Hostages in Gaza

Families of hostages:

'Deal betrays hostages who are left behind'

Families of hostages held a press conference at the Knesset, criticizing the emerging deal and demanding that the deal include all the hostages being released together.

Deri:

Shas will support any hostage deal brought for gov. approval

Shas chairman pledges to support deal to free hostages under Jewish commandment to free captives as other members of coalition oppose the deal currently under consideration.

Lapid promises 'safety net' for hostage deal votes

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid promised Prime Minister Netanyahu political support for a potential hostage deal, emphasizing the importance of bringing hostages back home as a moral imperative.

Coalition members oppose ceasefire deal with Hamas

Ten members of Israel's coalition sent letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to oppose the proposed deal with Hamas.

Smotrich against hostage deal:

'A catastrophe for Israel's national security'

'We will not support a surrender deal that includes the release of arch-terrorists, stops the war, and undermines our achievements,' Finance Minister and security cabinet member Bezalel Smotrich says on the emerging hostage deal.

Report:

Details of ceasefire deal finalized, awaiting Hamas' response

Hamas to release 34 'humanitarian' hostages, Gaza to receive increased humanitarian assistance; reports do not mention key issues for Israel's security. Israel denies report.

Report: Israel requesting expanded buffer zone in Gaza

The Israeli delegation to Doha submitted a military plan for every stage in the ceasefire deal, Qatari media reports.

JD Vance:

'Progress in talks driven by Trump’s 'hell to pay' warning'

US Vice President-elect sheds light on Trump’s warning that “all hell will break loose” if hostages aren't freed by January 20: It means enabling the Israelis to knock out the final couple of battalions of Hamas and their leadership.

Sa'ar to British counterpart:

'We want a deal, we'll soon know if Hamas does too'

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar hosts British Foreign Secretary David Lammy. The two discuss a number of regional issues, including Iran, Syria, and Lebanon.

Caroline Glick's message to the US:

'Give us the tools and we'll finish the job'

Commentator and author Caroline Glick says she is worried that someone may be 'trying to coerce Israel, in the last week of the Biden administration, to take actions that can undermine any of our war aims.'

Hostage's father:

'Trump knows - barbarians only understand power'

Hostages' families and bereaved families, gathered for a press conference following talk of a deal and the upcoming inauguration of the Trump administration, under the banner, 'Time for Victory.'

NYC:

Hundreds gather to mourn loss of Israeli hostages

Central Park Rally mourns the loss of Youssef and Hamza al-Ziyadne, as Israeli negotiators head to Qatar.

With eight days left in office:

Biden and Netanyahu discuss hostage deal

President Biden discussed the fundamentally changed regional circumstances following the ceasefire deal in Lebanon, the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, and the weakening of Iran’s power in the region.

Jake Sullivan:

'We are very, very close to a hostage deal'

White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan voiced cautious optimism about a deal for the return of the hostages: 'Can we get it done before the 20th? It is possible, but I certainly can't make any predictions.'

Report:

Israel may release 3,000 terrorists in hostage deal

Kadoura Fares, the head of the Palestinian Prisoner Club, says that in the 1st phase of the deal, Israel will free 1,000 terrorists, including 200 serving life sentences, for 25 hostages. Terrorists serving the harshest sentences to be deported.

Orit Strock:

'Hostage deal rewards terror and is a victory for Hamas'

Minister Orit Struck denounced the reports of an emerging deal to release terrorists for hostages.

Netanyahu instructs:

Delegation headed by Mossad chief to head to Qatar

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirms Mossad chief David Barnea will take off for Qatar together with ISA chief Ronen Bar, Maj.-Gen. (Res) Nitzan Alon, to speed up negotiations for ceasefire deal with Hamas.

Families of hostages: 'Historic opportunity must not be missed'

Relatives of hostages urge deal in nationwide rallies, as delegation heads to Qatar.

Hamas official: We're showing great flexibility in negotiations

Ali Baraka, Hamas leader abroad, says terror group agreed to release 34 Israelis in first stage of ceasefire deal, in order to ease path towards comprehensive agreement.

Israeli source confirms:

Progress made in negotiations for ceasefire deal with Hamas

The proposed deal would include a full withdrawal of IDF forces from the Philadelphi Corridor, on the last day of the deal.

Report:

Qatar conveyed 'positive message' from Hamas on hostage deal

Kan 11 News reports Qatar conveyed a positive message to Israel regarding Hamas' intentions to advance negotiations on a hostage release deal. Following the message, Netanyahu held meeting with Defense Minister Israel Katz and the negotiation team.

John Kirby:

'Obstacles from Hamas are preventing a deal'

White House National Security Council spokesperson says a hostage deal can be reached before Biden's term concludes on January 20: It won’t be possible without additional compromise. Hamas are making it difficult.

Hamas:

'Hostages in northern Gaza are considered missing'

A senior official in the Hamas military department said that the hostages who had been held in northern Gaza were now classified as missing due to the IDF operation in the area.

Hostage coordinator:

Deal being discussed includes all hostages

Brig. Gen. Gal Hirsch reassured family members of hostages that the deal being discussed would release all hostages, but the negotiations are currently discussing the first stage of that deal.

Minister Katz to IDF:

Plan the total destruction of Hamas if hostages are not freed

The Minister of Defense instructed the IDF to come up with a plan to completely destroy the terror organization if it does not release the hostages before US President Trump takes office.

IDF and ISA confirm:

Body of hostage Hamza al-Ziyadne positively identified

The IDF and ISA notified the Ziyadne family that Hamza was killed in Hamas captivity after his body was recovered earlier in the week with that of his father, Youssef.

Biden on hostage deal:

'We’re making progress, I’m still hopeful we can have a deal'

US President expresses hope that a ceasefire and hostage release deal can be reached before January 20, when he leaves office: Hamas is the one getting in the way of that right now.

Families of murdered hostages:

'Don't miss this chance! Make deal now to bring everyone home!'

After recovery of Yosef al-Ziyadne's body, family members of the hostages who were murdered by their Hamas captors make joint statement to government demanding a deal to return the remaining hostages be signed immediately.

Is it worth it to negotiate with Hamas about hostages?

Despite intense efforts by international mediators and mounting pressure on all sides, the question remains: is it worth it for Israel to negotiate with Hamas over the release of hostages? Opinion

Rescued hostage Noa Argamani meets US congressmen and senators

Rescued hostage Noa Argamani shares Hamas video with congressmen and senators in Washington, D.C., urges them to make hostages' release a priority.

Grandmother of hostage whose body is held in Gaza passes away

Varda Nehushtan, grandmother of murdered hostage Inbar Hayman whose body is being held by Hamas in Gaza, passes away.

Gal Gadot clarifies:

'I was not forbidden from wearing hostages pin'

Israeli actress issues clarification after her representatives claimed she was not permitted to wear the pin at Golden Globes: Some people chose to tell a story that never happened.

Amb. Danon to Arutz Sheva:

'Trump will give Israel full freedom of action in Gaza'

Israeli Amb. to the UN speaks with Arutz Sheva about Israel's expectations for the incoming Trump Administration and what he believes Trump's threats that Hamas must release the hostages before he takes office mean.

Families of US hostages to attend Trump's inauguration

The families of the 7 US citizens held hostage will meet with Trump Administration officials and Congressmen when they attend the inauguration to discuss the plight of the hostages.

Blinken:

'We're very close to hostage and ceasefire deal'

US Secretary of State says a ceasefire and hostage deal based on plan Biden presented in May is close, ready to be handed off to next administration if not reached in the next 12 days,

2024: The Biden Administration’s wasted year

Instead of putting pressure on Hamas to release all of the hostages immediately, the American government doomed 100 people to continued captivity and torture, and in some cases, death, through idiotic statements and misguided pressure on Israel. Opinion.

IDF recovers body of hostage Youssef al-Ziyadne

The IDF wrote in a statement that the IDF and ISA recovered the body of Youssef al-Ziyadne from a tunnel in the Rafah area. During the recovery operation, the troops found findings connected to Youssef's son, Hamza and there is great concern for his life.

Netanyahu: Reports of six-week ceasefire 'absolutely false'

Claims of six- to eight-week ceasefire in Gaza are 'part of the psychological warfare Hamas is trying to use on hostages' families,' statement from Prime Minister's Office emphasizes.

Hostages' pin:

Was Gal Gadot forbidden to wear the hostages' pin?

Golden Globes denies Gal Gadot was not allowed to wear hostage pin to award ceremony. 'Any report otherwise is 'categorically false'.'

Hostages in Gaza:

Lebanese newspaper reports progress on deal for ceasefire

Lebanese newspaper reports on agreement of 6-8 weeks' ceasefire, during which humanitarian aid will be increased and information on status of hostages provided.

Elon Musk to the rescue - thank God

Pakistani rape gangs in the UK, Israeli hostages in Gaza--and beyond. Opinion.

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.