Hostages in Gaza

Trump:

'Most hostage bodies in Gaza will be found'

President Trump, speaking in Egypt, expresses optimism about recovering hostage bodies from Gaza and praised Egypt’s pivotal role in advancing peace talks with Hamas.

Moving

Yosef Chaim-Ohana reunites with his father after 2 years

Avi Ohana says Shema upon embracing his son after Yosef spent two years in Hamas captivity.

After 738 days:

All living hostages are back in Israel

After 738 days, Hamas is no longer holding any living hostages; the 13 last living hostages have been handed over to the Red Cross, and the other seven are already in Israel. Some of the deceased hostages will be returned to Israel in the afternoon.

These are the 20 hostages released from Hamas captivity

The 20 hostages released Monday from Hamas captivity are Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Matan Angrest, Gali and Ziv Berman, Eitan Mor, Alon Ohel, Omri Miran, Ariel Cunio, David Cunio, Avinatan Or, Bar Kupershtein, Eitan Horn, Elkana Bohbot, Evyatar David, Maxim Herkin, Matan Zangauker, Nimrod Cohen, Rom Braslvaski, Segev Kalfon, and Yosef Haim Ohana,

'You're coming home'

Watch: Hostage's mother speaks with her son for the first time

Einav Zanguaker, mother of hostage Matan, speaks with her son just prior to his release from Hamas captivity. 'The war is over, you're coming home.'

Mor family's message to the nation after Eitan's release

The family of hostage survivor Eitan Mor joyfully announce his return from Hamas captivity after two years, thanking the IDF, security forces, Israeli leadership, US support, and the people of Israel for their role in bringing Eitan home.

'It's all okay, calm down'

Watch: Hostage Elkana Bohbot speaks with mother Ruhama

After over 730 days in Hamas captivity, hostage Elkana Bohbot speaks with mother Ruhama on the phone, telling her, 'It's all okay, calm down.'

Watch: Returning hostages cross into Israeli territory

The IDF has released footage of the returning hostages' arrival in Israel. Watch.

IDF chief: 'Our mission won't end until the last hostage returns'

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir is commanding Operation 'Returning Home, says it is a 'very significant day' marking progress toward key war objectives. 'Our mission will not end until the last hostage is returned.'

Government 'committed to the return of all hostages'

Government statement welcomes returning hostages home, says families have been updated.

The Netanyahus' note

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and wife Sara left a personal note for every returning hostage. 'We waited for you, we embrace you.'

Watch live:

Thousands attend holiday prayers at the Western Wall

Thousands of Jews arrive at the Western Wall for festive Hoshana Rabba prayers, thanking G-d for the hostages' release. Watch.

Herzog to award Trump with Israel’s highest civilian honor

President Herzog to inform President Trump of his decision to award him the “Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor” in recognition of his efforts to bring the hostages home.

Eisenkot to Arutz Sheva:

'A difficult deal made from a place of strength'

Former MK Eisenkot at an event in memory of his son: "I see this deal as a dilemma, but it was made from the strength of Israel."

Avinatan Or’s brother:

'We’re all on the path to closure'

Moshe Or, brother of hostage Avinatan Or, shares his emotions ahead of their long-awaited reunion.

Watch:

Art of the deal (gone wrong)

As the deal to release Israeli hostages from Hamas is set to be implemented, activist Rudy Rochman warns of hidden risks in its conditions.

Rachel Goldberg-Polin:

'I don’t know how to carry all of this’

At Jerusalem rally, mother of murdered hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin shares raw grief and hope ahead of the hostage release, urging unity and compassion after 736 days of anguish.

As part of hostage deal:

Planner of kidnapping and murder of three teens to be released

Senior Hamas military wing member Mahmoud Kawasmeh to be freed under hostage deal. Ministers were told he "promoted military activities against Judea and Samaria."

IDF prepares for Hamas provocations during hostage release

Israel is preparing for Hamas provocations during the coming night and up to the actual release of the hostages from captivity.

Netanyahu:

'Tomorrow the hostages will return home, this is a historic time'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a statement to the press ahead of the return of the hostages to Israel, warning that there were still many challenges ahead.

'You got me back by life'

Captivity survivor gifts President Trump his book

Captivity survivor Eli Sharabi sent an English copy of his book 'Hostage' to US President Donald Trump, thanking him for securing his release.

Father Of Hostage:

'Back Netanyahu, don't bash him'

Danny, father of hostage Omri Miran, called for the public to stop vilifying the prime minister regarding the hostage deal.

Vance clarifies: US won’t deploy troops to Gaza

US Vice President JD Vance said reports of an American troop deployment to Gaza are false, confirming the US will only monitor the ceasefire terms while regional allies handle security.

Moving:

Hostages' families prepare room, car for sons' arrival

The families of Segev Kalfon and Yosef-Haim Ohana, abducted from the Nova music festival, shared emotional footage preparing their homes and belongings ahead of the hostages’ expected return.

Hostage coordinator:

Hostages expected to be released first thing in the morning

Hostage Coordinator Brig.-Gen. (Res.) Gal Hirsch said Israel is ready for the release to begin Monday morning, with Red Cross convoys and hospitals on standby to receive returnees.

Watch:

'Trump' visits Hostage Square

One day before the real president touches down in Israel, the actor who plays him arrived to shoot at Hostages Square.

A reason both the War and Hostage releases fall on Sukkot

As we conclude Sukkot 5786, we daven that the hostages all return safely, and we enter Shemini Atzeret hoping to reinforce and strengthen our achdut

Kiryat Arba prepares for the return of hostage Eitan Mor

Eitan Mor, who was taken hostage on October 7th, will be released from Hamas captivity in the coming hours. Kiryat Arba prepares to welcome him with posters and prayers.

Hamas willing to immediately release 20 living hostages

Wall Street Journal reports that Hamas has announced its willingness to release the 20 living hostages on Sunday.

Hostages' daughter:

Boos directed at Netanyahu 'horrific and tactless'

Shir Siegel, daughter of freed hostages Keith and Aviva Siegel, slams Saturday night boos directed at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during US Envoy Steve Witkoff's speech at Hostages Square.

Captivity survivor Tal Shoham:

'Outside captivity, I rediscovered my people'

Speaking at Hostages Square, captivity survivor declares: "Our brothers and sister are close. We are one people, responsible for one another. We must not fall apart."

Hamas spokesman says returning deceased hostages is 'complex'

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem blames Israel for 'very great complexities' in returning bodies of deceased hostages.

Ivanka: 'Trump wants you to know that he stands with you, always'

Ahead of hostages' return, Ivanka Trump speaks at Hostages Square rally, sharing messages of faith and hope. 'This is a triumph of faith, courage, and of a shared humanity.'

Hostage's mother:

Play the notes of Hatikva for Alon and the other hostages

Ahead of expected hostage release, mother of hostage Alon Ohel asks the public to play piano in his honor. 'Show Alon that you waited for him together with us.'

Hostages to be released on Monday - perhaps even Sunday

Under the agreement, living hostages will be returned first, possibly as a single group, and deceased hostages will be returned later.

Optimism grows:

Hostages could be freed before Monday deadline

Israel’s completion Phase A of Trump’s hostage deal sparks hope for early release before Monday. Medical centers are on alert as families are told it could happen as soon as Sunday.

Hostage deal

Supreme Court rejects petition against terrorist release

Supreme Court dismisses a petition against releasing terrorist prisoners in the Hamas deal, citing the issue as a core security matter under government discretion.

Operation Returning Home:

Netanyahu reviews hostage care preparations

PM Netanyahu visits Sheba Hospital before Shabbat to inspect preparations for returning hostages and honor wounded IDF soldiers, praising their courage and the medical teams' readiness.

After finalizing hostage deal:

Trump envoys Witkoff and Kushner visit Western Wall

US envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Ivanka Trump visited the Western Wall, praying with Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch for the hostages’ safe return and lasting peace in the region.

Netanyahu

'Gaza will be demilitarized - the easy way or the hard way'

In a statement to the nation on the ceasefire, PM Netanyahu says only military and political pressure on Hamas compelled the terror group to release all of the hostages.

Aryeh Deri

'A great miracle from heaven'

Shas chairman calls the deal to return the hostages miraculous and an achievement no one dreamed of.

Watch

Holiday Prayer and Songs at Hostages’ Square

Hundreds gathered this morning at Hostages’ Square in Tel Aviv for Shacharit and Hallel prayers, led by Rabbi Tamir Granot and attended by rabbis and family members of hostages.

'Comprehensive End of the War’

Document outlining Israel-Hamas agreement revealed

Document agreed upon between Israel and Hamas outlining Trump’s Gaza peace plan: IDF withdrawal, full aid entry, and hostage release within 72 hours, coordinated by a multinational task force.

Deal moves forward:

Government approves framework for release of all hostages

Government approves framework for the release of all hostages. Ministers from Otzma Yehudit and Religious Zionist Party vote against the deal, with the exception of Minister Ofir Sofer.

Leah Goldin:

'World leaders - don't let Hamas play you'

Leah Goldin, mother of captured soldier Hadar, made a personal appeal to world leaders not to allow Hamas to control the recovery of the hostages.

Shiloh prepares for the return of Avinatan Or

The town of Shiloh is preparing for the return of Avinatan Or from captivity after two years, with lighting, decorations, and a special monument in the community square.

Ben Gvir

'If Hamas is not dismantled, we'll dismantle the government'

Otzma Yehudit head welcomes the return of the hostages but declares that he will not support a deal that frees murderers and also demands the dismantling of the Hamas government as a red line.

Chief of Staff Zamir in Gaza:

'Military pressure and a ground offensive achieved the deal'

Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir toured the Gaza Strip with senior IDF officers, reviewed forces' readiness, and said that the deal was only possible due to the IDF.

Trump

'All hostages should be released on Monday or Tuesday'

President Trump meets with his Cabinet at the White House a day after his negotiators secured an agreement to release all of the hostages by early next week.

Zvi Yehezkeli:

The real price of the hostage deal

Arab affairs commentator Zvi Yehezkali says that alongside the great joy over the return of the hostages, Hamas gained many achievements at Israel’s expense in the first phase of the agreement.

Hours After The Deal:

Hostage's family holds brit mila ceremony

The family of hostage Avinatan Or celebrated today the birth of their new grandson in a particularly emotional brit milah ceremony held in the community of Shiloh, just hours after the hostage deal was announced.

Returned hostages to receive NIS 60,000 from NII

In the first phase, each returning hostage will receive a prepaid card worth 10,000 NIS and an additional cash grant of approximately 50,000 NIS.

Bereaved father:

'Trump freed hostages? These are our sons and daughters'

Bereaved father Itzik Buntzel insisted that the credit goes not to Trump for freeing the hostages, but to the IDF.

Iris Haim: 'Rejoice quietly, in a trembling voice'

Iris Haim, mother of kidnapped and killed hostage Yotam Haim, calls on Israeli public to rejoice with modesty and remember the fallen soldiers and the hostages who will never return to their families.

'Flight of hope'

Pilot's warm congratulations to hostages' families on board

The pilot on a flight bringing hostages' loved ones home ahead of the implementation of the hostage deal congratulated them, 'It is a privilege to bring you home for the reunion that you've waited.'

Hostages' families:

We understand the price, Israel must prevent future kidnappings

Tikva Forum for families of hostages and fallen soldiers acknowledges Trump deal's risk to Israeli public, demands Israel prevent future kidnappings.

Hamas demanding release of major archterrorists in hostage deal

List of prisoners on Hamas' list includes Marwan Barghouti, Abdullah Barghouti, Ahmad Sa'adat, Ibrahim Hamad, Abbas al-Sayeed, and Hassan Salamah; PM's Office clarifies ceasefire has not yet taken effect.

Israel’s healthcare system on high alert ahead of hostage return

Hospitals, Health Ministry, preparing for the largest hostage admittance operation thus far. 'We are preparing for the worst of all and hoping for good.'

Gal Gadot:

'I'm not religious, but I prayed for the hostages'

Gal Gadot shares a message of hope after a deal to free remaining hostages and end the Gaza war, calling for peace, compassion, and an end to suffering on both sides.

Amit Segal:

There will be no second stage, this is a hostage deal

Analyst Amit Segal says deal with Hamas is a first-stage deal only, does not weaken the terror group or impact what the future may hold.