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Hostages in Gaza

News and updates about Hostages in Gaza

Sen. Fetterman:

'We must talk about the hostages until they come home'

Pennsylvania Senator vows to keep bringing up the issue of the hostages: If Hamas would send everybody home and surrender, all the death, destruction and misery in Gaza would end.

'We must talk about the hostages until they come home'

CIA Director:

'Hamas is to blame for stalled hostage deal talks'

CIA Director William Burns says Hamas was presented with “a far-reaching proposal” but has not accepted it.

'Hamas is to blame for stalled hostage deal talks'

Families of hostages block highway, attempt to start bonfire

Several dozen representatives of families of Israeli hostages and anti-government activists block Highway 1 at the Anava Interchange, right before Shabbat.

Families of hostages block highway, attempt to start bonfire

Military headstone placed on grave of accidentally slain hostage

The family of Alon Shamriz, who was killed by IDF fire after escaping Hamas captivity, has been fighting to have him fully granted as a fallen soldier.

Military headstone placed on grave of accidentally slain hostage

Mother of hostage:

'He risked his life to save even the bodies of young girls'

Real Talk host Hadassah Chen speaks with the mother and brother of hostage Rom Braslavski.

'He risked his life to save even the bodies of young girls'

New video shows Yarden Bibas being kidnapped to Gaza

Footage from October 7 shows father of youngest hostage being beaten as he is dragged into Gaza.

New video shows Yarden Bibas being kidnapped to Gaza

Tzohar Rabbinical org.:

Set a seat at the seder table for hostages

The Tzohar Rabbinical Organization is calling on Jews to leave an empty seat at their seder tables and to dedicate the fifth cup, traditionally known as Elijah’s Cup, to the hostages.

Set a seat at the seder table for hostages

TIME names hostage's mother one of 100 most influential people

Rachel Goldberg-Polin's son Hersh Goldberg-Polin, was taken hostage by Hamas into Gaza on October 7th, where he, along with 132 others, remains held in captivity.

TIME names hostage's mother one of 100 most influential people

'Not constructive'

Qatar responds to US lawmaker's call to reevaluate relations

Qatari embassy in the US expresses surprise at comments made by Congressman Steny Hoyer regarding the Gaza hostage crisis and his threat to "reevaluate" the US relationship with Qatar.

Qatar responds to US lawmaker's call to reevaluate relations

Father of fallen hostage:

'My son fought with incredible bravery'

Rabbi Doron Perez, whose son was killed in action on October 7th and his body taken to Gaza, speaks about receiving the final news last month and urges the world not to allow soldiers to be forgotten during prisoner exchange negotiations.

'My son fought with incredible bravery'

Hostage in Gaza:

There was a photo of Gilad Schalit in the room where we were held

Noralin Babadilla, taken hostage from Kibbutz Nirim with her partner Gideon Babani: ‘It was hell. Everyday I thought they were going to kill us. I thought Gideon was alive. I prayed and spoke to him.’

There was a photo of Gilad Schalit in the room where we were held

Senior Hamas official:

'Israeli proposal is not a basis for moving forward with a deal'

Mahmoud al-Mardawi, one of the senior members of Hamas, emphasizes that it will not be possible to reach a deal to release the hostages unless all of Hamas' demands are met.

'Israeli proposal is not a basis for moving forward with a deal'

Mother of fallen hostage:

Not the soldiers' fault, glad Hamas didn't kill him

Iris Haim speaks about the honor given to her by the President for her son, a hostage killed by IDF fire as he tried to escape Hamas.

Not the soldiers' fault, glad Hamas didn't kill him

Hamas now offering to release just 20 hostages

Senior official says after Hamas rejected the latest ceasefire proposals, it offered to release half the number of hostages while demanding Israel free murderers.

Hamas now offering to release just 20 hostages

President Herzog:

'A story of supreme bravery with a bitter end'

The President today honored the families of three hostages killed by an IDF soldier while escaping Hamas.

'A story of supreme bravery with a bitter end'

Hostage's uncle:

We can bring the hostages home by stopping all negotiations’

Uncle of Avinatan Or, held hostage by Hamas in Gaza: ‘The negotiations are aimed at restoring Hamas rule in Gaza. The hostages held by local clans will be released only when they understand that we are the sovereign.’

We can bring the hostages home by stopping all negotiations’

IDF Spokesman Hagari:

'Iran launched 60 tons of warheads and explosives at Israel'

Spokesman Hagari applauded international cooperation in thwarting the Iranian threat and noted: 'Even while under attack from Iran, we have not lost sight of our critical mission in Gaza to rescue our hostages from the hands of Iran's proxies Hamas.'

'Iran launched 60 tons of warheads and explosives at Israel'

Hamas turns down another hostage deal

PMO says Hamas responded negatively to proposal in which Israel showed 'significantly degree of flexibility,' proving Sinwar not interested in a humanitarian deal.

Hamas turns down another hostage deal

Released hostage:

The terrorist turned to me and said "Welcome to Gaza"

Moran Stella Yanai spoke at the site of the Supernova festival at an event for thousands of bikers and families of the hostages.

The terrorist turned to me and said "Welcome to Gaza"

MK Simcha Rothman threatened outside meeting

The families of hostages prevented MKs from entering meetings in Tel Aviv and declared that they would fault the coalition for failing to recover their loved ones.

MK Simcha Rothman threatened outside meeting

Haniyeh claims:

'My sons weren't Hamas fighters'

Hamas leader says group is still seeking a hostage release deal despite the elimination of three of his sons in an air strike in Gaza.

'My sons weren't Hamas fighters'

'The wrong side of history'

Israel blasts new Irish PM's comments on Gaza

Foreign Ministry criticizes Ireland’s new Prime Minister, Simon Harris, after he fails to mention the hostages being held by Hamas while criticizing Israel's actions in Gaza.

Israel blasts new Irish PM's comments on Gaza

Member of negotiation team:

'The government is not doing everything to return the hostages'

Anonymous officials from the negotiating team for the release of the hostages claim Netanyahu is thwarting a deal.

'The government is not doing everything to return the hostages'

Report:

Egypt predicts hostage negotiations will fail

A senior Egyptian source said that there is no need for any extra time to proclaim the failure of the current round of negotiations since all signs point to this.

Egypt predicts hostage negotiations will fail

Hundreds outside PM's house:

'Only pressure on Hamas will bring back the hostages'

Protesters, including hostages' families and bereaved families, called for the intensification of the war against Hamas and for the IDF to enter Rafah.

'Only pressure on Hamas will bring back the hostages'

Special interview

Douglas Murray: 'One truth can puncture a thousand lies'

Author and journalist Douglas Murray urges Israel advocates around the world not to give up, regardless of either ignorance or opposition in their audience.

Douglas Murray:  'One truth can puncture a thousand lies'

Report:

Hamas unsure of whether it has 40 live hostages for prisoner swap

Does Hamas have enough living hostages to make a deal with Israel? Maybe not.

Hamas unsure of whether it has 40 live hostages for prisoner swap

Special Passover seder calls for hostages' release

'Let Our People Go': At a special Passover Seder event in Kibbutz Nir Oz, relatives urge unconditional release of hostages. 'For the families of the 133 hostages, there will not be a holiday without their loved ones.'

Special Passover seder calls for hostages' release

Freed hostage:

'I was kidnapped by civilians who sold me to Hamas'

Nurse recounts how she was kidnapped from her home by armed Gaza civilians and sold to Hamas terrorists before being taken to a tunnel with other hostages.

'I was kidnapped by civilians who sold me to Hamas'

Deri's wife:

'Netanyahu is not motivated by political considerations'

Yaffa Deri, wife of Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, denies claims that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is motivated by political considerations when he mulls a deal for the release of hostages.

'Netanyahu is not motivated by political considerations'

Minister Amichai Eliyahu:

'We will oppose the release of terrorist murderers'

Heritage Minister clarifies that his party is expected to oppose any agreement to release hostages that would include the release of terrorists with blood on their hands.

'We will oppose the release of terrorist murderers'

More details:

One of Haniyeh's sons was involved in holding Israeli hostages

The IDF stated that the strike that killed three of the political bureau chairman's sons was not authorized by the Chief of Staff or the political echelon since was in 'real-time' against terrorists who were on their way to commit an act of terror.

One of Haniyeh's sons was involved in holding Israeli hostages

Mother of hostage killed by accident writes letter to CoS

Iris Haim, mother of Yotam, hostage in Gaza who was killed by mistake by IDF fire, writes painful letter to Chief of Staff, following his decision to dismiss two officers after the World Central Kitchen incident in Gaza.

Mother of hostage killed by accident writes letter to CoS

Toronto:

Posters depicting children hostages defaced with swastikas

Posters in Toronto depicting four-year-old Ariel Bibas and one-year-old Kfir Bibas vandalized with swastikas. Toronto Mayor condemns.

Posters depicting children hostages defaced with swastikas

Harris to hostages' families:

'No higher priority than reuniting hostages with loved ones'

US Vice President meets families of Americans taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, provides update on US efforts to secure the release of all hostages.

'No higher priority than reuniting hostages with loved ones'

Smotrich:

'Sinwar senses weakness, only pressure will return hostages'

Finance Minister claims that the only way to defeat Hamas is to keep hitting it and thus increase the pressure to return the hostages.

'Sinwar senses weakness, only pressure will return hostages'

Minister Strock:

‘Now we must all pray for the return of the hostages’

A prayer for the return of the hostages was held at Rachel's Tomb. Shai Wenkert, father of Omer, who was taken hostage in Gaza: "Together we win, together we return the hostages."

‘Now we must all pray for the return of the hostages’

Freed hostage tells MKs:

'If I'm in poor health, what will happen to those still there?'

Raz Ben Ami, who was released in November after 54 days in Hamas captivity, tells Knesset committee of her continuing suffering after being freed, fear for her husband, who is still a hostage.

'If I'm in poor health, what will happen to those still there?'

Activists demand: Close UNRWA offices in Jerusalem

Im Tirtzu activists, MK Boaz Bismuth, demonstrate living conditions of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, demand removal of UNRWA from Jerusalem.

Activists demand: Close UNRWA offices in Jerusalem

Hostages' families skip Netanyahu, speak to Cabinet

Ministers Gallant, Gantz, Eisenkot, and MK Aryeh Deri were urged not to allow PM Netanyahu to hinder a deal for the return of hostages. Ben-Gvir and Smotrich were verbally attacked.

Hostages' families skip Netanyahu, speak to Cabinet

Likud MK:

'Netanyahu must keep his promise and destroy Hamas'

MK Nissim Vaturi says that he will demand answers to the hard questions Israelis are asking about the IDF decision to remove a large number of troops from Gaza.

'Netanyahu must keep his promise and destroy Hamas'

Hamas:

'Despite Israeli intransigence, we will discuss the proposal'

Hamas says that Israel's proposal did not meet any of its demands, but its leadership will discuss it regardless.

'Despite Israeli intransigence, we will discuss the proposal'

Ahead of hostage release deal

Likud members demand Netanyahu hold a discussion

Seven members of Knesset from the Likud write letter to Netanyahu in which they demand that he hold a discussion in preparation for a hostage release deal.

Likud members demand Netanyahu hold a discussion

Watch:

Israeli racing driver pays tribute to hostages

After coming in third in USF Formula 4 Championship, Israeli racing driver Ariel Elkin shows his helmet, which was covered with photos of hostages held in Gaza.

Israeli racing driver pays tribute to hostages

Moving:

Enrico Macias sings in Hebrew at Paris demonstration

Jewish-French singer Enrico Macias takes part in emotional event in the heart of Paris in support for the hostages held by Hamas and their families.

Enrico Macias sings in Hebrew at Paris demonstration

Hamas claims:

'We know the location of less than 40 hostages'

Hamas breaches the understandings reached in Paris, claims it knows the location of less than 40 hostages who are alive.

'We know the location of less than 40 hostages'

Netanyahu:

'There's a date set for Rafah operation'

PM says victory over Hamas and return of hostages requires a military operation in Rafah amid reports of progress in ceasefire talks.

'There's a date set for Rafah operation'

Emerging outline:

6-week ceasefire, 40 hostages released

Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman says he is "more optimistic" about the prospects for a ceasefire deal. The reported outline would see Hamas keep over 2/3 of the hostages it currently holds.

6-week ceasefire, 40 hostages released

Gallant:

'We're prepared to make difficult decisions to get hostages back'

Defense Minister meets new soldiers, says 'we're at an opportune moment' to achieve a deal to free the hostages.

'We're prepared to make difficult decisions to get hostages back'

Hamas: No progress on talks for hostage deal

Hamas official claims 'no change' in Israel's position, insists there will be 'no flexibility' over terror group's 'main demands,' Reuters reports.

Hamas: No progress on talks for hostage deal

Hostage's uncle to NYP:

'Biden must give Hamas an ultimatum, do something or else'

Maurice Shnaider, the uncle of Shiri Bibas, has been advocating for the hostages' release but is getting tired of meeting with politicians, 'I'm sick and tired of listening to politicians saying, ‘We understand your pain.' No, you don’t.'

'Biden must give Hamas an ultimatum, do something or else'

Reports in Egypt:

Progress made in hostage release talks

Egyptian official says Hamas and Qatar's delegations left Cairo and will return within two days to agree on the terms of the final agreement, while the Israeli and the US. delegations will leave within a few hours.

Progress made in hostage release talks

Emotional meeting between Sara Netanyahu and hostages' families

The Prime Minister's wife heard in a recording of the meeting saying to the families: "The messages that Sinwar hears in the Israeli media - strengthen him."

Emotional meeting between Sara Netanyahu and hostages' families

Moving:

Foreign Minister and hostages' families sing 'Hatikva' in Rome

Watch: Foreign Minister Israel Katz and families of hostages conclude a meeting with members of the Jewish community in Rome with a moving singing of Israel's national anthem.

Foreign Minister and hostages' families sing 'Hatikva' in Rome

Father of fallen soldier:

'I would happily send my sons to Gaza to search for hostages'

Hagai Luber, the father of the fallen soldier Elisha Yehonatan Luber, addressed the hostages' families and thanked them for calling for mutual responsibility.

'I would happily send my sons to Gaza to search for hostages'

Fmr. Amb. Friedman:

'America is holding Israel back'

David Friedman, former US Ambassador to Israel, sums up the past six months: 'Israel has the will and strength to eliminate Hamas and release the hostages. Right now, America is holding Israel back.'

'America is holding Israel back'

Released hostage:

'Terrorists try to convince hostages state abandoned them'

Released hostages Itay Regev and Agam Goldstein were among those to address the approximately 50,000 participants who gathered to mark six months of Hamas captivity.

'Terrorists try to convince hostages state abandoned them'

NYC Mayor meets hostages' families

Representatives of the hostages’ families met with New York City Mayor Eric Adams and presented him with a yellow pin, thanking him for his contribution and dedication to bringing the hostages back home.

NYC Mayor meets hostages' families

Six months since massacre:

Pope to meet hostages’ families

The Pope responded to request of Foreign Minister Israel Katz to meet with hostages’ families: ‘to ensure that any ceasefire is conditional on the release of the hostages.’

Pope to meet hostages’ families

President Herzog meets Rwandan counterpart

President Herzog was the first Israeli leader to visit Africa since October 7, and the visit took place as part of Israel’s ongoing international efforts to secure the release of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

President Herzog meets Rwandan counterpart