Amit Segal:
'Hamas did not want a hostage deal at all'
News commentator Amit Segal is worried that the US will sign a deal with Hamas behind Israel's back, and emphasizes: 'We deceived ourselves, we told ourselves stories.
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Hostages in Gaza
News and updates about Hostages in Gaza
CIA director travels to Qatar as hostage talks "near collapse"
Official says William Burns to meet with Qatari PM to exert "maximum pressure" on Israel and Hamas to continue talking.
Netanyahu:
'Surrendering to Hamas demands would be a terrible defeat'
PM addresses the negotiations for a hostage deal, blames Hamas intransigence for lack of deal and says surrendering to its demands would invite repeats of October 7.
Ben Gvir's message to Netanyahu
Minister of National Security: Netanyahu promised not to agree to a reckless deal and say yes to an operation in Rafah - he knows very well the price of not fulfilling the commitment.
A chilling picture of the Bibas family
An Italian waiter in a restaurant near Naples proudly told Adi Spatz about his Israeli friend Yarden Bibas, and showed her a picture of him and his wife Shiri from their visit to Italy.
Hostages' families:
'Stand up to the pressures or stand up and resign'
Families of the hostages wrote to the Prime Minister Saturday evening to demand that he resist international pressure for a ceasefire or vacate his position for someone who would.
Intifada kingpin may be released in prisoner exchange deal
Report: Israel not opposed to the release of senior Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti as part of a deal.
Hamas:
'We're headed to Cairo in a positive spirit'
Hamas confirms it is sending a delegation to Cairo, with the goal of reaching an agreement on a hostage release deal.
Amid hostage release deal talks:
CIA director arrives in Cairo
Earlier, Egyptian officials told The Wall Street Journal that Israel gave Hamas a week to agree to a ceasefire deal, or an invasion of Rafah will begin.
Kibbutz Be'eri:
Dror Or was murdered on October 7, his body is held by Hamas
Dror Or is the father of Noam and Alma Or who were freed from captivity. Their mother was also murdered by Hamas on the day of the massacre.
State Department:
'No progress on hostage talks, Hamas the only obstacle'
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller says current deal on table meets many of Hamas's previous demands.
Blinken:
'The deal is there, Hamas should take it'
Secretary of State speaks to reporters, reiterates position about Rafah operation: We cannot, will not support a major military operation in Rafah absent an effective plan to make sure that civilians are not harmed.
Gallant to Blinken:
'Determined to bring back the hostages, ready to go into Rafah'
The Defense Minister and US Secretary of State toured Kibbutz Nir Oz and the Kerem Shalom Crossing and discussed the hostage negotiations and humanitarian aid efforts.
Proposed hostage deal:
3 hostages every 3 days; Israel permits Gazans to return
New deal that Hamas has not yet confirmed includes a 40 day ceasefire, release of 33 hostages.
Bereaved families meet PM:
'Determined PM who has not changed the goals of the war'
Father of fallen IDF soldier, spoke to Israel National News - Arutz Sheva about his meeting with PM: ‘I met a determined prime minister who is committed to the goals of the war and is ready to pay a personal price for the sake of the nation.’
Finance Minister:
'Accepting deal is accepting Sinwar's plan for Hamas victory'
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich commented on the proposed deal for the release of the hostages and said that it was ‘Yahya Sinwar’s plan for victory.’
Blinken:
Hamas has to decide quickly on 'very generous' deal
US Secretary of State says a lot of progress has been made towards normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia, presses for hostage deal at World Economic Forum in Riyadh
Hamas official:
'No major issues with Israel's latest proposal'
Hamas official says a delegation from the organization will arrive in Egypt on Monday to deliver the group's response to Israel's counterproposal: The atmosphere is positive unless there are new Israeli obstacles.
White House:
'Biden reiterated his clear position on Rafah incursion'
Following Biden-Netanyahu phone call, White House says Biden "reaffirmed his ironclad commitment to Israel’s security" and stressed the need for progress in delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Israeli official clarifies:
'The preparations for entering Rafah are continuing'
Israeli diplomatic official responds to criticism over latest Egyptian ceasefire proposal: In any deal, if there is one, Israel will not give up the goals of the war.
Minister Gantz's red line
Deal for returning the hostages without ending the war
Minister Gantz warns: ‘If the ministers who led the government on Oct. 7 prevent a responsible deal that does not involve ending the war, the government will have no right to exist’
Minister Smotrich to PM:
'Egyptian deal humiliating surrender and existential danger'
Minister Bezalel Smotrich attacks the Egyptian outline for a deal to release the hostages in exchange for a ceasefire that would prevent Israeli military entry into Rafah.
Hostages' families:
A deal without invading Rafah is surrender to Hamas
Members of the Tikva Forum criticized the latest plan for the release of kidnapped victims. 'Hamas is playing us - and apparently successfully.'
Report:
Egypt tells Hamas Rafah operation will be legitimate without deal
US, Egypt reportedly upping pressure on Hamas to accept hostage deal in order to prevent an Israeli operation in Rafah.
Former Mossad director: 'Bad' deal - but it's good
Former Mossad director Yossi Cohen has previously stated that a deal should only be made if all hostages are released. Tonight he claimed, 'It needs to be done, and better sooner than later.'
Israel to Egypt:
'One last chance for hostage deal before Rafah invasion'
Axios reports that Israeli officials told their Egyptian counterparts that Israel is ready to give hostage negotiations "one last chance" to reach a deal with Hamas, but if there isn't progress soon it will move forward with a ground invasion of Rafah.
Released teen hostage:
'The terrorist brought me a ring'
18-year-old Noga Weiss recounted how one of her captors wanted to marry her.
Released 9-year-old hostage comes full circle
Ohad Munder watched Hapoel Be'er Sheva's Israel State Cup semi-final victory from the stands. While in captivity, he learned that the team had sent him birthday wishes.
Minister Zohar:
'Cabinet decision is unacceptable'
Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar blasts Cabinet decision to allow imprisoned Hamas Nukhba terrorists, who carried out the October 7 massacre, to receive humanitarian visits.
Freed hostage recalls:
'The terrorist brought me a ring'
18-year-old Noga Weiss, who was kidnapped to Gaza and freed after 50 days, shares the story of how the Hamas terrorist who held her captive said he wanted to marry her.
Watch:
Singer-songwriter Idan Raichel pays tribute to freed hostages
Israeli singer and songwriter Idan Raichel hosts Fernando Marman and Louis Har, who were freed by IDF troops, dedicates a song to them.
Israeli official:
'As far as Israel is concerned, the offer is for 33 hostages'
Israeli official comments on reports that the latest offer to Hamas involves the release of only 20 hostages.
Parents of hostage:
'Seeing our son should be a reminder - we need them all released'
Parents of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin gave a statement following Hamas publishing a video of their son.
'Israel will pay a heavy price' in new hostage deal proposal
Israeli negotiating team presents to Cabinet proposal in which Hamas would release 20 hostages and in exchange, Israel would permit residents to return to northern Gaza and other concessions.
Smotrich: No exchanging hostages for ceasefire
The head of intelligence suggested including no entry to Rafah and promoting steps towards a Palestinian state in exchange for the release of the captives. Minister Smotrich rejected the idea as a dangerous proposal.
After British demand:
Nukhba terrorists to receive humanitarian visits, hostages won't
Israeli government accedes to British demand to be allowed to visit terrorists who committed October 7 massacre without the hostages receiving any humanitarian visits in return.
Hostages' families:
'We welcome joint declaration, call for continued efforts'
The Hostages Families responded to the joint statement calling for the release of the hostages, but said that it needed to be expanded.
President Biden:
Freed 4-year-old former hostage "is remarkable"
US President posted a photo from his meeting with 4-year-old Avigail Idan, who was freed from Hamas captivity. "She is recovering from unspeakable trauma."
Senior US official:
'Sinwar, Hamas to blame for lack of hostage deal'
Biden Administration official says 'it's really down to one guy to accept the deal' to free the hostages.
Father of Hirsch Goldberg-Polin
"We hoped he was alive, we watched the video and cried"
John Polin recounted watching the video of his son in Hamas captivity: "He sounded strong, hearing him say he missed us - it strengthened us."
US, 17 other nations demand Hamas release all hostages
The US and 16 other countries whose citizens were kidnapped by Hamas issued a joint statement blaming Hamas for prolonging war by refusing to release its hostages.
IDF Spokesman on hostage video:
'Until Hamas releases hostages, IDF will pursue them everywhere'
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari reacts to Hamas video of Hersh Goldberg-Polin. 'This is an urgent call for action. We will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to find our hostages.'
As a gesture to Qatar
US received video of Hersh Goldberg-Polin on Monday
Biden administration had asked the Qatari government several times for assistance in getting proof of life for Goldberg-Polin and other American hostages.
Biden meets 4-year-old freed hostage Abigail Idan
US President meets young US citizen who was kidnapped on October 7 and spent her fourth birthday in captivity in Gaza.
Protesters light fires, clash with police outside PM's Residence
Hundreds of demonstrators protested outside the Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem calling for the return of the hostages.
State Department:
FBI investigating veracity of Hamas hostage video
Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US State Department, Vedant Patel, says the Biden Administration 'will not rest a single minute until Hersh Goldberg-Polin is reunited with his family.
Hostages' families:
'Govt. must stop dawdling, start pressuring Hamas'
Tikva Forum reacts to Hamas video showing Hersh Goldberg-Polin, says 'there are many pressure levers for the return of the hostages that have not been used.'
Hostage's parents:
Hersh, if you hear us, we love you, stay strong, survive
The parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli hostage who appeared in a video published by Hamas on Wednesday, have released a video statement in which they call on all involved to work for the release of their son.
After Hamas hostage video
Families: Hostages' time is running out, must be top priority
Family of Hersh Goldberg-Polin gives permission to share video Hamas published of their loved one who has been held hostage for over 200 days.
Hamas publishes sign of life from hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin
Hershe, who was wounded and kidnapped from the Nova music festival on October 7. appears in Hamas-released video. His mother Rachel was recently named to the 2024 TIME100.
Intelligence sources confirm:
Sinwar has left his tunnel
The Hostage Families Forum said the fact that the Hamas leader was able to walk the streets of Gaza 'is the picture of Israeli failure.'
A critique of power
People take notice, for better or for worse, when someone dares to be different, and what we are going through today is simply 2024’s iteration of our daring to be different. Our strength is not determined by their might. Opinion
Watch:
Freed nine-year-old Emily Hand sings 'Ma Nishtana'
Nine-year-old Emily Hand, who was held hostage by Hamas and freed after 50 days, takes part in Kibbutz Be'eri Seder, sings "Ma Nishtana" with other children.
Hostage's father:
'We'll leave a seat for you in case you come home'
Zvika Mor, the father of Eitan Mor, who was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on October 7, writes about celebrating Passover with his son in captivity, never losing hope.
Public diplomacy video:
The empty chair at the Passover Seder
Prime Minister's Office National Public Diplomacy Directorate launches new video seeking to raise awareness of the hostages being held by Hamas: No family in the world should celebrate like this.
IDF spox. to hostages:
'If you can hear me - we will fight until you return home to us'
Rear Admiral Hagari told Israelis that while forces are deployed along the entire length of the borders of Israel, they must remain vigilant during the holiday.
Mother of hostage:
'I can't imagine celebrating Passover without my son'
Ahead of Passover, the mothers of hostages called on the world to press for a deal so they could celebrate the holiday with their loved ones.
PM Netanyahu:
'Hamas refused all deals, we will soon hit them hard'
In a pre-Passover address, the Prime Minister commented on US threats to sanction the Netzach Yehuda Battalion: 'I will fight it with all my might.'
Report:
Israel fears less than 1/3 of hostages are still alive
Of the 133 people still held hostage by Hamas, Israel reportedly fears just 40 still live.
For the first time since Hamas's response:
War Cabinet will discuss the hostage deal
At the request of Ministers Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot, the cabinet will convene to discuss the deadlock reached in the deal after Hamas's response to the mediators' proposal.
