Hostage Deal

Eliya Cohen shares footage of his return to Israel

One year after his release, Hamas captivity survivor Eliya Cohen shares new footage from the helicopter which brought him to an Israeli hospital following his return to Israel.

Silence is golden:

Hostage families lash out at Gal Hirsch

In a public letter, hostage families accuse Gal Hirsch of harmful conduct and deception, demanding his immediate resignation.

Israel Welcomes Ran:

Coalition and opposition celebrate the last hostage's return

Politicians from all sides of Israel's political spectrum expressed their happiness, pain, and relief that the last hostage had finally been returned from Gaza.

In northern Gaza cemetery:

IDF launches mission to search for Ran Gvili

IDF conducting extensive searches for remains of last hostage after reaching based on intelligence information.

Rafah Crossing

Witkoff hints: US, Israel coordinating on future steps

US envoy says talks were constructive as Washington and Jerusalem coordinate next steps on Phase 2 of Trump’s Gaza plan and broader regional issues

'We won'

Naama and Karina look back on their first moments of freedom

Naama Levy and Karina Ariev told Galei Tzahal that Hamas’s staged release ceremony felt empowering, as they recall captivity, survival, and ongoing rehabilitation.

Watch:

Bar Kupershtein on stage with Hatikva 6

At Hatikva 6's concert held at Hangar 11 in Tel Aviv, former captive Bar Kupershtein took the stage alongside lead singer Omri Glickman.

Parents of Hostage:

'Don't leave Ran behind!'

The family of Ran Gvili, the last remaining hostage in Gaza, denounced Trump's push to begin the second phase of the Gaza plan as abandoning Israel's security.

Report:

Trump to announce second phase of Gaza plan today

U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to announce the second phase, including international oversight and a Palestinian technocratic government, despite Hamas not releasing the hostage Ran Gvili.

Mother of Hostage:

'Only military pressure will bring Ran home'

The mother of Ran Gvili, the last hostage in Gaza, describes the struggle to bring back her son and expresses concern about the normalization of the current situation.

'I Knew We'd Be Free:'

Eli Sharabi's story of faith under Gaza

Former hostage Eli Sharabi shares how he is coping with loss, his faith in being freed, and his longing for life in Kibbutz Be'eri.

Leah Goldin:

'Hadar returned whole, I touched his hand'

Leah Goldin described the emotional reunion with her son Hadar after his body was returned from Hamas captivity, saying it brought a sense of calm and victory after 11 years.

Last hostage's mother:

'Don't rebuild Gaza before Rani comes home'

Talik Gvili demands a halt to all progress in Gaza until her son is returned. Minister Smotrich vows, 'We will not open Rafah until Ran comes back.'

Hostage Meets Trump:

Eliya Cohen visits Mar-A-Lago

During a shared meal, Cohen recounted to Trump the details of his captivity and the importance of publicizing his story, and he thanked him for his efforts on behalf of Israel.

Turning Point Conference:

Omer Shem Tov reveals the Psalm that helped him in captivity

When there was nothing else left to hold on to in the tunnels of Gaza, Omer Shem Tov found a card with a Psalm that gave him strength to survive.

'Ran Gvili. He's still there!'

Trump forgets hostage in Gaza, bereaved father calls him out

During a Hanukkah reception at the White House, President Trump said all hostages had been returned from Gaza, before a bereaved father noted that Ran Gvili remains held by Hamas.

Shin Bet Director:

Abduction threat increased due to hostage deal

Shin Bet Director David Zini warned that terror organizations were motivated by the hostage deal to continue abducting Israelis.

Maxim Herkin undergoes circumcision after release from Gaza

Chief Rabbi of Russia, Rabbi Berel Lazar, blessed Herkin and gave him the name Zalman‑Zelig in memory of his maternal grandfather. At the same ceremony, he also put tefillin on him for the first time.

Eitan Mor's first account of captivity

Captivity survivor Eitan Mor tonight (Tuesday) publicly recounted for the first time the two difficult years he spent in Hamas captivity.

Last hostage’s sister:

'Do not proceed to Phase 2 until Rani is home'

Crowds at Hostages Square mark Shabbat with prayers and pleas for Ran Gvili, the last hostage in Gaza. His sister Shira urges unity and faith, demanding his return: “Until the last hostage, until Rani is home.”

Delegation flies to Cairo to secure release of final hostage

Mediators agree to focus on an intensive and immediate effort that will lead to the full completion of the mission regarding the hostages and the missing.

Body of slain hostage Sudthisak Rinthalak returned to Israel

Prime Minister's Office announces that the body of deceased hostage Sudthisak Rinthalak has been returned to Israel. Gaza terror groups are still holding the body of Yassam officer Ran Gvili.

Hamas: Body of slain hostage handed over to Israel

Red Cross to hand over remains found in Gaza, but it is unknown if they belong to a hostage.

‘Chained like an animal’:

Alon Ohel reveals life inside Hamas captivity

In a Channel 12 interview, survivor Alon Ohel detailed two years of torture, starvation, and resilience in Hamas captivity, crediting hope and fellow hostage Eli Sharabi for his survival.

Released hostage's requests when he got home

When released hostage Yosef Chaim Ohana finally returned to his home, he asked for two things - to put on Tefilin and for his mother's couscous.

'Be gentle'

After returning from captivity, Alon Ohel returns to Instagram

Alon Ohel uploaded his first post on Instagram since returning from Hamas captivity in October, announcing his return to the platform.

Yosef Haim Ohana returns home

Captivity survivor Yosef Haim Ohana finally returns home after completing rehabilitation at the Kfar Maccabiah resort in Ramat Gan.

Kibbutz Be'eri:

Dror Or, whose body was returned from Gaza, is laid to rest

Large crowds attend funeral of Dror Or, murdered and abducted on October 7, whose body was returned to Israel last week.

Israel receives body of hostage

The military arms of the Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror organizations announced on Tuesday that at 4:00 p.m. they would return the body of a hostage to Israel.

Hostage survivor:

'Israeli comedian kept me going under the ground'

Hostage survivor Maxim Herkin visits the set of comedian Shalom Asayag’s new series and tells him that his stand-up show kept him going him during the difficult moments in captivity.

Captivity survivor to CNN:

'G-d gave me the strength to be strong'

Freed hostage Bar Kupershtein reflects on two years in Hamas captivity, his faith, and the moments that sustained him as he prepares to meet President Trump in Washington.

Hostages Square:

Alon Ohel performs song that carried him through captivity

Just over a month after his release from Hamas captivity, Alon Ohel returned to Hostages Square and played the song that gave him strength during 700+ days in Gaza.

Israel bids farewell to slain hostage Joshua Loitu Mollel

Tanzanian agricultural student remembered in emotional ceremony at Ben Gurion Airport before his body is returned home after being released from Hamas captivity.

Hundreds gather at Beeri cemetery to honor Meny Godard

Family members deliver emotional eulogies as the Beeri community lays Meny Godard to rest after 769 days in Gaza, marking a long-awaited moment of farewell.

Just before his release

How Hamas tried to break Guy Gilboa-Dalal

Guy Gilboa-Dalal shares in an interview the psychological pressure he endured, the hope that never faded - and the moment his captors tried to break him, just one day before his return to Israel.

Deceased hostage's mother shares concerns

Talik Gvili, mother of SFC Ran Gvili, whose body is still held by Hamas, says she’s met PM several times and praises public support: 'We feel an enormous embrace.'

Strock:

'We did not go to war just to bring back the hostages'

Clash erupts in government meeting as Minister Orit Strock questioned PM Netanyahu over the Gaza ceasefire’s duration, with Netanyahu stressing hostage returns and the need to advance demilitarization.

Ex‑hostage:

'They were nicer to me after seeing my Mother on TV'

Matan Zangauker credited his mother’s vocal campaign for surviving captivity, saying it changed his captors’ attitude, and spoke out against false rumors spread online.

Goldin family issues emotional statement after 11‑year wait

Following Lt . Hadar Goldin’s return after more than 11 years in Hamas captivity, his family said they fought for friendship, burial in Israel, and dignity.

'Itay, this song is for you'

Watch: Idan Amedi's moving performance at Itay Chen's funeral

Israeli singer, actor, and wounded war veteran Idan Amedi, gave an emotional performance at the funeral of Itay Chen, whose body was returned to Israel last week from Hamas captivity.

Hadar's Comrade:

'Until Hadar is back, Operation Protective Edge is not over'

Elhai Refua, a close friend of Hadar Goldin, describes the moment he learned of Hadar's abduction during Operation Protective Edge in an interview with Arutz Sheva.

Itay Chen laid to rest:

'For over two years I tried to keep you alive'

Staff Sgt. Itay Chen, 19, killed on October 7 and recently returned from Gaza, was laid to rest in Kiryat Shaul as Israel mourns a beloved son and national hero.

Moving video:

Ishay Ribo performs at Omer Neutra's funeral

Israeli singer Ishay Ribo moves family and friends of fallen American-Israeli IDF soldier Omer Neutra as he was laid to rest after being returned from Hamas captivity.

Coffin said to be holding deceased hostage crosses into Israel

The IDF and Shin Bet announced that a coffin said to be carrying a deceased hostage, escorted by IDF troops, crossed the border into the State of Israel.

Nate Buzz:

As long as there's a Palestine movement, I'll have work to do

In an Arutz Sheva interview, actor Nathaniel Buzolic shares emotional reflections on hostage returns, combats anti-Israel narratives, and reaffirms deep personal ties.

NYC honors Cpt. Omer Neutra

A hometown hero finally brought home

Hundreds gathered at Columbus Circle to honor Captain Omer Neutra z”l, a NY native whose body was held by Hamas for 758 days, and to call for the return of the eight hostages still in Gaza.

Senior Analyst:

'Hamas would see immunity while still in Gaza as insurance'

Arab affairs expert Zvi Yehezkeli reviews the error inherent in the decision to allow free passage to Hamas forces trapped outside the yellow line.

'Look me in the eye'

Hadar Goldin's sister's demand from the Prime Minister

After meeting Gal Hirsch, relatives of the final hostages still in Gaza demanded the war-ending deal be fulfilled, including the return of all deceased held by Hamas in Gaza.

Neutra family speaks out:

'Our Omer is on Israeli soil, at last'

Neutra family issues first public statement in Tel Aviv, honoring their son’s legacy, thanking key figures for their efforts, and urging continued action for hostages.

How Red Cross and Hamas are working to recover hostage bodies

Hamas has formed special teams to locate and guard the bodies of slain Israeli hostages in Gaza, reportedly working with the Red Cross and Egyptian crews near the Yellow Line.

Max Herkin:

Faith in the Jewish people kept me strong in captivity

Jewish Agency heads Doron Almog and Mark Wilf visited Capt. Maxim Herkin, a Supernova survivor recently freed from Hamas captivity, who shared his ordeal and enduring faith.

Three bodies of hostages returned

Bodies of three hostages identified

Israel receives coffins of three deceased hostages which were taken to the National Center for Forensic Medicine and identified as Omer Neutra, Asaf Hamami and Oz Daniel.

Mother of released hostage:

Hostages suffered after release of the Sde Teiman video

Ditza Or, mother of released hostage Avinatan Or, speaks about the harsh conditions of Hamas captivity, and says that the military Attorney General must, 'apologize to all the hostages.'

Watch:

Bar Kuperstein returns home

Former hostage Bar Kupershtein returns today to his home in Holon. A large crowd gathered to celebrate his arrival.

Eitan Mor recites thanksgiving blessing after surviving captivity

In emotional moment, released hostage recites 'Hagomel' blessing at synagogue dedicated to his release.

Heartbreaking:

Ofir Tzarfati laid to rest - for a third time

Hundreds gathered at Ofir Tzarfati’s grave for a third time after additional remains returned from Hamas captivity. His grieving family mourned anew at the reopened grave.

Hostage deal terrorist

Rachel's Tomb massacre thwarted

Terrorist released in hostage deal re-arrested in Bethlehem on suspicion of planning massive terror attack to be carried out on Saturday.

Mother of dead hostage:

'Netanyahu do not give in, you promised us'

Talik Gvili, mother of the late Ran Gvili, whose body is being held by Hamas in Gaza, speaks about the great pain and suffering that the families of the dead hostages are enduring.

Drone footage:

How Hamas faked the recovery of a hostage's body

Done footage shows Hamas terrorists staging the recovery of the remains of a hostage.

In response to violations:

Several sanctions against Hamas being considered

Prime Minister Netanyahu will lead a security meeting to weigh sanctions on Hamas, including cutting aid, expanding Gaza control, and resuming targeted airstrikes.