Hostage Deal

IDF Spokesperson:

'Hamas responsible for putting hostages' lives at risk'

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagar delivers statement on release of 3 Israeli and 5 Thai hostages, including the mobs that surrounded the hostages as they were being released.

I chose faith, returned with faith:

Agam's message after release from Hamas captivity

Agam Berger, who was released from Hamas captivity, conveyed a message to the nation as she returned to Israel: 'Thank you to everyone in Israel and to our heroic IDF soldiers.'

Netanyahu:

'Whoever dares to harm our hostages – will pay the price'

Prime Minister welcomes the return of 3 Israeli hostages today, reacts to disturbing scenes of Gazans surrounding them during their release.

Hostages Coordinator:

'These are moments of joy but the mission is return all hostages'

The Israeli Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing Brig.-Gen. (Res.) Gal Hirsch, responded today to the release of Israeli and Thai nationals, vows to the remaining hostages that 'we will neither rest nor be silent until you are home.'

Hostage families:

'Hostages cannot wait for more negotiations'

Hostage families say prayer of thanks at Hostages Square for release of hostages Agam Berger, Arbel Yehud and Gadi Mozes and call for completion of deal.

"I will do everything in my power to rebuild Nir Oz

'I will do everything I can to rehabilitate Nir Oz'

After 482 days, elderly former hostage embraces his family and vows to rebuild his community after the 10/7 massacre.

Watch:

Children in Gaza cheer for terrorists

Children in Gaza cheer for terrorists following the release of three hostages today.

Watch:

Agam Berger reunites with her family

After 482 days in Hamas captivity, Agam Berger embraces her family and the other freed IDF lookouts at Beilinson Hospital.

After disturbing scenes:

Israel receives commitment for safe exit of hostages from Gaza

PM Netanyahu had ordered the freezing of the release of terrorists after mobs of Gazans and Hamas terrorists surrounded the vehicles carrying the hostages who were released today.

Live updates:

After 482 days: Arbel, Gadi, and Agam arrive in Israel

Arbel Yehud and Gadi Mozes, along with five Thai citizens, cross into Israeli territory after being released from Islamic Jihad captivity. Agam Berger, released from Hamas captivity, has reunited with her parents.

Following chaos in Khan Yunis:

Israel delaying release of terrorists slated to be freed in deal

Following scenes of chaos and violence in Khan Yunis, political echelon orders release of 110 terrorists to be delayed.

Watch:

Witkoff meets families of hostages

US special envoy Steve Witkoff met today with the freed hostages and heard their appeals that the USA continue to work to free those still held by Hamas.

Infuriating footage from Gaza:

Masses of terrorists surround Red Cross vehicles

Hostages Gadi Mozes, 80, and Arbel Yehud, 29, were transferred to the care of the Red Cross on Thursday afternoon, after 482 days in captivity.

Netanyahu on hostages' release:

These horrific scenes must not be allowed to repeat themselves

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu harshly criticizes chaos in Khan Yunis during release of hostages Arbel Yehud and Gadi Mozes.

Smotrich:

'We must eliminate the crowds at the release ceremony'

Bezalel Smotrich denounced the Hamas release ceremony and called for the Palestinian Arabs taking part to be eliminated.

Pres. Herzog:

Scenes were horrifying, they endured hell with amazing bravery

Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomes Israelis Arbel Yehud and Gadi Mozes, five Thai citizens, to Israel, says 'scenes of abuse and terror towards the hostages' during release were 'horrifying.'

Ben-Gvir:

'This has been a total failure'

MK Itamar Ben-Gvir denounces the release ceremonies for the three hostages as a serious blow to Israel.

Gen. Amidror:

'We will forfeit achievements for which we paid in blood'

Reserve General Yaakov Amidror warns that the hostages deal has significant downsides for Israel.

Emotional moment:

'We'll never leave you': Agam Berger reunites with her parents

IDF publishes footage of soldier Agam Berger's arrival in Israel, reunification with her parents.

From Al Jazeera to Hamas:

The journalist staging the hostages release ceremonies

Hamas reportedly hired an Al Jazeera journalist to stage the elaborate ceremonies surrounding the release of the hostages.

Like mother, like daughter:

Agam kept Shabbat and kosher - even during captivity

Liri Albag, who was held together with Agam Berger in captivity, tells Agam's mother details about her time in captivity.

Moments after her release:

Watch: Prayer of thanksgiving outside Agam Berger's home

Neighbors and relatives of IDF soldier Agam Berger, who was released Thursday morning from Hamas captivity, celebrate outside her home with prayers of thanksgiving.

Watch live:

Hostages Arbel Yehud and Gadi Mozes minutes before release

Islamic Jihad publishes footage of hostages Arbel Yehud and Gadi Mozes, who have been handed over to Hamas and are expected to be released soon. Agam Berger, held by Hamas, to be released from Jabaliya.

Supreme Court Appeal:

'Declassify the full deal between Israel and Hamas'

The nonprofit Israel Democracy Guard has sued for the full details of the deal with Hamas to be made available to the public.

With the family's approval:

Sign of life received from Gadi Mozes one year ago

One year after the family of hostage Gadi Mozes received a sign of life from him, the family has allowed it to be publicized, in light of his imminent release.

Trump envoy Witkoff enters Gaza after meeting Netanyahu

Steve Witkoff and Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer visit the Netzarim Corridor dividing north and south Gaza together.

Including Zakaria Zubeidi:

Israel to release 110 terrorists, 33 serving life terms, tomorrow

In exchange for the 3 hostages who will be returned tomorrow, dozens of terrorists serving life sentences for murder will be set free from Israeli prisons. Among the released terrorists will be Zakaria Zubeidi.

Rabbis' Letter:

'We expect you to defeat Hamas'

Senior Yeshiva deans and prominent Rabbis in the Religious Zionist community have sent a letter to the Prime Minister in which they call upon him to defeat Hamas.

Chief of Staff:

'IDF action in last 24 hours expedited return of Arbel Yehud'

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi conducted a situational assessment and a tour of the Netzarim Corridor in the Gaza Strip, tells soldiers, 'This heightened readiness over the past 24 hours has led to a very, very significant improvement—both in another upcoming hostage release and in expediting the return of Arbel Yehud, where they tried to pull a trick on us.'

Arbel Yehud, Agam Berger, and Gadi Mozes to be freed tomorrow

PMO says it has received the names of the 3 hostages who will be released by Hamas tomorrow. 5 Thai citizens will also be released.

Davidi Ben Zion:

Liri gave us spirit, the war against our enemy will continue

Special interview with Davidi Ben Zion, Dep. Samaria Governor & Chair. of 'Achdut Yisrael'. Ben Zion is a friend of the family of released hostage Liri Albag and he participated in the war in Gaza and Lebanon.

Khamenei claims:

'Gaza brought Israel to its knees'

Iran's Supreme Leader comments on Gaza ceasefire, claims "Gaza brought the Zionist regime to its knees".

Rubio to Egyptian FM:

'Hamas can never govern Gaza or threaten Israel again'

Secretary of State speaks to Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty to discuss the latest developments in Gaza. State Department does not specify whether Trump's relocation idea for Gazans came up in the conversation.

MK Evgeny Sova to Arutz Sheva:

'IDF should prepare for a law which drafts everyone'

MK Evgenny Sova speaks to Arutz Sheva-Israel News about what he heard from the Chief of Staff during a meeting of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, and about the need to promote a law that drafts everyone into the army.

'I haven't slept for two days'

Liri Albag's father apologizes to bereaved families

Eli Albag apologizes to bereaved families who were hurt by his remarks criticizing those who opposed the hostage release deal: I haven't slept for two days because of this. First and foremost, I apologize.

Hostage's sister to Trump:

Thanks to you - I can hug my sister again

Yarden Gonen, whose sister, Romi Gonen, survived captivity and was released after 471 days, expressed her gratitude to Presidents Trump and Biden, as well as the IDF soldiers, the Almighty, and more for their role in making the deal happen.

In phase 2?

Hamas vows archterrorist Marwan Barghouti will be released

Hamas reportedly seeks release of archterrorist serving 5 life sentences for the murders he committed because they believe he would win elections in the post-Abbas era.

Released hostage talks about her relief in 'finally being home'

Naama Levy says that she spent the first fifty days of captivity, 'mostly alone, but after that I was with my friends.'

Bereaved father:

Don't let my son's murderers celebrate abroad, send them to Gaza

Avraham Weissman, called on the Ministry of Justice to release his son's murderers, as part of the hostage deal, to Gaza and not abroad.

Religious Zionism Party Chairman:

'What audacity? We are the ones who are going to fight and die.'

Religious Zionism Party Chairman Yehuda Wald launches attack on Haredi parties after they announce their support for PM in second phase of hostage deal.

Romi Gonen's grandmother:

'She said: 'Hug me and don't move'

Devorah Leshem, the grandmother of released hostage Romi Gonen, recounted the first time she hugged her granddaughter after her return from Gaza: 'It was the best thing the hug that I got from Romi.'

Rachel Goldberg-Polin:

I'm happy young women are coming home, grieving for my only son

Rachel Goldberg-Polin, mother of hostage Hersh who was executed by Hamas, shares her feelings about the hostage deal in light of the tragedy that struck her family.

Itzik Elgarat's brother:

'My brother was apparently killed in captivity'

Dani Elgarat, the brother of the hostage Itzik Elgarat, said: 'My brother is on the list of the hostages who are supposed to return now and he is apparently not alive, but rather among the eight deceased.'

Hostage's father to Arutz Sheva:

'A deal of surrender and shame'

Tzvika Mor, father of Eitan who is being held captive by Hamas, sharply criticizes the hostage deal and warns of its consequences.

Report:

Mossad to work preventing attacks abroad by released terrorists

Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs warns of the danger posed by those terrorists who are being exiled from Israel rather than released in Judea and Samaria or Gaza as part of the ceasefire deal.

Islamic Jihad publishes sign of life from hostage Arbel Yehud

Terror organization publishes video of civilian hostage who is expected to be released on Thursday.

Some hostages were held in tunnels without sunlight for 8 months

Deputy chief of the IDF medical corps reveals recently-released hostages who were held together were treated better than those who were held in isolation.

Govt. spokesperson:

8 of 33 hostages on Hamas list are dead

Government spokesperson David Mencer tells reporters that the list of hostages provided last night by Hamas for the 33 hostages who are being released over 6 weeks contains 25 living hostages and 8 dead hostages.

Bezalel Smotrich:

'We will work to execute Trump's emigration plan for Gaza'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich criticized the risks of the hostage deal and called to adopt President Trump's proposal to move Gazans to another country.

Nobel Prize winner:

'We are only encouraging more abductions'

Nobel Prize winner Prof. Aumann claims that Israel is only encouraging additional abductions with its policy of lopsided prisoner releases.

Revivim:

The Hostage Deal and our soldiers' heroism

We must exalt the bravery of the regular and reserve soldiers who fought for so many months. Thanks to their dedication, the people of Israel live and continue to move forward.

Released hostage's father:

'Romi heard me on the news while in Gaza; it gave her strength'

Eitan Gonen recounts the emotional moment when his daughter told him, 'Dad, I came back alive,' calls on hostage families to continue speaking in the media, to raise awareness to their loved ones in captivity.

'A reckless deal that will cost in blood'

Hostages' families demand Ben Gvir support deal with Hamas

Argument breaks out in Knesset committee, as representatives of some of the hostages' families demand MK Itamar Ben Gvir support the deal with Hamas. Ben Gvir: 'A reckless deal that will cost in blood.'

Released hostage:

'There are 2 million terrorists in Gaza'

Hamas demanded hostages talk on stage before their release; they chose to show hand signs of victory. 'I would say one sentence in Arabic: ‘My name is Liri Albag, I am number one.'

Liri Albag's father clarifies:

'I was referring only to the leaders'

Eli Albag, father of Liri Albag, who was released in a prisoner swap deal with Hamas, explains his 'scorn' for those who didn't support deal.

Father of hostage:

'Hostage families are not the only families in Israel'

Zvika Mor, whose son Eitan is being held hostage in Gaza, responds to father of released hostage Liri Albag, who said that he scorns those who opposed the hostage deal.

Bereaved father to Eli Albag:

Many Jews will pay with their lives for your daughter's release

Itzik Bonzel, father of fallen IDF soldier Amit Bonzel, responds to Eli Albag, whose daughter was freed in a prisoner swap deal: 'This is the time to bow your head and say thank you, not to threaten.'

Father of murdered hostage:

'My daughter has become invisible; it's tearing out my heart'

'Difficult to fully rejoice in hostages' return, frustrated Inbar was not included in the deal,' says father of Inbar Haiman, whose body is being held by Hamas.

Combat helicopter pilot:

'We're here until the last hostage comes home'

'I had the privilege of bringing home the hostages we have been waiting so long for and I am here until the last hostage returns,' says Squadron 118 helicopter pilot Captain S.

Herzog thanks Trump and Witkoff

'I wish you great success in bringing peace and stability'

Speaking at inauguration of "The Altneu" synagogue in New York, President Herzog comments on latest developments on the hostages: With God's help, we will soon hear—this week—about six more hostages returning home. I commend all those involved in reaching today's agreement.