Hostages in Gaza

Hamas sets conditions for the return of hostages deal

Hamas demands cessation of fighting, total withdrawal of the IDF from the Gaza Strip, lifting of the siege, rebuilding of the Gaza Strip, and implementation of a "respectable" exchange deal.

After 20 days, IDF forces exit Jabaliya

After rescuing the bodies of seven hostages and destroying 10 kilometers of terror tunnels, IDF forces exit Jabaliya.

Israeli officials believe:

Hamas not interested in moving forward with the talks

Hamas publishes official statement saying that a deal for the release of hostages would only be possible if the war in Gaza is completely stopped.

Moments before kidnapping:

The chilling conversation between Eden Yerushalmi and the police

24-year-old Eden Yerushalmi was kidnapped from the Nova Festival in Re'im. In the recording, she can be heard describing her situation to the police while incessant gunfire is heard in the background.

'There won't be a deal'

The difficult conversation between hostage families and NSC Chief

National Security Council Director Tzachi Hanegbi explained to family members of hostages that the government can not give in to Hamas' demand to end the war.

UN Secretary-General to meet families of hostages

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to have first meeting with members of the Tikva Forum of families of hostages next week.

IDF destroys tunnel where bodies of hostages were found

After the bodies of Shani Louk, Amit Buskila, Ron Benjamin, Yitzchak Gelernter, Hanan Yablonka, Michel Nisenbaum, and Orion Hernandez were found in a tunnel in Jabaliya, the IDF destroyed the entrances to the tunnel.

Islamic Jihad publishes 2nd video of hostage Sasha Trufanov

Terrorist organization publishes 2nd video this week of hostage who was kidnapped on October 7 and continues to be held in Gaza.

Freed hostage Sapir Cohen receives warm welcome in South Africa

Cohen, whose boyfriend Sasha Troufanov remains in captivity and was featured in a video released by Islamic Jihad yesterday, visits Jewish community of South Africa despite government's anti-Israel stance.

Islamic Jihad publishes video of hostage Sasha Trufanov

Terrorist organization releases sign of life from one of the hostages kidnapped on October 7.

IDF Chief of Staff:

'80% of military objectives achieved, the rest will take time'

Israel is set to deliver a new prisoner exchange agreement proposal to the mediating countries, thought to be one of the most comprehensive plans yet offered.

IDF's hostage envoy criticizes the government

Maj. Gen. Nitzan Alon criticizes the government in closed conversations with IDF officers: There will be no deal with the make up of this government.

NYC Jerusalem Conference:

Firsthand accounts and insider views of Oct. 7th and the war

The third annual Arutz Sheva Jerusalem Conference in New York City will honor those who have defended Israel on every front - and show how everyone can do their part.

After his body was recovered:

Thousands attend funeral for hostage

Per the Yablonka family's request, the funeral procession began with a rally calling for the release of the hostages who are still being held in Gaza.

'I have friends in Palestine'

Hostage's mother recalls her involvement in 'peace program'

Ayelet Levy-Shachar, the mother of Naama Levy, said her daughter had participated in Hands of Peace, an initiative promoting dialogue between young Palestinians and Israelis.

In a skincare ad: Montana Tucker highlights freed hostages' story

Influencer Montana Tucker featured a freed Israeli hostage in a skincare promo, drawing conflicting responses.

Hamas ramps up its psychological terrorism

Hamas' military arm, the Al-Qassam Brigades, publishes a video clip sending a message to Israelis and blaming PM Netanyahu and the IDF for hostages' deaths.

Sister of murdered hostage:

"From a sister with hope, I became a bereaved sister"

Avivit Yablonka, sister of the late Hanan Yablonka, mourns: 'My brother, although you returned not as I hoped, there are still 125 hostages who are still there, and they must be taken out of this hell now!'

New details on recovery of three hostages' bodies

IDF releases new details on the complex operation to rescue the bodies of hostages Hanan Yablonka, Michel Nisenbaum and Orion Hernandez from the Gaza Strip.

New York:

Video showing kidnapping of IDF lookouts screened at Times Square

The three-minute video shows lookouts Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Agam Berger, Daniela Gilboa, and Naama Levy before Hamas kidnapped them to Gaza on October 7.

Father of hostage:

'We count the minutes, every minute is an eternity for her'

Eli Albag, the father of Liri who is seen being abducted in the video that was published this week, spoke to Arutz Sheva about his fight to bring his daughter home, he calls for unity and asks everyone to keep praying.

Sisters of recovered hostage:

'We are crushed and broken'

Avivit and Orit, the sisters of Hanan Yablonka whose body was recovered from Gaza, commented on the tragic tidings: "We woke up to a black morning, we couldn't have imagined this."

IDF Spokesman:

'We won't stop fighting for hostages' freedom from living hell'

After bodies of 3 hostages recovered from Gaza, Rear Admiral Danial Hagari says 'There are men, women, children, and babies being held in Hamas in living hell across our border in Gaza.'

Herzog:

'Our hearts go out to hostages' families on bitter news'

Israeli President reacts to recovery of the bodies of hostages Michel Nisenbaum, Hanan Yablonka, and Orion Hernandez Radoux, who were murdered on October 7.

Bodies of 3 hostages recovered from Gaza

IDF, Shin Bet, locate and recover bodies of Michel Nisenbaum, Hanan Yablonka, and Orion Hernandez Radoux, who were murdered on October 7.

CIA director to visit Europe for hostage release talks

Axios report: CIA director William Burns is expected to travel to Europe for a meeting with the head of the Mossad and the Prime Minister of Qatar in an effort to revive talks to release hostages.

Father of kidnapped soldier:

'We have to fight with strength'

Shlomi Berger, father of IDF lookout Agam Berger who was kidnapped to Gaza, says it is time to end the war as part of a deal to release the hostages.

MK plays massacre video for hundreds in Nashville

MK Ohad Tal play the video of the abduction of surveillance post operators on October 7th for hundreds of supporters at a rally in Nashville, Tennessee.

With families of hostages:

British Deputy PM views massacre footage for the first time

British Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden met with families of the hostages in London yesterday and viewed the videos of the abduction of soldiers from Nahal Oz for the first time since it happened.

War Cabinet instructs:

Continue negotiations on hostage release deal

Major General Nitzan Alon, who is responsible for the issue of the hostages on behalf of the IDF, compiled a document with amendments to the Israeli response to the hostage deal proposal.

Ambassador Erdan:

'You recognized an entity of murderers, rapists, and kidnappers'

Israel's Ambassador to the UN condemned Norway, Ireland, and Spain for recognizing a Palestinian state and commented on the video showing the abduction of IDF lookouts on October 7th.

Herzog on abduction video:

'The world must look at this cruel atrocity and speak out'

Israeli President Isaac Herzog commented on the horrifying video that was published showing the abduction of five female IDF lookouts by Hamas terrorists on October 7th.

Heartbreaking cruelty in footage from young women's abduction

Families Forum publishes footage - taken from the terrorists' boydcams - showing the brutal abduction of five female IDF soldiers, who are still held hostage in Gaza.

Mother of hostage:

'On video you see a mass of terrorists treating them brutally'

Shira Albag, mother of observer Liri, kidnapped on Oct. 7, described the video that will go public tonight: "You hear the terrorists saying – “These are the girls that can get pregnant'.”

Hostages' families:

Video of abduction of female IDF observers to be released tonight

The families of the female IDF observers who were kidnapped on October 7 decided to release the footage showing how their daughters were treated during their abductions tonight.

'We were all duped'

Report: Egypt changed terms of Gaza ceasefire deal

Sources tell CNN that Egyptian intelligence quietly changed the terms of ceasefire proposal that Israel had already signed off on, scuttling a hostage release deal.

Chief of Staff in Gaza:

'We're ready for dangerous missions to retrieve hostages bodies'

IDF Chief of Staff Halevi visits soldiers in Jabaliya, says military seeks to bring all hostages back alive and to enable burials for those who no longer alive.

Hamas Captivity Survivor:

'The wounds became infected. I saw we had honey and used it'

Hamas captivity survivor and pediatric nurse Nili Margalit shares a harrowing tale of resilience and treating her fellow hostages in Hamas captivity.

Honenu:

Only haredim charged with illegal assembly

Data revealed in a recent Knesset meeting shows that for all of 2022 and 2023, only haredim were ever charged with illegal assembly during protests.

Cleared for publication:

Soldiers recount the mission to recover hostages

The soldiers involved in the mission to recover the bodies of four hostages from Jabaliya recount the operation, minute by minute.

Mother of hostage:

'No time for waiting around'

Einav Zangauker, mother of the hostage Matan Zangauker said to Minister Gallant: 'Matan was kidnapped alive, he is still alive now, but you want to abandon him to die.'

Cleared for publication:

How the bodies of four hostages were recovered from Gaza

The tunnel where the bodies were found was used by Hamas in an attempt to rebuild their command and control capacity. It was in an underground complex which the IDF had not reached until that point.

Human rights expert:

'UN Security Council refused to hold meeting on Israeli hostages'

Human Rights Voices President Professor Anne Bayefsky tells Arutz Sheva reports that the Security Council met to discuss the hostages' plight last week are misinformation and the meeting was held outside the Security Council, which refused to hold it.

Montana Tucker in Israel:

I want to show how incredible Israel is through music and dance

Jewish TikTok influencer, Montana Tucker speaks to Arutz Sheva: 'I went to US college campuses. People don't even know what they're chanting or what they're supporting. I tried to have a conversation with them to see if I could understand, but they have no idea what they're doing.'

Hostages' families:

'Immediately resume negotiations'

Hostages Families Forum Headquarters responds to the release of footage featuring two sisters while they were in Hamas captivity: We urge the international community to condemn Hamas and to continue applying pressure to ensure the release of all hostages.

IDF finds footage of 8-year-old hostage in Gaza

IDF soldiers in Gaza in recent days located a video showing 8-year-old Ela Elyakim a few days after she was abducted from her father's home in Nahal Oz during the October 7th massacre.

Hostage's father:

‘Netanyahu is dillydallying and causing severe damage’

Father of Avinatan Or, who is being held hostage in Gaza, calls on the coalition to replace the PM, by elections or any other way: ‘Netanyahu does not have the courage to decide on a war or a deal.’

Heartbreaking:

Bodies of three hostages rescued from Gaza laid to rest

In three cemeteries, Shani Louk, Amit Buskila and Yitzhak Gelernter, whose bodies were rescued from Gaza over the weekend, are being laid to rest.

IDF confirms:

Bodies of three hostages recovered from Gaza

The bodies of the hostages Yitzhak Gelernter, Shani Louk, and Amit Buskila were rescued overnight during a joint IDF and ISA operation.

Erdan at UN:

'You've done practically nothing to secure hostages' release'

Israeli Ambassador criticizes the UN for its failure until now to discuss ways to bring back the hostages held by Hamas: If the Council truly wants this war to end, then bringing the hostages home should be the top priority!

Finally:

UN Security Council to discuss advancement of hostage release

Following a prolonged effort by Ambassador Erdan, the Security Council will convene on Thursday for a special discussion on the situation of the hostages and the promotion of ways to release them.

'Revenge on Hamas'

Bereaved mother's demand for victory on Independence Day

Galit Valdman, whose son, Major Ariel Ben-Moshe, was killed on October 7: ‘Wants revenge. Maybe a minister in the government can't say things like that, but I'm not in uniform.’

Singer Miri Mesika sings 'Hatikva' with freed hostages

Before the anthem, Mesika dedicates one of her songs to the freed hostages and prays for the return of all 132 hostages who are still in captivity.

Report:

Sinwar is hiding in Khan Yunis

According to report in The New York Times, Yahya Sinwar is not in Rafah, but remains in the tunnels in Khan Yunis - surrounded by hostages to use as human shields.

Watch:

Terrorist who held hostage Noa Marciano captive eliminated

The terrorist, Naeem Ghoul, who was eliminated on Friday, was involved in firing rockets at Israeli territory and was also responsible for holding Noa Marciano, who was murdered by an al-Shifa hospital doctor.

Holon:

Mayor clashes with mother of hostage over Yom Haatzmaut parties

Holon Municipality decided to hold the Yom Haatzmaut celebrations in the city almost without changes, despite the anguish of the family of hostage Agam Berger.

Relatives of hostages arrested in Tel Aviv protests

Violent confrontations broke out this evening in Tel Aviv between protesters and the police. A water cannon was used. Three protesters were arrested, among them relatives of hostages.

Psychological terrorism:

Hamas publishes video clip of hostage Nadav Popplewell

Nadav Popplewell, son of released hostage Channah Peri, was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nirim on October 7.

Hamas:

'We'll re-examine our negotiation strategy'

Hamas blames Israel for collapse of talks on a ceasefire and a hostage release deal, says it will hold consultations with other factions and “re-examine” its negotiation strategy.

Report:

This is the Hamas demand Israel rejected

Officials with knowledge of the Cairo hostage talks reveal Hamas demand for potential ceasefire as terror group refuses to commit to releasing 33 living hostages.