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Hostages in Gaza

News and updates about Hostages in Gaza

'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.

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

‘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.

Hamas hostage survivors speak out in NYC

Israeli official:

We're optimistic, but there was no breakthrough in Qatar

An Israeli official warned Hamas that if no progress is made in the negotiations shortly, Israel will intensify its operations in Gaza.

We're optimistic, but there was no breakthrough in Qatar

PMO admits:

Israel prepared to end war to return all hostages

Netanyahu's office admitted that the Israeli negotiating team in Doha is discussing the possibility of an agreement to end the fighting and release all the hostages while disarming Gaza and Hamas.

Israel prepared to end war to return all hostages

Watch:

Phone call between Edan Alexander & President Trump

Following his releade last week, Edan Alexander told President Trump, “You’re the only reason I’m here. You saved my life.”

Phone call between Edan Alexander & President Trump

Hamas downplays progress as hostage deal talks advance in Doha

New framework proposes immediate release of 10 hostages, ceasefire of up to two months; release of terrorists remains a point of contention.

Hamas downplays progress as hostage deal talks advance in Doha

Edan Alexander tells details of year of horror in Hamas captivity

Newly freed Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander describes brutal conditions in Hamas captivity, says photograph of his family meeting US President Donald Trump gave him hope.

Edan Alexander tells details of year of horror in Hamas captivity

Full scale ahead:

IDF broadens Gaza offensive, launches 'Gideon's Chariots'

IDF announces launch of Operation "Gideon's Chariots," expanding its Gaza campaign to seize strategic areas, defeat Hamas, and secure hostage release.

IDF broadens Gaza offensive, launches 'Gideon's Chariots'

Israeli official:

Gaza offensive to begin if no hostage deal reached in coming days

Senior Israeli official warns that if a hostage deal isn’t reached within days, the IDF will launch an offensive in Gaza with no pauses. While mediators proposed a new framework in Doha, Israel remains firm on the original Witkoff plan.

Gaza offensive to begin if no hostage deal reached in coming days

Hamas threatens to harden stance in future hostage negotiations

Hamas threatens to adopt a tougher approach in future hostage exchange talks, citing unmet conditions following its release of IDF soldier Edan Alexander, demands immediate aid to Gaza and a permanent ceasefire.

Hamas threatens to harden stance in future hostage negotiations

Hostage's father to UN:

'We're here with a message in the name of the deceased'

Ruby Chen, father of hostage Itay Chen, addresses the United Nations Security Council and says the UN cannot declare an end to the war in Gaza if all of the hostages are not returned.

'We're here with a message in the name of the deceased'

Doha pessimistic

Qatari PM blasts Israel's 'bad signal' on Gaza

Qatari PM Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani questions Israel's commitment to meaningful negotiation on a ceasefire, fails to mention Hamas’s previous refusal to release hostages.

Qatari PM blasts Israel's 'bad signal' on Gaza

Father of Golani soldier:

Edan Alexander stayed on base instead of my son, saving him

Simon, whose son served with Alexander in the Golani Brigade's 51st Battalion, revealed that his son got to stay home on the weekend of the massacre because Edan volunteered to remain on base.

Edan Alexander stayed on base instead of my son, saving him

Hamas won't rule Gaza

Witkoff's new hostage deal framework

Witkoff plan, backed by Trump and international mediators, seeks extended ceasefire and hostage release while excluding Hamas from future governance in Gaza.

Witkoff's new hostage deal framework

Former hostages to Netanyahu:

Don’t waste this Diplomatic momentum

Survivors of Hamas captivity appeal to Israeli leadership and US President Trump to sustain negotiations for the release of all hostages.

Don’t waste this Diplomatic momentum

Moving moment

Hostage's mother stops to hug son's picture in airport

Ditza Or, mother of abducted Avinatan Or, stops to hug and update his photo at Ben-Gurion Airport before departing to the US with Yesha Council Chairman Yisrael Gantz for an awareness campaign.

Hostage's mother stops to hug son's picture in airport

Douglas Murray to Arutz Sheva:

'No hierarchy of hostages, no excuse for antisemitism'

At the European Jewish Association (EJA) conference in Madrid, author and commentator Douglas Murray delivered a powerful defense of Israel's right to self-defense and condemned what he called the 'triple standard' applied to the Jewish state.

'No hierarchy of hostages, no excuse for antisemitism'

Released hostages and influential figures thank President Trump

Hostages and Missing Families Forum launch a campaign, with several released hostages, political voices, and media figures, to thank President Trump

Released hostages and influential figures thank President Trump

Report: Alexander’s release part of wider US-brokered ceasefire

Ceasefire, hostage releases, and indirect talks expected as part of emerging deal mediated in Qatar, report says.

Report: Alexander’s release part of wider US-brokered ceasefire

Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor awarded to German President

President Herzog awards Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor to German President Steinmeier, in a ceremony marking 60 years of diplomatic relations and highlighting moral leadership, solidarity, and and urgent need to bring all hostages home.

Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor awarded to German President

Hostage's sister gets engaged

Emuna Or, sister of Avinatan Or who is being held hostage in Gaza, is engaged to Mordechai Meir Noam Schreiber, 'We are praying that Avinatan will be here to dance with us at our wedding.'

Hostage's sister gets engaged

Steve Witkoff's touching gesture to released hostage

Steve Witkoff's touching gesture: President Trump's envoy presents precious keepsake to Hamas captivity survivor Edan Alexander

Steve Witkoff's touching gesture to released hostage

Freed hostage tells Trump: Life got better after election

Edan Alexander tells US President Trump his treatment improved significantly after the election, in first call following release from Hamas captivity.

Freed hostage tells Trump: Life got better after election

Alexander Family:

Witkoff was calling US officials at 3 AM to share the good news

Released hostage's father thanks US President Trump, urges continued negotiations to free remaining hostages.

Witkoff was calling US officials at 3 AM to share the good news

'Home sweet home'

Edan's first Instagram story after being released

Released hostage Edan Alexander posted a photo of him with the words: 'Home sweet home.'

Edan's first Instagram story after being released

Herzog to Edan Alexander:

'Welcome home, beloved son of Israel’

President tells released hostage, ‘You were in the hearts of half the world,’ and praises his family’s strength and resilience.

'Welcome home, beloved son of Israel’

Backchannel via Bahbah:

How covert talks freed Edan Alexander

Pro-Trump Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah reportedly served as key intermediary in covert talks with Hamas.

How covert talks freed Edan Alexander

Witkoff to families:

Trump will not tolerate anything less than full hostage return

US envoys Witkoff and Boehler meet with hostage families in Tel Aviv, affirm full US commitment to securing the return of all 58 hostages.

Trump will not tolerate anything less than full hostage return

Netanyahu to Edan Alexander: 'All of Israel embraces you'

Freed soldier Edan Alexander speaks with PM Netanyahu and President Trump after release from Hamas captivity; US envoy praises Israeli leadership in emotional exchange.

Netanyahu to Edan Alexander: 'All of Israel embraces you'

'A Beacon Of Hope':

Steve Witkoff visits Hostages Square after Edan's release

In a visit to Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff called the release of Edan Alexander “a beacon of hope” for the families of the remaining hostages and credited key international players for their roles in the breakthrough.

Steve Witkoff visits Hostages Square after Edan's release

Former NSA Chief:

Trump is a friend, not a messiah

Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Yaakov Amidror urges Israelis to rely on their own strength, says US support under Trump is welcome but limited by American interests.

Trump is a friend, not a messiah

Edan Alexander speaks with President Trump

Steve Witkoff and Adam Boehler meet Alexander at Tel Aviv’s Ichilov Medical Center, Witkoff praises his resilience and reaffirms US commitment to bring all hostages home.

Edan Alexander speaks with President Trump

'An Underground City:'

Former ISA official predicts years of fighting in Gaza

Following the release of Idan Alexander from Hamas captivity, former ISA field coordinator Ilan Segev warns that despite the joy, the road to rescuing the remaining 58 hostages is long and fraught with complexity.

Former ISA official predicts years of fighting in Gaza

Edan Alexander declines Qatar visit, plans to meet Trump in US

Released Israeli-American soldier cites medical needs after captivity; family says meeting with US President Donald Trump will happen later in the US.

Edan Alexander declines Qatar visit, plans to meet Trump in US

Burning questions unanswered

Unanswered questions about the Israeli Hostages, the Pope, President Trump, and Rabbis who do not seem to know what the Torah says. Op-ed.

Burning questions unanswered

Hamas:

'Release of Alexander a prelude to negotiations for ceasefire'

Senior Hamas official says the release of Alexander could advance a ceasefire, IDF withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the start of Gaza's reconstruction, and a "just" exchange deal.

'Release of Alexander a prelude to negotiations for ceasefire'

Kamala Harris:

'Edan is free — now free them all'

Former US Vice President welcomes Edan Alexander’s return, warns against complacency in efforts to return the remaining hostages.

'Edan is free — now free them all'

NJ Governor:

‘Our prayers have finally been answered’

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Senator Andy Kim welcome Edan Alexander’s release from Hamas captivity, expressing relief and gratitude for the Tenafly native’s safe return after 19 months of uncertainty.

‘Our prayers have finally been answered’

Watch:

Alexander family recites ‘Shehecheyanu’

Edan Alexander reunites with his family upon arriving at Ichilov Hospital. His family recites the Shehecheyanu blessing.

Alexander family recites ‘Shehecheyanu’

First hug

Edan Alexander's moving reunion with his family

Footage shows the moving moment released American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander reunited with his family in Israel.

Edan Alexander's moving reunion with his family

American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander arrives in Israel

Accompanied by IDF forces, hostage Edan Alexander has crossed into Israel, where he will undergo initial medical examinations and meet his family.

American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander arrives in Israel

Footage from Gaza:

Commander of Edan's brigade announces his release

The commander of the Golani Brigade, where Edan served when he was abducted, notified his troops of the hostage's release.

Commander of Edan's brigade announces his release

'Held In A Cage':

Edan Alexander shares torturous conditions of his captivity

After 584 days in captivity, IDF soldier and American citizen Edan Alexander has returned to Israel, offering a chilling testimony of his ordeal in Gaza.

Edan Alexander shares torturous conditions of his captivity

Watch:

Edan's mother speaks to him for the first time after his release

The IDF has released footage of the moment US Envoy Steve Witkoff handed Yael Alexander the phone to talk to her son after being released from Hamas captivity. 'You are strong. You are protected. You are home. We will meet soon. I love you.'

Edan's mother speaks to him for the first time after his release

Herzog and German Chancellor watch release of Edan Alexander

At the end of their meeting, the Israeli President and the Chancellor of Germany watched together the release of Edan Alexander, after 584 days in Hamas captivity.

Herzog and German Chancellor watch release of Edan Alexander

Watch:

Family of Edan Alexander celebrates release from Hamas captivity

The Alexander family was seen celebrating shortly after news broke that Edan had been transferred to the Red Cross following a year and a half in captivity.

Family of Edan Alexander celebrates release from Hamas captivity

Father of Hostage:

'I have no expectations from Trump'

Tzvika Mor, father of hostage Eitan Mor, warns of political manipulation, partial deals, and misplaced trust as global attention returns to Gaza.

'I have no expectations from Trump'

Former senior Mossad official:

'Hamas will remain in Gaza - there is no magic solution'

Dr. Amnon Sofrin estimates that the many declarations that Hamas will be destroyed completely are likely to fall short of the truth.

'Hamas will remain in Gaza - there is no magic solution'

Netanyahu to Trump and Witkoff:

'Negotiations will only be conducted under fire'

Prime Minister Netanyahu met with US Envoy Steve Witkoff and US Ambassador Mike Huckabee and spoke with US President Donald Trump ahead of the release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander.

'Negotiations will only be conducted under fire'

Watch:

Residents of Edan Alexander's hometown wait for his release

Residents of Tenafly, New Jersey, the hometown of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, gathered in the early morning hours to wait for his expected release.

Residents of Edan Alexander's hometown wait for his release

Watch:

US Hostage Envoy on plane with Edan Alexander's mother

While flying to Israel for the release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, Adam Boehler insisted that 'the President cares very much about all of you. So I am here, and I am getting the hostages back.'

US Hostage Envoy on plane with Edan Alexander's mother

Hostage's mother: Edan Alexander's release 'only the first step'

Families of hostages deliver press statement at Hostages Square, sharing their feelings as news of hostage Edan Alexander's release becomes official.

Hostage's mother: Edan Alexander's release 'only the first step'

IDF preparing for release of Edan Alexander from Hamas captivity

Staff Sgt. Edan Alexander to be brought to Re'im upon release from Hamas captivity, footage will be released only with the family's permission.

IDF preparing for release of Edan Alexander from Hamas captivity

Minister Eli Cohen:

Hamas' fear of escalation led to hostage release

Energy Minister Eli Cohen credits IDF pressure and US diplomacy for the expected release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, warns against temporary truces that allow Hamas to regroup.

Hamas' fear of escalation led to hostage release

Hamas to release hostage Edan Alexander today

Hamas due to release Israeli-American soldier, for the first time as part of direct negotiations with the US. Israel warns: 'If more hostages are not released, we will launch a broad operation.'

Hamas to release hostage Edan Alexander today

Promise to Hamas:

'Give Trump a gift, he'll give you a bigger gift in return'

AP source says Hamas waiting to see what US President will give in return for their gesture, hoping for end of war.

'Give Trump a gift, he'll give you a bigger gift in return'

PM's Office:

'Alexander's release - thanks to the vigorous policy we led'

Prime Minister's Office: Edan Alexander will be released without concessions, no commitment to ceasefire or terrorist release.

'Alexander's release - thanks to the vigorous policy we led'

Assessment in Israel:

Edan Alexander to be released this afternoon

Family of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander says US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff has notified them that Hamas will release him from captivity. Senior Hamas official: We were advised to “give a gift to President Trump and in return he will give back a better one.”

Edan Alexander to be released this afternoon

Pope Leo in first address:

'Deeply hurt by goings on in Gaza, ceasefire now’

In his first public address, Pope Leo XIV expresses deep pain over the violence in Gaza, urging an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages.

'Deeply hurt by goings on in Gaza, ceasefire now’

'A goodwill gesture'

Qatar, Egypt welcome release of Edan Alexander

Qatar and Egypt say that the release of Edan Alexander is a "goodwill gesture" toward reviving ceasefire talks.

Qatar, Egypt welcome release of Edan Alexander