Hostage Deal

Hamas official: Hostage release to go on as planned

Hamas official says terror group won't release all hostages on Saturday, but will release hostages in accordance with the agreement already signed, Kan News reports.

Israel examining changes to deal with Hamas

Following testimonies from released hostages, Israel weighs option to demand Hamas expand list of hostages to be released in first stage of deal, due to concerns for their health.

ISA orders soldier's weapon confiscated

Akiva Leibowitz, an IDF reservist, was ordered by the ISA to return both his IDF and personal firearms.

Report:

Hamas leaning toward releasing 3 hostages on Saturday

Terrorist organization continues to demand Israel fulfills "commitments" under ceasefire deal as Israel warns the war will resume if the hostages are not released by Saturday.

Defense Minister Katz:

'If Hamas stops releasing hostages there will be war'

Defense Minister Israel Katz held a security consultation today (Wednesday) in the Operations Directorate's command post and threatened: "The new Gaza war will be different in intensity."

Trump envoy Witkoff:

'Big problem if hostages not released on Saturday'

US President Trump's special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff repeats president's ultimatum that Hamas release the hostages by Saturday or face consequences, says any situation where Hamas rules Gaza is 'unhealthy.'

Held in harsh conditions:

Family of hostage Matan Angrest receives evidence of life

Parents of Matan Angrest say they have learned from other hostages who were released recently that Matan is alive and is being held in very harsh conditions because he is an IDF soldier.

Smotrich:

'We will fight till we crush our enemies; there is no other way'

'Hamas is collapsing, Hezbollah has fallen apart, Iran is deterred, but you can't expect victory overnight. We continue to fight,' Finance Minister Smotrich says on war.

Family reveals:

Yarden Bibas was held in moldy tunnels, with almost no food

Ofri Bibas, Yarden's sister, tells of severe conditions in captivity: 'Yarden was in held in moldy tunnels, with almost no food. But he is still smiling.'

'He wants the next fallen soldier'

Lapid's insane allegation about Smotrich

Opposition leader MK Yair Lapid attacks Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, says he isn't interested in bringing hostages home.

Former ISA official:

'Solution to Gaza is to conquer land and control it'

Shalom Ben Hanan, former ISA official, discusses Hamas' threat not to release hostages, says Israel should place pressure on Hamas.

Senior defense officials:

'Israel must show restraint toward Hamas for now'

Senior defense officials tell political leadership that Israel must "show restraint at this time to complete the first phase of the deal."

‘Are you kidding me?’

British journalist floored by activist’s Hamas 'kindness' claims

Pro-Palestinian Arab activist Yvonne Ridley cites Hamas' "goody bags" that were given to freed hostages as examples of Hamas' kindness. Journalist Julia Hartley-Brewer: The hostages must have had a wonderful time at that holiday camp that Hamas ran for them for the last 16 months.

Hamas responds to Netanyahu's ultimatum

'We're committed to the ceasefire deal, so long as Israel is,' Hamas terror group claims.

Israel receives first signs of life from seven hostages

Following the recent release of hostages, Israel receives first signs of life from seven hostages; only one is expected to be released in current phase.

'Preparation for various scenarios'

IDF calls in reserves, sends reinforcements to south

Per the decision to raise the level of readiness in the Southern Command, the IDF decided to increase reinforcements with additional troops, including reservists.

Netanyahu's ultimatum to Hamas: IDF will return to fighting

Following Hamas' violation of ceasefire deal, political source says there will be no progress on talks for second stage without hostages' release.

Trump:

Judea and Samaria are 'going to work out very well'

US President Donald Trump responds to questions about annexing Judea and Samaria, deadline for hostage release.

Yossi Dagan to Cabinet:

'Arrest terrorists released to Judea and Samaria'

'If Hamas violates deal, all terrorists released to Judea and Samaria must be arrested again,' Samaria Council Head, Yossi Dagan, tells ministers and cabinet members.

Houthi leader threatens Israel: 'We'll return to attacks'

If ceasefire with Hamas ends, Houthis will restart attacks on Israel, rebel group's leader warns.

'Hostages are Hamas' insurance policy'

Arab affairs analyst says Hamas is 'flexing its muscles' and does not intend to give up leadership of Gaza easily.

Smotrich's ultimatum:

Harm a hostage and we'll annex 5% of the Gaza Strip

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich calls on Israel to set an ultimatum for Hamas if it would continue to delay the release of hostages.

Hostage's son to Arutz Sheva:

'Despite everything, more hostages will return on Saturday'

Yizhar Lifshitz, whose father, Oded, is being held by terrorists in Gaza, says he believes that despite Hamas's threats, the hostage deal will continue as planned.

Niece of hostage:

'If hostages aren't returned, stop the aid to Gaza'

‎Yael Savariego, niece of hostage Lior Rudaeff whose body is being held in Gaza, demands that aid to Hamas be stopped following the terrorist group’s announcement that it would be suspending the implementation of the hostage deal.

Trump threatens Hamas:

'Release all the hostages by 12:00 p.m. on Saturday'

US President warns Hamas that if all hostages in Gaza are not released by 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, the ceasefire should be cancelled, but leaves the decision to Israel.

Freed hostage's cousin confronts Minister Smotrich

Eyal Calderon, cousin of Ofer Calderon who was freed from Hamas captivity, interrupts Smotrich's remarks during a meeting of the Religious Zionist Party, before being removed by security.

Netanyahu reveals:

'There was pessimism, I worked to release the hostages'

Netanyahu, in speech in the Knesset, responds to opposition's no-confidence motion: You asked about the day after the war? Trump responded.

President Herzog:

'We cannot fall into Hamas's trap'

President Isaac Herzog attended a ceremony today to dedicate 18 Torah scrolls in memory of fallen soldiers of the Swords of Iron war and warned against national panic regarding the future of the hostage deal.

War widows support Smotrich

A group of war widows wrote to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich: 'We support you and your struggle for the same path that called to our husbands.'

Ben-Gvir proposes law to block aid to Gaza

Itamar Ben-Gvir is pushing for Israel to legally forbid transferring humanitarian supplies to Gaza in response to Hamas suspending the hostage deal.

Hostage Deal:

Israel responds to Hamas ultimatum

Israeli officials have responded to Hamas's decision on Monday to suspend the hostage deal until further notice.

Freed Hostage:

'Things got worse after the first deal, I was seriously starved'

Ofer Calderon shared his ordeal in captivity and reiterated the call to ensure the return of all the hostages.

Smotrich:

'Cabinet must immediately implement Trump's plan'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for israel to immediately adopt Trump's plan to relocate Gazans, and added that the Palestinian Authority in Judea and Samaria should be sent away as well.

Released hostage's mother:

'Romi Gonen to undergo complex surgery'

Meirav Leshem-Gonen, mother of released hostage Romi Gonen, says the young women who returned from Hamas captivity 'are not okay, to lose 20% of your weight is not okay.'

Yarden Bibas released from hospital

A week and a half after being released from Hamas captivity, Yarden Bibas is released home from the hospital. 'Path to healing will not be complete until Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir return.'

Psychological terror:

Father of released hostage shares chilling message with Knesset

Father of released hostage Arbel Yehud shares emotional account of psychological tactics used by Hamas: 'I didn’t believe hostages had become a political debate, until I returned to Israel.'

Brother of freed hostage:

'Eli's return is the victory of the people of Israel'

Sharon Sharabi, brother of Eli, and Michael Levy, brother of Or, speak about their brothers' conditions one day after they were freed by Hamas.

Trump:

'The three hostages looked like Holocaust survivors'

US President says Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben Ami and Or Levy, who were freed from Hamas captivity "looked like Holocaust survivors” and warns Hamas: At some point, we're going to lose our patience.

Diaspora Minister:

'No more pathetic doormat than the Prime Minister of the UK'

Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli criticized PM Starmer for failing to condemn Hamas in a statement about the released hostage Eli Sharabi's condition.

Amid ceasefire:

Hamas sets up checkpoints in Gaza, taxes humanitarian aid

Due to the ceasefire deal, nobody, including the Israelis, can stop Hamas from taking control of Gaza's main roads or taxing all goods.

Captivity survivor's daughter:

'My father went through horrors, it's worse than I thought'

Ella, whose father Ohad Ben-Ami was released from Hamas captivity, delivered remarks: 'We haven't even begun to hear and delve deep into the inferno and hell that he was in.'

Ohad, Or and Eli watched one of the hostages collapse

Terrorists choked the hostages, tied them up, tied their mouths with rope and strangled them, hung them by their legs and burned them with hot objects.

Pres. Herzog shows Fox News before and after photos of hostage

During an interview to Fox News, President Isaac Herzog displays photographs of Eli Sharabi before and after captivity, 'Israel, as the only democracy in the Middle East, fights for the entire free world.'

Father of Oct. 7th hero:

'We want to hug each one that Aner saved'

'Or Levy's release from captivity was very emotional; we want to meet him, we feel close to all survivors,' Father of Aner Shapira, murdered at the Nova Festival on 10/7, says.

Footage from Bangkok:

Released Thai hostages return home, reunite with their families

The five Thai hostages released last week from Hamas captivity reunited with their families after nearly 500 days apart.

'The hostages were in locations where there was humanitarian aid'

Dr. Einat Yehene, head of rehabilitation in health for the Hostages Famly Forum, says Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben-Ami, and Or Levy were 'intentionally starved.'

Smotrich:

'The comparisons to the Holocaust are wrong'

Finance Minister criticizes the use of Holocaust-related terms when discussing the hostages: The suffering of our hostages in Hamas' cruel captivity is heartbreaking, but comparisons to the Holocaust are a serious mistake and trivialize the Holocaust.

UN chief calls for ceasefire, silent on freed hostages

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls for permanent ceasefire in Gaza, does not mention frail condition of freed hostages. Former Israeli Ambassador to the UN: You don’t give a damn about the security of the people of Israel. Shame on you. Resign!

British PM on Eli Sharabi:

'I was dismayed to see his frail condition'

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who met with family of freed hostage Eli Sharabi, comments on his release: We must continue to see all the hostages freed. These people were ripped away from their lives in the most brutal circumstances and held in appalling conditions.

'With God's help, we'll be back'

IDF to completely withdraw from Netzarim Corridor

According to the hostage release deal, Israel is required to complete the withdrawal from its last positions on the Netzarim Corridor on Saturday night.

Ambassador Danon:

'Clear evidence of war crimes against hostages'

Israel's Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon sent an urgent letter to the UN Secretary-General regarding the dire physical condition of the three Israeli hostages released earlier today from Hamas captivity.

Hersh's Parents:

'One of Or's first questions was about Hersh'

Jon and Rachel, parents of executed hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, spoke about their feelings upon seeing Or Levy, who was captured with their son, released alive.

Eli receives horrific news: His wife and daughters were murdered

Eli Sharabi, returned to Israel after 491 days in captivity, is informed that his wife Leanne and daughters Noya (16) and Yahel (13) were murdered in the October 7 massacre, and his brother Yossi was killed in captivity.

First hug - after 491 days:

Or and his son Almog meet for the first time

Or Levy, released from Hamas captivity after 491 days, reunites with his three-year-old son Almog.

Pres. Herzog on hostages' state:

'This is what a crime against humanity looks like'

'Whole world' must see how Ohad, Eli, and Or starved and emaciated, were exploited in a cynical and cruel spectacle by Hamas, Israeli President Isaac Herzog says.

Former Hostage:

'It was a nightmare, I will not forget IDF's sacrifices'

Former hostage Karina Ariev gave a recorded address to a rally in Hostages Square: 'I do not forget for a moment the sacrifice of the IDF soldiers. Do not forget this unity, it is what saved us.'

'They will pay the price'

Netanyahu: We have again seen the monsters of Hamas

We will do everything to return all of our hostages, but Hamas will not be there. We will eliminate Hamas, and we will return our hostages,' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promises.

Foreign Minister:

'The only ones starving in Gaza are the hostages'

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar posted a video accusing Hamas of starving the hostages released today, claiming they looked dangerously emaciated while the Hamas forces appeared well-fed.

Family of captivity survivor Or Levy:

We believe his murdered wife is watching from above

In an emotional statement released today, the family of Or Levy, who was freed after 491 days of captivity at the hands of Hamas, expressed both profound joy and deep sorrow.

Israeli government vs CNN:

No comparison between hostages and terrorists

Government Press Office responds to CNN headline equating convicted terrorists with Israeli civilians kidnapped by Hamas terrorists to Gaza. 'Narrative comparing hostages and prisoners runs contrary to every ethical standard of journalism.'