Hostage Deal

Freed hostage tells Trump: Life got better after election

Edan Alexander tells US President Trump his treatment improved significantly after the election, in first call following release from Hamas captivity.

Alexander Family:

Witkoff was calling US officials at 3 AM to share the good news

Released hostage's father thanks US President Trump, urges continued negotiations to free remaining hostages.

'Home sweet home'

Edan's first Instagram story after being released

Released hostage Edan Alexander posted a photo of him with the words: 'Home sweet home.'

Herzog to Edan Alexander:

'Welcome home, beloved son of Israel’

President tells released hostage, ‘You were in the hearts of half the world,’ and praises his family’s strength and resilience.

Backchannel via Bahbah:

How covert talks freed Edan Alexander

Pro-Trump Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah reportedly served as key intermediary in covert talks with Hamas.

Witkoff to families:

Trump will not tolerate anything less than full hostage return

US envoys Witkoff and Boehler meet with hostage families in Tel Aviv, affirm full US commitment to securing the return of all 58 hostages.

'A Beacon Of Hope':

Steve Witkoff visits Hostages Square after Edan's release

In a visit to Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff called the release of Edan Alexander “a beacon of hope” for the families of the remaining hostages and credited key international players for their roles in the breakthrough.

Former NSA Chief:

Trump is a friend, not a messiah

Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Yaakov Amidror urges Israelis to rely on their own strength, says US support under Trump is welcome but limited by American interests.

Edan Alexander speaks with President Trump

Steve Witkoff and Adam Boehler meet Alexander at Tel Aviv’s Ichilov Medical Center, Witkoff praises his resilience and reaffirms US commitment to bring all hostages home.

First hug

Edan Alexander's moving reunion with his family

Footage shows the moving moment released American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander reunited with his family in Israel.

American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander arrives in Israel

Accompanied by IDF forces, hostage Edan Alexander has crossed into Israel, where he will undergo initial medical examinations and meet his family.

Footage from Gaza:

Commander of Edan's brigade announces his release

The commander of the Golani Brigade, where Edan served when he was abducted, notified his troops of the hostage's release.

'Held In A Cage':

Edan Alexander shares torturous conditions of his captivity

After 584 days in captivity, IDF soldier and American citizen Edan Alexander has returned to Israel, offering a chilling testimony of his ordeal in Gaza.

Herzog and German Chancellor watch release of Edan Alexander

At the end of their meeting, the Israeli President and the Chancellor of Germany watched together the release of Edan Alexander, after 584 days in Hamas captivity.

Father of Hostage:

'I have no expectations from Trump'

Tzvika Mor, father of hostage Eitan Mor, warns of political manipulation, partial deals, and misplaced trust as global attention returns to Gaza.

What did Hamas gain from Edan Alexander's release?

Al Jazeera media analyst says release of American-Israeli hostage handed Hamas a diplomatic victory and exposed tensions between Washington and Jerusalem.

Former senior Mossad official:

'Hamas will remain in Gaza - there is no magic solution'

Dr. Amnon Sofrin estimates that the many declarations that Hamas will be destroyed completely are likely to fall short of the truth.

Netanyahu to Trump and Witkoff:

'Negotiations will only be conducted under fire'

Prime Minister Netanyahu met with US Envoy Steve Witkoff and US Ambassador Mike Huckabee and spoke with US President Donald Trump ahead of the release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander.

Watch:

Residents of Edan Alexander's hometown wait for his release

Residents of Tenafly, New Jersey, the hometown of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, gathered in the early morning hours to wait for his expected release.

Watch:

US Hostage Envoy on plane with Edan Alexander's mother

While flying to Israel for the release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, Adam Boehler insisted that 'the President cares very much about all of you. So I am here, and I am getting the hostages back.'

Assessment in Israel:

Edan Alexander to be released this afternoon

Family of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander says US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff has notified them that Hamas will release him from captivity. Senior Hamas official: We were advised to “give a gift to President Trump and in return he will give back a better one.”

'A goodwill gesture'

Qatar, Egypt welcome release of Edan Alexander

Qatar and Egypt say that the release of Edan Alexander is a "goodwill gesture" toward reviving ceasefire talks.

Trump confirms:

'Edan Alexander is coming home'

US President confirms that Edan Alexander will be released by Hamas: This was a step taken in good faith towards the United States. Hopefully this is the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict.

Tikva Forum:

'A partial deal - a surrender to Hamas and harm to the hostages'

Hostage families from the Tikva Forum respond to the Prime Minister's Office announcement regarding the possibility of negotiations with Hamas on the Witkoff outline and call not to surrender to the terror organization.

Released terrorist indicted for firebomb attack near Jerusalem

Just two months after his release in a hostage deal, Rada Abid and ten others, including seven minors, face serious terrorism charges in Jerusalem.

MK Revivo to Netanyahu:

'No negotiations without info on abducted soldier Tamir Nimrodi'

In a letter to the Prime Minister, MK Eliyahu Revivo demands confirmed information on Nimrodi’s condition before any negotiations, calling it “a moral, national, and security test.”

Huckabee:

'Houthi attacks on Israel could be considered attacks on America'

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee warned that any Houthi attacks on Israel could be seen as direct threats to the United States, citing the 700,000 American citizens living in the country.

Stalemate in talks with Hamas over ceasefire deal

A Hamas delegation held two rounds of talks in Doha this week with Qatari and Egyptian mediators, but negotiations over a Gaza ceasefire hit a deadlock as Hamas demands a sweeping, one-phase end to the war.

Hamas insists:

We will not proceed with a deal without end of war

Hamas negotiation team rejects proposed offers and ideas based only on partial settlements and insist only on a deal that would end the war.

'You Honored a Denier':

Released hostage slams Pulitzer Prize committee

Emily Damari, held captive for 471 days, blasts the Pulitzer Prize board for awarding journalist Mosab Abu Toha, accusing him of denying her abduction and the murder of Israeli hostages.

Released hostage reflects on strengthened faith during captivity

Former hostage Omer Shemtov shares his spiritual journey and unwavering resolve, even when pressured to carry out attacks.

Senior Hamas official:

'Talks underway for partial deal with Israel'

The Hamas terror organization claims it will not agree to a partial deal with Israel that does not include a cessation of the war in the Gaza Strip.

Father of Hostage:

'Trump administration has a score to settle with Hamas as well'

The father of hostage Itay Chen says that Donald Trump and his administration believe that the hostages are an American issue too, with many Americans among the hostages.

IDF statement contradicts Netanyahu's policy

The IDF Spokesperson stated that the primary goal for the IDF was to recover the hostages, contrary to previous declarations by Prime Minister Netanyahu, who placed defeating Hamas as the top priority.

Ben-Gvir:

'Humanitarian aid for voluntary emmigration'

Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir declared today: 'As long as our hostages are languishing in the tunnels, there is no need to send aid to Gaza through any channel.'

UK press regulator defends claim terrorists are 'hostages'

Independent Press Standards Organisation in the UK dismisses complaint against Scottish newspaper that claimed hundreds of terrorists freed in hostage deal were "hostages."

Report:

Significant breakthrough in Gaza ceasefire negotiations

Cairo-brokered ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas are reportedly making headway, though disagreements persist.

Yarden Bibas:

'No independence while they are still there'

Released hostage Yarden Bibas posted a sobering message for the approaching Independence Day.

Freedom and Love:

The haunting art of Yarden Bibas

Yarden Bibas, a released hostage who lost his wife and two sons, displayed an emotional art piece at the exhibition at Ben Gurion Airport calling for the return of the hostages.

Released Hostage:

'God, thank you for the miracle'

Released hostage Eliya Cohen celebrated his first birthday after being freed today, surrounded by his family and friends.

Eli Sharabi in Auschwitz:

'The Jewish people will exist forever'

Released hostage Eli Sharabi joined the March of the Living, spoke near the Auschwitz crematoria and called for the release of all 59 hostages remaining.

Hamas called wife of released hostage to threaten him

Released hostage Tal Shoham shares that Hamas continued to threaten his wife even after setting her free.

Report:

Egypt and Qatar propose new ceasefire deal

According to a Palestinian Arab official, the mediators proposed a deal that would include, among other things, a 5-7-year ceasefire and the release of all hostages.

Israel weighing re-arrest of terrorists freed in previous deals

Ministers push to give Hamas a deadline to agree to Witkoff plan, re-arrest terrorists released in previous deals.

Qatar working to renew indirect talks between Israel and Hamas

Qatar's lead negotiator denies Israeli claims about its policies, calling them 'baseless.'

Independence Day:

Bereaved father and released hostage to light torch

Released hostage Emily Damari and Oren Smadja, who lost his son in Gaza, will jointly light a torch on Independence Day.

Closure:

Eliya Cohen prays at the exact spot he was captured

Released hostage Eliya Cohen returned to the roadside bomb shelter where he was captured to don Tefilin and pray.

Hamas interested in single-stage deal

Hamas-affiliated analyst says Israel has two options: ending the war and bringing the hostages back, or continuing the political and military crisis with no end in sight.

White House slams Hamas:

'Release the hostages or face hell'

White House condemns Hamas for rejecting Israel’s latest ceasefire and hostage release deal, reaffirming Trump’s demands that it release the hostages or face consequences.

Hamas rejects Israel's hostage deal proposal

The terror organization stressed that it is ready to release all hostages in return for the release of Palestinian prisoners and an end to the war.

Hamas:

Release of all hostages for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza

Senior Hamas official says terror organization would not surrender and will not wave a white flag, but will use every bargaining chip to pressure Israel.

Western Wall

Released hostage blesses tens of thousands of worshippers

Released hostage Eliya Cohen, who is of a priestly family, visited the Western Wall on Tuesday and delivered the Priestly Blessing to tens of thousands praying there.

Hostage's mother:

'Matan held together with Edan Alexander, will die if left alone'

Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan was abducted during the October 7 massacre, says her son is being held in tunnel together with American hostage and is in poor health. 'If Matan is abandoned, the PM will have imposed a death sentence.'

Egypt's proposal: Hamas will release 11 living hostages

Egyptian proposal would see 40-70 day ceasefire in Gaza, alongside release of 1,100 terrorists, Al Akhbar reports.

Nobel Prize Winner:

'Campaign for the release of the hostages raises their price'

Professor Yisrael Aumann, winner of the Nobel Prize in economics, says that the broad campaign and the intense public discourse in Israel signals to the enemy how sensitive this issue is.

Parents of hostages meet Defense Secretary, urge continued action

Families of US citizens Omer Neutra and Edan Alexander, held by Hamas in Gaza, meet with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who reaffirms the US commitment to securing the release of all 59 hostages.

'You saved my life'

Freed hostages thank Trump, call for efforts to free others

Keith Siegel, Aviva Siegel and Iair Horn, former hostages released from Hamas captivity, thank Trump during a Republican event, crediting him with saving their lives and urging him to keep working to secure the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza. Trump: We’ll not rest until your loved ones have been returned home.

Liri Albag's story of survival

Released hostage Liri Albag recounts her 477 days in captivity, telling of how they observed holidays in Gaza and the moment she found out she was going home.

Israeli official:

'Egyptian ceasefire proposal is not acceptable'

An Israeli source said that Israel will not accept the latest Egyptian proposal because of the demand for guarantees for a permanent ceasefire and a complete withdrawal of IDF forces from the Gaza Strip.

Abducted soldier's mother: 'My son is wounded and forgotten'

Anat Angrest, the mother of captive IDF soldier Matan Angrest, spoke to Arutz Sheva and called on the government to make a deal to free her son and all captive soldiers.