Hostages in Gaza

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.

Captivity survivors to Arutz Sheva:

Keep praying until they come home

Three survivors of Hamas captivity told Arutz Sheva at Hostages Square they are hopeful yet cautious after the new Gaza deal, urging the nation to keep praying until every hostage returns.

Herzog:

President Trump deserves Nobel Prize for Gaza hostage deal

President Isaac Herzog hailed the agreement to free hostages and end the Gaza war, thanking Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Donald Trump, whom he said deserves the Nobel Peace Prize.

Hostage's mother to Arutz Sheva:

Tears of joy haven't stopped flowing

Einav, the mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, tells Arutz Sheva about her feelings and excitement after Israel and Hamas agreed to a deal for his release.

Watch:

Captivity survivors rejoice and celebrate

Survivors of Hamas captivity Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, Omer Shem Tov, Eliya Cohen, and Omer Wenkert react with overwhelming joy to the newly agreed upon deal. "L’Chayim!"

Watch:

Hostage family members and captivity survivors thank Trump

Hostage family members and captivity survivors in Washington, DC, speak to President Trump after news of the hostage release deal was made public.

Trump:

'This is more than Gaza, this is peace in the Middle East'

President Trump tells Fox News host Sean Hannity that hostages held in Gaza may be released Monday, praises global cooperation behind the Israel-Hamas ceasefire as a step toward broader Middle East peace.

Report:

Israel estimates Hamas cannot locate all hostages

Officials hope a deal on the first phase of the Trump plan to end the war can be reached by Friday.

Footage revealed from captivity of Nepali hostage held by Hamas

The family of Bipin Joshi, who was taken captive by Hamas on October 7, has revealed this evening a video collected as part of IDF intelligence that documents Bipin in Hamas captivity.

Family of Nepali hostage to release Hamas footage of him

Family of Bipin Joshi says footage of him, which was filmed in November 2023 and recovered by the IDF, 'Gives us unwavering faith that he is alive.'

From Gaza’s darkness to hope:

Noa Argamani’s message two years after October 7

Rescued hostage Noa Argamani reflects on the two-year anniversary of the October 7 massacre, recalling her abduction from the Nova Music Festival and expressing hope for the safe return of her partner Avinatan and the remaining hostages.

Watch:

Ben Gvir prays on Temple Mount, reciting 'Kedusha' prayer

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir ascends Temple Mount in honor of Sukkot holiday, to pray 'for the destruction of Hamas and the return of the hostages.'

Captivity survivors in DC:

'Until every hostage is released from Hamas's tunnels'

Nearly the entire Cabinet join captivity survivors, 10.7 survivors, and family of the victims and hostages for ceremony marking the 2nd anniversary of the October 7 massacre in Washington DC.

Greta's embarrassing mistake

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who was deported from Israel, published a post on Instagram about the 'suffering of Palestinian prisoners,' with a picture of Israeli Eviatar David, who is being held hostage by Hamas.`

Trump to host Edan Alexander at White House today

On the 2nd anniversary of the October 7 massacre, President Trump will host Hamas captivity survivor and US citizen Edan Alexander.

Hamas has demands that contradict the Trump peace plan

Hamas official says the terror group is refusing the demand that it release all 48 hostages immediately and insists that the final hostage only be released when the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza is complete.

Report:

Netanyahu orders firm line in Egypt talks with Hamas

Israel has reportedly allocated several days for talks with Hamas in Egypt, with fighting set to resume if no deal is reached. Netanyahu urges adherence to Trump’s plan; Hamas seeks guarantees tied to hostage release.

White House press secretary:

'All sides agree that this war needs to end'

Karoline Leavitt comments on talks in Egypt over the President’s peace framework, stresses urgency to secure lasting peace and eliminate threats from Gaza.

Ceasefire and hostage deal

Israel-Hamas talks begin in Egypt

Israel and Hamas begin indirect talks in Egypt to broker a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, with Egyptian and Qatari mediators working under a US-backed proposal to end the conflict.

Netanyahu

'Israel's unity gives us the strength to return the hostages'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in his office in Jerusalem with a delegation of Chabad rabbis on the occasion of the holiday of Sukkot. "This unity gives us the strength to defeat our enemies and, with God's help, soon bring back all our hostages.'

Hostages' families nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

Families of the hostages sent a letter to the Nobel Peace Prize Committee calling on it to award the prize to President Trump for 'not resting until the last hostage is returned.'

Watch:

Sagui Dekel-Chen's haunting apology in Nir Oz

A memorial ceremony for the October 7th massacre was held at Kibbutz Nir Oz, in memory of 65 people who were murdered and the nine hostages still held in Gaza.

MK Avi Maoz:

'Mixed feelings about hostage deal'

Noam Party Chairman Avi Maoz expresses concern about the implications of the deal to release the hostages, but still defines it as 'the best agreement for Israel in the current situation.'

Trump:

'Talks are positive, first phase should be completed this week'

Trump says talks with Hamas to end Gaza war and release hostages are progressing fast and expresses optimism first phase will be completed this week, but warns: “Time is of the essence or massive bloodshed will follow.”

Hostage deal:

Netanyahu gets green light from Ben-Gvir and Smotrich

PM Netanyahu secured coalition support to begin the hostage deal, as Smotrich and Ben-Gvir warn they won’t tolerate a Gaza agreement that leaves Hamas intact.

Report:

Hamas has begun locating the bodies of deceased hostages

Saudi media reports that Hamas has begun gathering the bodies of the deceased hostages, a more time-consuming process than moving the live hostages, in preparation for a deal.

Keith Siegel in New York:

'Images of medieval torture, echoes of suffering still haunt me'

As hope builds around an impending hostage release deal, families and survivors gathered in New York, urging swift action two years after the October 7 attacks.

Rubio: Hostage deal, Gaza leadership not ready yet

US Secretary of State Rubio says Gaza peace talks show progress, but warns forming a new Palestinian leadership and securing hostage releases will take more time.

Israel's most dangerous prisoner on the way to freedom

Ibrahim Hamad, mastermind of many of the suicide bombings in the Second Intifada, is among the prisoners expected to be released in the hostage deal.

'Shooting and throwing grenades'

Daniella Gilboa recounts the massacre at the Nahal Oz outpost

Daniella Gilboa, an outlook who was taken hostage from the Nahal Oz outpost, tells of the moments of terror, her murdered friends, and her attempt to survive, 'They were shooting at us, throwing hand grenades.'

Captivity survivor Gadi Mozes:

'For the first time since my release, I feel a glimmer of hope'

Captivity survivor Gadi Mozes speaks at Hostages Square, vowing to return and rebuild Nir Oz: "I am determined to live in Nir Oz again and rebuild it from the ground up."