Hostages in Gaza

Former hostage:

'I am proud that I chose life'

Former Hamas hostage Eli Sharabi launches his new book 'Kidnapped' in which he shares his difficult time in captivity, 'they demanded that we read the Quran, we refused; I am proud that I chose life.'

Hostages' families block Gaza aid trucks in protest

Tzav 9 activists and hostages' families block humanitarian aid trucks at Kerem Shalom, demanding Israel stop supplies that benefit Hamas.

Report:

This is the full text of Witkoff’s Gaza ceasefire proposal

Drop Site News reveals full text of the US "term sheet" for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal as proposed by envoy Steve Witkoff. Hamas has yet to accept the proposal: It does not meet our demands.

'Go be our beacons and hope'

Rachel Goldberg-Polin's inspiring address

Mother of American hostage who was murdered by his Hamas captors thanks YU graduates for their love and support during commencement speech. 'In this life, we are what we do.'

Israel and Hamas deny

Report: Hamas and Israel agree to 60-day ceasefire

President Trump reportedly expected to personally unveil terms of US-brokered ceasefire, as both sides agree to phased release of hostages and prisoners over 60-day truce period.

Netanyahu to hostages' families:

'Israel accepts Witkoff's new proposal'

PM says Israel agrees to US-backed deal but vows to keep fighting until all hostages return and Hamas is destroyed.

Report:

This is what Steve Witkoff's latest ceasefire proposal looks like

According to Arabic media, the latest US proposal features a 60-day ceasefire in which 10 living hostages and 18 bodies would be returned in 2 phases during the first week.

US envoy deal: 9 living hostages, 60-day ceasefire, IDF withdraws

US envoy Steve Witkoff’s plan includes release of nine hostages, 18 bodies, IDF pullback, and UN-managed aid to Gaza during talks to end the war.

Released Hostage:

'Terrorists were scared of Trump'

Released hostage Omer Shem Tov spoke about how Hamas terrorists were eager for Kamala Harris to win.

Ori Megidish recounts:

'I asked for signs from God - and received them'

The first hostage rescued from captivity, Ori Megidish, shares how her faith helped her survive and recalls the moment of her rescue when she shouted in Hebrew.

Smotrich warns:

'I won't allow a partial deal with Hamas'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich responds to envoy Witkoff’s statement: "We must tighten the noose on Hamas and force it into a surrender deal with all hostages released at once."

Witkoff:

We will send a new proposal for a deal, 'I have good feelings'

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff revealed that he will send a new proposal for a ceasefire and hostage deal later in the day to Israel and Hamas.

Hamas claims:

'We reached agreement with US envoy on ceasefire deal'

After receiving criticism from Steve Witkoff for its response to his proprosals, Hamas claims to have agreed with US mediators on a general framework for a deal that would see the release of 10 hostages.

Netanyahu confirms: Mohammed Sinwar was eliminated

During a heated Knesset debate initiated by the opposition, Prime Minister Netanyahu rejected claims of government failure, highlighting military gains and vowing to return all hostages while accusing rivals of undermining the war effort for political gain.

Herzog to world leaders:

Silence is complicity in Hamas’ crimes

Speaking at an international conference in Jerusalem, President Herzog called for a united global front to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas and to confront the escalating wave of antisemitism worldwide.

Liri Albag plans IDF return after Hamas captivity

Eli Albag says daughter Liri, freed after 477 days in Hamas captivity, now seeks to rejoin the IDF: 'She wants to settle the score.'

Hostage Negotiations:

Deal stalled over number of hostages to be released

An Egyptian channel reported that the disagreements primarily revolve around the number of living Israeli hostages and the deceased to be released in the first week of the deal.

Netanyahu:

'Hope we can announce something on hostages today or tomorrow'

PM makes hopeful statement on the remaining hostages amid reports a deal to free 10 hostages in exchange for a 70-day ceasefire could be reached soon.

Witkoff denies Hamas has agreed to hostage-ceasefire deal

Steve Witkoff calls Hamas’ response “disappointing and unacceptable,” stressing Israel’s acceptance of a temporary ceasefire and hostage deal is still on the table.

Moving

Yaakov Shwekey presents 'fallen soldiers' tallit' to Eli Sharabi

During a performance in Mexico, singer Yaakov Shwekey presented captivity survivor Eli Sharabi with a tallit worn during the filming of the music video of his song “Kaddish”, embroidered with the names of the victims of the war.

'Preference By Politics':

Former official claims discrimination against families

Liat Somer, a former senior member of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, has publicly accused elements within the organization of political discrimination in their treatment of families whose loved ones were abducted by Hamas.

Western Wall:

Homeland Security Secretary prays for slain Israeli embassy staff

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem prays at Western Wall with US Ambassador Huckabee, honoring fallen embassy staff and calling for hostages’ return.

Mixup at JFK:

Captivity survivor stopped after still being listed as captive

Liri Albag, who survived Hamas captivity, was questioned for an hour at JFK after US border agents flagged her as still held hostage.

Captivity survivor:

Before the IDF entered Rafah my captors deliberately starved me

At legal forum, hostage Omer Wenkert recounts 420 days of Hamas captivity marked by isolation, starvation, and abuse: 'They came to me once in never.'

Chief of Staff:

'Now is our time to defeat the Khan Yunis brigade'

During a high-level tour of Khan Yunis, Chief of the General Staff LTG Eyal Zamir, alongside top IDF commanders, conducted a strategic assessment as Operation Gideon’s Chariots intensifies.

A birthday in the darkness: Eitan Mor turns 25 in Hamas captivity

600 days after Eitan Mor was kidnapped to Gaza, his family marks his 25th with hope, prayer, and memories. 'He’s strong and encourages others,' says his father. 'We just want him back, whole in body and soul.

Agam Berger to French FM:

'Diplomatic solutions won't work'

Hamas captivity survivor Agam Berger tells France's Foreign Minister that "diplomatic solutions" are futile against Hamas, stating, "it's us or them."

‘Still there, still trembling’:

Freed hostage exposes ongoing Hamas brutality

Thousands gather in Tel Aviv as Israel nears 600 days since the October 7 massacre, survivor Naama Levy recounts the horrors of captivity and the fear still haunting those left behind. 'They’re there, clinging to walls, praying to survive.'

Israelis targeted by fake calls of hostage cries, explosions

Disturbing anonymous calls playing hostage recordings and explosion sounds under investigation by Israel’s Cyber Directorate, authorities urge public to hang up, block suspicious numbers.

'Buried In Rubble':

Freed hostage Edan Alexander’s shocking ordeal in Hamas captivity

Adi Alexander, father of freed hostage Edan Alexander, has revealed harrowing new details about his son's captivity in Gaza.

ISA chief to Edan Alexander:

'You were freed thanks to Witkoff, not us'

Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar reportedly told captivity survivor Edan Alexander: "I want to apologize to you for falling into captivity partly because of us, and for being freed thanks to Witkoff and not us."

While hostages languish

Watch: Tens of thousands of pitas baked in Gaza

Newly released footage shows the preparation of pitas using flour provided through humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, while hostages remain held in captivity.

'New Day Will Rise'

Watch: Israeli Eurovision star performs at Hostages Square

Israel's Eurovision 2025 representative, Yuval Raphael, and singer Karen Peles performed 'New Day Will Rise at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv.

Israel recalls entire negotiating team from Qatar

After reaching a dead-end in talks with Hamas, Prime Minister Netanyahu has ordered all remaining members of the Israeli delegation to return to Israel.

Watch:

Hostage David Cunio marks second birthday in captivity

Sharon Cunio says Emma and Yuli need their father David in order to heal from their captivity, 'They need their father to heal. To recover. To rebuild trust'

Yarden Bibas reveals meeting with Sinwar in captivity

Captivity survivor Yarden Bibas shares his longing for his friend David Cunio, who is still held by Hamas in Gaza. "Sinwar promised me we’d stay together, but we were separated."

'I had to survive for them':

Edan Alexander recounts harrowing Hamas captivity

In first meeting with former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, freed hostage Edan Alexander reveals source of his strength: Knowing his Golani brothers were fighting for him.

Tortured, starving, alone:

Matan Zangauker’s dire condition in Hamas captivity

Shocking new details paint grim picture of Matan Zangauker’s life in Hamas captivity: severe weight loss, physical decline from a degenerative disease, psychological torture, and isolation. 'I don’t know if he can hold on,' his mother says.

Chief of Staff to Gazans: We aren't the ones who started this war

In bold message from the battlefield, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir reminds Gazans that Hamas — not Israel — is to blame for Gaza’s suffering, adds that Hamas can release the hostages or face the consequences.

Handwritten note by Matan Zangauker found in Gaza

A handwritten note by Matan Zangauker, containing his name and ID number, found in an underground Hamas compound in Gaza and delivered to his mother, Einav.

Watch:

Captivity survivor Omer Shem Tov throws out first pitch in Boston

Omer Shem Tov, who was abducted by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and freed after 505 days in captivity, attends Jewish Heritage Night at Fenway Park, throws out ceremonial first pitch.

Boehler:

'Israel's operation strengthens prospects for a hostage deal'

Speaking at JPost Conference in New York, US hostage envoy Adam Boehler says a hostage deal is closer than ever, attributing progress partly to Israel's renewed ground offensive against Hamas in Gaza.

Neutra Family:

'Bringing them home is not political — it’s a people’s issue'

Orna and Ronen Neutra recall their son Omer's dedication as a lone soldier, his tragic fate on October 7th, and their ongoing efforts to advocate for hostages held by Hamas.

Report:

Eliminated terrorist abducted and held Arbel Yehud

Ahmad Sarhan, who was reportedly eliminated in an IDF special operation this morning, was said to have overseen the abduction and captivity of Arbel Yehud.

White House:

Trump wants to see all hostages released and the end of the war

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt states that President Donald Trump has conveyed to Hamas his desire for the release of all hostages.

Hostage's brother:

'No humanitarian aid until all hostages are home'

Hostage families from the Tikva Forum call on government to stop humanitarian aid to Gaza: 'political echelon displaying weakness.'

Minister Bezalel Smotrich:

'Humanitarian aid a necessity, will not reach Hamas'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich defends limited aid to Gaza, insisting it won’t reach Hamas and is vital to securing military and strategic support for Israel’s war effort.

'Our fates were bound in hell'

Sagui Dekel-Chen embraces fellow hostage Edan Alexander

Following heartfelt hospital visit, former hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen recounts shared captivity with newly-released Edan Alexander, who revealed harrowing details of Hamas abuse and the moment he learned his family was fighting for him worldwide.

Former hostage Arbel Yehud:

'I survived in Holocaust conditions'

Hostage survivor Arbel Yehud delivers emotional testimony, describing severe abuse and pleading for return of remaining hostages, including her partner. 'I came to cry the cries of the other hostages,' she says.

Gantz:

'Fight with Hamas will take years—hostages don’t have that time'

At the Jerusalem Conference in NYC, National Unity Party chairman Benny Gantz calls on Israel and the world to act urgently to free the remaining hostages held by Hamas.

Congressman Lawler:

'World doesn’t understand the horror of Hamas captivity'

Speaking at the Jerusalem Conference in NYC, Rep. Michael Lawler condemns Hamas for holding 58 hostages and calls it “barbaric.” He urges Qatar to exert more pressure and stresses that peace depends on Arab normalization with Israel.

Minister Miki Zohar:

'We’ll annex Gazan land until the hostages come home'

Speaking at the Jerusalem Conference in NYC, Minister Miki Zohar vows Israel will hold territory in Gaza until all hostages are freed, rejects a Palestinian state and expresses support for application Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria.

'I touched death'

Keith and Aviva Siegel share their captivity story

Freed Hamas hostages Keith and Aviva Siegel share their harrowing ordeal at the Jerusalem Conference in New York City, urging global action to free the 58 remaining captives. Keith: “Please do whatever you can to help us bring them all back.”

Hostage’s mother:

'The UN chose terror over Israeli lives'

At the Jerusalem Conference in New York, Ayelet Samerano, mother of hostage Yonatan Samerano who was kidnapped by an UNRWA worker, delivers an emotional plea for the return of her son and 57 other hostages. “The people of Israel live—and we will not stop until all our loved ones return.”

Israeli Eurovision Star:

'My real victory will be when the hostages return'

Yuval Raphael, Israel’s Eurovision 2025 star, returned home to a hero’s welcome after securing second place in the international song contest.

Operation Gideon's Chariots:

'Nothing will stop us except the return of the hostages'

IDF Spokesperson Effie Defrin announced this evening that the new operation is intended to provide 'all necessary flexibility to bring the hostages back.'

To avert full Gaza operation

Report: Trump administration offers new ceasefire deal

Updated offer proposes 45-60 day ceasefire for release of 10 hostages and prisoners, with new provisions hinting at path to end the war.

For a 2-month ceasefire

Hamas willing to release up to nine hostages

A senior Hamas leader told CNN that the terror organization was willing to release between seven and nine hostages in exchange for a two-month ceasefire and release of 300 terrorists.

'Bring Them Home!':

NY Gov. Kathy Hochul delivers fiery speech at Israel Day parade

New York Governor Kathy Hochul channeled JFK and called for the return of Israeli hostages still held after 589 days. “Bring them home,” she declared, vowing unwavering support for Israel from the Empire State.

‘Every day was suffering’

Hamas hostage survivors speak out in NYC

Keith and Aviva Siegel, survivors of Hamas captivity, speak at Israel Day on Fifth Parade in New York, calling for continued efforts to free the remaining 58 hostages.