Hostage Deal

Hamas official:

We're holding two senior IDF officers hostage

Negotiations for second stage of deal to focus on IDF's full withdrawal from Gaza, permanent ceasefire, and preventing resumption of fighting, Hamas tells mediators.

Pro-Victory campaign to PM:

'Is this how you want to be remembered? Eliminate Hamas'

Huge sign hung on Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv calls out PM, before his meeting with Pres. Trump: 'Is this how you want to be remembered? Eliminate Hamas.'

Bibas family:

Yarden is asking about Shiri and the kids & we don't have answers

Family of released hostage Yarden Bibas speaks to media about his condition, calls on government to act to free his wife Shiri and children Ariel and Kfir.

'Amazing what they've done'

Trump demonstrates Israel's size using his pen

US President Donald Trump spoke to reporters about how small Israel is and said he had no assurances that the ceasefire in Gaza would hold.

Israel is bracing for an unimaginable requiem

Israelis remain haunted, as should all human beings, by the two tiny red-headed boys last pictured in their Batman pajamas. Op-ed.

Hostages' families rally outside US Embassy to thank Trump

Demonstrators showed their support, appreciation, and gratitude to President Trump and the Israeli government, calling for the continuation of efforts to bring home all hostages, until the very last one returns.

Yarden Bibas was held alone, lied to about his family's fate

The Hamas terrorists holding hostage Yarden Bibas refused to allow him to stay with other hostages, allowing him out of the tunnel only once a day to eat; he lost 15 kilograms during his time in captivity.

Keith Siegel's daughter reveals:

'Dad was starved and mentally and physically abused'

Siegel's wife, Aviva, thanked US President Donald Trump for his part in her husband's release: 'Mr. President, you are our hope for those who are still in captivity.'

Arbel Yehud's first post since being released from captivity

Arbel Yehud, who was released from Hamas captivity last week, published a post on social media calling on everyone to 'continue the struggle and not let up.'

Moving video:

Agam Berger presents sister with military lanyard at graduation

At the end of IDF social worker training, released hostage Agam Berger presented her sister, Bar, with the purple lanyard worn by military social workers.

Despite Netanyahu's promise:

Palestinian Authority involved in control of Rafah Crossing

The Palestinian Authority is operating the Rafah Crossing between Israel and Gaza, alongside international bodies. 'The Prime Minister caved in.'

Minister Miki Zohar:

'There is a conflict between the goals of the war'

Culture and Sports Minister admits that the continuation of the hostage deal is not guaranteed. "If Hamas entrenches itself in its position that it continues to control and manage the Gaza Strip, we will resume the war."

Calderon family: Ofer came back to us weak, but on his feet

The family of Ofer Calderon, released Saturday from Hamas captivity, spoke to the media, asking for time and privacy. 'Now we can recover, we are whole.'

Netanyahu in Washington:

Hostage deal, the 'day after', and the Abraham Accords

Prime Minister Netanyahu is on his way to Washington as the first foreign leader invited to the White House in President Trump's second term, hoping to negotiate several strategic achievements for Israel.

Emily Damari returns to home she was kidnapped from

Emily Damari, recently released from Hamas captivity, returns to her home in Kfar Aza, from which she was kidnapped on the morning of the October 7 massacre.

Bibas family:

'Yarden feels good, he's strong and amazing'

Bibas family issues statement following Yarden Bibas' release from Hamas captivity, thanks public for support. 'We can finally breathe.'

Witkoff to released hostages:

'President Trump could not be happier for your return'

The four hostages who returned last week met with US special envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff and thanked him and all those involved in securing their release.

Herzog to Thai FM:

'Thai hostages are our brothers'

President Isaac Herzog met with Thailand’s Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa. He welcomed the return of the five hostages and stressed his concern for all the remaining hostages.

Interior Min. awards residency status to released Thai hostages

Interior Minister Moshe Arbel announced at a meeting with Thailand's Foreign Minister, that he has decided to grant residency status to the five Thai hostages released from captivity.

Daniella Gilboa:

'The only thing that saved me was faith'

Daniella Gilboa, who was released from Hamas captivity, shared that from the moment she was abducted, she waited to recite the thanksgiving blessing.

Former Mossad official:

'No choice but to continue war'

Mossad agent, Oded Eilam, says that any other alternative, other than a return to combat, 'will fall from the 14th floor.'

The released terrorist's surprising statement

Mohammed a-Tus was released after 40 years in Israeli prison as part of the hostage deal with Hamas. He implicitly criticized the terror organization's attack on October 7th.

Infuriating comparison:

BBC news presenter calls Israeli hostages 'prisoners,' apologizes

BBC news presenter Nicky Schiller referred to the three Israeli hostages released yesterday as 'prisoners,' similar to the term used for the terrorists imprisoned in Israel.

Little food and severe abuse:

Keith, Yarden, and Ofer were held in harsh conditions

Hamas terrorists treated Ofer as if he were a reservist. Yarden underwent severe psychological abuse, with the terrorists constantly talking about his wife and young children.

Sisi to Trump:

'Confident your leadership can usher in Middle East peace'

Sisi calls Trump to congratulate him on his inauguration, discuss hostage release deal. White House statement does not mention whether Trump's plan for Egypt to accept Gazans came up.

Senior Hamas official: We're ready to resume the fighting

Taher Nounou, a senior Hamas official, calls on the international community to force Netanyahu to stop the war and fully withdraw from the Gaza Strip.

Biden:

'Keith Siegel was freed as part of deal my team and I negotiated'

Former US President welcomes release from Hamas captivity of Keith Siegel, who also holds US citizenship: I look forward to the remaining hostages, including additional Americans, being reunited with their families.

'Thank God, I am home'

Karina Ariev in first social media post

Karina Ariev, one of the IDF lookouts who were freed from captivity, publishes her first post on social media since being freed: I was held captive by Hamas for a year and three months. Today, thank God, I am home, in Israel, with my family and my people.

Bereaved families:

Cancel shipments of terrorists abroad

Bereaved families from the Almagor Terror Victims Association‎ call on Cabinet ministers to stop the release of terrorists to foreign countries. 'Terrible mistake that began with a pathetic decision.'

Netanyahu:

'Our thoughts are now with the remaining hostages'

Israel's leaders and the families of the hostages responded Saturday evening to the release of the hostages, expressing joy for those released and determination to recover the rest.

Ahead of the second stage:

Netanyahu's dramatic decision

Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer to head negotiations team for second stage of prisoner swap deal with Hamas, report says. PM's Office: 'Decisions on negotiations to be made only after PM returns from US.'

Released hostage:

'I'm here thanks to you, and I'm okay'

Released hostage Doron Steinbrecher tells attendees at Hostages Square rally: 'Thanks to everyone who supported and embraced, thanks to all of the soldiers, and the security forces.'

Defense Min. threatens:

'One mistake - and you'll meet old friends'

Defense Minister Israel Katz warns terrorist Zakaria Zubeidi, released in prisoner swap deal, not to incite or participate in terror. 'One mistake, and you'll go to join old friends. We will not accept support for terror.'

Netanyahu after hostages' release:

'Our steadfast stand proved itself'

'We'll continue to take determined action to bring hostages back home, and achieve all of our objectives for the war,' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says.

Cost of the Deal:

183 Palestinian terrorists released from Israeli prisons

Among the released terrorists today are 18 with life sentences and another 54 terrorists who served lengthy prison terms. 111 more are Gaza terrorists captured during the war.

Released hostage testifies:

'It was very hard for Yarden, his fear was very great'

Tami Metzger, released in a November 2023 prisoner swap deal, tells of her time in captivity alongside Yarden Bibas and Ofer Calderon.

Watch:

'Dad, that's it, it's over - now you're with us'

Ofer Calderon, 54, kidnapped with his children to Gaza during the October 7 massacre, reunites with his children and other family members in Israel, after 484 days in captivity.

Bibas family: Yarden has returned to an unbearable reality

After meeting his father and sister in Re'im, released hostage Yarden Bibas arrived at Sheba Medical Center, where he met his mother Penina. His wife Shiri and children Ariel and Kfir are still in Gaza.

Siegel family reunites:

'Dad, you came back to us!! You're a hero for surviving!'

Watch the emotional reunion as released hostage Keith Seigel meets his family after 484 days in captivity.

After 484 days in captivity:

Keith, Ofer, and Yarden returned to Israel

Hostages Keith Siegel, Yarden Bibas, and Ofer Calderon were released Saturday from Hamas captivity.

After 484 days in captivity

Yarden Bibas, Ofer Calderon, Keith Siegel to be released tomorrow

Hamas submits list of three male hostages who are scheduled to be released from captivity. The release is scheduled to take place in the early morning hours of Saturday from two different points in the Gaza Strip.

White House:

'Trump is committed to the release of all remaining hostages'

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt: Trump’s working meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister next week emphasizes his continued support for Israel and ensuring that brutal terrorists in that region have hell to pay.

Watch:

Gadi Mozes' first Shabbat dinner with his family

Freed hostage Gadi Mozes, 80, enjoys Shabbat dinner with his family for the first time in 482 days.

Freed hostage's mother:

'She was held in UNRWA facilities and denied medical treatment'

Mandy Damari, mother of Emily Damari who was freed after 470 days in captivity, reveals during conversation with British PM that her daughter was held in UNRWA facilities in Gaza: It's a miracle that she survived.

Arbel Yehud's father:

'She in reasonable health, considering the hell she endured'

Yechi Yehud, father of Arbel who was freed from captivity after 482 days, delivers public statement from Sheba Hospital: She survived heroically until the very end, displaying immeasurable courage.

Bibas family:

'We face very difficult days'

Ahead of Yarden Bibas's expected release from captivity, his family asked: 'Please, protect Yerden's heart and respect his privacy and the privacy of the family in the coming time.'

Agam Berger's father to Trump:

'History will never forget your generosity and leadership'

Merav and Shlomi, the parents of returned hostage Agam Berger, delivered remarks at the hospital.

Parting Words:

Israel Prison Service's wristbands for released terrorists

The wristband bears an ominous message in both Hebrew and Arabic that 'the eternal nation does not forget.'

Liri Albag's first social media post after leaving captivity

In her first social media post after being released from Hamas captivity, Liri Albag thanked the people of Israel for their support and the security forces for their sacrifice.

Watch:

Son of hostage shaves for the first time since the massacre

Yair, son of former hostage Gadi Moses, pledged not to shave as a sign of mourning until his father returned. Today, he finally trimmed his beard again, with the help of his father.

Watch:

Hostages learned Israeli hit song while in captivity

The surveillance post operators recently released managed to learn an Israeli hit song while in captivity and used it to greet the hostages released yesterday.

Rafah Crossing to open today

Crossing between Egypt and Gaza to open today instead of Sunday after the opening was moved up two days.

Senior Hamas official:

'We'll continue governing Gaza until an alternative is found'

Senior Hamas official Taher Nounou states that “practically, we can say that the war is over” and claims that "the enemy did not achieve its goals”.

Rubio on Gaza:

'The real challenge is what happens when the ceasefire expires'

In interview with Megyn Kelly, US Secretary of State says Hamas cannot be governing Gaza after the ceasefire ends: If the people who are in charge of Gaza are the same guys that created October 7th, then we still have the same problem.

Terrorist who planned to assassinate Ben Gvir released

Former minister Ben Gvir reveals that one of the terrorists released as part of the hostage deal had planned to assassinate him in the past: A reckless agreement.

Outrageous footage from Ramallah:

Joyful marches and celebrations for released terrorists

Celebration held in Ramallah for terrorists freed as part of hostage deal. Among other things, participants hoisted Zakaria Zubeidi on their shoulders as he made a victory sign.

Watch:

Former Thai hostages welcomed back to Israel

Thenna Pongsak, Sathian Suwannakham, Sriaoun Watchara, Seathao Bannawat, and Rumnao Surasak arrived at Shamir Medical Center-Asaf Harofeh and were welcomed by Thai Ambassador to Israel Pannabha Chandraramya and the medical staff.

Singer Mooki: 'No greater garbage than Gazans'

"No greater garbage in the whole world than the residents of Gaza. They're not people, they are the most repulsive and despicable collection of sub-humans,' says singer Mooki.

New details:

Arbel Yehud was held in isolation for 482 days

Freed hostage says the shocking scenes seen in Gaza today do not show a tenth of the cruelty that she experienced in Gaza.

IDF Spokesperson:

'Hamas responsible for putting hostages' lives at risk'

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagar delivers statement on release of 3 Israeli and 5 Thai hostages, including the mobs that surrounded the hostages as they were being released.