Hostages in Gaza

First sign of life:

Ohel family greenlights publication of Alon Ohel's image

The image shows Alon with Guy Gilboa Dalal, 701 days into captivity; family warns of severe eye injury and calls for international action.

Report:

Netanyahu blocked one-phase plan to end war, free hostages

According to Kan 11 News, in May 2024, IDF proposed a deal to free all hostages and defeat Hamas. Netanyahu rejected it, calling it a “defeat”.

Trump warns Hamas:

Release hostages or face 'nasty' consequences

Trump says hostage talks with Hamas are underway, warning of “nasty” consequences if they refuse. He fears some hostages may have died, but hopes he's wrong.

Alon Ohel’s family:

'Alon has lost sight in his right eye'

Family of hostage Alon Ohel responds to the video showing him which was released by Hamas: No law permits holding an injured civilian without treatment. The responsibility lies with Hamas leadership.

Netanyahu:

'No evil propaganda video will weaken us'

Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke at length with the parents of hostages Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Alon Ohel and encouraged them, saying 'No evil propaganda video will weaken us.'

Consul General of Israel in NY:

Campaign in Times Square on 700th day since 10/7

On the 700th day since 10/7, Consul General in New York Ofir Akunis says: 'Anyone who condemns Israel is supporting Hamas. This was a heinous attack carried out by the successors of the Nazis.'

First sign of life from hostage Alon Ohel in Gaza

Hamas is trying to put pressure on Israel and prevent the IDF from entering Gaza City, this time by publishing a new video of two hostages.

Psychological terrorism:

Hamas publishes video of two hostages

Hamas publishes video of hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal and additional hostage, as part of effort to pressure Israel and prevent conquest of Gaza City.

Watch: Heartbreaking 'Kaddish' prayer at the Western Wall

Hundreds of bereaved families from around Israel attend last night of Selichot at the Western Wall to take part in the prayers and draw shared strength.

France recognizes Hostagestine

Reecognizing Hostagestine - or should we call it Rapestine? After all, it is murder, rape and hostage taking that is being rewarded by this move. Opinion.

Hostage's brother: 'We need to execute terrorists'

Idan Baruch, brother of kidnapped and murdered hostage Ariel Baruch, says there is no place to discuss terrorists' prison conditions, urges executing them instead. 'That's the minimum in a functional country.'

At Hostages Square: Demonstration marks 700 days since Oct. 7

Protesters at Tel Aviv's Hostages Square mark 700 days of hostages' captivity, sign 'SOS.' Watch.

Herzog meets Pope at Vatican, urges release of hostages

During a meeting at the Vatican, Israeli President Herzog urged Pope Leo XIV and global faith leaders to demand Hamas release hostages as a step toward regional peace.

Hostage's mother: The moment G-d wills it, they'll release him

Miri Ben-Haim, mother of hostage Yosef Haim Ohana, tries to remain optimistic, says she feels she must be strong - to give her son strength during his time in Hamas captivity.

Boehler to Hamas:

'Better pay attention to Trump'

US hostage envoy Adam Boehler advises Hamas to listen to Trump’s demands that it release all 20 living Israeli hostages, after the group claims interest in a deal but keeps its old preconditions.

'All 20, not 2, 5, or 7'

Trump's message to Hamas: 'Things will change rapidly'

US President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to call on the Hamas terrorist organization to release all 20 living Israeli hostages.

'My son is dying'

Father of hostage cries out at the Knesset

At a stormy Knesset session, families of hostages held in Gaza accused lawmakers of inaction, warning their children are tortured and 'running out of time' without a comprehensive deal.

Hostages' families call for police to prevent disruptive protests

Families of the hostages appealed to Police Commissioner Daniel Levi, demanding action against road blockages and disturbances that 'endanger the stability of the state and hinder the return of the hostages'

We all want total victory

There is intense debate over how we can defeat Hamas and recover the hostages - but there should be complete consensus as to how not to do it.

'Held like a dog'

Or Levy’s testimony shakes South African Jews

Or Levy, held by Hamas for 491 days, recounts starvation, shackles, and loss. His story, shared in South Africa, is a plea to remember the hostages and fight for their return.

Qatar: Takeover of Gaza will endanger the lives of hostages

Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson urges the international community to pressure Israel to end the war, particularly in light of intentions to apply sovereignty in Judea and Samaria.

Love each other, don't judge:

Call for unity from Hostages Square

Hundreds gathered in Hostages Square on Tuesday evening for the 'Singing Together for Their Return' event; families of hostages and the fallen spoke about the importance of unity in the nation.

Eliminated

Terrorist who held Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, Naama Levy hostage

Senior terrorist Hazem Awni Naeem, who held multiple roles in Hamas, eliminated.

'Make history'

Hostage families stage mock Nobel Prize ceremony for Trump

The families of the hostages held in Gaza held a press conference outside the US Embassy in Tel Aviv, where they appealed to US President Donald Trump, urging him to make history by signing a US-backed agreement to bring home the hostages and end the war.

Right wing parties:

'We shut the water pipe to Gaza'

Hostage families, bereaved families, reservists, and representatives from the Gaza border area closed off the water supply to Gaza and called on Netanyahu to increase pressure on Hamas.

Recovered hostage's daughter

'No daughter should have to hope she'll bury her father'

Ilan Weiss, who was murdered and abducted during the October 7 massacre and whose body was recovered from Gaza last week, was laid to rest yesterday, nearly 2 years after his murder.

Brig. Gen. Avigdor Kahalani:

Hamas won't release hostages, Israel must fight to finish mission

Brig. Gen. (res.) Avigdor Kahalani said Hamas will not release the hostages and urged Israel to continue the fight until the mission is completed.

'I Miss My Brother':

Sister of hostage starts 1st grade

Tzvika and Efrat Mor accompanied their daughter Oria to her first day in first grade. Oria said: 'I miss my brother Eitan very much and I pray that he will return home healthy.'

Idan Shtivi's father:

'My prayers were not wasted, they went to the other hostages'

Idan Shtivi, who was murdered on October 7th, 2023, and whose body was recovered last week, was laid to rest.

Huckabee:

'Israel must decide how to bring back hostages, defeat Hamas'

US Ambassador Mike Huckabee visits school in Eshkol Region, supports efforts to bring hostages home. 'A lot of people are putting the pressure on Israel. The pressure needs to be directed at Hamas.'

Hostages Forum:

'Netanyahu blocking deal that could bring hostages home'

'Every missed opportunity to advance a deal prolongs their suffering and deepens Israel’s national wound,' the Hostages Forum respond to PM Netanyahu's statement in the cabinet that the hostage deal is off the table.

Netanyahu to Cabinet ministers: Partial deal not on the table

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refuses to hold vote on resolution opposing partial deal with Hamas, claiming such a deal is 'not on the table.'

Education Minister warns against students' strike

Students who skip classes in protest will be marked absent, Education Minister Yoav Kisch warns.

Cousin of murdered hostage:

Trump could broker 'ultimate deal' to free hostages

In live virtual conversation, Gil Dickmann mourns his cousin Carmel Gat, murdered a year ago in captivity, and urges leaders to end the war and bring hostages home, calling Trump the one who could broker the “ultimate deal.”

Families of hostages protest outside Cabinet meeting

Relatives of some of the hostages demonstrate outside Cabinet meeting, demanding deal with Hamas. 'You have ten days to end this.'

'Israeli hero'

Eli Shtivi reveals: Idan was in a special IDF unit

Eli Shtivi revealed his son Idan, recently recovered from Gaza, was a special unit fighter who resisted terrorists before being shot and taken.

Shtivi family alerted on the way to memorial event for Idan

The Bnei Akiva branch in Gitit inaugurated a community garden in memory of Idan Shtivi. His family was on the way to the dedication event when they received word that his body had been recovered.

Body of hostage Idan Shtivi returned to Israel

The body of Idan Shtivi was retrieved by the IDF together with that of Ilan Weiss.

Senior defense official:

'Living hostages could have been home last week'

Senior defense officials urge Israel’s Cabinet to accept a hostage deal over Gaza invasion, warning that rejecting it risks lives and delays the return of hostages. A decisive meeting is set for Sunday.

IDF Chief vows:

'We will not rest until all hostages are returned'

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir comments on strikes in Yemen and Gaza, pledging relentless efforts to recover hostages and confront Iran-backed terror groups: “There is no containment.”

Abducted body of 10.7 victim Ilan Weiss returned to Israel

The IDF and Shin Bet recovered the body of Ilan Weiss, who was murdered on October 7th, from Gaza.

Father of hostage:

'The world must pressure Hamas, not Israel'

At a press conference in Tokyo with Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, Ilan Gilboa-Dalal criticizes the international community for pressuring Israel instead of Hamas.

Heartwarming:

Released hostage prepares educators for the year ahead

Just days before the new academic year, the senior leadership of the Bnei Akiva school network came together with hundreds of school principals and administrators for an inspirational evening with released hostage Eli Sharabi.

Senior defense officials warn:

'Hamas will strengthen if IDF withdraws from Philadelphi'

Netanyahu instructs Minister Dermer to negotiate a comprehensive deal on the hostages and ending the war. Senior officials caution: Withdrawal from Philadelphi will empower Hamas.

55 days hungry, sick, humiliated

Captivity survivor's chilling UN testimony

Ilana Gritzewsky, survivor of Hamas captivity and partner of hostage Matan Zangauker, told the UN Security Council of beatings, starvation, and abuse in Hamas tunnels, urging action.

Keith Siegel: Every day in captivity, I said 'Shema Yisrael'

Freed hostage Keith Siegel says captors attempted to force him to convert to Islam, says captivity strengthened his connection to Judaism.

Hostage's brother:

Deal not dependent on gov't, only Netanyahu can decide

Yaakov Bohbot, brother of hostage Elkana Bohbot, wonders aloud why Israel must press for agreement on its terms if Hamas has already agreed to a previous offer.

‘Nation trembles and aches’

President, captivity survivor issue call to free hostages

President Isaac Herzog and captivity survivor Eliya Cohen urge all efforts to secure the hostages' release: "Take all possible steps to bring them home."

Tel Aviv:

Thousands gather to call for deal with Hamas

Thousands gathered at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv for a 'national day of struggle,' urging the Israeli government to reach a deal with Hamas to secure the hostages’ release.

Netanyahu to the cabinet:

'I don't know why Trump said hostages have died'

During the Security Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Netanyahu discussed remarks by the US President that fewer than 20 hostages are alive.

Grandfather of released hostage:

'Hamas is not bending, they are defeating us'

Yosef Engel, whose grandson Ofir was taken hostage by Hamas and returned to Israel, says that his expectations from the cabinet are low, 'The occupation of Gaza would be a disaster.'

Watch: Tens of thousands attend Selichot prayers at Western Wall

Tens of thousands of Jews attend first Selichot prayer session of the year at the Western Wall, alongside released hostages and relatives of those still held captive in Gaza.

Families of hostages launch nationwide protest day for deal

Families of the hostages launched a nationwide protest this morning as part of a declared 'day of civic struggle' to demand the cabinet agree to a hostage deal.

Surrounded by terrorists:

New footage of the abduction of Nimrod Cohen

The family of hostage Nimrod Cohen released new footage showing Nimrod being kidnapped and led by Hamas terrorists into the Gaza Strip, where he has been held in Hamas tunnels for 689 days.

President Trump:

'Fewer than 20 hostages remain alive in Gaza'

U.S. President Donald Trump again said that there remain 'probably less than 20, because one or two are gone.'

New images from the abduction of Nimrod Cohen

The family of captive soldier Nimrod Cohen published new images on Monday showing the moment Hamas terrorists abducted him on October 7th, 2023.

Family of Nimrod Cohen:

We will release the footage of his abduction

The family of captive IDF soldier Nimrod Cohen will release footage of him being led by his captors to Gaza.

Eisenkot:

'No coalition change needed for hostage deal'

Gadi Eisenkot says a hostage deal "requires no political change, only a decision by one person." Gantz responds: "You also need to know how to say yes."

Smotrich to Gantz:

'Welcome to join the government - without preconditions'

Smotrich: "If Gantz wants to join to strengthen our resilience to defeat the enemy until complete victory and the return of all hostages - I welcome it."

Report: Negotiations for ceasefire with Hamas to restart

Arab reports say negotiations for Gaza ceasefire may resume - while Israel continues preparing for military operation.