Hostage Deal

'Clear violation'

Hamas returned the remains of hostage recovered two years ago

National Center of Forensic Medicine determines that the remains returned overnight did not belong to one of the 13 hostages who remain in Gaza.

Smotrich demands to arrest the released terrorists

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for the terrorists released in the hostage deal to be arrested again due to Hamas failing to honor its obligations.

‘A staged show’:

Hamas caught faking Hostage body discovery during ceasefire

IDF reservists report that Hamas operatives violated the ceasefire by staging the recovery of a murdered hostage’s body just moments before Red Cross representatives arrived.

How Bar Kuperstein’s mother stumped a terrorist

Released hostage Bar Kuperstein recounted a call that took place while he was held captive by Hamas between his mother and a Hamas terrorist.

Former hostage recounts:

Hamas made us choose who will be killed, who will be wounded

Two weeks after his release, Yosef Chaim Ohana revealed the terror of his Hamas captivity, describing beatings, psychological abuse, and how he talked his captors out of executing him.

Hostage Families Forum urges swift action for release of hostages

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum urged urgent action from Israel and the international community to secure the immediate release of all hostages still held in Gaza, until Hamas returns every hostage to Israel.

Israel increases efforts to locate bodies in Gaza

Israel is searching the territories under its control in Gaza for the bodies of slain hostages. Heavy engineering vehicles will begin entering the enclave to assist in the effort.

'From here, only good things'

Captivity survivor Alon Ohel discharged from hospital

A week and a half after being released from Hamas captivity, Alon Ohel returns home, 'So I can continue my life and achieve my goals.'

‘She said yes!’

Freed hostage Eliya Cohen fulfills promise to propose

Months after surviving Hamas captivity, Eliya Cohen proposed to his girlfriend Ziv Abud - who fought tirelessly for his release - in an emotional rooftop ceremony in Tel Aviv.

With song and dance

Captivity survivor Matan Angrest leaves the hospital

Just over a week after being released from Hamas captivity, Matan Angrest celebrates his discharge from the hosptial, removing the poster with his picture from his parents' car.

'You have returned home'

Tamir Adar laid to rest two years after defending his kibbutz

Tamir Adar, who gave his life defending his community during the October 7th attack, was laid to rest in the kibbutz where he was born, raised, and built his family.

Murdered Nepali hostage laid to rest in hometown

23-year-old agricultural student Bipin Joshi, who was murdered in Hamas captivity, was laid to rest in a traditional Hindu cremation ceremony in Nepal after his body was returned from captivity.

'Thanks to you, I returned'

Watch: Captivity survivor Maxim Herkin in uniform once again

Captain (Res.) Maxim Herkin addressed an IDF ceremony wearing an IDF uniform, just over a week after being released from Hamas captivity.

'At last, I'm here'

Hundreds celebrate return of freed hostage Avinatan Or to Shiloh

Freed hostage Avinatan Or received a hero’s welcome in Shiloh as hundreds of residents lined the roads with flags, songs, and prayers to celebrate his return after two years in Hamas captivity.

'Crushing, truly unbearable'

Murdered hostage Ronen Engel laid to rest

Convoy of dozens of motorcyclists led the funeral procession, honoring Ronen’s life, courage, and spirit as family, friends, and supporters came together to pay their final respects.

Witkoff and Kushner meet with newly released hostages

US Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with hostages released from Hamas captivity last week, who thanked them for their instrumental role in securing the deal that brought them home.

'Coming Home'

Emotional Yiddish cover marks hostages’ long-awaited homecoming

Hassidic singer and rapper Mendy Twerski performs a stirring cover of the pop song 'Coming Home' in Yiddish, marking the return of the remaining hostages from Hamas captivity.

Tal Haimi's widow: 'We have reached a sad closure'

Ela Haimi, wife of Tal Haimi, Nir Yitzhak’s rapid response commander murdered by Hamas on October 7th, said her husband’s return brings 'real closure' and urged an end for all hostage families.

Sister of freed hostage Evyatar David: I can’t believe he’s home

Yeela David, sister of freed hostage Evyatar David, shares an emotional message from Beilinson Hospital, thanking supporters and urging continued efforts to bring home the remaining hostages.

Heartwarming reunion

Watch: Tal Shoham surprises fellow former hostage

Former hostage Tal Shoham meets for the first time with Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Evyatar David, with whom he was held together, in an especially emotional reunion.

Only Samaritan terrorist in Israel released in hostage deal

Nader Sadka, 48, from Mount Gerizim, is the only Samaritan ever convicted in Israel for security-related offenses. He was sentenced to six life terms for planning and carrying out attacks against Israelis - and has now been released as part of the hostage deal.

Watch:

Uriel Baruch laid to rest

Uriel Baruch laid to rest after his body was returned to Israel in the hostage deal.

IDF confirms:

Body of Thai farmhand Sontaya Ukkharsri returned to Israel

The second body returned on Saturday night was identified as that of Thai citizen Sontaya Ukkharsri, who was murdered in the fields of Be'eri on October 7th, 2023.

Hostage survivors speak out:

'Our new life starts now!'

Hostage survivors David and Ariel Cunio in their first public message: 'In the most difficult moments in captivity, we felt that you were fighting for us. That you were not giving up.'

Keith Siegel:

Matan Angrest and I were held in a small, dark room

Keith Siegel looks back at his time in captivity with newly released hostage Matan Angrest. 'We kept each other strong, we laughed together.'

Former hostage:

'I fasted on Yom Kippur time and was released from captivity'

Hostage survivor Eitan Horn tearfully recounts how he decided to fast on Yom Kippur, for the first time in his life, and was released from Hamas captivity less than two weeks later. Watch

Terrorism as religious sacrifice: What the Trump deal ignored

In essence, for Hamas, terror is a form of sacred violence oriented toward the “sacrifice” of enemies and martyrs. Opinion.

Murdered hostage's son:

'If I have a son one day, I’ll name him after you'

Eitan Levy, 53, who was murdered near Mefalsim Junction during the October 7 massacre and whose body was held by Hamas for nearly two years, is laid to rest. His only son, Shahar, delivers a heartfelt eulogy.

Yosef-Chaim’s testimony:

'I was one second away from a bullet to the head'

Yosef-Chaim Ohana managed to convince Hamas terrorists not to shoot him, even after they pressed a gun to his temple. The captors also separated childhood friends Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Evyatar David.

'Only now am I free'

Emily Damari's moving reunion with the Berman twins

Captivity survivor Emily Damari recounts her reunion with Gali and Ziv Berman.

'Sorry my firstborn son'

IDF soldier Tamir Nimrodi laid to rest

Family members delivered emotional eulogies at the Kfar Saba Cemetery as IDF soldier Tamir Nimrodi was laid to rest following the return of his body from Gaza.

Bar's Faith and the tzitzit from captivity

Julie, the mother of released hostage Bar Kuperstein, spoke about the hunger, the abuse and the physical and mental pain her son endured during his captivity.

Chilling recordings of Guy Illouz

Deceased hostage Guy Illouz managed two phone calls to his father and the police as he was captured by Hamas.

'Thank you Father in Heaven'

Bar Kupershtein's first video after Hamas captivity

Captivity survivor Bar Kupershtein published a video for the first time after being released from captivity. 'I went through a pretty tough time, to put it lightly.'

Report:

Israel tells Trump Hamas not doing enough on hostage recovery

Israel says Hamas is not fulfilling its obligations under the hostage agreement and warns that the next phase of the Gaza deal depends on the return of all bodies.

Account from captivity:

'I demanded tefillin and prayer book and they gave them to me'

Matan Angrest, abducted on October 7th, shared how prayer and faith sustained him through months of torture in Hamas tunnels, calling his survival a 'series of miracles.'

Trump:

Israel could return to fighting in Gaza if Hamas violates deal

President Trump tells CNN Israel could return to Gaza 'as soon as I say the word' if Hamas fails to meet ceasefire terms, including full hostage return.

2 more caskets returned to Israel

Hamas claims it returned all deceased hostages in its possession

Hamas claims it no longer holds additional deceased hostages as the Red Cross prepares to receive several bodies, while President Trump warns fighting may resume if the deal is breached.

'You were always on my mind'

IDF Chief of Staff meets with released hostages

IDF Chief of Staff LTG Eyal Zamir met with the returned hostages Matan Angrest and Eitan Horn at Ichilov Hospital

'Rest now, my sweet one':

Father bids final farewell to Guy Illouz

In a funeral filled with grief and remembrance, Michel Illouz delivered a stirring eulogy for his son Guy, whose optimism and gentle soul were extinguished in Hamas captivity.

Arutz Sheva interview

Rabbi Doron Perez mourns son Daniel, a hero returned home

Rabbi Doron Perez, father of Captain Daniel Perez z"l, shared the heartbreak and strength of his family’s journey, calling for the return of all fallen soldiers for burial in Israel.

'The ransomed shall return'

Watch: Yeshivas celebrate return of hostages on Simchat Torah

Videos obtained by Arutz Sheva show revelers dancing to the words: 'And the ransomed of the L-rd shall return, And come with song unto Zion.'

Rom returned from captivity and donned tefillin

Tami Braslavski speaks painfully of the attempts to break Rom's spirit, 'They told him that if he converted to Islam, he would receive food and gifts. But Rom replied - I am Jewish, I am strong, I will not break.'

Report:

New details about the wrong body that Hamas handed over to Israel

Israeli officials said Hamas mistakenly returned a Gazan’s body instead of an Israeli hostage, but Arab sources claim it was intentional - part of Hamas’s ongoing psychological tactics.

Jack Engelhard

Yes, I'm thrilled...but

And as for Netanyahu, I’ll take unpopular, and stubborn, and difficult, if it means unyielding for the safety, security, and sovereignty of the Jewish State. Opinion.

Father of Hostage:

'I can finally say that my son was a soldier'

Avi Ohana, father of released hostage Yosef Chaim Ohana, reveals that he had never publicly stated that his son was a soldier for fear of causing him greater harm.

'What a frenzy':

Avinatan Or's first video after returning from Gaza

Former hostage Avinatan Or sent his friends his first video message in two years.

Starved, isolated, shackled:

Hostages share Gaza captivity ordeals

Freed hostages share chilling details of Gaza captivity, including starvation, isolation, and emotional moments like Elkana Bohbot’s anniversary plea.

Watch:

Freed hostage Evyatar David reunites with family

Evyatar David reunites with his family after being freed from captivity. A Hamas video showing him digging his own grave drew global condemnation two months ago.

Watch:

Avinatan Or and Noa Argamani reunited after harrowing ordeal

Freed after two years, Avinatan Or reunites with his parents and girlfriend Noa Argamani, both abducted by Hamas from the Nova Festival. Their story became a global symbol of the October 7 attacks.

Watch:

Freed hostage Eitan Horn reunites with brother Iair

Eitan Horn, freed from Hamas captivity, reunites with his brother Iair, also a former hostage. The two endured months together in harsh conditions before being released in separate hostage deals.

MK Ohad Tal:

'Historic day as hostages return home'

MK Ohad Tal thanked PM Netanyahu and President Trump for their roles in securing the release, emphasizing Israel’s determination not to accept partial deals and warning that Hamas must be dismantled to ensure Gaza no longer threatens Israel.

Murdered hostage's parents:

'Profound relief and joy as Israeli hostages are released'

Rachel and Jon Goldberg-Polin, parents of murdered hostage Hersh, join the nation in gratitude and hope, echoing the words of Psalm 126: a song of return, laughter, and renewal after long months of pain.

The deal that reunites families reopens wounds that never healed

The other side of the deal. Opinion.

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."

'No need to celebrate'

MK Halevi will not attend Trump’s Knesset speech

MK Amit Halevi says he will not attend the US President’s speech at the Knesset. “The agreement is not a victory. We must acknowledge the pain and learn lessons.”

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.

Hours before release:

Government votes on changes to terrorist release list

Government approves significant amendments to the list of terrorist prisoners slated for release as part of the deal with Hamas.

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.