Hostages in Gaza

Hamas official: We gave up demand IDF leave Gaza

An official from Hamas told the Washington Post that the terrorist organization is showing greater flexibility in ceasefire talks, dropping demands such as a complete end to the war.

American leaders join call for release of hostages

Leading figures from business, academia, and media have united in a powerful campaign advocating for the release of all 100 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza since October 7, 2023, including seven American citizens.

Biden:

'I will not stop until I get every single hostage home'

President Biden hosts reception at the White House ahead of Hanukkah: The trauma of October 7 and its aftermath are still raw and ongoing.

Netanyahu meets Trump's hostage envoy

Israeli PM meets Adam Boehler, Trump's pick for Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, in Jerusalem as President-Elect says he is working to free the hostages.

IDF:

This is why the hostages' symbol appeared in the sky this morning

Airplane's trails in the shape of the hostages' symbol, seen in the sky this morning, were caused by a routine Israeli Air Force mission, according to an IDF investigation.

Trump:

'We're trying to help get the hostages back'

US President-Elect mentions efforts to free the hostages held in Gaza and his warning that they must be released by his inauguration, and does not mention ceasefire, in remarks to press.

Defense Minister:

Vast majority will support a deal, we're closer than ever

Defense Minister Israel Katz confirms prisoner swap deal with Hamas 'closer than ever,' stresses that 'it's better to speak less.'

Hamas official: Ceasefire deal closer than ever

Hamas official tells Saudi news outlet that a ceasfire-prisoner swap deal is 'closer than ever,' claims 'main obstacle is Israel and Netanyahu.'

IAF pilot behind tribute to hostage above Israel

The IDF says that the ribbons in tribute to the hostages seen in the skies above Israel on Monday morning were drawn by an Air Force jet.

Hamas insisting on release of fewer hostages

Israel willing to compromise on several issues but not on the number of hostages to be released, report says.

Hostage ribbon seen in skies over Israel

Planes that flew over Israel used their trails to 'draw' ribbons in solidarity with the hostages in Gaza.

Talks on hostage deal

Sources: An agreement could be finalized in the coming weeks

Sources involved in the negotiations between Israel and Hamas over the release of hostages in Gaza tell Haaretz that the final number of hostages to be freed as part of the humanitarian phase of the deal remains uncertain.

Watch:

Rabbi Yaakov Ariel recites Kaddish prayer in Nir Oz

Senior religious Zionist rabbis toured the Gaza envelope and called for a deal to release the hostages that would not harm Israeli security.

Hostage families in Central Park:

'Biden, Trump, seize opportunity to bring hostages home'

Protesters gathered in Central Park to call on President Joe Biden Biden and President-Elect Donald Trump to seize the opportunity to seal the deal and bring the hostages home.

Netanyahu:

'I spoke to Trump about the need to complete Israel's victory'

The Prime Minister reemphasized that Israel does not seek confrontation with Syria: 'We will decide Israel's policies on Syria based on the reality on the ground.'

Hostage's mother:

'Netanyahu lied to me, I will be your worst nightmare'

Einav Zangauker, mother of Matan who is being held hostage in the Gaza Strip, lashes out at Netanyahu during rally in Hostages Square in Tel Aviv.

Released hostage:

'A partial deal is a hole in this nation's heart'

At the Hostages' Families Rally at Hostages Square, families emphasize: 'There will be no victory until the last hostage returns! We demand a deal that will guarantee the return of all hostages home!'

Report:

Israel opposes release of archterrorist Marwan Barghouti

Arab reports say Israel refuses to include archterrorist Marwan Barghouti in prisoner swap deal with Hamas. 'Israel has alternative lists.'

Hamas publishes video of unidentified hostage

Hamas released a video purporting to show the body of a kidnapped person, and stated that the fate of one of them was "unknown".

Talks on hostage release deal:

'Cautious optimism that an agreement can be reached'

Palestinian Arab sources express cautious optimism about the chances of reaching understandings that could lead to a deal. Israeli official: An agreement within a month is not unreasonable.

John Kirby:

'No one is coming to rescue Hamas'

White House National Security Communications Adviser says the toppling of the Assad regime should send a signal to Hamas that it needs to move forward with a hostage release deal: Given where they are and how weakened they are, this is the moment to make this deal.

Shas chairman Deri:

'Make a hostage release deal at any cost'

Deri later clarifies his comments: I did not say at any cost. I said that we can make an immediate deal for the release of the hostages because Hamas is under a lot of pressure.

Report:

Hamas moves towards compromise on hostage deal

The group has indicated that it could agree to a deal in which Israeli troops would remain in Gaza.

In meeting with hostages' families

House Speaker Johnson stresses critical need to free the hostages

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson meets with hostage families in Washington, D.C., reaffirms both the current and incoming administrations’ commitment to securing the release of all hostages.

Gallant after meetings in US:

Hostage deal will lead to peace with Saudi Arabia

Former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said that there is an opportunity to bring home the hostages, and connected it to peace with Saudi Arabia which would 'change the face of the Middle East.'

Min. Katz to Sec. Austin:

'Chance now for deal to return all hostages, including Americans'

Defense Minister Israel Katz tells US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin: "The zero-tolerance policy towards violations of the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon will continue."

In meeting with Jake Sullivan:

Hostages' families stress need for coordination with Trump’s team

Families of American hostages in Gaza meet with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who reaffirms the administration’s steadfast commitment to working with Trump and his team to secure the safe release of all hostages.

Parents of Omer Neutra:

'Now that we've learned he is gone, our struggle isn't over'

Orna and Ronen Neutra, parents of the late Omer Neutra, spoke at Hostages Square today: "We will fight until we can bring Omer to a proper burial in Israel and return all the hostages home."

Report:

Hamas provides list of hostages it holds

According to Saudi reports, Hamas provided mediators a list of hostages it holds.

Hostages Families Forum UK:

Messages of hope and determination for release of all hostages

Hostage Families rally at three London Embassies on World Human Rights Day in plea for intervention in releasing the 100 hostages held in Gaza.

John Kirby:

'Hamas continues to be ‘the main stumbling block to a deal'

John Kirby, White House NSC spokesperson, insists that Biden administration is working on the issue, but 'there is no update on the efforts to secure a hostage release and ceasefire deal in Gaza.'

Freed hostage meets Trump, pleads with him to free hostages

Hamas captivity survivor Judith Raanan met with President-Elect Trump and made an emotional plea: "Please do everything possible to bring the 100 hostages home."

Noa Argamani:

'Doctors say I experienced a medical miracle'

President Herzog meets doctors, mental health experts and families to discuss hostages' medical condition. Noa Argamani speaks about her injury in captivity.

President Herzog:

'There is global convergence on prioritizing a hostage deal

President Isaac Herzog hosted an emergency meeting with medical experts focusing on the dire situation and deep concern for the well-being of the hostages.

Bezalel Smotrich:

'Take civil control over Gaza from Hamas'

Minister Smotrich conveys message to IDF: 'If someone in the General Staff's senior command does not know how to do this, or is unable to, they should step down.'

Hostages' families:

Every hour the Prime Minister spends in court hurts the hostages

Tikva Forum for the families of hostages urges Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara: 'Every hour dedicated to legal proceedings comes at the expense of bringing hostages home and the chance that a deal will succeed.'

Families of hostages march in DC, call for loved ones' release

Families of hostages and supporters march in Washington, D.C. demanding an immediate deal for the release of the hostages after 430 days in Hamas captivity.

Report:

Hamas passes Israel names, medical condition, of hostages

Arab media outlet reports progress in negotiations for ceasefire-prisoner swap deal which would span two months and include four hostages who hold US citizenship.

Father of hostage:

'Force Hamas to return the hostages in one deal'

Tzvika Mor, father of Eitan who is being held captive in Gaza, speaks after meeting between Netanyahu and hostages' families: We are not willing to accept a deal in parts, we will not accept selection among Jews after the Holocaust.

Watch:

The moment Einav saw video of abducted son

Moments before the rally for the hostages in Tel Aviv, Einav Zangauker watched the video released by Hamas of her son Matan,

Trump:

'The war must end, but Israel must win'

US President-elect Donald Trump told Meet the Press that he does not believe that many of the hostages in Gaza are alive: 'I hate to say it, I think you have far fewer hostages than people think.'

Bereaved families to PM:

'No to reckless deal; yes to a responsible one'

Bereaved families of the Gvura Forum demand that Prime Minister reach a deal that preserves war achievements and enables defeat of Hamas.

Report:

Hamas beginning to show flexibility in negotiations with Israel

A senior Hamas official claims his organization has shown a willingness to be flexible on its demands in an attempt to reach a ceasefire agreement.

Hostages families:

'Netanyahu told us the time has ripened for a hostage deal'

Representatives of the Hostages Families Forum met with Prime Minister Netanyahu who expressed optimism for the chances of reaching a deal to free their loved ones.

Arab report: Hamas attempting to locate living hostages

Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani says there is 'new momentum' in negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and the Hamas terror group in Gaza.

Hamas publishes sign of life from hostage Matan Zangauker

Hamas publishes footage from hostage Matan Zangauker, family approves video's release.

Why not a State Commission of Inquiry for October 7th?

It is absolutely necessary to investigate what led to the enormous failure in which so many of the citizens of the State of Israel were tortured, murdered and taken hostage. But who should investigate and when? Opinion.

In Kibbutz Nir Oz

Minister Strock meets freed hostage

Minister Orit Strock visits Kibbutz Nir Oz and meets with the leadership and the residents: Together we will rebuild the kibbutz.

Ambassador Jack Lew:

'Hamas is to blame for the fact that there's no hostage deal'

US Ambassador to Israel tells Kan 11 News that Hamas is responsible for the fact that no agreement for a hostage release has been reached, but says some of Israel’s actions 'shifted the focus from Hamas in a way that’s not helpful.'

Hamas:

'Military pressure will result in the deaths of hostages'

In a statement, Hamas terrorist organization claims that "Netanyahu is directly responsible for the deaths of the hostages because he failed to reach an agreement."

Brother of hostage:

'I will not celebrate my Bar Mitzvah until my brother returns'

Ziv Braslavski, brother of Rom who is being held hostage in Gaza, speaks to Arutz Sheva-Israel National News about his relationship with his brother and about the deep void he feels in his heart.

Special interview

Mark Levin: 'Trump would like peace, but he will protect Israel'

Broadcaster and author Mark Levin speaks with Arutz Sheva about Donald Trump's plans for the Middle East once he takes office and the dangerous rise in antisemitsim in the US and the world.

Egypt proposes new ceasefire plan

Egypt has tabled a new proposal for a phased cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip, involving an Israeli military withdrawal from Rafah and a temporary ceasefire lasting 60 days.

Report:

Israel presented Hamas with updated proposal for hostage deal

The proposal includes a potential ceasefire lasting between 42 and 60 days and the release of all surviving female hostages, all men over the age of 50, and hostages in critical medical condition.

Rescued hostage Luis Har:

'My views have completely changed since I was kidnapped'

Luis Har, who was rescued from the heart of Rafah in a heroic operation, speaks about the harrowing experience of being held captive by Hamas and about how he has changed since the ordeal.

Report:

Qatar resumes role as mediator in hostage deal talks

Sources tell Reuters that Steve Witkoff, Trump's incoming Middle East envoy, has initiated diplomatic efforts to broker a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release agreement and has met with the prime ministers of both Qatar and Israel.

IDF Spokesman reveals:

The inhumane conditions in which murdered hostages' were kept

IDF Spokesman Daniel Hagari revealed footage of the conditions in which six hostages who were murdered during the summer were held.

'You were a big brother'

Noa Argamani parts from Itay Svirsky

Noa Argamani, who was held in captivity for part of the time with Itay Svirsky, lamented his death: 'We didn't think for a moment that this is how you would return to Israel.'

Cleared for publication:

Body of hostage Itay Svirsky recovered from Gaza

The body of hostage Itay Svirsky, who was kidnapped on October 7, has been recovered from the Gaza Strip, it was cleared for publication Wednesday evening.

Report:

Hamas gives instructions to 'neutralize' the hostages

Terror group's leaders instruct those holding hostages captive in Gaza to 'tighten' living conditions of the captives and 'neutralize' them if rescue appears close at hand.