Hostages in Gaza

Qaid returns home:

Israeli leaders 'overjoyed' at 'daring, courageous' rescue

President Herzog, Defense Minister Gallant react to rescue of former hostage Qaid Farhan al-Qadi after nearly 11 months in Hamas captivity.

Released hostage: The terrorists asked my father for ransom

Moran Stella Yanai, released from Hamas captivity in a prisoner swap, tells of how she was pressured to convert to Islam, and feared being married off by force.

Hostage Qaid Farhan al-Qadi rescued from Gaza

Qaid Farhan al-Qadi, aged 52, from Rahat, who was abducted by the Hamas terror organization into the Gaza Strip on October 7th, rescued by IDF and ISA.

John Kirby:

'Negotiations on hostage deal are pressing ahead'

White House national security spokesperson plays down reports that talks in Cairo have broken down: The talks are constructive.

US National Security Adviser:

'We're working feverishly on a hostage release deal'

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan says the US is concerned about the Middle East conflict escalating to a broader war.

Egyptian officials:

'Talks on hostage deal ended without agreement'

Two Egyptian security sources say that neither Hamas nor Israel agreed to several compromises presented by mediators during the latest talks in Cairo.

Lindsey Graham:

'Israel should warn Iran: We’re going to blow up your refineries'

Sen. Lindsey Graham recommends that Israel threaten to "blow up" Iran's oil refineries if the remaining hostages taken by Hamas during its October 7 terrorist attack are not released soon.

Hamas again rejects hostage deal proposal

This evening Hamas rejects proposal for a hostage deal and accuses 'the US administration for sowing false hopes, by talking about an imminent agreement'

Captivity survivor to husband:

'You must not lose hope, we will bring you home'

Aviva Siegel, whose husband Keith is still held hostage in Gaza, shares, 'There were moments when we believed we would be at our daughter's wedding. It kept us going, it gave us a lot of hope and light within the great darkness.'

Philadelphi Corridor

Report: Netanyahu willing to withdraw one position

Axios reports that Biden urged Netanyahu to consent to pulling back Israeli forces from a section of the Egypt-Gaza border. Netanyahu agreed to reposition one IDF unit by "a few hundred meters".

Freed female hostages meet with Netanyahu

Earlier today (Friday), Hamas captivity survivors met with the Prime Minister to understand what could still be more important than freeing their loved ones, who have been in captivity in Gaza for 322 days.

Released hostage:

'Thanks for my being kidnapped because of you'

Yagil Yaakov, 13, released in a prisoner swap deal after 52 days in Hamas captivity, addresses outgoing Military Intelligence chief in powerful statement.

Major General (res.) Ron-Tal:

Partial deal may be death sentence for other hostages

Major General Yiftah Ron-Tal on the hostage deal: 'I prefer we continue to demand a deal that will bring all hostages home at once.'

Rescued hostage Noa Argamani:

'My boyfriend, is still there'

Rescued hostage Noa Argamani spoke about her captivity in Gaza, 'There were days when we were not allowed to drink at all'

US Ambassador to the UN:

'Pressure Hamas to accept the ceasefire deal'

US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield tells the Security Council a potential ceasefire and hostage release agreement "is now within reach," and Hamas must be pushed to agree to it.

Freed hostage refuses to meet Netanyahu

Margalit Moses, who was released from captivity, writes to the Prime Minister that she refuses to attend a meeting with him which she claims is intended "for photo op and public relations purposes."

Birthday in captivity:

Agam, released hostage, writes to her friend in Hamas captivity

Agam Goldstein-Almog writes to her friend Agam Berger, who is in Hamas captivity on her 20th birthday: 'You are a fighter. I miss you. I don't believe you are still there. Waiting for you.'

Murdered in Captivity:

Bullets found in bodies of recovered hostages

Bullets were found in some of the bodies of the hostages recovered by Israel in the past week. It is believed that they were shot by Hamas.

'Doesn't understand Arabic'

Eisenkot calls on Netanyahu to replace Mossad director

MK Gadi Eizenkot calls for the replacement of the head of the team negotiating for the hostages - Mossad director David Barnea.

Bibas family to redhead fest.:

'Don't forget your redhead brothers'

The Bibas family have initiated a call to the Redhead Festival in the Netherlands to remember the redhead Bibas children who are being held hostage by Hamas.

Parents of hostage at DNC:

'The time for a hostage deal is now'

Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, parents of Hersh who was kidnapped on October 7, address the Democratic National Convention, greeted by chants of "bring them home": Returning the hostages is not a political issue.

Biden to Netanyahu:

Important to bring ceasefire and hostage release deal to closure

White House in readout of phone call between Biden and Netanyahu: They discussed active and ongoing US efforts to support Israel’s defense against all threats from Iran, including its proxy terrorist groups.

Report:

Government reconsidering October 7th ceremony amid opposition

As many of the kibbutzim that suffered the most during the October 7th massacre announce that they will not attend the state ceremony, the government is reconsidering.

Report:

Biden to pressure Netanyahu to bend on hostage deal demands

US President Joe Biden is expected to speak to Prime Minister Netanyahu and pressure him to show more flexibility on the issue of the Philadelphi Corridor.

Murdered hostage's wife:

'Thank you for saving me, I love you'

Yagev Buchstab, whose body was recovered from Gaza yesterday, was laid to rest at the Nirim cemetery on Wednesday evening.

Saudi media:

Conditions of Blinken's final proposal

According to Asharq Al-Awsat, the US Secretary of State's offer for a hostage deal includes the right for Israel to exile 150 released terrorists and veto the release of 65 terrorists.

Hamas demanding cessation of 'aggression,' IDF withdraw from Gaza

Senior Hamas official said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preventing a ceasefire-prisoner swap deal, says deal must include Israeli withdrawal, ability for Hamas to regroup.

Dep. Chief of Staff:

We'll operate in all areas to return our hostages

Deputy Chief of the General Staff Amir Baram joins soldiers who participated in operation to retrieve bodies of hostages, promises, 'We'll continue to operate in all areas of Gaza to defeat Hamas and bring back our hostages.'

Mother of hostage:

'Children of senior officials in exchange for hostages'

Ditza Or, the mother of hostage Avinatan Or, offered Sinwar the children of the five senior officials in exchange for the 109 hostages.

Bereaved father:

Prisoner swap deal 'bitter death sentence for many Jews'

Eliyahu Libman, whose son was murdered on October 7, warns that a 'deal will be the State of Israel's official encouragement of more kidnappings.'

US officials: 'Prisoner swap' deal 'on brink of collapse'

US officials concerned that if talks for what they call a 'prisoner swap' deal with Hamas fail, Iran may attempt direct strike on Israel, escalating tensions throughout the Middle East.

Blinken:

'US won't accept a long-term occupation of Gaza'

US Secretary of State speaks in Doha, says the Gaza ceasefire deal needs to get done in the coming days and the US, Egypt and Qatar will do everything possible to get Hamas on board.

Father of murdered hostage meets Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez

Ruby Chen, father of murdered hostage Itay Chen, whose body is being held in Gaza, meets Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, at a meeting of the NY delegation.

Keir Starmer sends condolences over deaths of 6 hostages

British PM speaks with Netanyahu following recovery of the bodies of 6 hostages from Gaza overnight, welcomes Israeli support for US ceasefire proposal.

Chief of Staff:

'We're determined to bring back all of the murdered hostages'

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi tours Gaza, addresses recovery of the bodies of six hostages overnight.

Senior official:

'Leaks harm negotiations for hostage deal'

A senior official calls on those leaking information from government meetings to express their positions publicly: 'I tell them - tell the public what you think. don't hide.'

New footage released from recovery of bodies of 6 hostages

Overnight, the bodies of hostages Nadav Popplewell, Yagev Buchshtab, Avraham Munder, Yoram Metzger, Haim Perry and Alexander Dancyg, were rescued and returned to the State of Israel.

Netanyahu promises:

Unclear if there will be a deal, we will not exit key corridors

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets families of fallen soldiers, hostages held in Gaza, says he will stand up to pressure to relinquish control of Philadelphi, Netzarim, corridors.

Bereaved families to PM:

For the sake of Israel's children - say NO to a reckless deal

Parents of fallen soldiers urge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to say 'no' to a deal which will harm Israel's security. 'Look into the eyes of our children, make a deal - but not one that harms Israel's security.'

Hostage recovery:

'We all grieve together, we will do whatever it takes'

Israeli officials responded to the news that several hostages' remains had been recovered from Gaza by security forces.

Arab report:

Egypt won't oppose Israeli presence along Philadelphi Corridor

Egypt will treat status quo on Philadelphi Route as 'legal violation,' but turn a blind eye to it, report says.

In military operation:

IDF, ISA, retrieve bodies of six hostages from Gaza

On Monday night, the IDF retrieved the bodies of Nadav Popplewell, Yagev Buchstab, Yoram Metzger, Haim Perry, Alex Dancyg, and Avraham Munder from Gaza.

Senior Hamas official:

'Blinken’s statement raises many ambiguities'

Hamas senior official Osama Hamdan criticizes Blinken's statement that Netanyahu accepted an updated proposal for a ceasefire and hostage release deal: Not what we agreed on.

Qatari report:

Israeli team leaves without progress on Rafah and Philadelphi

Israeli delegation to the negotiations on a ceasefire and hostage release deal left the discussions without progress regarding the Philadelphi Corridor and Rafah.

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.'