Hostages in Gaza

Hostages' families to Blinken:

'Only victory will ensure all hostages are returned'

Tikva Forum of families of hostages held in Gaza write to US Secretary of State asking him not to play into the hands of Hamas in the ceasefire talks.

Danon to Guterres:

'We won't be silent until all hostages are returned'

Incoming Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, presents his credentials to Secretary-General Guterres, calls on UN to demonstrate moral clarity in bringing the 115 remaining hostages back from captivity.

Blinken:

'Netanyahu assured me Israel accepts deal, now waiting for Hamas'

US Secretary of State says 'there is a real sense of urgency to get the deal to the finish line' after meeting Israeli leaders.

US pressuring Egypt to station forces in Gaza after war's end

Egypt demanding ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas prior to discussions on placing Egyptian troops in Gaza following the war, official says.

Hostages' families to Red Cross:

'Where is your help? Your inaction speaks volumes'

Marking UN World Humanitarian Day, the families of the Israeli hostages being held in Gaza attacked the ICRC for not aiding their loved ones.

Former Justice Minister:

Deal proposed today is 'the worst deal imaginable'

New prisoner swap deal would see just 20 living hostages released in exchange for long-term ceasefire, former Justice Minister Haim Ramon warns. 'Offer Hamas to end the war on condition that all the hostages return at once.'

Blinken to Herzog:

This may be the last chance to bring the hostages home

Israeli President Isaac Herzog meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, stresses: 'No one should attack Israel or meddle with our clear and inherent right of self defense.'

Harris on Gaza ceasefire:

'We are not giving up, we gotta get those hostages out'

US Vice President clarifies Washington is not giving up on the prospects of a ceasefire in Gaza and a hostage release deal: These conversations are ongoing, and we are not giving up.

Biden:

'Gaza ceasefire is still possible, we're not giving up'

After Hamas officially rejects the proposal for a ceasefire and hostage release deal, US President says talks are still underway and a deal is still possible.

Hamas claims:

'Netanyahu still placing obstacles in way of an agreement'

Hamas officially announces its rejection of the proposal for an agreement for the release of hostages and a ceasefire as presented at the summit in Doha.

In leopard outfits:

Romi Gonen's family celebrate her 24th birthday

Romi's sister at the party: 'Don't lose hope. We know that 317 days have passed, but we all believe that you'll come back. We have no doubt that you'll come back.'

Netanyahu's office:

'Serial info leakers harming chances for hostage deal'

Prime Minister's Office published an unusual message accusing 'serial information leakers' of harming hostage talks.

Tu B'Av:

Noa Argamani writes to her boyfriend in Hamas captivity

Noa Argamani, who was rescued from Hamas captivity, writes to her boyfriend Avinatan Or in Hamas captivity, 'I wish us many more days of love together.'

Netanyahu:

'Put pressure on Hamas, not on Israeli government'

Netanyahu on the hostage deal: 'There are things we can be flexible on and there are things which we will insist on. We know how to distinguish between the two very well.

'Limited presence'

Report: The American offer in Qatar

According to a Hamas source, the US's new offer for a hostage deal would allow Israel to exile a large number of released terrorists.

Hostage Romi Gonen turns 24 in captivity

President Herzog comments on birthday of Romi Gonen, who was kidnapped from the Nova music festival. 'Romi's lion-hearted mother, her family and friends are fighting with extraordinary strength to see Romi home.'

Report:

Withdrawal from key corridor - decided in Biden-Netanyahu talks

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri calls US Pres. Joe Biden's belief that a ceasefire-prisoner swap deal is close 'delusional.'

PM's Office: 'Cautious optimism' regarding deal with Hamas

Office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expresses 'cautious optimism' regarding chance of ceasefire-prisoner swap deal with Hamas, hope that 'heavy pressure' will lead terror group to remove opposition to US-proposed agreement.

Injured and bruised:

Video of Aryeh Zalmanovich's abduction released

Video footage showing October 7 abduction of 89-year-old Aryeh Zalmanovich is released, showing him on a motorcycle bruised, injured, and with his head bandaged.

Israel's compromise during the Doha summit

Israel has agreed to reduce veto on which terrorists are released, in exchange for an increased number of hostages released each week, report says.

Hamas official:

'Ceasefire and hostage deal must guarantee the end of the war'

Hamas senior official Ghazi Hamad says no major issue was agreed upon in talks in Qatar, blames Israel for sabotaging the negotiations.

Biden:

'No one in the region should undermine efforts to reach a deal'

US President says a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal is in sight, warns that "no one in the region should take actions to undermine this process".

US official:

'We believe hostage deal negotiations are now in the end game'

Senior Biden administration official tells reporters after Doha talks that "there's really a new spirit here to drive this to a conclusion".

Biden on hostage deal:

'We’re closer than we have ever been before'

US President says "we may have something" when it comes to a hostage release deal, but "we’re not there yet".

Hostage's father:

'Emerging deal could kill my son'

Tzvika Mor, the father of hostage Eitan Mor, warns that the multi-stage hostage deal puts the male hostages who will not be released in the first stage at risk.

US officials:

'Progress was made in first day of hostage deal talks'

Two US officials tell Axios the first day of talks in Doha was "very good" and that some progress was made.

Report:

Hezbollah will delay attack on Israel until after Doha talks

Source close to Hezbollah tells the Washington Post that the organization will not attack Israel so as not to obstruct the negotiations on a ceasefire in Gaza and hostage release deal.

Trump:

'The hostages are largely dead'

Former US President and Republican presidential nominee speaks at "Fighting Antisemitism" event in New Jersey: When I'm back in the Oval Office I will support Israel's right to win its war on terror. I will give Israel the support that it needs to win.

Qatar announces:

Gaza ceasefire-hostage talks will continue on Friday

Source involved in the Doha negotiations tells Haaretz that the talks went well and "we are hoping to see progress in the next 48 hours."

'The killing has to stop'

Trump: I told Netanyahu to get the war over with

Former US President says he has not spoken with Netanyahu since their meeting last month: I encouraged him to get this over with. Get your victory. And get it over with.

'I chose not to look'

Mother of hostage whose picture was published speaks out

Rachel, the mother of Ofir Sarfati, whose body appeared in a photo published by Hamas, called on the negotiators to do everything to bring everyone home.

Hamas claims:

'Guard violated orders, murdered hostage for revenge'

The Hamas terrorist organization released new details on the alleged murder of an Israeli hostage, says guard was enraged after learning his children had been killed.

Central sticking point:

Number of live hostages to be released in first stage of deal

Hamas insisting on releasing 'living or dead' hostages from 'humanitarian' group, Israel insists first stage of deal include 30 living hostages.

Report:

Trump speaks to Netanyahu about hostage release deal

Axios reports that former US President and Republican presidential nominee spoke on the phone with Netanyahu, one day before Doha summit.

Freed hostage:

'I still see my captor in front of me, I'm shaking'

Mia Schem, who was kidnapped on October 7 and freed after 54 days, speaks about the post-trauma she is still dealing with since her return.

US and Qatar:

'No party should take steps to undermine a deal'

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Qatar's Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, speak ahead of Doha summit, warn all sides not to undermine Gaza ceasefire talks.

Chief of Staff:

'Every day Hamas holds our hostages will be more bitter for it'

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi holds situational assessment in Philadelphi Corridor area in southern Rafah, praises soldiers' progress in dismantling Hamas.

President Herzog holds prayer vigil for hostages

President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog were joined by family members of hostages and bereaved families at his residence where they prayed for the well-being of the 115 hostages held captive by Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip for 313 days.

Netanyahu approves Israeli delegation to Doha summit tomorrow

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved the departure of the Israeli delegation to Doha tomorrow, as well as the mandate for conducting the negotiations on a ceasefire and hostage deal.

Lapid answers Arutz Sheva:

'These are my limits on a hostage deal'

Opposition leader says his limits on how far he is willing to go to secure a hostage deal are the parameters of the deal currently on the table.

Hostages' relatives at the Knesset:

'Our loved ones' struggles must remain top priority'

Relatives of Israelis held hostage by Hamas in Gaza hold protest in Knesset, demanding prisoner swap with Hamas.

US Ambassador to the UN:

'Lowering tensions starts with a Gaza deal'

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield tells the UN Security Council that the overall US goal in the Middle East is to "turn the temperature down" and that begins with a ceasefire and hostage release deal.

New York Times: Netanyahu set new conditions for ceasefire deal

New York Times article claims Israel made five changes to the ceasefire-prisoner swap deal proposal - but details only two of them, neither a new demand.

Hostage's last words to parents:

‘I love you, see you tomorrow' - 311 nights ago

Rachel, mother of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, says that she trusts PM Netanyahu and security experts, who expressed support in the discussed hostage deal. 'I'm not a military tactician, I'm just a mother.'

Hamas claims to have killed a hostage, harmed others

Hamas claims it murdered one of its hostages circulate on Telegram. IDF says it has no evidence to confirm or refute the reports.

President Herzog:

'Winds of divisiveness are back. Bring the hostages home'

President Isaac Herzog’s special message screened at the Tisha B’Av Hostage Square rally in Tel Aviv: 'I will support any deal that will bring our hostages home and protect our security interests.'

Historic First:

Medical journal publishes study of released hostages

A study by researchers from Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel on the condition of children and women returned from Hamas captivity has been published in the international scientific journal Acta Paediatrica.

Biden:

'A ceasefire in Gaza is still possible'

US President tells CBS his ceasefire outline can still be implemented before the end of his term: I’m working literally every single day to see to it that it doesn’t escalate into a regional war.

Hamas says it won't send representatives to negotiations

Hamas announced officially that it will not send a delegation to the next round of hostage talks which are set to begin this week.

Mevo'ot Hermon governor urges open war in the north

Beni Ben-Muvchar said that a prisoner exchange deal must be carried out and immediately thereafter a war in the north must be launched. 'Bring the hostages home, then wipe them out, even if it means Beirut's schools, power stations, and airports.'

The heartrending words of a murdered hostage's 5-year-old son

Racheli Baruch, whose husband Uriel was kidnapped on October 7 and murdered in captivity, shares a recording of her son's reaction to losing his father.

Smotrich hits back:

US would reject a deal surrendering to Al Qaeda and bin Laden

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich responds to White House spokesman John Kirby's verbal attack, says he expects US to 'respect Israel's democracy, citizens, and politicians,' notes that hostage deal would 'abandon most hostages to death.'

'There can be no more delays'

Britain welcomes call to resume hostage deal talks

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy welcomes call by Qatar, Egypt and US for resumption of ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas: The fighting must stop now, and all hostages still cruelly detained by Hamas must be released.

Kirby rips Smotrich:

'His views would sacrifice the lives of the hostages'

White House National Security Council spokesperson blasts Finance Minister who said the hostage release and ceasefire deal proposed by the US would be an agreement of surrender to terrorism: He's dead wrong.

Hamas' new demand for a prisoner swap deal

Hamas terror group announces that it will demand archterrorist Marwan Barghouti's release be included in the first stage of any agreed-upon prisoner swap deal, Sky News Arabic reports.

Qatar, Egypt, and the US:

'Time to conclude a ceasefire agreement'

Leaders of Qatar, Egypt, and the US call on Israel and Hamas to resume talks on August 15 on the proposed hostage release and ceasefire agreement.

Senior US official:

'The gaps are bridgeable, we don't have time to lose'

Senior US official speaks to reporters following call by the US, Egypt and Qatar for a summit next week to finalize a hostage release deal: There is an urgency to get this process back on track.

Shiri Bibas's cousin:

'We fully believe that they are alive'

Yossi Schneider, whose cousin is being held hostage by Hamas together with her husband and two sons, says that many Israelis, including politicians, sent them messages in an attempt to convince his family that the four are dead.

Hostage release deal:

Hamas member Khalil al-Hayya to lead indirect talks with Israel

Palestinian Arab sources say senior Hamas member Khalil al-Hayya is set to continue leading indirect negotiations with Israel, with guidance from newly appointed leader Yahya Sinwar.

President Herzog visits Kerem Shalom Crossing

President Isaac Herzog says, during his visit to the Kerem Shalom Crossing on the Gaza border: 'Israel continues to act according to international humanitarian law, as we fight terror and demand unequivocally and work tirelessly for the release of our hostages held by Hamas.'