Hostages in Gaza

Clashes at Tel Aviv protest:

Hostage's relative detained, protesters surround police car

Police detain Shachar Mor Zahiro, nephew of murdered hostage Avraham Munder; protesters and Labor MKs surround squad car.

Two terrorists who held hostages eliminated

IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari reveals that two of the terrorists who held the six hostages who were murdered in captivity have been eliminated.

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UN chief shown video of tunnel in which hostages were executed

Or Gat, brother of slain hostage Carmel Gat, shows UN chief Antonio Guterres IDF footage of the tunnel in which she and six other hostages were murdered.

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Trump invites rescued hostage to join him on stage

Former US President Donald Trump invites Andrei Kozlov, who was held hostage in Gaza and rescued during 'Operation Arnon,' to join him on stage, quipping, 'He has more courage than I do.'

Report:

US believes ceasefire is unlikely before end of Biden's term

Wall Street Journal report: US officials believe that a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas is unlikely to occur before Biden's term concludes in January.

For the first time:

Harris' running mate meets families of American hostages

Democratic vice presidential nominee meets families of Americans held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, tells them "he will do whatever he can to shine a light on their cause."

Report:

Israeli proposal for prisoner swap offers an end to the war

Israel has presented the US with a plan to release the hostages, end the war, and allow Hamas leaders to safely leave Gaza.

Prime Minister's Office:

Despite the pressure, we agreed to all the US offers

'Whoever wants to help the efforts to free our hostages must pressure the murderer, Sinwar, and not the Prime Minister of Israel.'

Harris:

'I was supportive of the pause we put on bombs to Israel'

Democratic presidential nominee reiterates her position that a ceasefire and hostage release deal are needed: We need to get this deal done, and we need to get it done immediately.

State Department:

'We're actively working on updated ceasefire proposal'

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller tells reporters that the United States continues to collaborate with mediators from Egypt and Qatar to draft a revised ceasefire proposal for the conflict in Gaza.

Blinken to visit Egypt to continue talks on hostage release

State Department announces that Blinken will travel to Egypt on Wednesday and meet local officials to discuss ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza that secures the release of all hostages.

Haredi MK tells hostages' families:

There was a proposal for a unity government - it's off the table

In first, MK Moshe Gafni speaks about the discourse regarding a unity government, reveals that the proposal is no longer relevant.

Mother of hostage:

Ahmed Randor conveyed signals he was surrounded by hostages

Maayan Sherman, the mother of the hostage Ron, recounted that a terrorist who was eliminated warned that he was surrounded by hostages - but despite this, the IDF decided to attack him.

Pope Francis expresses solidarity with families of 6 hostages

Pope Francis recalls his meeting with mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin: Her humanity struck me. I accompany her at this time.

Senior Hamas official:

'We still have ample resources to fight Israel'

Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan tells AFP that "the resistance has a high ability to continue" fighting Israel, after Gallant said Hamas "no longer exists" as a military formation in Gaza.

Divine protection:

Released hostage talks about power of faith that kept him going

13-year-old Yagil Yaakov, released from Hamas captivity after 52 days, posted on Instagram about his religious strengthening. 'Father, thank you for the privilege of being here.'

IDF confirms:

Three hostages were killed by Israeli strike

The investigation that the IDF presented to the families found that during the strike, the forces did not know that the hostages were in the area. The bodies of the three were recovered in December.

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef:

'To rabbi who opposes hostage deal, think like it was your child'

Outgoing Chief Rabbi responds to halakhic opinion against a hostage deal, reiterates his opinion a deal must be reached immediately because it is a matter of "immediate life and death."

Blinken and Lammy:

'We support Israel, but it's important to avoid escalation'

US Secretary of State and British Foreign Secretary issue joint statement after meeting in London, express support for the ongoing mediation efforts to conclude the agreement for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages.

Dressing like Naama:

Friends of hostage mimic her appearance in abduction video

Dozens of women marched in Tel Aviv this evening dressed as one of the hostages was in a video of her capture.

'I trust you'

First sign of life from Matan Angrest

Anat Angrest, the mother of captive soldier Matan Angrest, published an audio clip in which her son is heard addressing the Prime Minister from captivity, asking for help.

Video of murdered hostage Alexander Lobanov made public

In a video crafted by Hamas for the purpose of psychological terrorism, murdered hostage Alexander Lobanov can be heard criticizing the Israeli government, and urging his family to stay strong.

Discusses Gaza ceasefire

Turkey's spy chief meets Hamas delegation in Ankara

Ibrahim Kalin, head of Turkey's National Intelligence Agency, meets delegation from Hamas’ political bureau leadership. Turkish official says Turkey has been urging Hamas to soften its positions and move towards an agreement.

At Edelstein's synagogue

Three women arrested after placing leaflets of hostages

Three female residents of Herzliya arrested on suspicion of trespassing, after placing leaflets with pictures of hostages on chairs in Likud MK's synagogue. Their lawyer: This is a political arrest.

Psychological terror:

Hostage Alex Lobanov's family authorizes publication of his video

Arutz Sheva-Israel National News does not cooperate with the murderous organization's psychological terrorism and will not publish the footage. Lobanov's wife: This is what a holocaust looks like.

1st sign of life from hostage Matan Angrest to be presented

Recording taken from Gaza of Matan Angrest, an IDF soldier who was abducted during the Hamas massacre of October 7, to be played during Hostage Families rally on Saturday night.

Released hostage:

I discovered Yarden Bibas and Ofer Kalderon held in pens

Adina Moshe, released in the November 2023 prisoner swap deal, says Yarden Bibas expressed hope that his wife and children were not kidnapped by the terrorists.

Hamas:

'Ready to implement ceasefire without new conditions'

Hamas meets Egyptian and Qatari mediators, says it is ready to implement an "immediate" ceasefire based on previous US proposal without new conditions.

Times Square:

Hundreds of yellow balloons for the hostages

Israeli students released hundreds of yellow balloons in Times Square in New York City during a Chabad on Campus tour in prayer for the hostages and IDF soldiers.

Terrorist who held Noa Marciano captive eliminated

Abdallah abu Reala, who took part in the October 7 massacre and was responsible for holding murdered hostage Noa Marciano captive, eliminated.

Herzog to Serbian counterpart:

'Hostages should be international community's objective'

President Herzog was accompanied on his visit by Idit Ohel, an Israeli of Serbian origin, whose son Alon was taken hostage on October 7th by Hamas as he sought to escape the Nova Festival.

Blinken:

'We'll present a new proposal for a hostage deal very soon'

Secretary of State downplays pessimism over the prospects of a hostage release deal: More than 90 percent of the issues have been agreed. We’re working intensely with our Egyptian and Qatari counterparts to work together to bridge any remaining gaps.

Footage of Hamas tunnel

Liberman: Stop all the aid to Gaza

Politicians respond to footage from the tunnel where six hostages were murdered. Ben Gvir: The response to this should be clear. Bennett: Abominable Nazi enemy.

Dr. Einat Wilf:

'I listen to the Palestinians, there is no hostage deal'

Former MK Einat Wilf makes a note of an important element missing in the widespread talk of a prisoner exchange agreement.

Sen. Cotton to UN:

'Is Hamas a terrorist organization?'

Senator Tom Cotton writes letter to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, highlighting his refusal to call Hamas a terrorist organization in the wake of their execution of six hostages.

Freed hostage reveals:

'I slept on sand and stones with my hands tied behind my back'

Liam Or, a teenager who was released in November 2023, reveals he was given a small piece of cake each day "so that I'd die slowly, not quickly."

Blood stains in the dark:

Footage of the tunnels where the hostages were murdered

In newly released footage, IDF Spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari enters tunnel where 6 hostages were executed, reveals the blood stains that shows where they were murdered.

Pres. Herzog to visit Serbia and Albania with mother of hostage

Israeli President will pay an official visit to Serbia and Albania this week together with Idit Ohel, an Israeli of Serbian origin, and the mother of the hostage Alon Ohel.

New details on the murder of the six hostages

The IDF will reveal the video showing the inhuman conditions in which the six hostages were held before they were cold-bloodedly murdered after surviving more than 10 months in captivity.

Arutz Sheva editor-in-chief:

'The harsh message to Netanyahu is a message to us all'

Arutz Sheva-Israel National News CEO and editor-in-chief Uzi Baruch says that the call for unity conveyed by murdered hostage Ori Danino's father must be emphasized.

Slain hostage's father:

'I don't think Netanyahu is dodging responsibility'

Elhanan Danino, the father of Ori who was murdered in Hamas captivity, said he hopes his harsh words to the Prime Minister enter his heart.

Hamas:

'A deal should be forced on Netanyahu'

Senior Hamas official reiterates the group's demands, including a complete cessation of hostilities and a complete withdrawal of Israel from the Gaza Strip.

Herzog calls on political echelon: 'Bear communal responsibility'

Herzog: 'The political echelon must unite with all force. Bear communal responsibility, take all steps needed, to bring hostages home.'

Minister May Golan:

Committed to countering threats and disrupting your evil plans

Minister May Golan, in message to Hamas terrorists: 'Prepare for continued engagement. Trust me, you will face many years of our presence. Despite facing terror and violence, the people of Israel will continue to stay strong.'

Hostage Families Forum

'Conditions 6 hostages were kept in alarming, sign deal now'

The Hostages Families Forum responds to the publication of the conditions the six hostages who were executed by Hamas terrorists less than two weeks ago were kept in for nearly eleven months before they were murdered.

Report:

3 hostages whose bodies were recovered in Dec. were killed by IDF

Hebrew media reports Ron Sherman, Nik Beizer and Elia Toledano were killed in the same tunnel where Hamas commander Ahmed Ghandour was eliminated, and the IDF has known for months.

PM on criticism from hostage's family: 'I listen, I don't judge'

PM Netanyahu responds to the publication of a recording of the family of murdered hostage Ori Danino criticizing him when he made a shiva visit to them.

Families of hostages:

'Trump, Harris, what will you do to bring our loved ones home?'

The families of the 7 American hostages held in Gaza have requested that ABC ask the presidential candidates in their debate tomorrow what they will do to bring the hostages home.

Father of murdered hostage:

'You built the tunnel where my son was murdered'

Elhanan, father of Ori Danino, murdered in Hamas captivity, blamed PM Netanyahu for the 10/7 attack: 'You gave them tunnels and dollars.'

Germany:

Woman assaulted for wearing 'Bring them home now' T-shirt

Muslim man grabs woman's shirt, demand she take it off, knocks out husband's tooth because he was angered at the sight of a shirt supporting the hostages held by Hamas.

Cabinet ministers horrified after watching terror tunnel footage

IDF presents Cabinet with chilling footage from the tunnel where six Israeli hostages were found murdered and their bodies recovered.

Gantz:

Release hostages from Gaza - or we invade Lebanon

Benny Gantz commented during his trip to Washington that if no deal is reached for the hostages, Israel should begin an open war in the north.

'We must keep fighting for them'

Hundreds rally in Central Park to mourn six murdered hostages

Rally in Tel Aviv marks 10 years since Avera Mengistu's abduction by Hamas. Meanwhile in Central Park, hundreds rally to mourn six Israeli and American hostages murdered after 11 months in captivity.

'Sad, upset and frustrated'

WH officials considering forgoing new proposal entirely

US officials say much of the focus has shifted to seeing if the Egyptians and Qataris can press Sinwar to lessen his demands as they Biden admin begins to give up hope.

The final moments of the six hostages' lives

Preliminary investigation presented to the families of the six hostages murdered in Gaza finds they were kept in a narrow tunnel, without air, toilets or showers.

IDF investigating:

Were false Hamas documents leaked to foreign press?

The IDF is investigating the manipulative use of Hamas documents found in Gaza to influence public opinion in Israel on the hostage deal.

Hostage's father: Humanitarian aid torpedoes my son's return

Kobi Samerano, father of murdered hostage Yonatan Samerano, criticizes Israeli government for allowing humanitarian aid to reach Hamas. 'You are torpedoing my son's return while you are feeding Hamas.'

Hostage release deal

CIA Director: Both sides need to make difficult compromises

CIA Director William Burns says a more detailed ceasefire proposal would be made in the next several days: 90% of the paragraphs have been agreed upon.

Freed hostage recalls his time with murdered hostage

Andrey Kozlov, who was rescued from Hamas captivity during Operation Arnon, recalls the time he spent with Alex Lobanov, who was murdered in captivity and whose body was recovered from the Gaza Strip.

Arab source: Hamas didn't toughen its positions

Hamas is demanding that a higher number of high-profle terrorists with blood on their hands be released in a prisoner swap deal - even in exchange for 'humanitarian' hostages.