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Hostages in Gaza

News and updates about Hostages in Gaza

Hamas official claims:

'No one has an idea how many hostages are still alive'

Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan tells CNN the latest ceasefire proposal did not meet the group’s demands for an end to the war.

'No one has an idea how many hostages are still alive'

Parents of rescued hostage:

'There are things that he’ll never talk about'

The parents of Andrey Kozlov look back on the excitement of learning their son was rescued from Hamas captivity and the moving reunion and share the horrifying effects of Hamas' psychological torture: 'He thought the Israeli soldiers came to kill them.'

'There are things that he’ll never talk about'

'Irresponsibility'

Bibas family responds to Benny Gantz

Relatives of the Bibas family responded to remarks by the ex-minister who hinted the worst befell the parents and two young children. 'We still wholeheartedly believe that we will hear good news.'

Bibas family responds to Benny Gantz

Noa Argamani's first question upon her liberation

Commander of Yamam team that found Noa Argamani on Saturday reveals the first thing she asked when they rescued her.

Noa Argamani's first question upon her liberation

Gantz:

'I think Israel knows fate of Bibas family'

National Unity party leader explains decision to leave the government, accuses Netanyahu of preventing hostage deal for political reasons.

'I think Israel knows fate of Bibas family'

Netanyahu to Yamam forces:

'You raised the stature of our nation with the hostage rescue'

PM, Minister Ben-Gvir visit base following the rescue of four hostages on Saturday.

'You raised the stature of our nation with the hostage rescue'

The day after - Happy Isru Chag!

Homecoming is complicated. So is the day after.

The day after - Happy Isru Chag!

Chances for a hostage deal close to none

Hamas staunchly refuses the Israeli demand to exile the terrorists, not even to the Gaza Strip, and demands that they be returned to their place of origin, including Judea and Samaria.

Chances for a hostage deal close to none

6 months in a dark room:

New details of treatment of rescued hostages revealed

Wall Street Journal report details abuse endured by 3 of the hostages who were rescued on Saturday, including physical and psychological torture.

New details of treatment of rescued hostages revealed

Hamas submits response

Israeli official: They rejected the Biden proposal

Senior Hamas official says the group is committed to demand for a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Israeli official: Hamas rejected the outline proposed by Biden.

Israeli official: They rejected the Biden proposal

Jordan's Foreign Minister:

'Israel will become more of a pariah state'

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi call on Israel to abide by Security Council resolution for plan to end the war in Gaza which has been rejected by Hamas.

'Israel will become more of a pariah state'

US Ambassador to the UN:

'Israel accepted the deal, we want Hamas to do so as well'

US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield urges Hamas to accept ceasefire and hostage release deal proposal which was outlined by President Joe Biden.

'Israel accepted the deal, we want Hamas to do so as well'

US National Security Adviser:

'Ceasefire deal could lead to Saudi normalization'

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan says Biden is of the opinion that Hamas cannot remain in power in Gaza following the war.

'Ceasefire deal could lead to Saudi normalization'

Touching:

Noa Argamani meets mother of boyfriend still in captivity

Ditza Or, whose son Avinatan is held captive by Hamas in Gaza, met her son's girlfriend Noa Argamani, who was rescued in Operation Arnon after eight months of captivity.

Noa Argamani meets mother of boyfriend still in captivity

Mother of hostage:

'A breath of air in the suffocating reality we live'

Rachel, the mother of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, was elated to hear of Operation Arnon's success but believes that military raids have their limits.

'A breath of air in the suffocating reality we live'

Pentagon:

'Israel did not use Gaza aid pier in hostage rescue operation'

Pentagon spokesperson pushes back on reports claiming that Israel used the US-built pier off Gaza during "Operation Arnon" to rescue hostages held in Gaza.

'Israel did not use Gaza aid pier in hostage rescue operation'

Doctor who treated hostages:

'The hostages were beaten while in captivity'

Doctor in charge of medical treatment for four hostages who were rescued tells CNN that the eight months spent in captivity “left a significant mark on their health”.

'The hostages were beaten while in captivity'

Biden:

'An opportunity for Hamas to prove they want a ceasefire'

US President again calls on Hamas to accept ceasefire and hostage release deal, after the UN Security Council adopted US-drafted resolution which backs the proposal.

'An opportunity for Hamas to prove they want a ceasefire'

Resolution approved

Security Council calls on Hamas to accept deal

United Nations Security Council adopts US-drafted resolution which backs the proposal for a ceasefire and hostage release deal and calls on Hamas to accept the proposal.

Security Council calls on Hamas to accept deal

Ben-Gvir's position accepted:

Terrorists' bodies will be held in Israel

The political-security cabinet supported Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's position over Minister Yoav Gallant's position on continuing to hold terrorists' bodies.

Terrorists' bodies will be held in Israel

Report:

Documents prove that Netanyahu agreed to discuss ending the war

Israel submitted a document about a month ago with its proposal for a deal to release the hostages which was not disclosed to the cabinet. Netanyahu's office claims that the document presented is partial and misleading.

Documents prove that Netanyahu agreed to discuss ending the war

Watch:

The moment the hostages were found

New footage shows IDF soldiers coming under heavy fire during the rescue of three of the hostages on Saturday.

The moment the hostages were found

'1st 1 on board, 2nd, 3rd:'

New footage of hostage rescue released

IDF releases new footage showing Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv boarding and flying on the helicopter that took them to freedom after they were rescued on Saturday.

New footage of hostage rescue released

Freed hostage's mother:

'I can sleep well for the first time in 8 months'

Orit Meir, the mother of Almog Meir Jan, who was rescued on Saturday, describes how she learned of her son's return, calls for deal to free the remaining hostages.

'I can sleep well for the first time in 8 months'

'The elephant in the room'

MFA highlights 'civilian' involvement in Hamas atrocities

New video notes how Gazan civilians participated in killing, raping, and abducting Israelis on October 7th and still assist in holding hostages.

MFA highlights 'civilian' involvement in Hamas atrocities

Report:

Biden admin. considered unilateral deal with Hamas

Administration officials discussed holding talks, that would exclude Israel, for the release of the five US citizens still being held by the terror organization.

Biden admin. considered unilateral deal with Hamas

US official:

Successful rescue operation complicates efforts to reach a deal

Ahead of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Israel, the Biden administration seems to see the successful operation, which rescued four hostages, in a negative light.

Successful  rescue operation complicates efforts to reach a deal

ANALYSIS:

‘At the level of Entebbe’

The military’s growing control of Gaza created conditions for the daring daylight hostage rescue in Nuseirat • Terrorists fired waves of RPGs at the extraction force from civilian areas.

‘At the level of Entebbe’

Report:

Security Council to vote on US ceasefire deal

Axios' Barak Ravid reports that the US circulated a new draft Security Council resolution calling on Hamas to accept the hostage and ceasefire deal outlined by Biden. A vote is expected on Monday.

Security Council to vote on US ceasefire deal

Urban warfare expert:

'Hostages were not freed, they were RESCUED.'

Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point John Spencer says mainstream media is wrongly reporting the rescue operation and the war in Gaza in general.

'Hostages were not freed, they were RESCUED.'

Chief of Staff in Gaza:

'We take significant risks and make fateful decisions'

IDF Chief Staff LTG Herzi Halevi visited the eastern region of Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip and discussed the operation that rescued four hostages.

'We take significant risks and make fateful decisions'

Moving footage:

Andrey Kozlov reunites with his parents

Andrey's parents Evgenya and Michael arrived in Israel from Russia after their son was rescued from Hamas captivity in an Israeli operation.

Andrey Kozlov reunites with his parents

IDF confirms:

Al Jazeera journalist was terrorist who held hostages

Al Jazeera journalist Abdallah Aljamal was an operative in the Hamas terrorist organization, who held the hostages Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv captive in his family home in Nuseirat.

Al Jazeera journalist was terrorist who held hostages

Helmet-cam footage:

Shayetet 13 commandos escort rescued hostages to helicopters

The IDF has released helmet-cam footage showing the naval commandos transferring the rescued hostages from the Yamam and ISA forces to the helicopters that took them home.

Shayetet 13 commandos escort rescued hostages to helicopters

'Welcome home!'

Hundreds gather in NYC to celebrate rescue of hostages

Participants celebrated the rescue of four hostages from Gaza and wrote on the posters with the hostages' photos that had been hanging around the city 'HOME!'

Hundreds gather in NYC to celebrate rescue of hostages

Israeli flags in hand

Thousands pay respects to Yamam officer killed in rescue op.

The Yamam commanding officer eulogized Chief Inspector Arnon Zamora and recalled how he led his men in fighting terrorists on October 7th.

Thousands pay respects to Yamam officer killed in rescue op.

Report:

This is the room where Noa Argamani was held hostage

Gazans posted pictures of the room where they claim Noa Argamani was held until her rescue

This is the room where Noa Argamani was held hostage

Released hostage:

'The citizens of Israel hurt me, they reacted negatively'

Released hostage Agam Goldstein-Almog recounted what she sees as shockingly negative reactions to her release. 'I got reactions as if you're my enemies.'

'The citizens of Israel hurt me, they reacted negatively'

Netanyahu:

'Happy is the nation that is blessed with its heroes'

During Cabinet meeting, PM says rescue of 4 hostages demonstrates the stature of Israelis and their supporters, but the loss of the rescuers' commander remains painful.

'Happy is the nation that is blessed with its heroes'

"Proud and Love You"

Fallen commander's letter to his team

Arnon Zamora, who fell during the rescue of four hostages, wrote to his team: 'I wouldn't ask for _ else beside me but you.'

Fallen commander's letter to his team

Report:

Noa Argamani was held in Al Jazeera reporter's apartment

Arab journalist Abdallah Aljamal killed while reportedly attempting to prevent the rescue of a female hostage he held captive in his apartment.

Noa Argamani was held in Al Jazeera reporter's apartment

Col. Richard Kemp:

'Incredibly impressive, hard to rescue hostages from 2 places'

Former commander of British forces in Afghanistan speaks to Arutz Sheva about the difficulty and achievement of the rescue of 4 hostages yesterday, warns Hamas will attempt to make further rescues more difficult.

'Incredibly impressive, hard to rescue hostages from 2 places'

BBC asks:

Why didn't Israel warn Gazans before the hostage rescue?

During an interview with former IDF spokesperson Jonathan Conricus, a BBC presenter wondered why Israel did not alert the Gazans before the hostage rescue operation.

Why didn't Israel warn Gazans before the hostage rescue?

'Didn't get to see son's return'

Father of hostage died hours before his son's rescue

Yossi Jan found unresponsive when officials came to tell him the news that his son Almog Meir was rescued from Gaza.

Father of hostage died hours before his son's rescue

Fallen commander's widow:

'Amazing spouse, perfect dad, loving and beloved man'

In a post published by Michal Zamora, the widow of fallen YAMAM officer Arnon Zamora who fell in battle during the hostage rescue mission, she eulogized: "He was a loving and beloved man."

'Amazing spouse, perfect dad, loving and beloved man'

Francesca Albanese calls rescue of 4 hostages 'genocidal'

UN Special Rapporteur with history of antisemitic statements criticizes operation in which Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv were rescued, citing Hamas-given casualty figures.

Francesca Albanese calls rescue of 4 hostages 'genocidal'

Operation Arnon:

'An exciting and nerve-wracking operation'

Soldiers from the Kfir and Paratroopers brigades accompanied the forces that rescued the hostages and were responsible for the security and rescue cover. "What happened is far beyond imagination."

'An exciting and nerve-wracking operation'

Blinken:

'We will not rest until every hostage is returned home'

Secretary of State welcomes operation to rescue four hostages, calls on Hamas to accept Biden proposal: The only thing standing in the way of achieving this ceasefire is Hamas.

'We will not rest until every hostage is returned home'

Freed hostage and her father on front page of UK newspapers

The Telegraph and The Observer feature on the front page of their Sunday edition a photo of Noa Argamani reuniting with her father Yaakov, after she was freed from Hamas captivity.

Freed hostage and her father on front page of UK newspapers

Hostages were forced to read the Quran

Hostages who were rescued from captivity on Saturday say that the terrorists forced them to read the Quran and learn Islamic rulings.

Hostages were forced to read the Quran

Gallant:

'One of the most heroic operations I've ever seen'

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant praised all the forces involved in Operation Arnon, the daring rescue of four hostages from Nuseirat over Shabbat.

'One of the most heroic operations I've ever seen'

Rescued hostage: 'Did you watch my video?'

Hamas terrorists filmed Almog Meir Jan, and told him that they would pass the video clip to Israel - but they never did.

Rescued hostage: 'Did you watch my video?'

Sara Netanyahu speaks with mother of rescued hostages

Sara Netanyahu, wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaks with parents of Shlomi Ziv and Noa Argamani, who were rescued from Gaza on Saturday in a heroic military operation.

Sara Netanyahu speaks with mother of rescued hostages

Watch:

Tribute to the squadron commander who rescued the hostages

Felix was scrambled at night to the daring operation to free the four hostages from Gaza Strip, but still managed to arrive this evening to celebrate his birthday at a 'Hatikva 6' concert.

Tribute to the squadron commander who rescued the hostages

Watch: Noa Argamani celebrates her father's birthday

Noa Argamani, one of the four hostages rescued from Gaza on Saturday, celebrates her father's birthday together with him.

Watch: Noa Argamani celebrates her father's birthday

New details emerge on heroic hostage rescue operation

Israeli forces entered Nuseirat in civilian vehicles, terrorists opened fire towards the vehicle in which the hostages were waiting to leave.

New details emerge on heroic hostage rescue operation

Watch:

Passersby sing 'Am Israel chai' as Noa Argamani visits mother

Noa Argamani arrives at Ichilov Hospital to meet her ailing mother, passersby sing 'Am Israel chai' in her honor.

Passersby sing 'Am Israel chai' as Noa Argamani visits mother

A knock on the door: 'It's the IDF, we came to rescue you'

Noa Argamani, rescued from the Nuseirat 'refugee' camp in Gaza, arrives at Ichilov Hospital, where her mother Liora awaits.

A knock on the door: 'It's the IDF, we came to rescue you'

Footage from inside helicopter:

Noa Argamani rescued from the Gaza Strip

Watch footage from inside the helicopter in which Noa Argamani was rescued and returned home to Israel after the IDF and ISA rescue operation in the heart of Nuseirat in the Gaza Strip

Noa Argamani rescued from the Gaza Strip

Moving:

Released hostages reunited with their families

Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv, rescued from Gaza in complex daytime operation, meet their families after over 200 days in captivity. Watch.

Released hostages reunited with their families