Hostages in Gaza

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.'

Hostage's mother:

This is how we exposed UNRWA's hypocrisy to the world

Ayelet Samerano tells about the moment she stood up to the UNRWA CEO and demanded answers in front of hundreds: 'You kidnapped my son. Where is he?'

In honor of Ariel Bibas:

Knesset building illuminated in orange

Knesset building illuminated in orange to match the hair color of five-year-old who is marking his birthday in Hamas captivity.

Thousands mark Ariel Bibas' 5th birthday in Tel Aviv

Grandmother of boy who turns 5 today after 10 months in Hamas captivity says 'The world around us continues to turn, but time seems to have frozen without you. You've grown a year older, but there's no celebration.'

An apology to Ariel Bibas

I am sorry, Ariel, for the evil in this world that has forced you to celebrate your fifth birthday in Hamas captivity. Op-ed.

Sister of hostage lookout:

'We dream about Karina returning home; it gives us strength'

Sasha talks about the coping, hope, faith and calls for unity, as her sister Karina celebrates her birthday in Hamas captivity.

Report:

Majority of Hamas battalions still intact, some have rebuilt

Report claims the IDF has not sufficiently struck the battalions in the central Gaza Strip due to a fear of harming hostages being held by them.

Hostage's grandmother pens letter: Do you remember your birthday?

Pnina Bibas, grandmother of youngest hostages Ariel and Kfir Bibas, who are still held in Gaza, pens letter marking Ariel's fifth birthday: 'Time seems to have frozen without you. You've grown a year older, but there's no celebration.'

Ariel Bibas turns 5 tomorrow after 10 months in captivity

Bibas family releases video of previous birthday pictures of Ariel Bibas to highlight how he remains a hostage on his fifth birthday.

Netanyahu:

'I'm not making changes to the deal, Hamas is'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the government meeting regarding the negotiations for the deal and the Iranian threats of retaliation over the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh.

Tel Aviv:

5 arrested, police ticket protesters for traffic violations

Thousands of people participated Saturday evening in a demonstration organized by the families of hostages at the Kirya base in Tel Aviv.

Watch:

New footage of hostage Eitan Levi being taken to Gaza

'We decided to share and release the video of his abduction. The proof that there are no innocent civilians in Gaza,' the family wrote.

'You are feeble'

Report: PM's discussion on hostage deal turned tense

TV report says the heads of the defense establishment said Netanyahu does not want a deal, and he fired back. Prime Minister's Office denies the report, says Netanyahu ordered the negotiating delegation to leave for Cairo to resume the talks.

Report:

Biden warned Netanyahu to stop escalating tensions

US officials tell Axios that President Biden privately demanded in his call with Netanyahu that he stop escalating tensions in the region and move immediately toward a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal.

Mother confronts UNRWA head:

'UNRWA kidnapped my son, I want him back'

Ayelet Samerano, whose murdered son Yonatan was kidnapped to Gaza by an UNRWA worker on October 7th, confronted UNRWA Secretary-General Philippe Lazzarini during a celebration in Switzerland.

Biden:

'Elimination of Haniyeh didn't help ceasefire efforts'

US President says he had “a direct conversation” with Netanyahu and urged him to quickly reach a deal for the release of the hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza.

Blinken urges:

'Stop the escalatory actions, we need a ceasefire'

US Secretary of State urges all parties in the Middle East to make efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.