Hostages in Gaza

Leah Goldin:

'Hadar returned whole, I touched his hand'

Leah Goldin described the emotional reunion with her son Hadar after his body was returned from Hamas captivity, saying it brought a sense of calm and victory after 11 years.

Captivity survivor's direct message to ex-captors

Rom Braslavski posted a video in which he addresses the terrorists in Gaza in Arabic and declares: 'You won't break our spirit.'

The Chief Rabbi's emotional meeting with Ran Gvili's parents

Rabbi David Yosef met with the parents of the last remaining hostage in Gaza.

Last hostage's mother:

'Don't rebuild Gaza before Rani comes home'

Talik Gvili demands a halt to all progress in Gaza until her son is returned. Minister Smotrich vows, 'We will not open Rafah until Ran comes back.'

'What am I doing in Gaza?'

Keith and Aviva Siegel share their harrowing captivity story

Speaking at Limmud Festival in Britain, Keith and Aviva Siegel recount their abduction and captivity. Aviva: I said to myself, ‘You're going to go through worse’.

Segev Kalfon fights for his life again

Segev Kalfon, a survivor of Hamas captivity, gave an interview to the AP News Agency, where he spoke about the things he did to please his captors and the violence he endured while in captivity.

After two years:

Hostages Families Forum concludes operations

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, created immediately after the October 7th Massacre, has ended its work, but stressed: 'Our mission will not be complete until Ran Gvili returns for burial in Israel."

The cry of Rani’s father: Don't say 'may God avenge his blood'

Itzik Gvili, father of Rani who was abducted to Gaza, recounts meetings with Trump: “We believe he will return.”

Trump to Gvili family:

'I'm doing everything I can, and I will bring Ran home'

The Gvili family meets Netanyahu and Trump, urging renewed efforts to bring home Ran Gvili’s body from Gaza, emphasizing that Israel’s recovery and justice depend on returning all hostages.

Family of Ran Gvili meets Trump team

Gvili family meets with Witkoff, Kushner, and Rubio ahead of President Trump meeting; Officials say bringing Ran home is President Trump’s top priority.

Bereaved families to Trump: Ensure Hamas' total destruction

Bereaved families pen letter to US President Donald Trump, demanding he not compel Israel to progress second stage of Gaza ceasefire until Hamas is completely destroyed and the last hostage returned.

Hamas captivity survivors announce engagement

Matan Zangauker and Ilana Gritzwesky, both survivors of Hamas captivity, announce engagement. 'This is my victory.'

'They told me my wife was dead'

Elkana Bohbot’s testimony of atrocities in captivity

Former hostage Elkana Bohbot reveals the severe abuse he endured, including humiliation, curses, and the terrorists’ repeated wishes for the death of his young son.

'Guys, this is victory'

Emily Damari raises her injured hand in Amsterdam

Emily Damari, a survivor of captivity in Gaza who was wounded on October 7, photographed by the river in Amsterdam - the same site where Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were attacked a year ago.

Hostage Meets Trump:

Eliya Cohen visits Mar-A-Lago

During a shared meal, Cohen recounted to Trump the details of his captivity and the importance of publicizing his story, and he thanked him for his efforts on behalf of Israel.

'No phase two without Ran':

Families demand return of last hostage before next step

Hundreds join a moving Kabbalat Shabbat in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, urging unity and demanding Hamas return Ran Gvili, the last Israeli hostage whose body remains in Gaza.

Captivity survivor:

Rabbi Druckman’s teachings gave me strength during captivity

Hamas captivity survivor Agam Berger describes how she miraculously received a prayer book and summary of Rabbi Haim Druckman's book during her time in captivity. 'It came at the moment when I did not expect it, and gave us strength.'

Romi Gonen reveals:

'The terrorist put a gun to my head and threatened me'

Former hostage Romi Gonen speaks publicly for the first time about the assaults she endured in captivity. President Herzog: “This is sexual violence and a systematic attempt to crush the soul.”

Hamas:

'We will continue searching for the body of Ran Gvili'

A senior Hamas official says the search for the last hostage’s body is ongoing and promises it will be transferred to Israel once accurate information about its location is obtained.

Bereaved families demand:

No rebuilding of Gaza before Hamas defeat, last hostage returned

During a protest held this evening by bereaved families outside the cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, the demonstrators called on the prime minister not to yield to pressure.

Watch:

Captivity survivor and war widow in moving duet

Freed hostage Agam Berger duets with war widow Rachel Goldberg in moving performance at educational conference.

Captivity survivor:

'Hamas admits that the protests helped them'

Hamas captivity survivor Eitan Mor reveals Hamas' military knowledge, stresses, 'They know more than most soldiers.'

'Ceasefire can't advance until Ran returns home'

Talik Gvili, mother of Ran Gvili, the last remaining hostage in captivity, gave a statement alongside Dalia Cunsir Horn, sister-in-law of captivity survivors Iair and Eitan Horn, calling the US and Israel not to forget Ran.

AI:

Hostage Ran Gvili addresses President Trump in AI video plea

An AI video shows hostage Staff Sgt. Ran Gvili personally appealing to Trump to bring him home from Gaza. 'I’m asking you to see this through… bring me home before it's too late.' His mother described hearing his voice as 'both emotional and sad.'

Criminal investigation:

Health clinic employee attempted to access ex-hostage's records

Israel’s Privacy Protection Authority concluded a criminal investigation into a clinic employee who tried to access a former hostage’s medical file without authorization, citing serious privacy violations.

Last hostage:

Israel gave critical information on the burial place of Ran Gvili

Israeli security officials assess Hamas knows which terrorists hold information on Ran Gvili’s burial site but is refusing to interrogate them, with Israel avoiding their elimination to preserve the chance of his return.

Crowds light eighth Hanukkah candle at Hostages Square

Crowds gathered with menorahs to light the eighth Hanukkah candle at Hostages Square to call for the return of Ran Gvili, the last remaining deceased hostage in Hamas captivity.

Minister Eli Cohen

'Only we can disarm Hamas'

Minister Eli Cohen, a member of the political and security cabinet, estimates that Israel will have to be the one to disarm Hamas.

Watch: Captivity survivor Eitan Mor lights Hanukkah candles

Hamas captivity survivor Eitan Mor lights Hanukkah candles with Israel's 'Meet the Press,' led by journalists Amit Segal and Daphna Liel.

Turning Point Conference:

Omer Shem Tov reveals the Psalm that helped him in captivity

When there was nothing else left to hold on to in the tunnels of Gaza, Omer Shem Tov found a card with a Psalm that gave him strength to survive.

Segev Kalfon recalls: How I sewed kippahs in captivity

Former hostage Segev Kalfon recounts the harrowing moments in the tunnels - sewing kippahs for fellow captives from a torn galabiya - and his longing for his parents’ bakery during Hanukkah.

Hostage's sister to UN

'Don't leave my brother' behind

Shira Gvili, the sister of Ran Gvili, the last hostage still being held in Gaza, came to the UN today to say that Ran must return home now.

Watch: Freed hostages come full circle in moving candle-lighting

Brodetz family experiences emotional moment at Schneider Children's Medical Center, lighting Hanukkah candles in the same room where they were hospitalized following their release from Hamas captivity.

Einav Zangauker:

'I want to be among the country’s decision-makers'

Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan was freed from Hamas captivity after two years, speaks about the possibility of entering politics: “We will not sit quietly and wait for elections.”

'Ran Gvili. He's still there!'

Trump forgets hostage in Gaza, bereaved father calls him out

During a Hanukkah reception at the White House, President Trump said all hostages had been returned from Gaza, before a bereaved father noted that Ran Gvili remains held by Hamas.

'We got all of them'

Trump honors hostages at White House Hanukkah celebration

At a White House Hanukkah party, Trump praises hostage families; Ronen Neutra, father of deceased hostage Omer, reminds everyone that Ran Gvili remains in Gaza.

Shin Bet Director:

Abduction threat increased due to hostage deal

Shin Bet Director David Zini warned that terror organizations were motivated by the hostage deal to continue abducting Israelis.

Ex-hostage Eli Sharabi meets Biden, thanks him for his support

Former hostage Eli Sharabi meets Joe Biden at a Philadelphia Eagles game, thanking him for efforts in hostage release and support for Israel.

Ex-hostage Omer Shem Tov:

'Trump’s victory struck fear in Hamas tunnels'

Omer Shem Tov, held 505 days by Hamas, says Trump’s election struck fear in captors: “I saw the fear in their eyes.”

Netanyahu:

'Safest place in the world for Jewish people is Israel'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara light first Hanukkah candle with Israel Police officers, family of last remaining hostage Ran Gvili. 'Safest place for Jewish people is where the government, army, & security forces will defend them.'

Captivity survivors

'We stand with the Jewish community, you stood with us'

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum expressed solidarity with the Australian Jewish community following the deadly mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney.

Former hostages to Netanyahu:

'Establish a state commission of inquiry or step down'

On the 800th day since the October 7 massacre, some 200 former hostages and families of hostages call on the Prime Minister to establish a state commission of inquiry or vacate his position.

Testimony from captivity: The terrorist and the propaganda

Eitan Mor, who returned from captivity in Gaza, reveals that a Hamas interrogator asked him for advice on how to draw more people to the Saturday night demonstrations at Hostages Square.

Footage of the Beautiful Six

Captivity survivor Eliya Cohen: 'It burns the heart'

Former hostage Eliya Cohen watches footage of six hostages murdered in captivity, tells of his parting from three of them. 'The terrorists told Ori, Almog, and Hersh that they were going home to their mothers.'

Hamas terror group passes the buck

Hamas sources claim fallen Yasam officer Ran Gvili was buried in eastern Gaza but cannot be located due to the elimination of those involved.

Israel hands mediators names, maps to locate Ran Gvili

Israel gives mediators names of Islamic Jihad terrorists and maps to locate Ran Gvili, stressing no progress in talks or deal will occur until his return.

Last hostage’s father:

'For me, until I get him back - he is alive'

Families gather for Shabbat at Hostages Square, vowing not to forget Ran Gvili, the last remaining hostage.

How Pinocchio encouraged Yosef Haim in captivity

Yosef Haim Ohana told Kan Reshet Bet that the Pinocchio theme song became his daily source of strength in Hamas captivity, offering light amid torture, starvation and fear.

Eitan Mor recounts:

'I accepted the fact that I will die in Gaza, it helped me live'

In an interview with Makor Rishon, former hostage Eitan Mor details his abduction, the severe starvation in Hamas tunnels, and the moments of faith that helped him survive.

The full documentation:

How the six hostages held on to hope

Additional footage found in the Gaza Strip shows the six hostages who were murdered in the tunnel, embracing, wishing each other a Happy New Year, playing games, cutting hair, and lighting Hanukkah candles.

'The Beautiful Six'

Families of the six hostages reflect on Hanukkah captivity video

The families of six murdered hostages share an emotional response to footage showing their loved ones lighting Hanukkah candles in captivity, emphasizing their strength, unity, and humanity.

Israeli officials

'We're investigating leads on the burial location of Ran Gvili'

Israeli security officials have begun looking into initial leads on Ran Gvili's burial site, saying phase 2 of the ceasefire agreement depends on his return.

Chilling video

6 hostages light Hanukkah candles in captivity

Newly published footage reveals the six hostages who were murdered in August 2024 lighting Hanukkah candles and singing in a captivity tunnel in Rafah.

Maxim Herkin undergoes circumcision after release from Gaza

Chief Rabbi of Russia, Rabbi Berel Lazar, blessed Herkin and gave him the name Zalman‑Zelig in memory of his maternal grandfather. At the same ceremony, he also put tefillin on him for the first time.

Shocking:

Father of Noa Marciano reveals how she was murdered

Avi Marciano, the father of IDF lookout Noa Marciano, who was abducted from the shelter at the Nahal Oz outpost on October 7, recounts for the first time how his daughter was murdered in Hamas captivity.

Times Square campaign

'We do not forget Ran Gvili for a single moment'

Israeli Consulate in New York launches a campaign for the release of the last hostage held by Hamas. Akunis: “We do not forget Ran Gvili, a hero of Israel, for a single moment.”

Chilling footage

Six hostages light Hanukkah candles in Hamas captivity

New recordings to be revealed on the TV program “Uvda” will provide a glimpse into the lives of six hostages before they were murdered in Hamas captivity during the war.

Eitan Mor's first account of captivity

Captivity survivor Eitan Mor tonight (Tuesday) publicly recounted for the first time the two difficult years he spent in Hamas captivity.

Israel bids farewell to slain Thai hostage Sudthisak Rinthalak

A ceremony was held at Ben Gurion Airport ahead of the repatriation of the body of Sudthisak Rinthalak, who was murdered by Hamas terrorists near Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7th and abducted to the Gaza Strip.

US Ambassador meets family of last remaining hostage

Ambassadors Mike Waltz and Danny Danon met with the family of Ran Gvili, the last hostage held captive by Hamas since the October 7 terror attacks.