Hostages in Gaza

US Ambassador meets family of last remaining hostage

Ambassadors Mike Waltz and Danny Danon met with the family of Ran Gvili, the last hostage held captive by Hamas since the October 7 terror attacks.

Captivity survivor in Italy:

'Islamic Jihad murdered me mentally every single day'

Rom Braslavski, survivor of Hamas captivity, tells a conference of Italy’s ruling party about the October 7 massacre and his trauma in captivity: "I saw young and beautiful women riddled with bullets."

After car break-in:

Bar Kupershtein’s stolen phone returned

The mobile phone of captivity survivor Bar Kupershtein, stolen overnight from his car, located and returned with the help of a friend using a tracking app.

'I'm coming, thief!'

Captivity survivor's car broken into overnight

Ex-hostage Bar Kupershtein shared that his car had been broken into and his phone stolen, but noted that he was looking at the positive side.

Ran Gvili's sister

'I don't want to be the next Ron Arad family'

Shira Gvili called on decision-makers to keep their promise and return her brother - the last hostage still held in Gaza.

Israel believes terror groups know where Ran Gvili Is buried

Israel estimates that a new lead has been found that could lead to identifying the burial place of Gvili, the last remaining hostage in Gaza.

Families of hostages urge:

'No next phase until Ran Gvili comes home'

Hostage families, survivors, and relatives gathered in Sha’ar Hanegev, Carmei Gat, and Meitar, urging Israelis to rally behind the return of Ran Gvili and stressing that 'final stretch' must end with no hostage left behind.

Israel to mediators: Hamas knows where body of last hostage is

Israel sends message to mediators, stressing that Hamas, Islamic Jihad, know where the body of Yasam officer Ran Gvili is located, and that Hamas can access it.

Last hostage’s sister:

'Do not proceed to Phase 2 until Rani is home'

Crowds at Hostages Square mark Shabbat with prayers and pleas for Ran Gvili, the last hostage in Gaza. His sister Shira urges unity and faith, demanding his return: “Until the last hostage, until Rani is home.”

Delegation flies to Cairo to secure release of final hostage

Mediators agree to focus on an intensive and immediate effort that will lead to the full completion of the mission regarding the hostages and the missing.

'Faith kept me alive':

Omer Shem Tov receives award in emotional Jerusalem ceremony

Omer Shem Tov, who was held captive by Hamas for 505 days, honored with Friends of Zion's 'Here Am I' award for Israel advocacy activity.

Body of slain hostage Sudthisak Rinthalak returned to Israel

Prime Minister's Office announces that the body of deceased hostage Sudthisak Rinthalak has been returned to Israel. Gaza terror groups are still holding the body of Yassam officer Ran Gvili.

Emotional:

Former hostage Omer Shem Tov sings 'Shir LaMa’alot'

Watch: Former hostage Omer Shem Tov sings “Shir LaMa’alot” before more than 1,000 Christian religious leaders from the United States.

Watch:

Edan Alexander dons an IDF uniform

A thousand Christian leaders visiting with FOZ heard powerful testimony from captivity survivors, including Edan Alexander, who wore his IDF uniform publicly for the first time since his release.

PM’s Office:

Remains transferred to Israel not of any deceased hostages

Remains transferred to Israel by Gaza terror groups not linked to any of the deceased hostages, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announces.

Captivity survivors speak:

'Waking up and seeing a bed, not a tunnel - it’s paradise'

At the Israel Hayom Conference in New York, Hamas captivity survivors Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Evyatar David describe horrific tunnel conditions, abuse, and survival. They praise Trump’s role in their release.

Hamas: Body of slain hostage handed over to Israel

Red Cross to hand over remains found in Gaza, but it is unknown if they belong to a hostage.

‘Chained like an animal’:

Alon Ohel reveals life inside Hamas captivity

In a Channel 12 interview, survivor Alon Ohel detailed two years of torture, starvation, and resilience in Hamas captivity, crediting hope and fellow hostage Eli Sharabi for his survival.

Israel clarifies:

Return of deceased hostage's body not expected today

Following expectation that body of deceased hostage would be returned to Israel at 5:00 p.m., mediators report transfer will not happen today.

Released hostage's requests when he got home

When released hostage Yosef Chaim Ohana finally returned to his home, he asked for two things - to put on Tefilin and for his mother's couscous.

In Miami

Famed tenor Andrea Bocelli hosts freed hostage Segev Kalfon

International tenor Andrea Bocelli hosts freed Hamas hostage Segev Kalfon at his Miami home, singing and offering encouragement.

Rom Braslavski returns to the soccer pitch

Captivity survivor Rom Braslavski makes his long-anticipated return to Jerusalem's Teddy Stadium and is welcomed by a sell-out crowd of Beitar fans.

'Be gentle'

After returning from captivity, Alon Ohel returns to Instagram

Alon Ohel uploaded his first post on Instagram since returning from Hamas captivity in October, announcing his return to the platform.

'Since you left, a lot has changed'

Watch: The haunting performance at Dror Or's funeral

Israeli singer Ehud Banai performs a moving rendition of 'Blues Kna'ani' at the funeral of Dror Or, whose body was returned from Hamas captivity.

Yosef Haim Ohana returns home

Captivity survivor Yosef Haim Ohana finally returns home after completing rehabilitation at the Kfar Maccabiah resort in Ramat Gan.

Kibbutz Be'eri:

Dror Or, whose body was returned from Gaza, is laid to rest

Large crowds attend funeral of Dror Or, murdered and abducted on October 7, whose body was returned to Israel last week.

Rachel Goldberg-Polin

'I would ask Rabbi Sacks if he had found Hersh yet'

Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s parents captivate London audience with message of hope at the Fifth Annual Sacks Conversation. 'I would ask Rabbi Sacks if he could teach Hersh some of what he taught me.'

Father of last Israeli hostage:

Hamas is toying with us and torturing us

Father of Yasam officer Ran Gvili, the only Israeli hostage whose body is still held in Gaza, speaks at Hostages Square, demanding Israel not move to second stage, rebuild Gaza, until his son's body is returned to Israel.

Last Israeli hostage's mother: Don't move to stage 2 of ceasefire

Talik Gvili, mother of Ran Gvili, the only Israeli fallen hostage still held by terrorist groups in Gaza, says she asked Prime Minister Netanyahu not to proceed with the next phase of the ceasefire deal until her son is brought home.

Analyst estimates:

Secret section in deal provides Hamas significant protection

Analyst Ohad Hemo explains why Hamas agreed to release hostages, even though it was their last card left.

Amb. Huckabee's promise to parents of last Israeli hostage

Israeli hostage Ran Gvili’s parents meet with U.S. Ambassador, receive promise of support until the last hostage returns

Deceased hostage's father:

'We pray he won't become another Ron Arad'

Itzik Gvili, father of deceased hostage Ran Gvili, says Hamas claims they do not know where his son's body is located. 'We pray he won't become another Ron Arad.'

Al Jazeera: Searches for body of hostage in Zeitoun neighborhood

Red Cross, Hamas, renew searches for body of deceased hostage in Gaza's Zeitoun neighborhood.

Prayers and kiddush helped Eliya Cohen survive Hamas captivity

Hamas captivity survivor Eliya Cohen reflects on life after Gaza captivity: 'I focus on the positive.'

After 781 days:

Body of hostage Dror Or returned to Israel for burial

The IDF has announced that the body of deceased hostage Dror Or has been returned to Israel for burial.

Israel receives body of hostage

The military arms of the Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror organizations announced on Tuesday that at 4:00 p.m. they would return the body of a hostage to Israel.

Al Jazeera: Body of Israeli hostage located

Body of Israeli hostage held by Islamic Jihad is located in Nuseirat, Al Jazeera reports.

Moving:

Former hostages come full circle at grave of Lubavitcher Rebbe

Segev Kalfon, Matan Angrest, Nimrod Cohen, and Bar Kupershtein visit the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s grave in New York - the place where their families prayed for their release.

Captivity survivor:

'We dug a pit for food, we lived in starvation and fear'

Hamas captivity survivor Segev Kalfon tells of the relentless fear, even after his release from captivity, and the moving moments after his return to Israel.

Cairo:

Top Hamas officials discuss efforts to locate hostages' bodies

Senior Hamas delegation in Cairo to discuss Gaza escalation, ceasefire terms.

Hostage survivor:

'Israeli comedian kept me going under the ground'

Hostage survivor Maxim Herkin visits the set of comedian Shalom Asayag’s new series and tells him that his stand-up show kept him going him during the difficult moments in captivity.

From White House to the Ohel

Hostage survivor visits grave of Lubavitcher Rebbe

Immediately after his meeting with President Trump at the White House, hostage survivor Yosef Haim Ohana visited the Ohel, the grave of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

Released hostage reveals:

I endured brutal sexual violence

President Herzog calls released hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal’s on-camera testimony of the brutal sexual violence he endured “extraordinary bravery” and urges the world to recognize the horrors and bear witness to the truth.

'Carrying our ancestors’ prayers'

Ambassador Leiter's emotional speech to captivity survivors

Israel's Ambassador to the US, bereaved father Yechiel Leiter, spoke with the freed hostages visiting the US, and underscored the enduring strength of Israel.

"You were a light for me"

Freed hostage hands heartfelt letter to President Trump

Freed hostage Segev Kalfon credits US President Donald Trump's firm leadership for playing a crucial role in securing his release, says the President's determination served as 'a light…in the darkest tunnels.'

Trump to survivors

'You're not a hostage anymore, today you're heroes'

US President meets survivors of Hamas captivity in Washington, says their courage "united all Israelis."

Former hostages welcomed in Congress

The delegation met with senior lawmakers in the US Congress who pledged to continue working to return the bodies of hostages still held by Hamas.

Hamas naval chief, terrorist who held hostages eliminated

The IDF revealed that after Hamas violated the ceasefire, the military eliminated Abdallah Abu Shamala, the Head of the Naval Array and Fadi Abu Mustafa, who held several Israelis hostage.

Tribute to Trump

Mezuzah from destroyed house on its way to White House

Twins Gali and Ziv Berman from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, who were taken captive on 10/7, will present the mezuzah from their burned home to President Trump.

Captivity survivor to CNN:

'G-d gave me the strength to be strong'

Freed hostage Bar Kupershtein reflects on two years in Hamas captivity, his faith, and the moments that sustained him as he prepares to meet President Trump in Washington.

The gift freed hostage Eitan Mor will present to President Trump

Former hostage Eitan Mor will meet President Trump at the White House and present him with a dreidel as a gift. “It symbolizes victory born from courage.”

The chilling testimony of Guy Gilboa-Dalal from Hamas captivity

Former hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal recounts a horrific moment in which he was abused by a terrorist. “He put a gun to my head and a knife to my throat and said that if I told anyone - he would kill me.”

Hostages Square:

Alon Ohel performs song that carried him through captivity

Just over a month after his release from Hamas captivity, Alon Ohel returned to Hostages Square and played the song that gave him strength during 700+ days in Gaza.

Captivity survivor apologizes for remarks

Former hostage Rom Braslavsky published another post on his Facebook page in which he apologized to the state and the government for things he wrote in a moment of emotional turmoil.

Israel bids farewell to slain hostage Joshua Loitu Mollel

Tanzanian agricultural student remembered in emotional ceremony at Ben Gurion Airport before his body is returned home after being released from Hamas captivity.

Before meeting Trump:

Captivity survivor prays at Western Wall

Former hostage Segev Kalfon visits the Western Wall after 738 days in Hamas captivity, and is gifted an ancient artifact of faith and resilience.

No findings reported on DNA sample transfered from Gaza

A blood sample transferred by Hamas was reported on Tuesday to be unconnected with any of the hostages still in Gaza.

Hostage survivor shares Shabbat stories from Hamas captivity

Segev Kalfon shared how Shabbat observance in Gaza tunnels gave them strength and hope during captivity.

Hundreds gather at Beeri cemetery to honor Meny Godard

Family members deliver emotional eulogies as the Beeri community lays Meny Godard to rest after 769 days in Gaza, marking a long-awaited moment of farewell.

Released hostage discloses shocking details from captivity

Released hostages Avinatan Or, his partner Noa Argamani, Eviatar David, and Guy Gilboa-Dalal attend the Jewish Federations General Assembly.