Hostages 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.

Released hostage details sexual assault in captivity

Hostage freed in November describes how her captor assaulted her physically and sexually in New York Times interview.

Hamas rejects new proposal for hostage release deal

Hamas claims that "Israel did not respond to any basic demand" and therefore it was decided to reject the proposal put forward by the mediators last week.

Gallant meets US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan

Defense Minister and US National Security Advisor hold private conference for about 90 minutes about the efforts to release the hostages and defeat Hamas.

Mike Pence:

US refusal to veto is a disgrace

The former Vice President criticized the Biden administration's decision to abstain in the UN Security Council, and demanded that Israel be allowed to 'destroy Hamas once and for all.'

Military Intelligence chief to resign at war's end

Military Intelligence Directorate chief Major General Aharon Haliva tells families of kidnapped soldiers 'we are responsible, we are guilty. I will go home at the end of the war.'

Blinken:

'Ceasefire res. paired ceasefire with hostage release'

US Secretary of State explains why US abstained and allowed the UN Security Council to pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza during Ramadan.

Gantz: PM should go to Washington himself

In the wake of the cancelation of the Israeli delegation to Washington, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz called for the Prime Minister to go to Washington to speak directly with President Biden.

Gallant:

'We have no right to stop the war'

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated before his meetings with American officials that Israel must, and would, destroy Hamas.

Prime Minister's Office:

'USA changed position, no delegation to Washington'

Prime Minister Netanyahu has canceled an Israeli delegation to Washington to discuss the operation in Rafah due to the American refusal to veto a resolution in the UN Security Council.

Netanyahu to Americans:

'Veto resolution or I cancel Israeli delegation'

Prime Minister Netanyahu threatened to withdraw the delegation to Washington to discuss the upcoming operation in Rafah is the USA does not veto a UN resolution that does not call for the release of the hostages.

Jerusalem

United on Purim Procession through streets of Jerusalem

United on Purim Procession was held in the shadows of the war, led by the hostages’ families and Mayor of Jerusalem, Moshe Lion.

Toys and a pink closet:

The room where Liri Albag and other hostages were held

Family of the abducted soldier revealed documentation from the room where she was held during the first days of captivity in Gaza. The IDF found blood stains in the room and DNA of other hostages.

New York:

Protesters in Central Park call for hostages' release

Demonstrators wear Batman masks and black capes, in honor of four-year-old Ariel Bibas and his baby brother Kfir, who were kidnapped on October 7.

Hamas official:

'The talks in Doha on a ceasefire have hit a snag'

Senior Hamas official: The position of the resistance is stable, and it will never agree to accept the framework that Tel Aviv promotes as part of a surrender agreement.

Monday in Jerusalem:

Purim Procession to be led by hostages' families

The "United in Purim" parade in Jerusalem will be led by a display honoring the hostages held in Gaza for 171 days, alongside 134 yellow cranes representing each hostage.