Hostage Deal

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.

Egyptian proposal:

Release of 8 hostages in exchange for 70-day ceasefire

After Hamas refuses previous ceasefire proposals and offers to release only 2 hostages, Egypt attempts to bridge the divides with the Israeli demands for the release of dozens of hostages.

Family of hostage:

'He has a name, bring him home'

The family of hostage Omri Miran, who holds Hungarian citizenship, criticized Prime Minister Netanyhau for referring to him as 'the Hungarian hostage.'

Hamas video appears on basketball league website

A few hours after the publication of the most recent sign of life by Hamas, the video appeared on the website of the Premier League for basketball.

Trump:

'I'd like to get as many hostages as we can'

President Trump says he aims to free as many Gaza hostages as possible, notes the progress in hostage releases since his involvement.

'Qatar-Gate'

Qatar comments on affair, makes no mention of PM's staff

The Qatari regime's first official comment regarding the "Qatar-Gate" affair focuses on denying claims that it paid to spread messages undermining Egypt, but it did not mention Prime Minister Netanyahu's aides.

Hamas will not respond to Israel’s ceasefire counter-proposal

Hamas declines to engage with Israel’s ceasefire counter-proposal, reaffirming its commitment to a plan brokered by Egypt and Qatar.

Senior Hamas official: We are ready to release Israeli hostages

Suhail al-Hindi, a member of Hamas's political bureau, conveys a positive message regarding the organization's willingness to advance a deal with Israel.

Hostage's family's message:

'You will celebrate your next birthday with us'

On the birthday of Bar Kupershtein, who is still held in Gaza, his family appeals to Prime Minister Netanyahu to prioritize the hostages' return.

Testimony of Eliya Cohen:

Torture, starvation, and abuse in Hamas tunnels

Hostage survivor Eliya Cohen recounts the brutal abuse he endured at the hands of terrorists, the hostage who tried to escape and was murdered, and the moment he discovered his girlfriend was still alive.

Families of hostages to receive support after hostages' release

The Knesset has approved a bill to grant families of released hostages medical and psychological support for an additional period after their loved ones return.

Ministers demand to cut all power to Gaza

As part of a security consultation last night, Security Cabinet ministers called to cut off all power to Gaza to increase pressure for a deal.

Yarden Bibas to 60 Minutes:

'I'm here because of Trump'

In his first interview after being released from Hamas captivity, Yarden Bibas calls on the US President to stop the fighting and bring home the remaining hostages.

Hamas shows flexibility but refuses to disarm

Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, says that Hamas has agreed to most mediator demands, but will not surrender its weapons.

Hostage's wife cries out:

'I want my husband home, not on a video'

Rebecca Bohbot, wife of hostage Elkana, whose videos have been published in recent days, is disappointed that no government officials have contacted her, 'Where is the State?'

Mother of hostage demands:

'One deal – no selections, no delays'

Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan, warns: "We’re going back to a process of selection. The hostages are abandoned. The deal must include everyone – now."

Netanyahu's conversation with the parents of Alon Ohel

Kobi and Idit Ohel spoke on the phone with the Prime Minister after they contacted him in an urgent open letter.

Hamas: Ceasefire talks gaining momentum

Hamas spokesman says negotiations for ceasefire and hostage release are progressing: We hope that the coming days will bring a real breakthrough.

Report:

Hamas in talks to release hostages for Eid al-Fitr ceasefire

Hamas reportedly discussing the release of several hostages in exchange for a ceasefire during the Eid al-Fitr holiday and the days following it.

Released hostage to be honored by USA

Former hostage Amit Soussana will be honored with the prestigious International Women of Courage Award, presented by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in the presence of First Lady Melania Trump.

Report:

US presented Hamas with new proposal for hostage release

Axios report: The United States presented Hamas with a new proposal through Qatari mediators in an effort to secure the release of hostage Edan Alexander and break the deadlock in ceasefire negotiations. Hamas has yet to respond.

After year and a half in captivity:

Or Levy recounts the moment he met his son

Captivity survivor Or Levy speaks in a film set to air on Channel 13 on Thursday about the moment he met his son after a year and a half in captivity and the moment he realized his wife had been murdered in the massacre.

Netanyahu speaks with family of hostage Elkana Bochbot

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with the family of the hostage Elkana Bochbot following the Hamas video showing him to be alive.

Report: Hamas claims it will accept Egyptian ceasefire proposal

Hamas source says terror group willing to accept Egyptian ceasefire proposal, which would see IDF end strikes on Hamas, gradually withdraw from Gaza, in exchange for information on hostages and talks on timetable for their release.

Witkoff:

'I may have been duped by Hamas'

US special envoy Steve Witkoff reaffirms America’s commitment to Israel: We need to be clear who the aggressor is here, and that is Hamas.

Auburn coach calls for release of American hostage held in Gaza

Auburn University basketball coach Bruce Pearl uses postgame press conference to advocate for the release of Edan Alexander: Israel is our ancestral homeland and it’s under attack. It’s under siege. All it wants to do is live in peace with its neighbors.

Father of last living US hostage pins hopes on Trump

Adi Alexander, the father of Edan Alexander, tells the AP he is not willing to lay the blame for the failure to reach stage 2 of the hostage deal on the Israeli government.

Hostage Forum families:

'End the war, secure release of hostages'

Dozens of former hostages and over 250 family members of those still held captive call on the Israeli government to immediately end the war in Gaza and renew the effort to bring all hostages home.

Report:

Egypt proposes Gaza hostage deal and Israeli withdrawal plan

Reuters reports that Egypt has put forward a new plan for the release of hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza within a specified timeline. Hamas has yet to respond to the proposal.

Eli Sharabi:

'Where was the Red Cross when we needed them? Where was the UN?'

Eli Sharabi testified before the UN Security Council about his time in Hamas captivity and revealed: 'I saw Hamas terrorists carrying boxes with the UN and UNRWA emblems on them into the tunnel.'

Moving video:

Crowd of supporters welcomes Eli Sharabi to the UN

The survivor of Hamas captivity arrived at the UN ahead of a meeting with the security council and was greeted by supporters chanting 'You are not alone.'

Released Hostage:

'Hamas could walk for five days in the tunnels they have left'

Tal Shoham spoke in a recent interview about the massive scale of the remaining Hamas tunnels - which are still being expanded.

State Department:

Trump committed to long-term resolution to Israel-Hamas conflict

State Department spokesman Tammy Bruce says Hamas is to blame for the deaths of Gazans in surprise Israeli strikes, notes Witkoff’s original bridge proposal remains an option should Hamas choose to accept it.

Eli Sharabi to share captivity story at UN Security Council

Recently release hostage Eli Sharabi to address the United Nations Security Council later this week, recount the harrowing details of his months in captivity under Hamas.

Witkoff threatens:

I would encourage Hamas to get much more sensible

US Envoy Steve Witkoff said that Hamas's answer to his proposal was unacceptable and threatened: 'What happened with the Houthis yesterday ought to inform as to where we stand with the regard to terrorism.'

Israeli media star celebrates with released hostages

Media personality Natali Dadon held a Purim party with released hostages and their families.

Purim in Jerusalem:

Captivity survivor Karina Ariev leads parade

The procession was led by survivor of Hamas captivity Karina Ariev, Dani Elgarat, whose brother Itzik was murdered in captivity, Yoav and Sharon Engel, whose son Ofir Engel returned from Hamas captivity, and Shlomi Hajaj, the uncle of hostage Rom Braslavski.

Netanyahu to negotiating team:

Prepare for talks to release 11 hostages

Following high-level meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructs negotiating team to prepare to continue talks for hostages' release.

Watch:

Romi Gonen and Emily Damari honored at Bloomfield Stadium

Emily Damari and Romi Gonen, fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Haifa, were the honored guests at the match between the two teams this evening.

‘Sick and disgusting’

Rubio blasts Hamas, demands release of all hostages

US Secretary of State blasts Hamas and demands the release of all hostages: What Hamas has done is outrageous and we shouldn't accept it as normal. We're dealing with savages. These are bad people, terrible people, and we need to treat them as such.

Witkoff warns:

'Hamas is making a very poor gamble, time is not on its side'

Trump's envoy to the Middle East says Hamas is making "unrealistic" demands in hostage deal: Hamas is well aware of the deadline and must understand that we will respond accordingly if it passes.

PMO:

'Hamas offer to release 5 hostages just psychological warfare'

Prime Minister's Office accuses Hamas of continuing its refusal of the outline and is not making progress in talks despite claim it will release the 5 American hostages.

50-day ceasefire

Steve Witkoff's new proposal for a ceasefire deal

US envoy Steve Witkoff proposes Israel resume humanitarian aid to Hamas, release terrorists, in exchange for the release of several hostages.

Report:

Adam Boehler removed from Gaza hostage negotiatons

Sources in the Republican Party say that President Trump's envoy for hostages was removed from handling the issue of the hostages in Gaza after saying that Hamas were 'nice guys'.

'Thank God, I'm here:'

Released hostage's song of praise for being freed

Singers David D'or and Guy Feld hosted released hostage Ohad Ben-Ami to talk about the power of faith that helped him survive in a new and moving song.

Father of Hostage:

Return to fighting in Gaza without endangering soldiers

Tzvika Mor, father of hostage Eitan, tells Arutz Sheva about the sign of life he received from his son and calls for resuming the war.

Eli Sharabi told hostage's father:

Alon said that he wants to make Kiddush when he returns

Kobi, the father of Israeli hostage Alon Ohel, spoke about the message his son sent through released hostage Eli Sharabi

Hamas to mediators:

'Pressure Israel to withdraw from Philadelphi Corridor'

In a statement, Hamas stresses that commitment to the agreement and the completion of negotiations are the only way to secure the return of the hostages.

Brother of hostage:

'Just one MK came to comfort my family'

During a discussion in the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Danny Elgarat revealed that only a single MK from the coalition offered condolences after his brother's body was returned.

Marco Rubio:

Direct talks with Hamas were 'one-off situation'

US Secretary of State says the talks between hostage envoy Adam Boehler and Hamas have not "borne fruit," will not be repeated.

Trump envoy Witkoff:

'We need deadlines for the release of the hostages'

US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff tells Fox News the conditions the hostages have been kept in are 'deplorable' and deadlines are needed for the release of the remaining hostages.

Pita with yellow ribbon:

Hostage families' Purim gifts to MKs

Hostage families give Knesset members a pita wrapped in a yellow ribbon with a message from a released hostage. Hostage Nimrod Cohen's family confronted Minister Chikli.

Israel and US agree:

Talks with Hamas to be fully coordinated between the countries

Prime Minister Netanyahu and his staff told the cabinet that they had spoken to the Trump administration about the direct talks between Envoy Boehler and Hamas and agreed that they would be fully coordinated.

After backlash

Trump's envoy clarifies: Hamas are by definition bad people

Trump’s envoy for hostages, Adam Boehler, issues clarification after coming under fire for justifying his secret talks with Hamas leaders: Hamas is a terrorist organization that has murdered thousands of innocent people. They are BY DEFINITION BAD people.

In first working meeting:

Zamir and Netanyahu discuss return to war

The new IDF Chief of Staff ordered the Southern Command commanding officer to make changes to the attack plan so that the next ground maneuver would be more effective.

Agam Berger celebrates release with prayers and Challah ceremony

Released hostage Agam Berger held a special thanksgiving ceremony at a Tel Aviv synagogue this weekend, including the ceremonial taking of Challah and a prayer for the remaining hostages.

Fmr. Amb. Friedman:

Adam Boehler means well, but he should listen to his boss

Former US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman says that the deal that hostage envoy Adam Boehler presented to the media deviates from President Trump's binary option.

For the first time:

Emily Damari and Romi Gonen visit Hostages Square

The two survivors of Hamas captivity left their hospital beds in the rehabilitation department and traveled to the square in Tel Aviv. 'One square with so much strength, emotion, hope, and prayers.'

Adam Boehler:

'Hamas interested in disarming, not threatening Israel'

Special envoy for the hostage negotiations Adam Boehler claimed that Hamas is interested in ending the conflict in favor of a US-supervised truce.

Released hostage shares a miracle from his time in Gaza

Omer Shem-Tov gives the miraculous story of how he said the Shabbat Kiddush for five months from a seemingly endless bottle of grape juice.