Hostages in Gaza

Egypt:

'We received Hamas' response to hostage deal'

Despite Hamas' demand that the fighting in Gaza end completely, Egyptian security sources say its response showed flexibility.

President of Portugal:

'Portugal will advance the release of hostages'

Portuguese President meets for the first time with families of hostages, expresses his personal support and the support of his country for the families.

Israel-US discuss exile of Hamas leaders from Gaza.

Israel-US discuss exile of Hamas leaders from Gaza. Netanyahu's confidants: "a very good option"

New poll:

60% of Israelis want war to continue at all costs

The INSS poll found that only 5% of Israelis support the proposed transfer of power in Gaza after the war to the Palestinian Authority.

Minister Amihai Eliyahu:

'We need to be doing much more for the hostages'

Heritage Minister Amihai Eliyahu says that there needs to be greater effort to pressure Hamas into returning the Israelis it still holds.

France:

'We expect proof that hostages received medication'

Medicine for Israeli hostages being held by Hamas entered the Gaza Strip last month, but there has been no indication that the hostages received it.

Former ISA Official:

'We should have wiped them out long ago'

Former ISA official Micah Kobi warns against releasing terrorists, saying that Israel already knows where such a step leads.

Gideon Sa'ar:

'Any price' just pushes a deal farther away

Minister Gideon Sa'ar gives his answers for some of the most pressing questions in Israeli society today.

London:

Dozens rally for women being held by Hamas

Several dozen rally in London to draw attention to the women still being held hostage by Hamas and to the issue of Hamas’ sexual violence.

Pundit:

'We are not on the verge of a hostage deal'

Channel 12 News’ Middle Eastern affairs commentator Ehud Yaari says Hamas insists on the end of the war and the withdrawal of the IDF as a condition for any release of hostages.

US pressing:

Extended ceasefire for Saudi normalization deal

According to the proposed two-stage deal, Israel will stop fighting for at least four months and release a large number of terrorists in return for the release of the remaining hostages and a normalization deal with Saudi Arabia.

Released child hostage still suffering nightmares

9-year-old Emily Hand's father talks about how his nine-year-old daughter is still struggling with her ordeal.

Hamas' demands:

One hostage per day, release of Nukhba terrorists

Hamas demands release of murderous terrorists who took part in October 7 attack, and to set four stages for the hostage release deal.

Cousin of Hostage:

'Are we talking about Sinwar or Netanyahu?'

The cousin of hostage Ofer Kalderon sparked a storm of criticism with a pointed remark during a recent interview.

State Department confirms:

Blinken to visit Israel next week

State Department spokesperson says Secretary of State will continue diplomatic efforts to reach hostage release deal during his next visit.

Hamas official:

'We will respond very soon to hostage deal proposal'

Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders stress that any agreement in Gaza must lead the withdrawal of the IDF.

Senior Israeli official:

'Chances of a hostage deal are no more than 50/50'

Senior Israeli official urges caution on the prospects of a hostage release deal being reached with Hamas.

Smotrich reveals to Arutz Sheva:

'Aid to Gaza will change. We won't strengthen Hamas'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich spoke to Arutz Sheva about changes to be made in the humanitarian aid to Gaza and the price that Israel is ready to pay to continue this war until the end so that its citizens can return home safely.

Radio hosts leave left-wing activist speechless

Left-wing activist was asked about the possibility of a hostage deal that would include conditions for Netanyahu to remain in power. He was speechless: "I do not have an answer.”

Report:

Hamas officials discussing hostage deal in Cairo

A senior Hamas delegation, led by Ismail Haniyeh, arrived in Cairo for talks with the Egyptian intelligence head, about an exchange deal with Israel.

Former Shin Bet chief:

'IDF only remains in Gaza because of the hostages'

Former Shin Bet chief Carmi Gillon claims that "the military pressure in the Gaza Strip is the only thing that can bring the hostages home."

Prime Minister Netanyahu:

'Hostage release deal - not at any cost'

Prime Minister in a statement: I have red lines - we will not end the war, we will not remove the IDF from the Strip, and we will not release thousands of terrorists.

Report:

Israel discussing demand to release 10/07 terrorists

Israel considering demand brought up by Qatar and Egypt at the Paris Summit, to release terrorists who participated in Oct. 7 massacre, but hasn’t reached a decision yet.

Netanyahu to hostage families:

‘If we get a good deal, I’ll accept it’

The hostage families demanded that the Prime Minister accept a new deal, even at the expense of dismantling the coalition. Netanyahu responded that if there is a good deal – he will even agree to pay this price.

Released hostage:

'He said if IDF came to save me, he would shoot me'

Maya and Itay, accompanied by their father, Ilan, told UN ambassadors their personal story starting from the moment of their abduction to Gaza and the more than 50 days they were kept hostage by Hamas in Gaza.

Netanyahu to hostages' families:

'The more efforts are quiet the better our chances'

Netanyahu said that efforts are currently being made to bring the hostages back to Israel but it is best not to publicize the details. 'The more that effort is publicized the further away it gets.'

Ben-Gvir's 'Goat Speech'

National Security Minister Itamamr Ben-Gvir denounced the reports of an approaching prisoner exchange agreement in a Knesset address entitled 'The Goat Speech'.

Ben-Gvir applauds new exchange proposal

The National Security Minister called the deal 'proof that the War Cabinet is internalizing my opinion.'

Report:

Israel agrees to six-week ceasefire for all hostages

Israel has signaled its agreement to a plan that would see all civilian hostages released in exchange for a two-month lull in the fighting in Gaza.

Amid negotiations on deal

Hostages' families meet US National Security Advisor

Family members of eight hostages with US citizenship meet Jake Sullivan in Washington: Every day that the hostages remain in Gaza, they are at risk.

Clip of 'hostages' causes uproar on social media

A video clip posted today, supposedly showing scared hostages underground, with several terrorists nearby, caused an uproar on social media. Details were clarified this evening.

Islamic Jihad Spokesman:

'Return of hostages only with PIJ approval'

Spokesman for Al-Quds Brigades, the military arm of the Islamic Jihad, sends a strong message, following reports on a possible hostage agreement.

Egyptian officials:

Hostage deal expected as early as next week

Egyptian officials told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that negotiations were 'moving in a positive direction.'

Release of soldiers and bodies:

Hamas official sheds light on proposed hostage deal

A senior Hamas official told Reuters that the organization received a proposal that would see a three-stage deal.

Ben-Gvir:

'Irresponsible deal? No government'

The National Security Minister tweeted this afternoon to warn against the most recent proposals for prisoner exchange agreements with Hamas.

At any price

The question is not one of sympathy with the families – but of effectiveness. If we stop the aid now, Gazans might storm Hamas strongholds and free the hostages. I will believe Gazan protests when they run en masse into the tunnels and bring out our hostages with them. Op-ed.

Israel optimistic about deal despite Hamas demands

A prisoner exchange deal could still be possible despite Hamas demanding a complete end to the war and Israeli withdrawal, something Israel has already defined as a deal-breaker.

Blinken:

'There is real hope for a hostage release deal'

US Secretary of State says "important, productive work has been done" on a deal to free the hostages still being held by Hamas.

'Israel must cease aggression'

Hamas rejects hostage release deal

Hamas announces it is rejecting the deal which would see the remaining hostages released, together with phased pauses in the fighting and aid deliveries to Gaza, along with the release of prisoners.

'I was beaten up really badly'

Released hostage speaks publicly for the first time

Freed hostages and massacre survivors returned to the ruins of Kfar Aza and shared their many ordeals since October 7th. During the visit, Amit Soussana, released after 55 days in Hamas captivity, spoke for the first time since her release.

Prime Minister's Office:

'Reports of hostage deal are incorrect'

Prime Minister's Office denies reports that Israel agreed to a deal that would see the firingof thousands of terrorists in return for the remaining Israeli hostages.

Smotrich:

'There will be military rule in Gaza after the war'

Finance Minister in TV interview: Anyone who undertakes to bring all the hostages back alive is not telling the families the truth.

Report:

Deal that would halt Gaza war for two months close

New York Times report: American-led negotiators are edging closer to an agreement in which Israel would suspend Gaza war for about two months in exchange for release of hostages.

Qatar:

Medicine for Israeli hostages entered Gaza

It is believed the medicine will be transferred to the Israeli hostages on Thursday.

First time since the war:

Medications for hostages to enter Gaza

Prime Minister’s Office announces deal with Qatar which would see medications for the hostages being transferred to Gaza. Hostages' families: We demand visual proof.

Body of man presumed kidnapped to Gaza is identified

Ofir Sarfati, 27, was believed to have been kidnapped to Gaza. His family has now been informed that he was murdered.

Ohad celebrates 9th birthday in Hamas captivity

On October 7th, Ohad Munder was captured by Hamas terrorists with his mother and grandparents. Today is his birthday.