Hostages in Gaza

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.'

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.'

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.

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.

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.’

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.

Hostages' families:

'Government has not kept its word'

The Tikva Forum, representing the hostages’ families, criticized the decision to withdraw the maneuvering forces from the Gaza Strip, "all negotiations with Hamas may collapse."

Chief Rabbi composes Passover prayer for release of hostages

The new prayer, to be recited at the Seder before the recital of 'Vehi Sheamda,' beseeches G-d for the release of the hostages and asks for unity.

Shin Bet:

Iran possibly behind wreath sent to hostage's family

The family of hostage Liri Albag received a wreath with a note reading 'We all know that the state is most important.'

1st Africa visit since war:

Herzog visits Rwanda to call for release of hostages

President Isaac Herzog arrived in Kigali this morning for event marking 30 years since Rwanda, becoming the first Israeli leader to visit Africa since the outbreak of the war.

Body of hostage Elad Katzir rescued from Gaza

The body of the abductee Elad Katzir, who was murdered in captivity by the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization, was rescued overnight from Khan Yunis.

Biden to Egypt and Qatar:

'Press Hamas to agree to hostage deal'

US President writes to the leaders of Egypt and Qatar, calls on them to press Hamas for a hostage deal with Israel.

Report:

Hamas rejects latest Israeli proposal for hostage release

Diplomat tell CNN that Hamas has rejected the most recent Israeli proposal for a hostage release deal.

Israeli ambassador:

Human Rights Council decision 'a stain on the entire UN'

A recent resolution by the UN Human Rights Council makes no mention of Hamas, equates hostages with imprisoned terrorists, and calls for an embargo on arms sales to Israel.

Hostage release talks

Report: CIA director to travel to Cairo this weekend

Axios reports that CIA director William Burns will travel to Cairo this weekend for talks with the chief of the Mossad and top Qatari and Egyptian officials in an effort to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.

Gallant briefs US on deaths of Gaza aid workers

Defense Min. Yoav Gallant briefs US Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin on incident which led to deaths of World Central Kitchen employees, notes daily Iranian attacks on Israel.

Haniyeh stresses:

'We are sticking to our conditions for hostage deal'

Hamas chief stresses the group will continue to demand an Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza in a hostage release deal.

Nearly 80 days later:

UN chief replies to plea to free hostages

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres replies to letter from eight Nobel Prize laureates, which was sent on the 100th day of the hostage crisis that began on October 7: Our efforts will not abate until all hostages are released.

Chief of Staff:

'Release of hostages is top priority'

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi visits Khan Yunis, praises troops for successful Shifa Hospital operation.

Released hostage celebrates 85th birthday in hospital

Elma Avraham, who was released from Hamas captivity in serious condition, celebrated her birthday at the Soroka Medical Center rehabilitation department with the medical staff who cared for her since her release.

'You feed the devil'

Hostage's sister-in-law confronts UNRWA employee

Tzofit Libman, the sister-in-law of the hostage Elyakim Libman cornered an employee of the aid organization outside its offices in Jerusalem.

Protesters outside UNRWA:

'You murdered and abducted our children'

Protesters, some dressed as Hamas terrorists, blocked the entrances to the organization's offices in Jerusalem to protest its employees' involvement in the October 7th massacre.

Report:

US promised Egypt: No Rafah op before mid-May

Reports say Israel promised not to conduct Rafah ground operation before May, has changed its position on number, identities, of terrorists to be released in prisoner swap.

Violent protest in Jerusalem

Protesters breach security fence near Prime Ministers’ Residence

Left-winger protesting against government threw burning object at policeman on a horse during protests in capital. Dozens of protesters broke through security fence near Prime Minister's Residence.

Middle East expert: 'Protests for hostages are raising the price'

'Israel is sinking into chaos, Arab world is watching us closely,' Mideast expert, Dr. Mordechai Kedar says.

Released hostage:

Every girl in Hamas captivity suffers harassment

Women released from Hamas captivity testify to harassment by terrorists - and not just towards them. 'Men also suffer horrific torture - don't forget them.'

Daughter of hostage:

'Tel Aviv protest does not represent hostages' families'

Yarden Pivko - the daughter of Itzik Galernter, who was abducted by Hamas, claimed: 'There is exploitation by parties unrelated to the abductees.'

Senior govt. source:

'Potential for hostage deal in coming days'

Israeli delegation at Cairo hostage talks reportedly provides updated plan for return of residents to northern Gaza.

Ritchie Torres vows 'fierce urgency' to free hostages

Congressman Torres visits Hostages Families Forum in Tel Aviv during UJA-Federation of New York delegation to Israel, praises courage of hostages' families.

UNRWA Jerusalem offices

'UNRWA's school of abduction and incitement'

The Im Tirtzu movement set up a display depicting Israeli hostages in a classroom in front of a UNRWA teacher.

Israeli MLB coach shows solidarity with hostages

Alon Leichman, who serves as assistant pitching coach for the Cincinnati Reds, features glove with the words "Bring Them Home Now!" stitched on the outside.

PM Netanyahu:

'Hostages' families' pain and distress cut through my heart'

Prime Minister Netanyahu held a press conference in which he discussed the war in Gaza and efforts to bring back the hostages.

Smotrich:

'The only person responsible for hostages' plight is Sinwar'

Finance Minister responds to calls for govt. to be more flexible in hostage talks and blame laid at PM for lack of a deal, says such calls and pressure make Hamas harden its positions.

Tech companies to allow workers to protest government

Several technology companies will not require employees to use up days off to protest against the government.

Analyst:

Protest against Netanyahu is not in the name of all families

In the Hebrew sentence, 'The hostages' families demand Netanyahu resign,' one of the letters is extra - and makes all the difference, analyst Amit Segal says.

Report:

Israel agrees to swap terrorists for soldiers' bodies

Sources say Israel agreed to release re-arrested 'Shalit deal' terrorists in exchange for the bodies of IDF soldiers Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul, who fell in 2014's Operation Protective Edge.

Families of hostages:

Netanyahu is blocking prisoner exchange agreement

Some of the families of the hostages have declared that Netanyahu is intentionally preventing a prisoner exchange deal and so they will work to replace him.

US to Israel:

'We understand your demands'

The US has sent a message to the Israelis that they understand their demands to remain in the humanitarian corridor and not to allow unlimited passage of Gazans from the south to the north.

Parents of kidnapped soldiers:

'Netanyahu didn't tell us anything new'

Parents of kidnapped soldiers after their first meeting with the Prime Minister: Netanyahu is preoccupied with military security - not with civil security.

Murdered hostage's family:

'We won't have a funeral until his body is returned'

Dan Anteby, the father-in-law of Uriel Baruch, tells Arutz Sheva about the family's experience through months of uncertainty until they learned this week that he was killed.

PM to hostages' families:

'I won't leave anyone behind'

Netanyahu meets families of soldiers held hostage by Hamas, says he is " committed to returning everyone, all of them."

Brother of hostage joins Border Police

Yair Mor, whose brother, Eitan, is in Hamas captivity, enlisted in the Border Police. His father, Zvika: 'We are all obligated in this mandatory war for the defense of the nation.'

'Free the girls first'

Brother of kidnapped soldier sends message to Belgian FM

Salem Alatrash, brother of kidnapped soldier Mohammed Alatrash, meets Belgian Foreign Min., urges her to push for hostages' release.

Herzog to Democrats:

'Alliance with America is stronger than ever and irreplaceable'

Israel's President met today with a delegation of US Congressmen and women from the Democratic Party, led by AIPAC.

Freed hostage recalls:

'They treated us like we were dogs, not human beings'

Louis Har, who was freed by the IDF along with Fernando Simon Marman last month, recalls the ordeal in an interview with the Daily Mail: They told us we had nowhere to return to.

Khaled Mashal:

'Hostage deal - only on our terms'

The Hamas leader stated during an event in Jordan that the organization will only release the hostages if Israel gives in to its demands, including the full withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

Report:

Israel notified Qatar and Egypt of date for Rafah operation

Israeli and US officials clarified to Qatar and Egypt the importance of pressuring Hamas to accept a deal and hinted that a military operation in Rafah is expected to begin around the holiday of Eid al-Fitr.

Protest in Tel Aviv:

Four protesters arrested on Ayalon Highway

Protesters, including relatives of hostages, block traffic on Ayalon Highway as they call for the release of the hostages. Police open the road and arrested four protesters.

Hostage Uriel Baruch murdered in captivity

IDF confirms Hamas murdered 32-year-old hostage kidnapped from Nova music festival and continues to hold his body.

US: Hamas had response prepped before UN vote

US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller dismisses Netanyahu's claim that America's refusal to veto a UN Security Council resolution yesterday calling for a ceasefire in Gaza during Ramadan led to a hardening of Hamas's positions.

Gallant to Austin:

'Hostage negotiations require us to up military pressure'

Defense Minister meets US Defense Secretary in the Pentagon to discuss war against Hamas, says negotiations for a hostage deal require military pressure on Hamas to make a deal.