Hostages in Gaza

Release hostages now:

Large sign in Tel Aviv displays Trump's threat to Hamas

A large sign in Tel Aviv displays incoming President Donald Trump's threat: 'All of them until 20/1, or the fire of hell will open.'

Chief of Staff warns Hamas: 'We won't stop'

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi holds situational assessment in Jabaliya, says 'We will bring Hamas to the point where they understand that they must return all the hostages.'

Trump:

'If hostages aren't returned, all hell will break out in MidEast'

US President-elect Donald Trump gives a news conference from Mar-a-Lago in Florida, reiterates it will 'not be good for Hamas' if the hostages are not all freed by his inauguration. His envoy says there has been progress in the hostage talks.

Pres. Herzog meets international task force for hostages

Israeli President meets international task force for hostages, says, 'There is a major scar on our nation. There is a major scar on the face of the earth: the issue of the hostages.'

Mother of hostage:

'Hamas's list intends to cause pain and strife'

Merav Leshem Gonen, mother of abducted Romi Gonen, reacted to Hamas's published hostage list, discussing the potential of a partial deal.

Report:

Hamas still insists on a role in Gaza's post-war government

An Egyptian source says Hamas would not agree to a deal without a path to end the war and a stipulation to keep it in power in the Gaza Strip.

Donald Trump:

'If the hostages aren't returned, there will be hell —not ‘don’t’

Donald Trump reiterated his threat, stating "there will be hell to pay" if the hostages are not released by the time he assumes office.

Hostage's mother appeals to Trump:

'Don't let any hostage stay behind'

Meirav Leshem-Gonen, mother of Romi, who was kidnapped to Gaza during the October 7 massacre, begs US President-elect Donald Trump: 'Please make sure that you are standing with us - do whatever is needed to bring them back.'

Antony Blinken:

'We want to end negotiations within two weeks'

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stresses that the goal in promoting the move is 'to get the hostages out of Gaza.'

Not certain who's alive:

Hamas hostage list reportedly includes Bibas children

BBC reports that the list of 34 hostages given by Hamas includes ten women, 11 adults aged 50-85, and the children of the Bibas family. PMO says list was given by Israel to Hamas 6 months ago, not given by Hamas to Israel.

Blinken’s stunning confession

Whenever there has been public daylight between the U.S. and Israel, Hamas has pulled back from a ceasefire and release of hostages, the secretary said. And he said much more. Op-ed.

'My heart is heavy'

Gal Gadot shares picture of hostage Liri Albag

Hours before taking part in Golden Globes, Israeli actress shares picture of Liri Albag, who has been held hostage in Gaza for 457 days: We all deserve to see them return, alive. Bring them home now.

Omer Neutra's parents awaiting the return of their son's body

Omer Neutra's parents received the most difficult news that he fell last month on October 7. They speak about the never-ending pain and the fight to recover his body.

Hamas claims to have approved list of 34 hostages

Jerusalem denies a report that mediators succeeded in bridging gaps with Hamas and that Israel has now to respond if it agrees to the deal.

Report:

Israel considering Hamas proposal for 1-week ceasefire

Israel is reportedly considering responding to Hamas's offer for a week-long ceasefire in exchange for a list of hostages in light of the expected visit tomorrow by Mossad chief Barnea to Qatar.

Petitions rejected:

Supreme Court allows State to hold bodies of terrorists

Court rejects petitions by families of terrorists demanding that the State return the bodies of the terrorists, rules Cabinet's security considerations and efforts to secure the release of the hostages through negotiation should not be interfered with in this matter.

Amid hostage deal talks:

Blinken speaks to Egyptian Foreign Minister

State Department spokesperson says Blinken and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty discussed the latest developments in the efforts to reach a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza.

Blinken reveals:

Whose fault is it that there is no deal?

In an interview with The New York Times, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says a deal could've been reached, questions, 'Where is the world, why hasn't Hamas been pushed to put down its weapons, give up the hostages, and surrender?'

'If Hamas says yes - we have a deal'

Israeli government demanding Hamas increase number of living hostages to be freed; defense echelon pressuring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to hold talks on 'the day after' Hamas.

'A partial deal will sentence them to death'

Families of hostages held in Gaza hold rally demanding that no one be left behind. 'Government abandoning them for 15 months already.'

Albag family responds to video: 'It tore our hearts to pieces'

Family of kidnapped IDF lookout Liri Albag sends a message to their daughter and the world: 'Liri, if you're hearing us, tell the others that all the families are moving heaven and earth. We will fight until all hostages are returned.'

Freed Hostage:

'Liri's video gave me flashbacks'

Yigal Yaakov, who was just 13 when he and his brother were captured from Nir Oz, commented on the sign of life released from hostage Liri Elbag.

After 456 days:

Hamas publishes sign of life from hostage Liri Albag

Hamas publishes a sign of life from hostage Liri Albag, who was kidnapped from the Nahal Oz military base during the October 7 massacre.

John Kirby:

'We welcome Israel’s decision to send delegation to Qatar'

White House National Security Council spokesperson acknowledges in conversation with reporters there is no significant progress on hostage release deal, reiterates that Hamas is the one that initiated the conflict.

Hamas confirms:

Ceasefire and hostage deal talks to resume in Qatar

Hamas confirms in a statement that indirect negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release deal are set to resume in Doha, reiterates demand for "complete cessation of hostilities (and) the withdrawal of occupation forces."

Report:

Israel demanding captured soldiers in first stage of hostage deal

Hamas claims that it cannot provide a list of all the living hostages because of the war, but is willing to discuss the inclusion of soldiers in the first stage of the deal.

Hostage negotiations

Israeli delegation to leave for Qatar

A professional-level delegation of the Mossad, the IDF, and the ISA will travel to Qatar to continue efforts to bring home the 100 hostages still being held by Hamas.

'With an Iranian accent'

Hostage's mother recounts threatening phone call

Julie Kupershtein, whose son Bar was abducted to Gaza, received a threatening phone call from a man claiming to be a Hamas member who told her she must topple the government to see her son again.

Hostages families:

Calls for 'unity' are an attempt to end the war

Hostages' relatives from the Tikva Forum cry to public: 'Calls for unity mask a call to end the war and pay a painful price; these calls actually make it harder to bring the hostages back.'

Report:

Netanyahu demanding release of all living hostages at once

Senior Hamas official claims that Netanyahu raised new demands in the negotiations on a hostage release deal, demanding the release of all the living hostages in the first phase of the agreement.

Herzog to Be’eri residents:

'We pray the 8th Hanukkah candle will bring wonderful news'

President Isaac Herzog lit the eighth Hanukkah candle with residents of Kibbutz Be’eri, who have been displaced and hosted over the past year in Kibbutz Hatzerim.

Hostages' families demand end to negotiations

Families of the hostages urged the government to end negotiations with Hamas and instead apply significantly greater military pressure to recover their loved ones.

Knesset Guard refuses entry to mother of hostage

The Knesset guard stopped Einav Tsangauker, mother of a kidnapped soldier, from entering the Knesset building. She was accused of trying to throw a glass bottle and threatened to stab a guest.

Trump:

'They better let the hostages come back soon'

US President-elect reiterates his warning to Hamas about returning all the hostages that it is holding in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas proposal:

Week-long ceasefire in exchange for list of hostages

The terrorist organization is not making the ceasefire conditional on the withdrawal of IDF forces from the Gaza Strip or the return of Gaza residents to their homes, claims it needs time to put together a list of 'humanitarian cases' of hostages.

ISA publishes audio recordings from hostage rescue operation

The ISA has released recordings from the hostage rescue operation in February, including the dedication of the operation to fallen comrades.

'I have to feel like I'm a hostage'

Chief Rabbi lights Hanukkah candles at Hostages Square

Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Kalman Ber lit Hanukkah candles at the Hostages Square in Tel Aviv. 'It can not be that we have brethren who are hostages and we act like it's a regular day.'

'Work to bring them home'

Kibbutz Kissufim's request from Zionist rabbis

Kibbutz Kissufim in the Gaza envelope sent a letter to the rabbis of the religious Zionist community asking them to work to bring the hostages home.

Mother of Slain Hostage:

'Hannukah will always be Yotam's holiday'

Iris Haim, the mother of hostage Yotam who was tragically killed by IDF fire after escaping Hamas captivity, spoke at a Knesset event about women's bravery in the war.

UN receives Israel's report on Hamas abuse, torture of hostages

Ministry of Health submits report on abuse of Hamas hostages to UN, documenting widespread abuse, including sexual attacks, beatings, starvation, and isolation.

During Hanukkah:

Jewish children around world raise awareness for hostages

The children of Tikva School, supported by the Yael Foundation, identified with the plight of the hostages as Ukrainian refugees and united to form a moving human yellow ribbon, singing about home in Hebrew. We pray for the

Former Ambassador Friedman:

'The consequences of this war are solely on Hamas'

Former US Ambassador to Israel underlines the responsibility of Hamas for the consequences of the war to the people of Gaza: Hamas could have ended this war at any time within the past 450 days by freeing the hostages and surrendering.

Hanukkah initiative

Prayers for hostages at candlelighting

Over 20,000 people are dedicating a few minutes after lighting candles to pray for the recovery of the remaining hostages.

New film dedicated to hostages familie

'The 2,000 Kidnapped Spanish Jewish Children'

Film to shed light on the tragic story of 2,000 Jewish children from Spain who, after their families fled to Portugal in 1492 following the Edict of Expulsion, were forcibly kidnapped by Portuguese King Dom João II.

Herzog:

'UN has facts on hostages, morally obliged to bring them home'

Israeli President comments on the report submitted to the UN on the conditions in Gaza under which the freed hostages were held. 'Torture. Physical and psychological torture. Starvation. Sexual abuse. Beatings. Branding.'

Qatar PM meets Hamas delegation to discuss Gaza ceasefire deal

Qatar’s Prime Minister meets with a Hamas delegation in Doha in attempt to push forward ceasefire and hostage release deal.

Son of hostage: Our strength is in our unity!

Yocheved Lifshitz, who was kidnapped by Hamas and freed after 17 days, lights Hanukkah candles at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv: The 449 days that have passed are now one painful day until all our hostages return.

Danon:

'UN is trying to ignore horrors of October 7'

Israel’s Ambassador to the UN comments on Health Ministry report on the conditions of the hostages which will be submitted to the UN this week: We will continue to remind the UN of the sexual abuse, starvation, neglect and humiliation that our hostages are going through.

Erin Molan to the Pope:

'Use your power to recover the hostages'

Australian television presenter Erin Molan urged the Pope to blame those truly responsible for the suffering in Gaza.

The information that could've saved six hostages

Qaid Farhan al-Qadi, rescued from Gaza, related that he heard a woman say, 'Good morning' in Hebrew in the tunnels. Despite his testimony, no changes were made to the IDF's operational plans.

Health Min. to present report on hostages to the United Nations

'Report highlights horrors the hostages endured, reveals the brutality of the enemy with whom Israel is engaged; global community must utilize all available means to end this cruelty and bring the hostages home,' Health Minister Uriel Busso says.

John Kirby:

'Hamas is the obstacle to a hostage release deal'

White House National security communications adviser John Kirby says US is "actively working" to broker a ceasefire-hostage agreement between Israel and Hamas, but the terror group continues throwing up obstacles.

Watch:

100 vehicles form hostage ribbon symbol in Sde Boker

One hundred vehicles, one for each hostage still in Gaza, form the hostage ribbon symbol in Sde Boker.

A reexamination of the moral status of Jewish wartime hostages

In a war of national survival, the Torah teaches us that We ('home-front civilians', soldiers, hostages) ALL are equally combatants. Op-ed.

Herzog on hostage deal:

'Courageous decisions need to be made'

President Isaac Herzog lights Hanukkah candles with families of hostages: Without the return of the hostages, a scar will remain that will cut through our society and our people forever.

Netanyahu's message to Houthis:

'We're just getting started, we'll strike them relentlessly'

Prime Minister speaks on the importance of the fight against Iran: We did not make all of Jewish history so that the Ayatollahs and their proxies could put an end to the Jewish story.

'The flame burns'

Shwekey and Shlomi Shabbat sing for the return of the hostages

In honor of Hanukkah, Jewish singer Yaakov Shwekey and Israeli singer Shlomi Shabbat have released a duet singing "Haner Dolek" (the flame is burning) for the return of the hostages.

Minister Eliyahu:

'Path to hostages leads through dismissing AG'

Amichai Eliyahu claimed dismissing the Attorney General is crucial while downplaying Iran's nuclear threat.

Hamas official claims:

Ceasefire required to provide list of hostages

Hamas unable to provide Israel with a list of living hostages until a ceasefire in Gaza takes effect, Hamas official claims.

Bereaved father:

'No to an irresponsible deal'

Eliyahu Libman, whose son Elyakim was murdered on October 7, explains his opposition to the hostage release deal in its current form.