Hamas can never be undone

The hostages are returning from the depths of Gaza, but “safe and sound,” in this case, is a relative term. Opinion,

Lucy Aharish:

'I felt nauseous; as a Muslim woman, I am ashamed'

News anchor Lucy Aharish speaks harshly about the Gazans who nearly lynched Israeli hostage in Gaza. 'Every Muslim must apologize to Arbel.'

Watch:

Former Thai hostages welcomed back to Israel

Thenna Pongsak, Sathian Suwannakham, Sriaoun Watchara, Seathao Bannawat, and Rumnao Surasak arrived at Shamir Medical Center-Asaf Harofeh and were welcomed by Thai Ambassador to Israel Pannabha Chandraramya and the medical staff.

New details:

Arbel Yehud was held in isolation for 482 days

Freed hostage says the shocking scenes seen in Gaza today do not show a tenth of the cruelty that she experienced in Gaza.

IDF Spokesperson:

'Hamas responsible for putting hostages' lives at risk'

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagar delivers statement on release of 3 Israeli and 5 Thai hostages, including the mobs that surrounded the hostages as they were being released.

I chose faith, returned with faith:

Agam's message after release from Hamas captivity

Agam Berger, who was released from Hamas captivity, conveyed a message to the nation as she returned to Israel: 'Thank you to everyone in Israel and to our heroic IDF soldiers.'

Netanyahu:

'Whoever dares to harm our hostages – will pay the price'

Prime Minister welcomes the return of 3 Israeli hostages today, reacts to disturbing scenes of Gazans surrounding them during their release.

Hostages Coordinator:

'These are moments of joy but the mission is return all hostages'

The Israeli Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing Brig.-Gen. (Res.) Gal Hirsch, responded today to the release of Israeli and Thai nationals, vows to the remaining hostages that 'we will neither rest nor be silent until you are home.'

Hostage families:

'Hostages cannot wait for more negotiations'

Hostage families say prayer of thanks at Hostages Square for release of hostages Agam Berger, Arbel Yehud and Gadi Mozes and call for completion of deal.

"I will do everything in my power to rebuild Nir Oz

'I will do everything I can to rehabilitate Nir Oz'

After 482 days, elderly former hostage embraces his family and vows to rebuild his community after the 10/7 massacre.

Watch:

Agam Berger reunites with her family

After 482 days in Hamas captivity, Agam Berger embraces her family and the other freed IDF lookouts at Beilinson Hospital.

After disturbing scenes:

Israel receives commitment for safe exit of hostages from Gaza

PM Netanyahu had ordered the freezing of the release of terrorists after mobs of Gazans and Hamas terrorists surrounded the vehicles carrying the hostages who were released today.

Following chaos in Khan Yunis:

Israel delaying release of terrorists slated to be freed in deal

Following scenes of chaos and violence in Khan Yunis, political echelon orders release of 110 terrorists to be delayed.

Infuriating footage from Gaza:

Masses of terrorists surround Red Cross vehicles

Hostages Gadi Mozes, 80, and Arbel Yehud, 29, were transferred to the care of the Red Cross on Thursday afternoon, after 482 days in captivity.

Pres. Herzog:

Scenes were horrifying, they endured hell with amazing bravery

Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomes Israelis Arbel Yehud and Gadi Mozes, five Thai citizens, to Israel, says 'scenes of abuse and terror towards the hostages' during release were 'horrifying.'

Like mother, like daughter:

Agam kept Shabbat and kosher - even during captivity

Liri Albag, who was held together with Agam Berger in captivity, tells Agam's mother details about her time in captivity.

Parashat Bo:

As the hostages come home

They were not alone in the tunnels but with G-d and the love of their people. That gave the hostages a reason to live. It gave them the ability to transcend.

Watch live:

Hostages Arbel Yehud and Gadi Mozes minutes before release

Islamic Jihad publishes footage of hostages Arbel Yehud and Gadi Mozes, who have been handed over to Hamas and are expected to be released soon. Agam Berger, held by Hamas, to be released from Jabaliya.

With the family's approval:

Sign of life received from Gadi Mozes one year ago

One year after the family of hostage Gadi Mozes received a sign of life from him, the family has allowed it to be publicized, in light of his imminent release.

The saga of the Bibas children proves Hamas must be destroyed

Kfir and Ariel Bibas must be the last Jewish children ever taken or held captive by antisemites. To ensure that, Hamas must be destroyed. Totally. Opinion.

Arbel Yehud, Agam Berger, and Gadi Mozes to be freed tomorrow

PMO says it has received the names of the 3 hostages who will be released by Hamas tomorrow. 5 Thai citizens will also be released.

Davidi Ben Zion:

Liri gave us spirit, the war against our enemy will continue

Special interview with Davidi Ben Zion, Dep. Samaria Governor & Chair. of 'Achdut Yisrael'. Ben Zion is a friend of the family of released hostage Liri Albag and he participated in the war in Gaza and Lebanon.

'I haven't slept for two days'

Liri Albag's father apologizes to bereaved families

Eli Albag apologizes to bereaved families who were hurt by his remarks criticizing those who opposed the hostage release deal: I haven't slept for two days because of this. First and foremost, I apologize.

Hostage's sister to Trump:

Thanks to you - I can hug my sister again

Yarden Gonen, whose sister, Romi Gonen, survived captivity and was released after 471 days, expressed her gratitude to Presidents Trump and Biden, as well as the IDF soldiers, the Almighty, and more for their role in making the deal happen.

Released hostage talks about her relief in 'finally being home'

Naama Levy says that she spent the first fifty days of captivity, 'mostly alone, but after that I was with my friends.'

Romi Gonen's grandmother:

'She said: 'Hug me and don't move'

Devorah Leshem, the grandmother of released hostage Romi Gonen, recounted the first time she hugged her granddaughter after her return from Gaza: 'It was the best thing the hug that I got from Romi.'

Rachel Goldberg-Polin:

I'm happy young women are coming home, grieving for my only son

Rachel Goldberg-Polin, mother of hostage Hersh who was executed by Hamas, shares her feelings about the hostage deal in light of the tragedy that struck her family.

Itzik Elgarat's brother:

'My brother was apparently killed in captivity'

Dani Elgarat, the brother of the hostage Itzik Elgarat, said: 'My brother is on the list of the hostages who are supposed to return now and he is apparently not alive, but rather among the eight deceased.'

Son of Hostage:

'One of the survivors said they took him away, I fear for him'

Yizhar Lifshitz expressed deep concern for his father Oded, who is still held by Hamas, and relates that some of the returned hostages gave him news of Oded's condition.

Released hostage recounts:

'I told Liri - you saved my life'

Amit Soussana recounts her fight against her abductors and the bravery and strength of her fellow hostage Liri Albag.

Hostage's father to Arutz Sheva:

'A deal of surrender and shame'

Tzvika Mor, father of Eitan who is being held captive by Hamas, sharply criticizes the hostage deal and warns of its consequences.

Trump’s Special Envoy meets Israeli hostage families at Auschwitz

On International Holocaust Remembrance Day today, families of Israeli hostages participated in the 80th anniversary commemoration of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, where they met with Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s Special Envoy to the Middle East.