Hostages in Gaza

Emily Damari angered: 'We learned nothing'

Captivity survivor Emily Damari has released a video documenting an aid convoy on its way to the Gaza Strip and has strongly criticized the decision to allow the trucks to pass.

Watch: Shuli Rand and Agam Berger in a moving duet

Captivity survivor Agam Berger and Israeli singer Shuli Rand delivered a moving musical performance at a conference marking Holocaust Remembrance Day at Ono Academic College.

700 Graves Opened:

New details on the operation to recover Ran Gvili

IDF troops operated in the cemetery extensively without knowing that Ran's body was nearby.

What does it mean to keep Shabbat in captivity?

Captivity survivor Omer Shem Tov explains how he observed the Sabbath while in Hamas captivity.

Race Against Time:

Exclusive recounting of the operation to find Ran Gvili

An officer from the Yahalom special engineering unit describes working against a razor-thin deadline and under extreme conditions to extract the last hostage from Gaza.

'I knew it was Rani':

Dentist recalls identifying final deceased hostage

Dr. Esi Sharon described the emotional identification of Ran Gvili, as police forensic dentists examined hundreds of bodies within 24 hours to confirm the return of fallen hostages.

Jewish leaders welcome return of Ran Gvili

Conference of Presidents and AIPAC welcome the return of Ran Gvili’s body, praise US-Israel efforts while urging increased pressure on Hamas to disarm.

Jerusalem:

Ran Gvili’s picture projected onto National Institutions Building

National Institutions Building in Jerusalem illuminated in blue, with photos of Ran Gvili and the other returned hostages projected onto its façade.

Amit Segal:

'The next hostage is already among us'

Amit Segal warns that unless Israel fundamentally changes its approach to handling hostage situations, it will face future kidnapping attempts - and at a much higher cost.

Former gov't spokesman:

'Hostage crisis is over - but more kidnappings will come'

Eylon Levy says the October 7 hostage crisis is over, but warns Israel’s deals will encourage future kidnappings, urging new strategies to prevent more Israelis from being taken hostage.

Emotional moment:

Former hostages remove the ‘Bring Them Home’ pin

Watch former hostages in a moving gesture following the return of Ran Gvili’s body for burial in Israel. In the background: A song by Idan Amedi, who took part in the operation to recover Gvili’s body.

Ran Gvili's family speaks out:

Our pride is stronger than the sorrow

Speaking outside their home in Meitar, the Gvili family thanked the IDF, Israeli and US leaders, and the public following Ran Gvili’s return from Hamas captivity.

'Objective completed'

IDF Chief of Staff recites Shehecheyanu blessing

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and senior commanders saluted Master Sergeant Ran Gvili as his body was returned from Gaza, marking the completion of the mission to bring home all hostages.

Body of final hostage, Ran Gvili, returns to Israel

Ran Gvili, of blessed memory, has been identified and returned for burial. No hostages, alive or deceased, in Gaza the first time since 2014.

Trump to Israeli media:

Only Israelis truly understand significance of hostage returns

President Trump says Hamas aided efforts to recover Ran Gvili’s remains and says the group must now fulfill its pledge to disarm under his deal.

Shin Bet reveals new details:

The terrorist who led Israeli forces to Ran Gvili's body

The Shin Bet revealed that intelligence from the interrogation of an Islamic Jihad terrorist led to the identification and recovery of Ran Gvili’s body from a cemetery in northern Gaza.

At police ceremony

Ran's father over his casket: 'Proud of you my son'

Itzik, the father of the last hostage to be returned from Gaza, parted from him at a police ceremony upon his return.

'Most Thought This Impossible':

Trump celebrates return of final hostage

President Trump and other American officials joined Israel in welcoming the recovery of Ran Gvili.

Footage from Gaza:

IDF Chief and soldiers salute Ran Gvili

IDF Chief of Staff, the Southern Command chief, commanders, and soldiers from Division 252 in the Gaza Strip sing Hatikva and salute Staff Sgt. Ran Gvili, after his body was recovered in the Gaza Strip.

Behind Op. Courageous Heart

New footage from the mission to find Ran Gvili

Covert arrests and interrogations led IDF forces to a Shuja'iyya cemetery, where engineering teams inspected over 200 graves in a coordinated search operation.

'Mission accomplished'

Watch: Netanyahu recites Shehecheyanu blessing in the Knesset

Prime Minister Netanyahu commends the security forces upon the return of the last hostage from Gaza.

Israel Welcomes Ran:

Coalition and opposition celebrate the last hostage's return

Politicians from all sides of Israel's political spectrum expressed their happiness, pain, and relief that the last hostage had finally been returned from Gaza.

Watch:

IDF soldiers sing over Ran Gvili's casket

After recovering the body of the last hostage, Ran Gvili, IDF soldiers sang 'Ani Ma'amin', a song of faith in the coming of the Messiah.

No breakthrough in search for last hostage

IDF preparing support system for those digging up graves in effort to locate missing Yasam officer Ran Gvili.

PMO:

'Rafah crossing to open after operation to recover Gvili's body'

Following the Security Cabinet meeting, the PMO clarifies: The Rafah crossing will not open until all efforts to recover the body of Staff Sergeant Ran Gvili have been exhausted.

In northern Gaza cemetery:

IDF launches mission to search for Ran Gvili

IDF conducting extensive searches for remains of last hostage after reaching based on intelligence information.

Rafah Crossing

Witkoff hints: US, Israel coordinating on future steps

US envoy says talks were constructive as Washington and Jerusalem coordinate next steps on Phase 2 of Trump’s Gaza plan and broader regional issues

Talik Gvili:

'Rafah is a gift to Hamas - Rani is still not home'

Talik Gvili, mother of Staff Sgt. Ran Gvili, the last hostage held by Hamas: 'It seems that the Americans believe Hamas. I am worried, but I remain optimistic.'

'We won'

Naama and Karina look back on their first moments of freedom

Naama Levy and Karina Ariev told Galei Tzahal that Hamas’s staged release ceremony felt empowering, as they recall captivity, survival, and ongoing rehabilitation.

Anger in Israel at US special envoy Steve Witkoff

Israeli official claims: “Witkoff pushed to bring our major rival Turkey to the border. The clock is ticking backward toward a confrontation with Turkey."

Hundreds at rally in Meitar: Without Ran, there's no 'stage two'

Hundreds of attendees at Meitar rally call for the immediate return of deceased hostage Ran Gvili and the completion of the first phase of the deal with Hamas.

Watch:

Bar Kupershtein on stage with Hatikva 6

At Hatikva 6's concert held at Hangar 11 in Tel Aviv, former captive Bar Kupershtein took the stage alongside lead singer Omri Glickman.

Ran Gvili's family urges Trump to place the pressure on Hamas

Family of Ran Gvili, the last hostage still held in Gaza, urges US President Donald Trump to place the pressure on Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stand firm and keep commitments.

Zamir to Gvili's parents:

'Full commitment to bring him home'

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir meets Ran Gvili’s parents after a Kabbalat Shabbat service calling for his return, reaffirming the army’s full commitment to bringing Ran home.

Will Rafah Crossing reopen? Israeli official: 'We'll discuss it'

Israel announced it will hold cabinet discussions next week on reopening the Rafah Crossing with Egypt, alongside efforts to determine the fate of the last Israeli hostage, Ron Gvili.

Rom Braslavski: He hit me like he was a Hamas operative

Hamas captivity survivor Rom Braslavski arrives at police station to give testimony after alleged attack by singer's boyfriend.

Watch:

UNRWA worker murdered his son, now he affixed a mezuzah on its HQ

After buildings in the UNRWA complex were demolished, Kobi Samerano, whose son, Yonatan, was abducted and murdered by a member of the organization, carried out a symbolic act of closure.

Trump:

'We think we know where Ran Gvili is'

US President says the location of the last remaining hostage in Gaza may be known.

After heated exchange

Singer apologizes to former hostage

Following the release of a contentious recorded phone call, Israeli singer Nasreen Kadri published an apology to captivity survivor Rom Braslavski after he alleged he was assaulted by her boyfriend.

Islamic Jihad knows where Ran is - but sets a condition

An Islamic Jihad spokesman claims the body of Ran Gvili is being held in a tunnel into which the IDF poured concrete.

'The nicest tunnel is here'

Matan Angrest returns to the soccer pitch

At Maccabi Haifa’s match against Maccabi Tel Aviv, captivity survivor Matan Agrest was honored on the field, as singer Benaia Barabi paid tribute and calls were renewed for the return of hostage Ran Gvili.

New details:

Boyfriend of famous singer suspected of assaulting ex-hostage

The police suspect that the partner of a well-known Israeli singer attacked former hostage Rom Braslavski at a Tel Aviv nightclub last night.

Yarden Bibas's heartbreaking message for Kfir

Captivity survivor Yarden Bibas published a personal post to mark the third birthday of his son Kfir, who was murdered in Hamas captivity.

'Am Yisrael Chai'

Freed hostage Omer Wenkert shares message of unity at IAC

At the IAC Summit, freed hostage Omer Wenkert shares his recovery journey and a message of hope and unity while urging continued efforts to bring the last hostage home.

Parents of Hostage:

'Don't leave Ran behind!'

The family of Ran Gvili, the last remaining hostage in Gaza, denounced Trump's push to begin the second phase of the Gaza plan as abandoning Israel's security.

Released hostage:

I agreed to die in Gaza so that Israel could destroy Hamas

Hamas captivity survivor Eitan Mor expresses support for his father's position, says he refused offer to spy for Hamas

Witkoff reveals:

'Trump shed a tear meeting freed hostages at the White House'

Speaking at the IAC National Summit, Witkoff says Trump shed a tear during the White House visit of 20 freed hostages, and reflects on his own personal loss and the meaning he found in helping their families.

Moving:

Sagui Dekel‑Chen and Idan Raichel together on stage in Florida

Former hostage survivor Sagui Dekel‑Hen opened the IAC Summit in Florida with a moving performance together with Idan Raichel. Watch.

Trump:

'Hamas must return the final hostage and disarm'

Trump announces Phase Two of his Gaza peace plan, backs a new Palestinian technocratic government, and demands Hamas disarm and return the final hostage’s body to Israel.

Trump Gaza plan:

WJC backs Phase Two, urges action to recover Ran Gvili

WJC praises US-led progress on hostage returns and Gaza ceasefire but says closure is impossible until Ran Gvili is brought home, urging continued pressure on Hamas as Phase Two of the plan begins.

Steve Witkoff announces

Moving to Phase 2 of Gaza peace plan

US Special Envoy says the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement will now begin even though Hamas has not fulfilled its obligations to return all of the hostages,

Report:

Trump to announce second phase of Gaza plan today

U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to announce the second phase, including international oversight and a Palestinian technocratic government, despite Hamas not releasing the hostage Ran Gvili.

Former hostage shares powerful story he learned from the Tanya

Former hostage Eitan Mor describes how a teaching from the Tanya helped save his life in Gaza, as he joined the family of fallen hostage Ran Gvili for a special Tanya printing ceremony.

Mother of Hostage:

'Only military pressure will bring Ran home'

The mother of Ran Gvili, the last hostage in Gaza, describes the struggle to bring back her son and expresses concern about the normalization of the current situation.

David Cunio:

'The thought of my family kept me alive'

Former hostage David Cunio recounts the terrorists’ abuse, the painful separation from his wife and daughters, and the emotions that surfaced upon returning home.

'We responded: Oh, cool'

How the hostages discovered that Sinwar had been eliminated

Emily Damari and Romi Gonen recount the moment they learned that the Hamas leader who orchestrated their abduction was killed by IDF troops.

'Ran must come first'

Meitar rally urges return of last hostage

Dozens gather in Meitar to demand the return of Ran Gvili, the final hostage whose remains are still held in Gaza, urging leaders not to advance any agreement until he is brought home.

'Even Likud is an option'

Hostage’s mother signals political ambitions

Einav Zangauker, mother of former hostage Matan and a leading voice for hostage families, says she’s considering entering politics, noting multiple parties have approached her.

Despite storm

Israelis unite for weekly Shabbat call to bring Ran Gvili home

Hundreds gather in Tel Aviv for a Shabbat service honoring Ran Gvili, the last hostage still held in Gaza, urging his immediate return and stressing that recovery cannot begin until he is home.

'I Knew We'd Be Free:'

Eli Sharabi's story of faith under Gaza

Former hostage Eli Sharabi shares how he is coping with loss, his faith in being freed, and his longing for life in Kibbutz Be'eri.