Hostages in Gaza

Families stage 7:10 AM protest outside Cabinet ministers' homes

Families stage 7:10 AM protest outside Cabinet ministers' homes: "We won't forgive continued stalling. Listen to the people: End this war and bring everyone home."

Qatar-Gate

Hostage negotiator suspended for two weeks

Maj. Gen. (res.) Yoav ‘Poli’ Mordechai was removed from Israel’s hostage negotiations team after police barred his involvement amid the Qatar-Gate bribery investigation.

Gantz proposes:

Time-limited government for hostage deal and draft law

Blue and White chairman MK Benny Gantz offers to join the government to secure a comprehensive hostage deal, pass a draft law, and set elections for spring 2026.

'Hostage murderer'

Leftist activists harass Ben Gvir

Protesters disrupt minister's Shabbat walk to synagogue in Sharon region, verbally accost him and his soldier son.

Bonfire lit in Tel Aviv: We are done staying silent

Families of hostages hold series of protests and call for participation in a "National Day of Action" on Tuesday.

Details of Hamas' ceasefire proposal revealed

Hamas demanding release of 150 mass murderers, agrees to 700-meter perimeter in some areas of Gaza.

Netanyahu to OAN:

'Hamas starving hostages while media spreads lies'

In an exclusive interview with One America News, PM Netanyahu discusses the Gaza war, the propaganda against Israel, and his strong alliance with President Donald Trump, emphasizing that Hamas starves hostages.

Hostage families to Netanyahu:

'Move to the negotiating table'

The families of Israeli hostages hold a Shabbat gathering outside the Prime Minister’s Residence, demanding PM Netanyahu "leave the Shabbat table and move to the negotiating table" to secure a deal and bring all captives home.

Trump:

'There are probably less than 20 living hostages in Gaza'

US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters on the Gaza war, stating that fewer than 20 hostages are likely still alive and that the situation is a form of blackmail that must end. Gal Hirsch: There is no change in the information we have.

Mosab Hassan Yousef to Arutz Sheva:

Hamas' goal is to divide Israeli society, collapse government

Former Hamas insider Mosab Hassan Yousef, known as the 'Green Prince,' warns that partial hostage deals will only prolong Hamas rule, compares Hamas to 'the new Nazis,' and urges world Jewry to unite around Israel.

Netanyahu

'I approved taking control of Gaza City and hostage negotiations'

PM visits Gaza Division, says he approved plans to defeat Hamas militarily and talks to bring all of the hostages home and end the war at the same time.

Smotrich threatens to quit government over hostage deal

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has warned that he will leave the government if Netanyahu proceeds with any deal with Hamas.

Israel's hostage dilemma in the fog of war

The moral dilemma is more complex than a battle between emotion and reason. With passionately held competing views, is there any sound basis for evaluating the ethical choices?

Report:

Terrorist who forced hostage to kiss him eliminated

Gazan sources reported that Ghassan Salot, the terrorist who forced captivity survivor Omer Shem Tov to kiss his forehead during his release ceremony, was eliminated in Dir al-Balah

Fmr. Navy chief:

Israel can not make a partial deal

R. Adm. (res.) Eliezer Marom warned that Israel cannot afford a partial deal with Hamas, stressing that only a full offensive or comprehensive agreement will prevent the terror group from regrouping.

Tal Shoham shares

The letter that gave hope in Hamas captivity

Ex-hostage speaks about the horrors he endured in his 505 days in captivity, his feelings at the continued captivity of his friends, and reveals the letter he received that provided a ray of light in the darkness.

Ex-Hostage to CNN:

'I feel guilty when I eat'

As negotiations to free the remaining hostages continue, released hostage Eliya Cohen shared his harrowing story and the weight he still carries 6 months after his release.

Amb. Huckabee

'We want back the innocents who were in Hamas' way & kidnapped'

US Amb. to Israel meets the family of Bipin Joshi, a student from Nepal who was abducted by Hamas terrorists during the October 7 massacre, notes Hamas kidnapped and continues to hold him Bipin even though he isn't Israeli.

Terrorist who abducted Yarden Bibas eliminated

Jihad Kamal Salem Najjar, a terrorist in Hamas' military wing who infiltrated Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7 and took part in the abduction of Yarden Bibas, eliminated.

'Hostages are humanitarian cases,' families tell UN

Hostages Families Forum reaches out to Red Cross, World Health Organization, and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Right on World Humanitarian Day.

Bereaved families to PM

'Hamas is playing games with our loved ones - time for victory'

The Hagvura Forum responds to reports Hamas has agreed to a partial deal allowing it to keep 10 living hostages, urge Netanyahu not to accept such a deal.

Israeli official

'We will leave no hostage behind'

A senior diplomatic official emphasized that Israel is committed to the release of all hostages, following Hamas’s agreement to only a partial deal for the release of 10 of the 20 living hostages.

One year after murder:

Sisters of Eden Yerushalmi remember her as ‘hero, full of life’

The family of Eden Yerushalmi, abducted from the Nova Festival and murdered with five other hostages in Hamas captivity, gathered at her grave to honor her life and memory.

Minister Dermer's secret visit to the UAE

Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer recently met secretly with senior officials in the UAE, leading a diplomatic delegation.

Amit Segal:

'Hamas's response proves - military pressure brings hostages'

Political commentator Amit Segal says the Prime Minister is keeping the option of a partial deal with Hamas open, even as those close to him claim his focus is on conquering Gaza.

Israel receives Hamas response to ceasefire proposal

A senior Arab official said that the proposal includes a kilometer withdrawal in northern and eastern Gaza, the release of 200 terrorists serving significant sentences in exchange for ten living hostages.

Hostages' Families Forum declares second day of disruptions

The Hostages’ Families Forum announced another nationwide day of disruption this Sunday under the banner 'Israel Stops Again,' culminating in a mass evening rally in Tel Aviv.

Families Plead With Trump:

Legacy could be ending Gaza, Ukraine wars

Families of Israelis held in Gaza urged President Trump to seize the moment and achieve a 'deal of all deals' to end both the Gaza and Ukraine wars and secure the hostages’ release.

President Trump:

'Hostages will return only when Hamas is destroyed'

In a social media post, the US President tied the fate of hostages held by Hamas to the group's total military defeat, urging swift and decisive action.

Proposal presented to Hamas

Release of hostages and humanitarian aid

Arabic media reports Hamas has until this evening to respond to proposal for the release of 10 living hostages and 18 bodies of hostages.

Report: Hamas receives new ceasefire proposal

Israel insists on full hostage release as partial deal remains under discussion.

Cabinet ministers:

'Rule out possibility of a partial hostage deal'

Cabinet ministers demand PM clarify that Israel will not agree to a partial hostage deal, only a move that will return all the hostages together from Hamas captivity.

Schneider opens therapeutic playroom in memory of Bibas family

Schneider Children’s Medical Center inaugurates first therapeutic playroom, honoring murdered hostages Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas, and offering hospitalized children a space for play, healing, and hope.

Lapid to Trump:

Supporting Israel means supporting a deal to bring hostages home

Mass protests weren't political? MK Yair Lapid responds to recent protests, calls on US President Donald Trump and 'friends across the world' to support an 'end to the war.'

'Pausing for Psalms'

Thousands participate in rally led by hostage families

Thousands across the country take part in the "Pausing for Psalms" rally, initiated by hostage families, calling for the swift return of their loved ones.

Bereaved father:

'Shutting down the country will only encourage the enemy'

Oren Smadga, who lost his son Omer in Gaza, warns that protests and economic shutdowns may encourage the enemy.

Captivity survivor Eli Sharabi:

'The terrorists ate four meals a day while starving us'

Captivity survivor Eli Sharabi recounts the harsh conditions of Hamas captivity: “They ate three or four meals a day, while we survived on a single bowl of pasta.”

Shabbos Kestenbaum:

Israeli protests misplace anger over hostage crisis

US-based activist says demonstrations demanding Netanyahu resign and hostages’ release misdirect anger at Israel instead of Hamas, harming the cause.

Report

Hamas planning to move hostages to combat zone to stop Israel

Saudi media reports that Gaza's terror groups are considering moving the living hostages to Gaza City in an effort to stop Israel from conquering the city. Israeli sources dismiss reports as propaganda.

Tel Aviv:

Hundreds of thousands gather to call for release of hostages

Over 400,000 people gathered at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, demanding the release of Hamas-held captives, with organizers warning: 'Don’t let them turn to ash.'

Week before the massacre

New footage of the kidnapped Armored Corps soldiers

New footage released today (Sunday) shows armored fighters Omer Neutra, Oz Daniel, and Nimrod Cohen just a week before their abduction on October 7.

'I miss you'

New footage of Matan Zangauker in captivity

The family of hostage Matan Zangauker released new footage seized by the IDF in Gaza, showing him sending love to relatives and urging friends to keep fighting for his release.

Smotrich to Netanyahu:

Order a charge into Gaza, we'll have victory before winter

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich dismissed nationwide protests as a failure, urging Prime Minister Netanyahu to ignore pressure and order the IDF to fully defeat Hamas in Gaza.

Hirsch, Ben-Gvir clash over prison visit to terrorist Barghouti

PMO Hostages Coordinator Gal Hirsch urged Minister Ben-Gvir to lower rhetoric after his prison confrontation with Marwan Barghouti, warning it could endanger the hostages.

President Herzog meets family of abducted Nepalese student

After visiting Hostages Square, President Isaac Herzog met the family of abducted Nepalese student Bipin Joshi, urging the international community to help secure his release.

Hostages Square

Mock wedding for Israeli hostage and girlfriend

At Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, Ilana Gritzewsky held a symbolic wedding to partner Matan Zangauker, still in Hamas captivity, vowing to fight until his safe return.

Hostage’s father:

Protests Aim to topple gov’t, not free hostages

Avishai David, father of hostage Evyatar David, accused nationwide protests of exploiting hostages’ suffering for political purposes, saying their real aim is to oust the government.

'Day of Disruption'

32 arrested for rioting, blocking roads, across the country

Police arrested 32 protesters during nationwide demonstrations led by the Hostages’ Families Forum and anti-government groups, as roadblocks, clashes, and disruptions hit major cities.

PM: Protests are hardening Hamas' stance

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Cabinet meeting: 'Calls to end the war without victory delay the release of the hostages and guarantee an endless war.'

Injured soldier:

'The strike is at my personal expense'

Wounded armored soldier, Kfir Zar, calls on the protesters to look at his and his comrades' injuries and stop the strike that is harming those who have fought for them and for the return of the hostages.

Politicians respond to protests:

'Solidarity for our hostages turned into a political campaign'

Israeli politicians respond to country-wide protests for hostages in Gaza, saying that protesters are turning solidarity for our precious hostages into a political campaign and strengthening Hamas.

President Herzog:

'International leaders, stop being a bunch of hypocrites'

President Isaac Herzog Hostage Square and met with families. Herzog urged the international community to pressure Hamas and insist on the hostages immediate release.

'Just The Beginning':

Day of Disruption begins with protests across Israel

This morning (Sunday), families of hostages and members of the October Council protst movement launched a nationwide protest dubbed the 'Day of Disruption' to end the war with a hostage deal.

Mother of hostage opposes nationwide strike

Iris Haim, mother of hostage Yotam Haim, opposes the strike, warning it would divide Israelis, damage the Israeli economy, and benefit Hamas without helping the hostages.

Tomorrow:

Wave of protest strikes expected nationwide

Tomorrow (Sunday), hundreds of rallies, demonstrations, and public displays are set to take place across Israel, calling for the immediate return of the hostages.

Report:

New document reveals Hamas shift on hostage deal

A new document reportedly presented to PM Netanyahu reveals that Hamas has changed its approach, now open to a "partial deal" for the release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza.

'Promises must be kept'

Captivity survivors urge Katz to bring hostages home

Captivity survivors and families of hostages hold Shabbat reception outside the Defense Minister's home: "We are here to tell all the hostages - we are fighting for you! The people of Israel stand here together, we will not give up."

'We have no grave to visit'

Today should have been Meny Godard's 75th birthday

The family of Meny Godard, murdered on October 7 and whose body is held in Gaza, issued a heartfelt plea on what would have been his 75th birthday: bring him home.

Hostage's brother furious at UEFA’s double standard

Just one day after UEFA displayed a massive anti-Israel banner in Italy, the family of hostage Rom Braslavski was barred from holding signs calling for his return at a match in Bucharest.

Netanyahu

'Only our principles for concluding the war will bring security'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once again presented the five conditions set by the cabinet for ending the war.