Hostage Deal

Omer Wenkert's gift from the Gaza 'duty-free'

Niva Wenkert shared a moving and funny story about the moment she reunited with her son after his release from Hamas captivity. 'Mom, I brought you something from the duty-free.'

Released terrorists banned from Temple Mount during Ramadan

The Israel Police have banned released Hamas prisoners from Temple Mount, aiming to prevent conflicts during Ramadan.

Cousin of Hostage:

'I knew they would not break his spirit'

Inbal Tzach, cousin of released hostage Tal Shoham, said, "He is very strong mentally and emotionally." On the families of the abductees: "A family I did not choose but it is for life."

Mother of hostage:

'It is hard even to hear his voice'

The mother of one of the hostages that was brought to the release ceremony on Saturday but not freed shares the turmoil the video caused her.

Freed hostage's brother:

'Hostages wouldn't have been freed without fight against Hamas'

Itay Dekel-Chen, the brother of Sagui Dekel-Chen, thanks the religious Zionist community for their support of the families of the hostages over the last 16 months.

Bereaved son:

'Releasing murderer is like my father is being murdered again'

Micah Avni reacts to the expected release of the terrorist who murdered his father, Richard Lakin.

Father of Hostage:

'As a Muslim, I am furious with Hamas'

Shabaan al-Sayed, father of released hostage Hisham, denounced Hamas's treatment of his son over more than a decade of captivity.

Omer Shem Tov began keeping Shabbat in captivity

Omer's parents say he grew stronger during the 505 days he was held hostage by Hamas despite losing dozens of pounds in weight from malnutrition.

Trump at CPAC:

'The hostages are coming back in pretty bad shape'

US President comments on hostage deal during speech at Conservative Political Action Conference. “October 7th would have never happened if I was president. Biden got none of the hostages back and would have never gotten any of them back."

Freed hostage:

'May the memory of every soldier be a blessing'

Eliya Cohen, who was freed from Hamas captivity on Saturday, writes in a post on Instagram: Every prayer of yours was felt in my heart and soul and strengthened me anew at every moment.

Until humiliating ceremonies stop

Israel delays release of terrorists

Prime Minister's Office announces that it has been decided to delay the release of the terrorists due to the humiliating ceremonies held by Hamas. Terrorists who were set to be released were returned to their prison cells.

Terrorist slated for release 'among the most dangerous prisoners'

Israeli analyst Ohad Hemo claims that one of the terrorists to be released is among the most dangerous of Israel's security prisoners.

Cruelty and evil:

Hamas brought two additional hostages to release point

Hamas publishes video clip showing hostages Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Evyatar David, sitting in a car while forced to watch their friends' 'release ceremony.'

Released terrorist dead after falling from roof in Isawiya

Nael Abed, a dangerous terrorist released last week as part of the deal with Hamas, falls from a rooftop to his death.

Father of Hostage:

'We have merited to receive our Tal back'

Gilad, the father of released hostage Tal Shoham, spoke at a rally on Saturday evening in the Hostages Square.

Proposal:

Buenos Aires street to be changed to 'Bibas Family Street'

The city of Buenos Aires proposed to honor the Bibas family, who held Argentinian citizenship, by renaming a street for them.

Returning from captivity:

Eliya discovers that his girlfriend is alive

Eliya Cohen, released from Hamas captivity after 505 days, thought his girlfriend Ziv had been killed in the 'bomb shelter of death.' Prior to the massacre, he had bought a ring - but did not manage to propose before he was kidnapped.

Starved and abused:

Testimonies from Omer, Tal, Omer, and Eliya

Tal Shoham and Omer Wenkert were held together for most of their time in Hamas captivity; Eliya Cohen was kept in complete darkness formost of the time; Omer Shem Tov lost 17 kilograms.

Ben-Gvir:

'We must resume fighting'

MK Itamar Ben-Gvir demanded of Prime Minister Netanyahu: 'It is time to open the gates of hell on Hamas, we must return to war, to destroy and avenge.'

Sign of life received from hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal

Father of hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal says family received 'sign of life' from one of the six hostages who returned to Israel earlier on Saturday.

After nearly a decade: Hisham al-Sayed reunites with his family

Hisham al-Sayed, released from Hamas captivity after nearly a decade in Gaza, meets his father Shaaban and brother Wasim at the initial reception point in Israel, and additional family members at the hospital.

'How good is G-d!'

Moving 'havdalah' ceremony with returned hostages

Omer Shem Tov, Eliya Cohen, and Omer Wenkert attend 'havdalah' ceremony marking the conclusion of Shabbat at Beilinson Hospital. Watch.

'Thank you to everyone who prayed': Yarden Bibas' moving post

One day after his wife Shiri's remains were returned to Israel, Yarden Bibas thanks those who supported and cared for his family.

Netanyahu on Bibas murders: 'We shall neither forgive nor forget'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says heart 'bursts with excitement' at return of six living hostages from Hamas captivity, Israel will 'neither forgive nor forget' brutal murders of Shiri Bibas and her young sons Ariel and Kfir.

Dr. Chen Kugel:

'We have witnessed unimaginable depths of cruelty and evil'

Dr. Chen Kugel, head of the Abu Kabir forensic institute, says there is 'no evidence' that Shiri Bibas was killed in a bombing, proving Hamas' earlier claims were lies.

Due to Bibas family's murder:

Israel delays release of 602 terrorists

Israel announces that it will delay the 602 terrorists due to be released in exchange for six living hostages; terrorists' families informed that the release will take place around 8:00 p.m.

Watch:

After over a decade, Avera Mengistu reunites with his family

Avera Mengistu, held captive in Gaza since September 2014, reunites with his family at the initial reception point in Israel and at Ichilov Hospital.

With praise to G-d:

Moving: Omer Wenkert reunites with his parents in Israel

Omer Wenkert meets his parents Niva and Shai at the initial reception point in Israel. Watch.

'That's it, don't cry anymore'

Eliya Cohen's moving reunion with his parents

Watch Eliya Cohen's moving reunion with his parents, Sigalit and Maimon, and his partner Ziv.

Omer Shem Tov returns to his family:

'That's it, we're together, it's over'

Watch Omer Shem Tov's emotional meeting with his family, as they reunite at Beilinson Hospital.

Shiri Bibas was murdered in captivity

Shiri Bibas was murdered in the first weeks of the war, together with her children Kfir and Ariel. 'She was beloved by everyone who knew her, but above all, she was a dedicated mother.'

After 505 days in captivity:

Omer, Eliya, Omer, Avera, Tal, and Hisham are back in Israel

Hisham al-Sayed, Omer Wenkert, Eliya Cohen, Avera Mengistu, Tal Shoham, and Omer Shem Tov are back in Israel after being released from Hamas captivity.

Hamas claims:

'We handed the body of Shiri Bibas to the Red Cross'

Red Cross receives coffin from Hamas, which the group claims contains the body of Shiri Bibas. The coffin will be handed over to the IDF and from there will be transferred to the National Institute of Forensic Medicine.

Trump:

'Netanyahu is angry, and he should be'

US President says he would support whatever course of action Netanyahu decides to take following the murder of the Bibas children.

IDF spokesman:

'Hamas killed Ariel and Kfir with their own hands'

IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari gave a statement on Friday regarding the results of the autopsies of the Bibas brothers.

Sister of Hostage:

'We don't want revenge, we want Shiri'

Ofri Bibas, sister of Yarden Bibas, gave a video statement apologizing to Kfir and Ariel for not mourning them until Shiri Bibas returns.

Brother of hostage:

'I thank the Religious Zionist party for opposing the deal'

The brother of Sagi Dekel-Chen praised the Religious Zionist party for having the principles to vote against the deal but still allow it to be implemented.

Prime Minister's Office:

Israel received list of hostages to be freed Saturday

Earlier this week, reports said that six hostages were to be freed Saturday as part of the deal with Hamas: Tal Shoham, Omer Shem Tov, Eliya Cohen, Omer Wenkert, Hisham al-Sayed, and Avera Mengistu.

Netanyahu on Bibas murders: Today is a day of indescribable pain

'I vow that I will not rest until the savages who executed our hostages are brought to justice,' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promises.

Hamas confirms it did not give Israel Shiri Bibas' body

'Remains were mixed with other bodies due to IDF airstrikes,' Hamas terror group claims.

Sharren Haskel:

Switching Shiri's body is a crime against humanity

Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel responds to Hamas' presentation of an anonymous body as that of Shiri Bibas, says Hamas is 'a death cult that needs to be eradicated from the face of the Earth.'

US envoy:

Hamas can return everyone - or face 'total annihilation'

United States Envoy for Hostages Adam Boehler responds harshly to Hamas' decision to return an anonymous body instead of that of hostages Shiri Bibas, warns, 'they're going to face total annihilation right now' if they don't release hostages.

Operation Bibas:

To eliminate, to demolish, and to eradicate

There will be minimal repercussions if Israel finally eliminates, demolishes, and eradicates. Particularly right now. Either that, or prepare for the next Hamas Gaza war in 3-4 years. Opinion.

American Jewish Committee:

'Hamas must be held fully accountable for their actions'

American Jewish Committee condemns Hamas after it was revealed that Kfir and Ariel Bibas were murdered while in captivity and the body of their mother was not returned: Just another horrific example of the unimaginable cruelty that Hamas has inflicted since October 7, 2023.

'Barbaric, depraved people'

Israeli Ambassador to the US condemns Hamas

Ambassador Yechiel Leiter condemns Hamas after revelation that Kfir and Ariel Bibas were brutally murdered while in captivity, and that Hamas failed to return the body of their mother, Shiri.

'Peace will come with moral clarity'

OU condemns Hamas over murder of Bibas family

Orthodox Union comments on the latest developments in Israel: Peace will come when the world recognizes and upholds the human side of this conflict and erases the utter wickedness of the unrepentant promoters and celebrants of evil.

Ambassador Danon:

'UN cannot remain silent in the face of Hamas's barbarity'

Israel's Ambassador to the UN calls for condemnation of the Hamas terrorist organization: Hamas not only murdered Ariel and Kfir Bibas in cold blood – a four-year-old boy and a ten-month-old baby – but continues to violate every basic moral value even after their death.

'Severe violation by Hamas'

Kfir and Ariel identified, Shiri Bibas was not returned

IDF representatives inform the Bibas family that Ariel and Kfir Bibas have been identified. They were brutally murdered while in captivity in November of 2023. The additional body received is not that of Shiri Bibas. IDF: A violation of utmost severity by Hamas.

Steve Witkoff optimistic:

'We're making progress and hopefully it leads to good results'

US Special Mideast Envoy Steve Witkoff says he is optimistic that a resolution can be reached to progress to the second stage of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal.

Herzog on American TV:

'What brings somebody to kidnap two toddlers in their pajamas?'

President Isaac Herzog spoke to international US-based media outlets, CNN and MSNBC, and highlighted the terrible cruelty Israel faces in its battle with Hamas terrorists.

After Gaza celebrations:

Lindsey Graham calls for 'annihilation' of Hamas

US Senator Lindsey Graham described the people of Gaza as 'the most radicalized on the planet' and called for phase two of the ceasefire deal to include the expulsion of Hamas from Gaza.

Forensic Institute:

Oded Lifshitz murdered over a year ago

The National Institute of Forensic Medicine identified the body of Oded Lifshitz and found that he was murdered over a year ago in Islamic Jihad captivity.

Russian media echoes Hamas propaganda

Russian state-controlled RT uploaded posts blaming Netanyahu for the deaths of the hostages, calling Hamas terrorists 'resistance fighters.' Israeli Ambassador: 'RT demonstrated not only a lack of professionalism but also antisemitism and pure malice.'

Minister Sa'ar to Con. of Presidents:

'Surrendering to Hamas's dictates is not an option'

Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa'ar met with the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and affirmed that Israel is determined to achieve all the objectives of the war.

Released hostage Iair Horn discharged from hospital

Iair Horn, who was released from Hamas captivity last Saturday, was discharged from Ichilov Medical Center after completing all required examinations.

Netanyahu:

'The blood of our loved ones cries out to us'

PM says on the return of the bodies of hostages Oded Lifshitz, Shiri Bibas, Ariel Bibas, and Kfir Bibas that Israelis are all united in grief, nation obligated to deal with the murderers of Hamas.

'O God, do not be silent'

The Psalm read over the caskets of the deceased hostages

Considered an national elegy over the invasion of Israel by its neighbors, Chief Rabbi of the IDF, Brigadier General Eyal Krim read Psalm 83.

Coffins of four deceased hostages arrive at forensic institute

The coffins of Shiri Bibas and her sons Ariel and Kfir, and Oded Lifshitz, have crossed the border into Israel and arrived at the Abu Kabir forensic institute.

UN wakes up late:

Hamas ceremony 'abhorrent, flies in face of international law'

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights condemned the manner in which the deceased hostages were transferred to the Red Cross.

To the sound of Hatikva:

Remains of four deceased hostages arrive at forensic institute

The four coffins were wrapped in Israeli flags by IDF soldiers and brought into Israel; IDF Chief Rabbi Eyal Karim reads Psalms during military ceremony in Gaza.