Hostage Deal

Smotrich threatens to quit government over hostage deal

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has warned that he will leave the government if Netanyahu proceeds with any deal with Hamas.

Amb. Huckabee:

'USA will not take part in UN's Palestinian state circus'

US Ambassador Mike Huckabee said that no matter what happens, Hamas cannot be allowed any semblance of victory in the war.

MK Schuster:

'Gantz would rejoin the government for hostage deal'

MK Alon Schuster confirms that Benny Gantz is considering rejoining the government, but only to ensure a majority for an anticipated hostage release deal.

Report:

Gantz may return to government to facilitate hostage deal

Gantz weighing return to government as Netanyahu faces right-wing pushback over proposed partial hostage deal backed by mediators.

Fmr. Navy chief:

Israel can not make a partial deal

R. Adm. (res.) Eliezer Marom warned that Israel cannot afford a partial deal with Hamas, stressing that only a full offensive or comprehensive agreement will prevent the terror group from regrouping.

Ex-Hostage to CNN:

'I feel guilty when I eat'

As negotiations to free the remaining hostages continue, released hostage Eliya Cohen shared his harrowing story and the weight he still carries 6 months after his release.

Bereaved families to PM

'Hamas is playing games with our loved ones - time for victory'

The Hagvura Forum responds to reports Hamas has agreed to a partial deal allowing it to keep 10 living hostages, urge Netanyahu not to accept such a deal.

Israeli official

'We will leave no hostage behind'

A senior diplomatic official emphasized that Israel is committed to the release of all hostages, following Hamas’s agreement to only a partial deal for the release of 10 of the 20 living hostages.

Hamas: US will guarantee deal's implementation

A Hamas advisor said hostage deal talks would begin with a ceasefire, stressing US guarantees but no disarmament clause, while Taher al-Nunu called the proposal a compromise.

Amit Segal:

'Hamas's response proves - military pressure brings hostages'

Political commentator Amit Segal says the Prime Minister is keeping the option of a partial deal with Hamas open, even as those close to him claim his focus is on conquering Gaza.

Israeli source

'Israel's demand for the release of all hostages unchanged'

Amid reports Hamas has accepted a deal to release half of the hostages who are still alive, Israeli official says the country still rejects partial deals that do not free all of the hostages.

Israel receives Hamas response to ceasefire proposal

A senior Arab official said that the proposal includes a kilometer withdrawal in northern and eastern Gaza, the release of 200 terrorists serving significant sentences in exchange for ten living hostages.

Defense Minister

'Fear we'd conquer Gaza brought Hamas back to negotiating table'

Amid reports Hamas has given a positive response to the latest ceasefire proposal, Minister Israel Katz says the threat of an IDF operation in Gaza City allowed diplomacy to resume.

Report

Hamas responds positively to latest ceasefire proposal

Amid preparations in Israel for the potential takeover of Gaza City, sources reported that Hamas has submitted its response to the Egyptian-Qatari proposal, which includes the phased release of hostages, a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and a 60-day ceasefire backed by US guarantees.

Proposal presented to Hamas

Release of hostages and humanitarian aid

Arabic media reports Hamas has until this evening to respond to proposal for the release of 10 living hostages and 18 bodies of hostages.

Cabinet ministers:

'Rule out possibility of a partial hostage deal'

Cabinet ministers demand PM clarify that Israel will not agree to a partial hostage deal, only a move that will return all the hostages together from Hamas captivity.

Senior PA official:

'No new proposals received, but open to serious initiative'

Palestinian Arab official says mediation continues, but no significant new proposals have emerged in Cairo talks.

Politicians respond to protests:

'Solidarity for our hostages turned into a political campaign'

Israeli politicians respond to country-wide protests for hostages in Gaza, saying that protesters are turning solidarity for our precious hostages into a political campaign and strengthening Hamas.

President Herzog:

'International leaders, stop being a bunch of hypocrites'

President Isaac Herzog Hostage Square and met with families. Herzog urged the international community to pressure Hamas and insist on the hostages immediate release.

'Just The Beginning':

Day of Disruption begins with protests across Israel

This morning (Sunday), families of hostages and members of the October Council protst movement launched a nationwide protest dubbed the 'Day of Disruption' to end the war with a hostage deal.

PM’s Office clarifies:

Government seeks only comprehensive deal with Hamas

Prime Minister's Office confirms: Israel pursuing full deal with Hamas, ensuring all hostages' release, dismantling Hamas, and demilitarizing Gaza.

Tomorrow:

Wave of protest strikes expected nationwide

Tomorrow (Sunday), hundreds of rallies, demonstrations, and public displays are set to take place across Israel, calling for the immediate return of the hostages.

Report:

New document reveals Hamas shift on hostage deal

A new document reportedly presented to PM Netanyahu reveals that Hamas has changed its approach, now open to a "partial deal" for the release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza.

'Promises must be kept'

Captivity survivors urge Katz to bring hostages home

Captivity survivors and families of hostages hold Shabbat reception outside the Defense Minister's home: "We are here to tell all the hostages - we are fighting for you! The people of Israel stand here together, we will not give up."

'Be the President of Peace'

Captivity survivors, murdered hostages' wife appeal to Trump

Captivity survivors and wife of murdered hostage appeal to President Trump, warning expanded military activity endangers hostages and urging comprehensive deal for their release.

'No connection to hostages'

Mossad chief holds secret talks in Qatar

Mossad Director David Barnea reportedly met Qatari Prime Minister Al Thani in Doha to advance negotiations for hostage deal; Mossad claims meeting unrelated to hostages.

Details of Egyptian ceasefire proposal revealed

A Hamas delegation is currently in Egypt for negotiations; Palestinian Authority leader to arrive early next week.

Report:

Egypt receives Hamas's demands for comprehensive agreement

Al-Arabiya reports that Egypt is working to finalize a comprehensive ceasefire deal in Gaza, expected by the end of August.

Report

Israel considering sending hostage talks delegation back to Doha

Israel may resume talks on a deal to free all of the remaining hostages after Netanyahu rejects partial deal, sources say.

Grandson of hostages:

'Hamas must go, hostages must return'

Daniel Lifshitz, grandchild of hostages, calls for global pressure to free all Hamas hostages, 'Every family of a hostage is also a hostage until their loved one returns, we must leave no one behind.'

The new deal that will be proposed to Hamas

A new Egyptian-led proposal offers a full hostage exchange and calls for Hamas to disarm and accept IDF withdrawal under Arab-American and Turkish supervision.

Report:

Qatar-Gate suspect took part in hostage talks despite Qatar ties

A former senior Mossad official, questioned under caution in the "Qatar-Gate" affair, sat on the hostage release negotiation team at the start of the war.

Report

Netanyahu rejects partial deal with Hamas

PM reportedly adopts position of Minister Ron Dermer that the only deal that is acceptable is a deal in which all of the hostages are released.

Trump

'I don't think Hamas will release hostages now'

US President tells Israeli media that Hamas "cannot stay" in Gaza, stresses it is important to "remember October 7th."

Hamas official:

'The only path to an agreement is through negotiation'

Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi claims Prime Minister Netanyahu cannot reach a mutually agreed deal due to opposition from right-wing ministers in his government.

Palestinian-American mediator cuts ties with US negotiating team

Dr. Bishara Bahbah, a mediator close to President Trump, says Israel and US left Doha talks too soon, claims gaps with Hamas were bridgeable and will now work independently.

Last-ditch effort to reach deal with Hamas before Gaza conquest

White House envoy Steve Witkoff meets Qatari Prime Minister in Spain discuss a plan for ending the war, Israeli official notes such a deal would be unacceptable to Hamas and thus 'futile.'

Protest outside DM's home

'Until they return, it’s not Shabbat for us'

Captivity survivors and families of hostages hold Kabbalat Shabbat in front of Defense Minister Israel Katz's home: "On Fridays in captivity, we would make kiddush over water and say the blessing over bread. Until all the hostages return, we will not have a real Shabbat meal.”

Tensions in Cabinet meeting:

Orit Strock, Aryeh Deri hold shouting match over Hamas deal

In heated confrontation Minister Orit Strock and MK Aryeh Deri debate potential deal to release hostages held by Hamas, Deri walks back support for Oslo Accords.

Released Hostage:

'I chose to fast in the tunnels on Tisha B'Av'

At a Tisha B’Av night event in Tel Aviv, former hostage Agam Berger delivered a powerful speech, recounting her experience in captivity and reflecting on the resilience of the Jewish people throughout history.

Israel warns:

Hostage deal unlikely, Hamas pushing for escalation

Israel is losing hope for a hostage deal as Hamas reportedly withdraws from talks and leaders relocate to Turkey. “The talks are in the process of collapsing,” says a source.

IDF Chief:

'Hostage deal may be near, or fighting will intensify'

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir tours Gaza with senior commanders, praises recent gains, and warns that combat would intensify if no hostage deal emerges.

Smotrich:

'No more negotiations with Hamas for a partial deal'

Minister Bezalel Smotrich at the Vision Conference: "Either we continue until victory, or we succumb to fatigue and external pressures."

Hostage’s mother to gov't:

'Defeat Hamas or bring everyone back'

Ditza Or, mother of Avinatan who is being held captive in Gaza, addresses National Vision Conference: Either defeat Hamas or bring everyone back.

Hostage Families Forum

'No justification for partial, selective deal'

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters states in response to reports US, Israel are considering a new deal that only a deal to free all of the remaining 50 hostages is acceptable. 'Time is running out.'

Saudi report:

Hamas freezes ceasefire talks 'due to hunger in Gaza'

Hamas freezes ceasefire talks following exponential increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza, insisting talks cannot take place due to 'hunger in Gaza'

Amid Gaza crisis

White House envoy Steve Witkoff heads to Israel

White House envoy Steve Witkoff leaves for Israel for talks on the deepening Gaza crisis and stalled ceasefire negotiations. His visit includes meetings with Israeli leaders and a possible trip to Gaza to assess humanitarian conditions firsthand.

Israel's message to Hamas:

Make a deal soon, or we will start annexing territory in Gaza

Annexation of Gaza buffer zone, martial law, and siege tactics among options if Hamas refuses to agree to deal in coming days, senior official warns.

Released hostage:

Arbel Yehud speaks about the ongoing fears and pain

Six months after her release from Hamas captivity, Arbel Yehud shares the emotional pain of leaving her partner behind, calls on Israeli leaders to take bold action to bring the remaining hostages home.

At any price! Really?

Think of the damage you cause by emboldening Hamas, whose demands grow bolder by the day as they watch your protests. Opinion.

Foreign Minister Sa'ar:

International pressure undermining ceasefire efforts

Top diplomat warns Hamas emboldened by external calls to halt Israel's military campaign.

Sderot Mayor:

'Anyone imagining a deal with Hamas doesn’t understand reality'

As part of the "Decisive Victory" encampment led by wounded soldiers near the Knesset, Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi visits to express gratitude and support their call for a complete victory over Hamas.

Lapid:

'The Gaza campaign has spun out of control'

Opposition leader blasts government policy in Gaza and warns of continued escalation. Ministers and right-wing figures strongly condemn his remarks.

Report:

Starmer to tie Palestinian statehood to Gaza ceasefire

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to propose conditional recognition of a Palestinian state, linking it to a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release, amid rising pressure from Labour MPs.

Strock sets deadline

'Decisive victory or resignation from the government'

Minister Orit Strock visits wounded soldiers' encampment near the Prime Minister’s Office and declares: A plan for swift victory is essential, or we will leave the government.

Trump:

I told Bibi to fight Hamas ‘a different way’

US President tells reporters Hamas was unwilling to negotiate and used hostages as human shields, urging Israel to shift tactics in ongoing fight.

Senior Hamas official:

'We were surprised by Israel’s decision to abandon negotiations'

Top Hamas figure Ghazi Hamad says Hamas offered terms for the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of terrorist prisoners, likely including those involved in the October 7 massacre.

Sa'ar to Canadian FM:

'Diplomatic pressure aids Hamas, not peace'

FM Sa'ar tells Canadian counterpart Israel accepted ceasefire and hostage deal, but Hamas refused. He warns "strong diplomatic attacks" and "unilateral steps by France" embolden Hamas and undermine peace efforts.

Rubio to families:

'100% committed to achieving a hostage deal'

Families of Gaza hostages meet with US Secretary Rubio, urging immediate action for a deal to bring their loved ones home, express trust in the administration to secure a comprehensive agreement.

As part of deal:

Hamas demands release of Nukhba terrorists

For the first time, Hamas is demanding the release of Nukhba terrorists involved in the October 7 massacre as part of a hostage deal. It also submitted a "withdrawal map" for IDF forces.