Hostage Deal

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.

Senior defense official:

Hamas was not defeated, but was weakened'

According to the official, the agreement makes it possible to secure the return of the hostages while exploring a gradual dismantling of Hamas.

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.

IDF Chief:

Israel has defeated Hamas after two years of war

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir announced Israel’s victory over Hamas after two years of war, calling it an existential triumph and pledging lasting security for Israel.

'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.

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.

Watch:

IDF troops operate on new ceasefire lines in Gaza

The IDF reported that troops continue operating in the area to remove any immediate threat to the soldiers.

Schedule for US President Donald Trump's visit to Israel

US President Donald Trump will arrive in Israel on Monday for a short visit, during which he will meet with President Isaac Herzog, PM Benjamin Netanyahu, and hostages' families, as well as addressing the Knesset.

Hostage release:

Hamas deploys forces across Gaza

Footage shows Hamas militants patrolling streets in Gaza and engineering crews clearing rubble as IDF forces withdraw.

Bereaved father and husband:

'I trust the government and security forces'

After hearing that one of the murderers of his son and wife is due to be released, Yoel Tzur talks about his feelings, fears, and hopes for the day after the release of the hostages.

Terrorist scheduled for release assaults prison guard

A terrorist prisoner scheduled for release in the hostage deal attacked an Israel Prison Service guard today while in the identification line that prisoners go through at Ketziot Prison.

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.

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.

Watch:

Troops deploy on new lines while singing and dancing

As the ceasefire came into effect, troops from the Nahal Brigade took their new positions on the lines determined in President Trump's plan.

Raw deal

With all the joy at the anticipated hostage release, these swaps are classic and nauseating examples of stage-one thinking, in which people do not think of consequences beyond the immediate. Opinion.

Senior Analyst:

'Hamas will never return to rule 53% of Gaza'

Political commentator Amit Segal believes the agreement to return the hostages almost fully realizes the war objectives set by the government at the outset.

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.

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.

'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.'

After miraculous hostage deal-

No excuse not to award Nobel Peace Prize to Trump

The Trump Administration put the public pressure where it belongs: On the butchers of Hamas. That does not mean the deal is perfect, but it is a victory for Israel. Opinion.

President Trump to visit Israel following Gaza hostage deal

President Donald Trump is set to arrive in Israel on Saturday night following the Gaza hostage deal, with plans to address the Knesset and meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Bereaved father and envoy:

‘My son’s sacrifice brought this moment’

Israel’s Ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, whose son fell in Gaza, told CNN that Hamas agreed to the deal only under military pressure and through the sacrifices of Israel’s fallen soldiers.

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.

World leaders welcome first stage of Trump’s Gaza peace deal

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, joined by France’s Emmanuel Macron and Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, welcomed President Trump’s Gaza peace deal, calling it a vital step toward ending the war.

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.

No ceremonies, within 72 hours:

How the hostage deal will unfold

The expected timeline for the first phase of the Trump plan: The Israeli Cabinet will approve the move, the IDF will withdraw from Gaza City, and 72 hours later, the release of the hostages will begin.

Netanyahu, Trump hail Gaza ceasefire deal in warm call

Netanyahu and Trump speak after a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal. Trump expected to visit Israel Sunday to address the Knesset.

Hostage talks

Reports of positive atmosphere in Egypt negotiations

Envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff joined talks in Egypt with Israeli, Qatari, Turkish, and Hamas representatives amid reports of optimism and progress toward a Gaza ceasefire deal.

Terrorist released in hostage deal caught carrying knife

Police caught a 19-year-old terrorist who was released in a hostage deal, armed with a knife, in Jerusalem.

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.

These are the terrorists that Hamas is demanding Israel release

Hamas demands the release of six senior terrorists, including Marwan Barghouti and Ahmad Sa’adat, in exchange for hostages, alongside requests for aid trucks and easing Gaza movement.

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.'

Foreign Minister Sa'ar: 'I don't trust Hamas, I trust Trump'

Gideon Sa'ar says Israel is nearing a deal for the release of hostages, but warns against trusting Hamas and expresses confidence in President Trump.

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.

Chief of Staff in Gaza:

If political effort fails, we will return to fight

IDF Chief LTG Zamir led a surprise drill in Gaza, stressing there is no ceasefire and warning that if needed, troops will return to fight until Hamas is dismantled.

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.

Trump:

Hamas faces 'complete obliteration' if ceasefire plan rejected

As ceasefire talks progress, Trump warns of severe consequences for Hamas while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlines complex post-conflict challenges.

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.

Hostages' families: Don't stop the fighting in Gaza

The Tikva Forum urged the government to continue military pressure on Hamas, reject compromises, and secure the return of all hostages with strong oversight and no concessions.

Freed hostage thanks Trump, pushes for Gaza deal

Omer Shem Tov, freed from Hamas captivity, praised President Trump at a Tel Aviv rally, urging swift action on the Gaza deal to rescue the remaining 48 hostages.

Trump praised by Herzog for leadership on hostage release plan

President Isaac Herzog marks two years since the October 7 Hamas attacks by thanking President Trump for a concrete plan to bring Israeli hostages home from Gaza.

Trump:

'I said, Bibi, this is your chance for victory'

President Donald Trump said Israel and Hamas are close to a deal for hostages and peace in Gaza, vowing to restore Israel’s global support and urging Netanyahu to act.

Ceasefire deal:

Smotrich and Ben-Gvir to remain in the government - for now

Smotrich and other ministers blasted Netanyahu’s decision to pause Gaza operations for negotiations, warning it aids Hamas; Ben-Gvir threatened Otzma Yehudit may quit.