Hostages in Gaza

PM:

'Progress in talks on hostage deal, we are climbing to victory'

Netanyahu addresses Knesset session initiated by opossition, criticizes Lapid for calling for 'war' against govt. 'What does war mean? Are you declaring war on your brothers?'

Smotrich:

'A partial deal would mean abandoning dozens of hostages'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich addressed the issue of hostages, emphasizing unity and criticizing the opposition for divisive rhetoric.

Official source denies:

Israel won't agree to withdraw from 'most' of Philadephi Corridor

Egyptian channel reports Israel agrees to withdraw from most of the Philadelphi Corridor for a hostage deal. A reliable source denied the report, saying 'one must not forget that we are dealing with monsters.'

Hostage's mother: My son began observing Shabbat in captivity

Shelly Shem Tov, mother of Omer who was kidnapped in Gaza, describes how she heard from other hostages about her son's strengthening faith.

Smotrich:

'A ceasefire that means an end to fighting is a loss'

Minister Bezalel Smotrich meets bereaved families and says: "A responsible deal is one in which all the hostages are returned."

Inside op. in which hostage Sahar Baruch was killed

Terrorists waiting for IDF rescue team opened fire immediately when the rescuers opened the door, leading to fierce gunfight in which Sahar was killed and 2 soldiers seriously wounded.

Permissible to kidnap soldiers?

Police investigate MK Tibi for incitement

MK Ahmad Tibi's statement that kidnapping women and children is wrong but kidnapping soldiers is different to be investigated.

Prayer for the hostages

In collaboration with the Young Israel of Scarsdale, Mordy Weinstein is back with a touching music video for "Prayer for the Hostages."

Netanyahu:

'Gantz, who can't help, should at least not hurt'

Prime Minister Netanyahu's staff have denounced the accusations that he is deliberately hampering a hostage deal.

Benny Gantz:

'Netanyahu is intentionally hampering a hostage deal'

National Unity leader Benny Gantz criticized the Prime Minister as trying to prevent a hostage deal for political reasons.

Comparing hostages, 1981 and now

One of the greatest differences between the coverage of the hostages held in Iran 45 years ago for 444 days and of the hostages in Gaza today is that no one was on Iran's side then, while many are on Hamas's side today. Tomorrow marks day 444 for hostages in Gaza.

Prof. Aumann:

Hostage families' campaign only raises their price

Prof. Robert Aumann expressed anger over the campaign by the families of the hostages, called to embrace them but not to agree to all deals, and wants to see Jews returning to settle Gaza.

Senior government official:

The hostage deal is partial - unclear if it will continue

A senior political official sent messages to the families of hostages who are not expected to be included in the first round of the deal saying there is no guarantee that it will continue to the next round.

PA official:

'Talks on ceasefire deal are 90% complete'

Palestinian Arab official tells BBC that if solution is found to unresolved issues, the parties could agree on a three-stage ceasefire within days.

Hamas passes Israel list of terrorists to be freed in swap deal

Israel presents Hamas with a list of 34 hostages to be released in the first stage of a deal, 'including 11 who do not meet the criteria. Hamas agreed - in exchange for special compensation.'

TV host fired for being pro-Israel visits Nir Oz

Erin Molan, a pro-Israel host who was fired by Sky News Australia, recently visited Nir Oz - one of the towns targeted by the Hamas invasion, which killed nearly a quarter of its population.

'An Innocent Mistake:'

IDF invites family of hostages to ceremony for bereaved families

The parents of Nimrod Cohen, a missing soldier, received an invitation for a bereaved families' event despite several signs of life from their son.

Hostages' families:

We demand a deal that will ensure the return of all hostages

Families of hostages oppose partial deal, stress, 'We demand a deal that leaves no one behind!'

Diplomatic source:

Archterrorist Marwan Barghouti won't be released

Head of Fatah's Tanzim group says archterrorist Marwan Barghouti at top of Hamas' list of terrorists to be freed in a prisoner swap deal; diplomatic source says Barghouti won't be freed.

Arab report: 'Cautious optimism' for ceasefire deal

Negotiators for ceasefire-prisoner swap deal between Israel and the Hamas terror group report 'significant progress' in reaching two-stage deal, Lebanese outlet reports.

Netanyahu:

'I will not agree to a deal that will end the war'

Netanyahu said he would not agree to end the war before eliminating Hamas. 'We will not leave them in power in Gaza, 50 kilometers from Tel Aviv. It will not happen.'

Talks on hostage deal

Israel demands that 'heavy' freed terrorists be expelled abroad

Sources with knowledge of the details say Israel has demanded that “heavy” terrorist prisoners who would be released as part of the upcoming hostage release deal be expelled abroad, rather than be transferred to Judea and Samaria.

Report:

Signs of life received from several hostages

Channel 12 News reports that several families of hostages being held in the Gaza Strip recently received signs of life from their loved ones, after a lengthy period during which almost no such signs were received.

Families of hostages:

'Not in a month - now!'

Families of the hostages have urged both the Trump and Biden administrations, as well as the Israeli government, not to wait for Trump's inauguration to secure a prisoner exchange deal.

Hostage's mother:

'National unity is my obligation to my daughter'

Meirav Leshem Gonen, mother of hostage Romi, tells Arutz Sheva about her work trying to bridge the gaps in the approaches to hostage negotiations.

Can You Hear Me?

Powerful social experiment in New York highlights hostage crisis

Visionary filmmaker Jonathan Dekel created an underground experiment to see if he could make people care about the 100 people who are held hostage underground in Hamas tunnels, 7 of whom are Americans.

Blinken:

'Hamas knows the cavalry’s not coming to the rescue'

Secretary of State expresses optimism that a hostage release deal can be achieved. "If Hamas really purports to care about the Palestinian people, they will say yes and do it now."

Hamas sources:

Disagreements remain on two issues critical to prisoner swap deal

'Excellent' progress on ceasefire negotiations, only two key issues remain, Hamas sources tell Lebanon's Al-Akhbar.

Hamas official:

We're close to an agreement to end the war in Gaza

Hamas official says agreement between Israel and Hamas is in the final stages, after the sides succeeded in reaching agreements on most of the issues causing disagreement.

MK Avichay Buaron:

'It is impossible to end the war without destroying Hamas'

Likud MK Avichay Buaron expresses his position on the proposed hostage release deal: The fundamental understanding is that the hostage deal cannot be tied to the destruction of Hamas.

Smotrich warns:

'Releasing hundreds of terrorists will rehabilitate Hamas'

Minister Bezalel Smotrich explains his opposition to the hostage release deal in its current form: "Releasing hundreds of terrorists who will rehabilitate Hamas' leadership is very bad."

Blinken:

'Saudis even more convinced of the need for a Palestinian state'

US Secretary of State tells Foreign Affairs magazine that Hamas has been more productive on getting a ceasefire and hostage release deal done "because they’ve seen that the cavalry is not coming to the rescue."

Congressional press conference calls for release of hostages

Hostage family members and female leaders of the US Bipartisan Women’s Caucus hold joint press conference urging the immediate Release of All Hostages.

Danon to Iranian people:

Don't miss historic opportunity, People of Israel stand with you

Israeli Amb. to the UN Danny Danon tells UN Security Council the time to act is now to 'prevent a nuclear Iran and define the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization.'

Chief of Staff in Rafah:

'We're pressuring Hamas every day to return the hostages'

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi holds situational assessment in Gaza, says communities near Gaza are 'coming back to life.'

Hostage's brother to UNSC:

'Your silence is deafening, your inaction is suffocating'

Michael Levy, brother of Or Levy, becomes first family member of a hostage held in Gaza to address the UN Security Council, criticizes UN for failing to act to bring the hostages home.

Smotrich:

Deal would be 'serious mistake,' now's the time to crush Hamas

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich slams proposed prisoner swap deal, stressing that it won't bring back all the hostages. 'Hamas is at its lowest point, this is not the time to throw them a lifeline.'

Biden:

'I spoke with Netanyahu and we’ll speak again'

US President when asked if he would speak with Netanyahu about a potential ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza before he leaves office: I spoke with him and we’ll speak again.

Report:

Breakthrough in normalization talks with Saudi Arabia

According to the report, Crown Prince bin Salman shows no interest in recognizing a Palestinian state, but wants to appease public opinion in his country.

"They Must All Return":

Hamas captivity survivors deliver powerful testimonies

"They Must All Return": Released Hamas hostages speak out while their loved ones remain in captivity.

Bereaved father initiates ‘Shabbat for the Hostages’

'We must do everything we can to bring the hostages back home. We must remember that praying is important, but actions are what's needed,' says bereaved father, Zvi Zussman to Arutz Sheva.

PA official reveals outline of hostage deal

According to a PA official who spoke with the BBC, the ceasefire deal being worked on would see all hostages released in 2 phases and a complete end to the war in phase 3.

PMO denies Netanyahu headed to Cairo for ceasefire talks

Prime Minister's Office issues denial after Reuters report of a dramatic development in hostage and ceasefire talks could signal that a deal may be signed in the coming days.

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!'