Hostages in Gaza

Netanyahu to Shaul family:

'There is great sadness, but also great closure'

Prime Minister visited the family of Oron Shaul after his body was recovered from Hamas captivity: 'Now you live with the mourning, but not with the uncertainty.'

PM to freed hostages' parents:

'We didn't give up and we won't give up on the others'

Netanyahu speaks with the parents of the 3 hostages who were freed on Sunday. Families ask PM not to stop until all remaining hostages are returned.

'My sunbeam has returned'

Doron's sister posts first photo with her

Yamit Ashkenazi posted a picture with her sister, released hostage Doron Steinbrecher.

Sister of Hostage:

'I hope Liri knows she's coming home soon'

Shai Elbag, sister of Liri, who was kidnapped on October 7 from Nahal Oz, shared her feelings ahead of her sister's expected return from captivity.

Israel demanding that Arbel Yehud be released this Saturday

While Hamas is supposed to notify Israel on Friday which hostages will be released on Saturday, Israel is demanding that the 29-year-old Arbel Yehud be one of them.

Hostage's aunt:

'Distraught to think they selected between murdered bodies'

Father and aunt of murdered hostage Inbar Haiman, criticize hostage deal that leaves Inbar's body in Gaza. 'They selected between murdered bodies.'

'There's life after death'

Romi Gonen in first post after being freed from captivity

Romi Gonen, who was freed after 471 days in Hamas captivity, posts her first story on Instagram: I wanted to stop and say thank you to the people of Israel, family and friends.

Trump:

'We're thinking about going to the Middle East, but not yet'

US President says Biden's "weakness" allowed the October 7 massacre to happen. "Six months ago, you would have had 11 more living hostages. But Biden couldn't get it done."

President Herzog meets with Qatari Prime Minister

During their meeting, President Herzog thanked the Qatari Prime Minister for his significant efforts in advancing the ongoing hostage deal.

Russia:

Hamas promised to release Sasha Troufanov in good health

Russian Ambassador to Israel Anatoly Viktorov says the terror group promised Moscow that it would release its citizen, Alexander Sasha Troufanov, in good health.

Odeh shows no remorse:

'Most released detainees were never charged with a thing'

MK Ayman Odeh says that while it is unfortunate that people were hurt by the comparison between the hostages and the terrorists being released in the deal, 'I see and feel the suffering of two peoples.'

Hostage Deal:

Hostage's father seeks to use ICC warrants to press Netanyahu

Yehuda, father of kidnapped Nimrod Cohen, will meet with Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor of the ICC, to push for using arrest warrants to advance the hostage deal.

Hamas in official statement:

Next hostage release will be on Saturday

Hamas issues official statement, announces that the next phase of the hostage release will be on Saturday, not Sunday as had been reported earlier.

Trump meets freed hostages:

'We never stopped praying for you'

US President meets freed hostages as well as families of hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza during victory celebration in Washington: It should have never happened.

New details on the captivity of Romi, Emily, and Doron

The three hostages who were freed on Sunday were held in several hiding places, some of the time together and some of the time separated. They were held underground and in an apartment in Gaza City, among other places.

Ari Fuld's brother:

We fear this terrible deal while rejoicing for released hostages

Eytan Fuld shares his feelings as the terrorist who murdered his brother is scheduled to be released as part of the hostage deal and sends a message to Hamas: 'You will not rejoice from this release, Israel will win.'

Freed hostages' families:

'Without Trump's involvement, this moment wouldn't have happened'

The families of Emily Damari, Doron Steinbrecher, and Romi Gonen, who were released from captivity last night, gave their first public statement at Sheba Medical Center and thanked President Trump for his efforts in securing the release of their loved ones.

Steve Witkoff:

'Trump felt fulfilled when he saw the hostages & their families'

Steven Witkoff, US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy to the Middle East, describes how he and President Trump felt when they saw the first images of the 3 hostages meeting their families after they were freed yesterday.

At the inauguration:

Rabbi Berman prays for hostages' return and peace in Israel

In his prayer on the stage at President Donald Trump's inauguration Yeshiva University President Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman hinted at antisemitism on college campuses and added a prayer for the hostages.

Netanyahu congratulates Trump:

'I look forward to working with you to free the hostages'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Congratulates President Donald Trump on his inauguration, looks forward to work with the President on the return of all the hostages and other regional challenges.

The emotional reunions of the freed hostages with their mothers

Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher were able to hug their mothers for the first time in 15 months after they were freed from their Hamas captors.

Minister Sa'ar:

'Israel paying a heavy price for its commitment to its values'

Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar met with Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani and took the opportunity to congratulate President Trump on his inauguration.

'You are finally home'

Wolfson Medical Center removes Romi's hostage poster

The staff at the Pediatric ICU at Wolfson Medical Center excitingly removed the poster calling for the release of Romi Gonen.

IAF Chief during hostage release:

'Romi, Emily, and Doron, we are finally bringing you home'

IDF publishes the remarks of the Commanding Officer of the Israeli Air Force, Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, during the helicopter takeoff in preparation for receiving the hostages who were released yesterday.

Israel's dilemma: terrorists for hostages

Read and weep. Opinion.

Trudeau calls on Hamas to release all hostages

Resigning Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stressing importance of sticking to ceasefire deal, calls for release of remaining hostages.

Oron Shaul, whose body was rescued from Gaza, is laid to rest

Thousands attend the funeral of Oron Shaul, whose body was rescued from Gaza a decade after he was kidnapped and murdered by Hamas terrorists in Operation Protective Edge.

MK Avihai Boaron calls for ousting of Ayman Odeh

MK Avihai Boaron is collecting MK's signatures to call for ousting of Odeh from Knesset, after he compared hostages in Gaza to the terrorists released in the deal.

Senator Tom Cotton:

'Hostages still in Gaza because Biden didn't back Israel'

Republican Senator Tom Cotton defends Israel, saying deal with Hamas is bad: 'We shouldn't negotiate with terrorists, or ask Israel or any other country to negotiate with terrorists.'

Israel frees 90 terrorists in exchange for three hostages

Israel frees 90 terrorists in exchange for the three hostages who were freed from Hamas captivity. 78 of the terrorists will be released to the areas of Judea and Samaria, and 12 to eastern Jerusalem.

Trump:

'Hostage deal a first step toward lasting Middle East peace'

US President-elect comments on hostage deal at rally in Washington, DC: This agreement could only have happened as a result of our historic victory in November.

Trump's Middle East envoy:

'The hostage deal doesn't happen without Trump'

Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Special Envoy to the Middle East, speaks at victory rally for Trump, ahead of his inauguration: The President was responsible for this release, and we all owe him a debt of gratitude, as do all the families.

Son of hostage to Arutz Sheva:

'Hostages' return shows the fighting was not in vain'

Yizhar Lifshitz, whose father was kidnapped by Hamas, and Dani Miran, whose son is being held captive in Gaza, speak to Arutz Sheva at Hostages Square about their feelings on the day three women were released.

Given my joy at seeing the hostages come home, why am I so sad?

Perhaps the answer is in what a wise Israeli just said to me: "Israel has two choices. Bad. And worse."

'Gaza is definitely not in ruins'

Father of murdered hostage criticizes military echelon

'I saw enough terrorists with Kalashnikovs and intact houses. To say Gaza is in ruins, is definitely not true,' says father of Yonatan Samerano, who was murdered in Hamas captivity.

The moving reunion

Wrapped in Israeli flags with tears in their eyes and huge smiles

Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher reunited with their loved ones at Sheba Medical Center after 471 days in Hamas captivity.

Live Updates:

After over 470 days: Romi, Emily, and Doron come home

Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher have returned to Israel after more than 470 days in captivity in Gaza.

Inside Hamas's 'cynical goody bags' given to returnees

As they returned them to Israel after holding them hostage for 471 days, Hamas terrorists gave Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher what are being called 'cynical goody bags.'

Noa Argamani in Washington:

'Until Avinatan returns, my heart is in captivity'

Ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration, the families of hostages and Hamas captivity survivors gathered outside the Washington Monument to address the public.

Oron Shaul's brother:

'Announcement took us totally by surprise'

Aviram Shaul, brother of Oron Shaul, whose body has been held in Gaza since 2014, tells about the rescue of his body in a special IDF mission.

Supporting terrorism:

MK Ayman Odeh compares hostages to terrorists

MK Ayman Odeh compares hostages to terrorists and causes uproar. MK Liberman, 'MK Odeh is the Hamas spokesman in the Knesset. Send him to Gaza.'

Netanyahu to Hostage coordinator:

'Tell Romi, Emily and Doron - welcome home!'

PM speaks to Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing after IDF receives the three released hostages.

IDF Spokesman Hagari:

'Emily, Doron, and Romi are now in safe hands'

IDF Spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari addressed the press as Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher returned to Israel.

Watch:

Thousands sing at Hostages Square

Thousands of Israelis gather at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv as Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher are released from Hamas captivity.

Biden:

'3 Israeli women have been released, the guns have gone silent'

On the last day of his Presidency, President Joe Biden delivered remarks on the ceasefire and hostage deal which came into effect earlier in the day.

Herzog at Western Wall:

'May the Almighty have mercy on the hostages'

President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog prayed for the well being of Romi, Emily, and Doron and for the return of the hostages.

Trump's Nat. Sec. Advisor:

'Hamas will never rule Gaza'

Mike Waltz, Trump's appointed National Security Advisor, says in an interview to CBS: 'Hamas will never rule Gaza.'

Minister Katz near Gaza:

'We will respond with force to every breach or threat'

Defense Minister Yisrael Katz visits reception point for returning hostages, ahead of the release of Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher from Hamas captivity.

Watch:

The initial reception facility where the hostages will arrive

This is where Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher will be taken first when they are released from their Hamas captors today.

London:

Anti-Israel protester disrupts event for Kfir Bibas' 2nd birthday

Man screams "free Palestine" at attendees of event marking the 2nd birthday of the youngest hostage held in Gaza.

Family:

Hostage Romi Gonen to be released today

Family members of Romi Gonen confirm she is 1 of the 3 hostages who will be released later today at the beginning of the ceasefire deal.

After 1.5 hours, Hamas gives names of hostages

The start of the ceasefire was delayed by Hamas' failure to provide the names of the hostages who are supposed to be released today by the deadline.

IDF Spokesperson:

Ceasefire didn't begin, Hamas didn't give names of hostages

IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari delivers a statement to the media as the ceasefire was supposed to come into effect and following the recovery of the body of Oron Shaul, a decade after he fell in Operation Protective Edge.

Netanyahu:

Ceasefire won't start at 8:30 if Hamas doesn't send hostage list

PM says the ceasefire will only go into effect when Hamas fulfills its obligation to provide Israel with the names of the hostages who will be released today.

Bereaved father at hostage rally

'Thank you my son, you sacrificed your life for this victory'

Zvi Zussman, father of Sergeant First Class (res.) Ben Zussman who fell in Gaza, speaks at rally at Hostages’ Square in Tel Aviv: It's time to stop the war without giving up on its goals.

Trump:

'The hostage release deal better hold'

US President-elect comments to NBC News on ceasefire and hostage release deal, says he told Netanyahu: Just keep doing what you have to do. We want it to end, but to keep doing what has to be done.

Released hostage to Trump & Biden:

'Your leadership and commitment have been instrumental'

Hours before deal begins, thousands rally for all hostages' return and mark Kfir Bibas' second birthday. Released hostage Amit Soussana thanks US President Joe Biden, president-elect Donald Trump, for new deal, urges them to see it to completion.

Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu:

Stop the 700th of October

Whoever votes in favor of the deal brings the devil himself to the streets of Israel. Most of the terrorists released for the second time are laughing and signaling victory with their hands and movements.

Footage:

IDF completes preparations for hostages' return

IDF sets up absorption centers to provide returning hostages with medical and personal support; following their arrival at the centers, the hostages will be brought to hospitals where they will meet their loved ones.

Terrorists who murdered hundreds of Israelis to be freed in deal

The government approved a deal to release 735 prisoners, exchanging them for 33 hostages held by Hamas. The list includes senior terrorists responsible for some of the deadliest attacks in Israel's history.