Hostages in Gaza

Gafni in recording:

'Hostage release deal at any price'

Degel Hatorah chairman MK Moshe Gafni heard saying that his party believes that a deal for the release of hostages "at any cost" should be reached.

Biden:

'I’ll be working to bring the war in Gaza to an end'

A day after announcing he is withdrawing from the presidential race, Biden phones in to his campaign headquarters: I’ll be working very closely to try to work out how we can get the Gaza war to end. I think we’re on the verge of being able to do that.

Smotrich:

'The defense system is abandoning the hostages again'

Minister Smotrich reiterates his concern about the current deal: "The senior officials of the defense system fully admit that the discussed deal abandons most of the hostages."

Yagev's wife eulogizes:

'A good soul, sensitive, beautiful, and enchanting'

Rimon Kirscht eulogized her husband Yagev Buchshtab after she learned that he was murdered in Hamas captivity in Gaza.

Senior defense officials:

Israel could withdraw from Gaza for six weeks for a hostage deal

Senior defense officials sent a message to Prime Minister Netanyahu stating a firm stance: 'We are aware of the security consequences, but now is the time to prioritize the release of the hostage whose time is limited.'

President Herzog:

International community must wake up and take action against Iran

President Isaac Herzog addressed a memorial ceremony for fallen soldiers in the Second Lebanon War and called for the international community to join Israel in its fight against terror.

Jerusalem:

Protest features 'terrorists with blood on their hands'

In a display produced by young members of the Religious Zionist party, the 'terrorists' stood in front of banners reading 'a released prisoner today is a terorrist tomorrow.'

Cleared for publication:

Hostages Yagev Buchshtab & Alex Dancyg were murdered in captivity

Yagev Buchshtab and Alex Dancyg, kidnapped on October 7, were murdered while held hostage in Gaza.

Mothers of hostages:

'We will return with good news, for the state and hostages'

Shelly Shem Tov and Ayelet Samerano, whose sons Omer and Yonatan, are still held hostage in Gaza, join PM on trip to US: 'Now is the time to bring the hostages home.'

Rescued hostage:

'Our captor was a psycho; we were scared to death'

Hostage rescued in Operation Arnon, Almog Meir Jan, talks about his days in Hamas captivity and the chief captor, an Al Jazeera cameraman, who tortured him and his friends.

Defense Minister:

'Limited window of opportunity' for prisoner swap deal

IDF's military achievements during the war have created conditions, limited window of opportunity, to establish framework for the release of the hostages, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant says.

Ahead of Netanyahu's trip:

Efforts to approve Israel's response to hostage deal

Israel is making an effort to give its answer to the moderators before Prime Minister Netanyahu takes off for the US where he will meet with President Biden.

Singer Ran Danker's tribute to the family of Roni Eshel

The successful singer performed for the first time in Caesarea and invited Eshel's family to his show and dedicated the song 'Angel' in her memory.

Post deleted:

Washington Post criticizes parents of hostage who spoke at RNC

Washington Post comes under fire over post on X which appeared to be critical of parents of kidnapped IDF soldier Omer Neutra: "They don’t talk about Israel’s assault on Gaza."

Trump threatens Hamas:

'Hostages better be back by the time I'm in office'

In his address to the Republican National Convention, Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump called on Hamas to release the Israeli hostages, 'Or you will be paying a very big price'.

'Yes To Life, No To Terrorism'

Event commemorates anniversaries of multiple terror attacks

Organized in collaboration with the Families Forum to mark 30 years since the AMIA bombing, 32 years since the attack on the Israeli Embassy in Argentina, and 9 months since October 7th the gathering united survivors and families affected by the attacks.

19 mil. pounds of aid

US sums up Gaza maritime pier operation

USAID reports that US humanitarian pier delivered 19 million pounds of aid to Gaza; stating that a ceasefire is urgently needed to enable the surge of assistance and the release of hostages.

Arab affairs expert:

Hamas at its lowest point militarily since the war began

Avi Issacharoff said that Israel should take advantage of the fact that Hamas needs a ceasefire to advance a hostage deal.

Chief Rabbi's ruling:

Releasing terrorists 'permitted' in order to free hostages

Outgoing Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef calls for government to sign prisoner swap deal, claiming 'there is no choice - release terrorists with blood on their hands.'

'Omer, we love you'

Parents of hostage Omer Neutra speak at RNC

Ronen and Orna Neutra, parents of Israeli-American Omer Neutra who was taken hostage by Hamas in the October 7 attack, speak at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee: Omer, we love you. We won't stop fighting for you.

Report:

US, Israel and PA secretly discussed Rafah crossing

Axios reports that the US, Israel and the Palestinian Authority held a secret meeting last week to discuss the reopening of the Rafah crossing as part of a hostage and ceasefire deal.

Hamas leader:

'No truth to reports about freeze in negotiations'

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh says that reports about Hamas' decision to freeze negotiations on a ceasefire agreement are not true.

Mossad Chief to cabinet:

'The girls in captivity don't have time'

Mossad Director David Barnea told the cabinet that the female hostages do not have time for Israel to find a way to prevent weapons from reaching the northern Gaza Strip before a deal is made.

Father of IDF lookout:

'We have indications that the lookouts are still alive'

Eli Albag, father of IDF lookout Liri Albag, who is held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, says he 'collapsed' after publication of photo, has indication that the Nahal Oz lookouts are still alive.

Rescued hostage, Noa Argamani, to join PM on trip to US

Noa Argamani, who was rescued from Hamas captivity, will join PM at Congress speech, together with her father and other hostage families.

First Days in Hell:

Photos of female observers from their initial days in captivity

The families of the observers are now allowing the publication of photos showing their loved ones during their first days in captivity. The images reveal them bruised and wounded from the horrific abduction that the entire world witnessed.

Hostage release discussed

Blinken meets Hanegbi and Dermer

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller says Blinken "discussed practical solutions to resolve the remaining issues on the table in ongoing ceasefire negotiations".

Watch:

Prayer for hostages at Republican National Convention

Republican National Convention holds moment of silence and prayer for the hostages still being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Freed hostage:

'I was asked - say anything so he wouldn't touch us again'

Agam Goldstein-Almog, who was freed after 50 days in Hamas captivity in November addresses screening of 'Screams Before Silence,' recalls the horrors she and her mother endured in captivity.

Herzog to UK Foreign Sec.:

'Your landslide victory enables the UK to move forward'

Newly appointed UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy met with President Herzog, as well as with the family of Tamir Adar, who was murdered and whose body was being held by Hamas.

Israeli officials estimate:

Despite eliminations - hostage talks will continue

Based on Hamas' response, Israeli diplomatic sources estimate that the negotiations for a hostage and ceasefire deal will continue despite the strike on Hamas's military commander.

It hurts less when we sing, and even less if we sing together

An all women haredi ensemble whose guitarist on October 7th lost a sister in law at the Nova festival, and whose husband is held hostage in Gaza, welcomes musicians and performers of every sector to try to unite and ease the pain.

Families of hostages:

'Deal with Hamas is surrender'

Residents of the north, bereaved families, and relatives of hostages protested outside the Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, calling for continued pressure on Hamas and against a deal with Hezbollah.

Rescued hostage:

'Every day in Gaza was a living hell'

Andrey Kozlov, rescued by the IDF from Hamas captivity, describes his time in captivity: 'Every day in Gaza was a living hell; every day felt like it could be my last on earth.'

Biden on hostage release deal:

'I'm determined to get this done'

Biden says both Israel and Hamas agreed to the ceasefire and hostage release deal he outlined, reiterates determination to implement the proposal.

Senior defense official claims:

'Netanyahu setting new conditions for hostage release deal'

Senior defense official says "this is the moment of truth for the hostages" but asserts Netanyahu is delaying a deal. PM's office: The claim is false and fundamentally unfounded.

Rescued hostage:

My hands were tied for two months

'For the first two months, my hands and feet were always tied with ropes or iron chains with lock,' rescued hostage Andrey Kozlov says.

First Lady in Time Magazine:

'We cannot give up on the women hostages'

First Lady Michal Herzog in a moving and poignant piece published on the Time website: Weaponizing of women’s bodies, of sexual assault and rape in warfare since October 7, has taken the entire human race many steps backward.

Biden on hostage release deal:

'Gaps remain, but the trend is positive'

Biden says both Israel and Hamas agreed to the outline he laid out six weeks ago, adds he is determined to bring about an end to the Israel-Hamas war: It should end now.

Netanyahu:

'Only clarity & determination will get the hostages back'

PM attends Officers Course Graduation Ceremony, reiterates Israel remains determined to achieve all goals of the war and return all remaining hostages.

Rescued hostage sues US nonprofit that employed his captor

Almog Meir Jan, who was rescued during Operation Arnon, files lawsuit against People Media Project, which employed the man who held Almog and 2 other hostages captive in his Gaza apartment.

IDF Chief of Staff:

'Hostage release deal embodies basic values'

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi speaks at graduation ceremony of the National Security College, outlines the threats that Israel currently faces.

Minister Gallant:

'A hostage release deal will advance our interests'

Defense Minister at graduation of National Security College: The conditions that will be created following the deal will advance our interests. The IDF knows how to overcome the risks that may arise.

Sister of hostage:

'Now is the time, be a hero and bring them home'

Yarden, the sister of Hamas hostage Romi Gonen, spoke to Arutz Sheva and explained why she believes a deal must be made now despite the fears and apprehensions.

Hostage's mother:

'She's screaming for us to save her'

Orly Gilboa speaks to Arutz Sheva about the decision to allow the Israeli media to publish the video of her abducted daughter, Daniella, six months after Hamas released it. 'As a mother, it's hard to think what could happen in nine months'

Released hostage completes IDF course with honors

Noga Weiss, who was released from Hamas captivity in November 2023 completes an IDF course with honors, and says: 'I feel that I have won.'

Israel's Amb. to US:

'If there’s a deal, Biden will want to take credit for it'

Israel's ambassador to the US, Mike Herzog, claims that if a deal is reached with Hamas to release the hostages, US President Joe Biden will try to take credit for it.

Fmr. Shin Bet official warns:

The one terrorist who will be the next Sinwar if released

Former Shin Bet official and Israel Defense and Security Forum (IDSF) member Yossi Amrosi warned that Israel may not release Abdullah Barghouti, who is serving 66 life sentences, at any cost.

Israeli journalist:

Hamas set a condition that will leave most hostages captive

Journalist Yaron Avraham explains Hamas' problematic condition for prisoner swap deal, adds: 'Israel cannot agree to this condition.'

Video shows IDF lookout Daniella Gilboa in captivity

Family of IDF lookout allows publication of video clip filmed by Hamas on Daniella Gilboa's 107th day of captivity. 'We received another sign of life from her two months ago,' mother Orly says.

Channel 14 poll:

Most of the public opposes deal with Hamas

The majority of the Israeli public opposes the deal being negotiated with Hamas for the release of hostages, finds the poll conducted by the Direct Polls institute.

Gallant to hostages' families:

'We have to use the military pressure to advance the deal'

Defense Minister meets families of hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza: The military pressure created the conditions that make it possible to move forward with the deal.

Biden meets hostage who was freed in first deal

White House says Biden held a private meeting with Liat Beinin Atzili, an American who was released by Hamas on November 29.

Hamas attempts to blame Netanyahu for failure to reach deal

Terrorist organization claims it has demonstrated 'flexibility' in hostage negotiations, but Israeli leader is torpedoing chances for a ceasefire with red lines.

Jewish Unity:

From Milwaukee to Herzliya

A weekly glimpse into the Israel you won’t read about in the news.

Smotrich:

Hostage deal would mean defeat for Israel, victory for Sinwar

Finance Minister says if Israel accepts the current hostage deal proposal, it will sentence 90 hostages to death and facilitate the next Hamas massacre.

Lapid:

'Opposition will give 'safety net' for hostage deal'

Opposition leader Yair Lapid has declared that his party will support a prisoner exchange agreement even if it means preserving the coalition.

Hostages' families warn:

Proposed prisoner swap deal will leave most hostages in Gaza

Hostages families, members of the Tikva Forum, call to reject proposed prisoner swap deal, warn that agreeing to it will harm their loved ones.

Hostage's brother disrupts committee meeting, is forcibly removed

Boaz Miran, the brother of the hostage Omri Miran, spoke of his opposition to the current deal with Hamas, Danny Elgarat the brother of the hostage Itzik Elgarat disrupted him and was removed from the room.

Report:

Destruction in Gaza may have pushed Hamas to drop demands

Messages from several senior Hamas officials in Gaza urged the group’s exiled political leadership to accept the ceasefire proposal and noted the terrorist organization's heavy losses.