Hostages in Gaza

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.

Trump picks Adam Boehler as Envoy for Hostage Affairs

During Trump's previous term, Boehler worked as a lead negotiator on the Abraham Accords team, Trump noting: 'Adam will work tirelessly to bring our great American citizens home.'

IDF investigation:

Hostages whose bodies were recovered were murdered by captors

The IDF found that six hostages whose bodies were recovered in August were most probably murdered in captivity, but did not rule out the possibility that they were killed as the result of an airstrike.

Danielle Aloni:

'They tried to convince me to leave Emilia in Gaza'

Danielle Aloni, who was kidnapped to Gaza together with her daughter Emilia and released in a November 2023 prisoner swap deal, talks about the conditions of their captivity and the pressure for her daughter to remain behind in Gaza.

NYC:

Mayoral employee who tore down hostage posters suspended

Following outcry, Nallah Sutherland, an employee of the office of NYC Mayor Eric Adams, who was filmed throwing posters of Israeli hostages in the trash, suspended from her position.

Netanyahu:

'Trump ultimatum puts onus on Hamas where it belongs'

PM thanks US President-Elect for 'strong statement' warning of serious consequences if the hostages are not released by January 20.

BBC names hostage's mother among 100 most influential women

Einav Zangauker, the mother of 24-year-old hostage Matan Zangauker, named as 1 of the 100 most influential women in the world in 2024 for her activism on behalf of the hostages by the BBC.

Hamas:

'Hostages were killed because of Netanyahu'

Hamas released another propaganda video on Telegram aimed at pressuring Israel to soften its stance in ceasefire negotiations and prisoner exchange deals.

Smotrich:

Trump made 'clear and morally sound statements'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich thanks US President-elect Donald Trump for clarifying that Hamas will suffer a heavy blow if Israeli hostages are not returned prior to Inauguration Day.

Mother of hostage Keith Siegel passes away

The mother of Keith Seigel, who was held captive in Gaza for 424 days, passed away before her son could return from captivity.

US Ambassador to the UN:

'We will continue to push for the release of hostages'

US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield issues statement after announcement that US citizen Omer Neutra was murdered on October 7 and his body is held in Gaza: A few months ago, I had the chance to meet Omer's parents, who made it their life’s mission to share his story and push for his return. May his memory be a blessing.

The day after the war:

Fatah, Hamas agree on independent committee to govern Gaza

Breakthrough in talks between Fatah and Hamas that may advance the possibility of reaching an agreement for a ceasefire and hostage release deal.

Graham responds to Trump:

'Well said, I hope people in the Middle East are listening'

Senator Lindsey Graham welcomes Trump’s threat that “there will be hell to pay” if the hostages held by Hamas are not freed by the time he takes office on January 20: Let’s end this madness now.

Hostages' families thank Trump:

'The time has come, we must bring them home now'

Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters responds to Trump's warning that “there will be hell to pay” if the hostages are not freed by January 20: We call on both the current and incoming US administrations to act without delay.

Family of Omer Neutra:

'Heavy grief, leadership will be revealed in actions and results'

Hours following the announcement that their son, who was kidnapped on October 7, was also killed that day, the family of Omer Neutra call on leaders to rise to the occasion and show the same leadership Omer showed.

Trump threatens:

'If hostages aren't free by Jan. 20, there will be hell to pay'

US President-Elect issues warning to Hamas that there will be consequences if it does not free the 101 hostages still held in Gaza by the time he takes office next month.

Hostage's mother to Keir Starmer:

'UK needs to help us free hostages now, not in words, in action'

Mother of British-Israeli Hostage Emily Damari pleads with UK Prime Minister to act for the immediate and unconditional release of all of the hostages.

On day of funeral:

NY Gov. Hochul orders flags at half-staff for Omer Neutra

After confirmation that Omer, a lone soldier from Long Island, was killed on October 7, New York Governor Kathy Hochul orders all flags at state facilities to be flown at half-staff on the day of his funeral.

Biden 'devastated, outraged' at killing of US citizen Omer Neutra

US President reacts to announcement that Captain Omer Maxim Neutra, a lone soldier from the US, was killed on October 7th and that his body has held by Hamas in Gaza ever since.

'Left his home to defend Israel'

Mourning Omer Neutra

Israel's leaders and officials expressed deep sorrow following the announcement that Captain Omer Maxim Neutra, a lone soldier from the US, fell on October 7th and his body is being held by Hamas in Gaza.

Hostage Omer Neutra declared fallen IDF soldier

Captain Omer Maxim Neutra, lone soldier from New York, served as a tank commander in the IDF. He was kidnapped to Gaza during the October 7 massacre, and was recently declared dead.

Over a thousand rally in New York, demanding action for hostages

Adi Alexander, father of Edan Alexander, urges US President Biden, President-elect Trump, and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu: 'This is a moment for courage, collaboration, and decisive action.'

Edan's mother:

'The video was heartbreaking, but it was a good sign of life'

Yael Alexander, whose son Edan was the subject of a recent Hamas video proving he is still alive, spoke with Arutz Sheva about the ordeal facing her and her family.

Herzog to mother of hostage:

'Time to finalize deal, bring the hostages home'

Less than a day after a video was released showing Edan Alexander held hostage by Hamas terrorists, President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal met this morning, Sunday, with his family.

Ben-Gvir's ultimatum on 'unacceptable' hostage deal

National Security Minister calls terms of hostage deal being discussed 'irrelevant' and warns that 'the prime minister very much does not want Otzma Yehudit to leave the government.'

NYC:

Mayoral employee filmed ripping down hostage posters

Nallah Sutherland, an employee of the office of NYC Mayor Eric Adams, given 'slap on the wrist' after being filmed tearing down posters of Israeli hostages and assaulting the person filming her.

A year after being freed

Little Emily takes the stage at Hostages' Square

Emily Hand who was freed from Hamas captivity in a hostage release deal a year ago: I know how it feels to be there, so I don't even want to imagine what they are going through now.

Senator Graham:

'Trump is interested in a hostage deal before he takes office'

Senator Lindsey Graham tells Axios US President-elect is keen on achieving a ceasefire and hostage agreement in Gaza before his inauguration on January 20.

White House:

War in Gaza would end tomorrow if Hamas released hostages

Video of hostages Edan Alexander a 'a cruel reminder of Hamas’s terror against citizens of multiple countries, including our own,' White House statement reads.

Mother of British hostage:

'UN resolution would've been a death sentence for our loved ones'

'If UN & other international organizations had done their jobs, our loved ones would be home by now. Instead, we get excuses, fake support, & empty promises,' Mandy Damari, mother of British-Israeli citizen Emily Damari, says at Sha'ar Hanegev rally.

Edan's mother:

Netanyahu told me that conditions are right to bring them home

Following the release of the Hamas video of hostage Edan Alexander, his mother spoke at a rally in Tel Aviv about her conversation with Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Psychological terrorism:

In Hamas video, American-Israeli hostage speaks to Trump

Idan Alexander, an immigrant from New Jersey, was kidnapped from the Kissufim Crossing by Hamas terrorists, and has been held captive in Gaza ever since.

Kenneth Roth calls need to liberate hostages 'utter irrelevancy'

Former Human Rights Watch director defends ICC warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant by calling the hostages and Israel's right to self defense "utter irrelevancies."

Netanyahu:

'Conditions to bring hostages home have improved'

Prime Minister stated that the threat on the northern border has been removed and the residents of northern Israel will return 'when they feel it correct.'

Mia Schem gets engaged a year after being released from captivity

Mia Schem got engaged to her partner Yinon Hason almost exactly one year after being released from Hamas captivity.

Study reveals:

Released hostages suffer severe ongoing health challenges

1 year after the first hostage deal, study by the Health Team of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum finds former hostages suffer malnutrition, untreated fractures, nerve damage, long-term disabilities, PTSD, and accelerated aging.

Egypt's proposal:

Temporary ceasefire with hostage release

Egyptian intelligence delegation proposes ceasefire-prisoner swap deal lasting one or two months and including hostage release, talks to end war.

Report:

Egyptian delegation to visit Israel for talks on Gaza deal

Source in Israel denies reports that an Egyptian security delegation will travel to Israel on Thursday in an effort to reach a Gaza ceasefire deal.

Report

Biden told Netanyahu: Let’s get the hostages

Axios reports that Biden emphasized to Netanyahu that, following the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, the priority should now shift to securing the release of hostages and achieving a ceasefire in Gaza.

Welfare Minister:

'There will be no rehabilitation without the hostages returning'

Minister Yaakov Margi visits kibbutzim evacuated after October 7, promises to continue assisting the residents.

Ben Gvir to hostage families:

'I'm not prepared to have another 1000 Sinwars'

Representatives of the hostage families confront Minister of National Security | MKs Meirav Cohen and Shelly Tal Meron were removed from session.

Father of Hostage:

Stop Netanyahu trial to recover hostages

Gilad Korngold, father of hostage Tal Shoham, urges the entire country to focus on rescuing the hostages, before anything else.

Labor Minister:

'The hostages are the nation's biggest wound'

Labor Minister Yoav Ben Tzur calls to increase diplomatic and military pressure to bring hostages home. 'Time is running out.'

Moving:

What will the hostages' return look like?

A year after the implementation of the previous hostage deal, the Hostages Families Forum published a moving video depicting family members of those still in captivity celebrating upon hearing of their release. The video is followed by the tagline: 'An entire nation is waiting.'

President Herzog:

'Every day hostages do not return, we have failed'

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has called on his government to enhance efforts to free hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, emphasizing the critical need for their immediate return.

Netanyahu vows:

'None of Rabbi Zvi Kogan's murderers will get away'

PM at Cabinet meeting expresses 'deep outrage – on behalf of myself, all members of the Government, all citizens of Israel and the entire Jewish people – over the abduction and murder of Zvi Kogan.'

Trump and the hostages

How will the incoming president handle the remaining hostages in Gaza - including several American citizens?

Hamas publishes footage which seems to show murdered hostage

'We are examining the information, and at this stage, we cannot confirm or refute it,' IDF spokesman says.

Amb. Danon to Arutz Sheva:

'Boycott the ICC, and anyone who cooperates with it'

Israel's ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, tells Arutz Sheva that Israel must take punitive action against the ICC, the Palestinian Authority, and anyone who cooperates with the arrest warrants.

Senior defense official:

Hamas gave up on a major demand, it wants a deal

The deal would be a 'humanitarian' one and would include the release of hostages, a 42-day ceasefire, the release of terrorists, and other heavy prices that Israel would have to pay.

Award-winning actor:

'Let everyone in Gaza die of hunger until the hostages come home'

Israel should have paused all humanitarian aid to Gaza at the start of the war in order to release all the hostages, Israeli actor Uri Gavriel says.

ISA head to hostage families:

Protests might toughen Hamas position

Hostage families asked Bar about holding demonstrations against government ministers' claims that they were undermining negotiations. 'This could toughen Hamas' positions,' he said.

State Department spokesman:

'UNSC resolution didn't link hostage release to a ceasefire'

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller explains that the US chose to veto resolution calling for ceasefire in Gaza because it failed to link between a ceasefire and a hostage release.

Yelena Troufanov:

'Sasha is my soul; without him, I have no life'

Yelena Troufanov celebrated her son Sasha's birthday, the second while he is still held captive by Hamas: 'He is my heart, my soul, my entire life. Without him, I have no life.'

Netanyahu in Gaza:

'Hamas won't be here, we'll hunt anyone who harms hostages'

PM and Defense Minister visit soldiers in the Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza, says Hamas governing capabilities are being dismantled along with its military capabilities.

410 days in Gaza:

'We didn't tell Mom Shlomo was a hostage until the day she died'

Shlomo Mansour, 86, one of the founders of Kibbutz Kissufim, was taken hostage by Hamas. His family hid the kidnapping from his 100-year-old aunt to avoid distressing her.

Biden at G20:

'Increase the pressure on Hamas, which is refusing a deal'

US President urges G20 leaders to intensify efforts to pressure Hamas into agreeing to a ceasefire with Israel.

'Look me in the eye'

Watch: Freed hostage challenges UCLA protest leader

Newly published video from event held last June in Los Angeles shows Moran Stela Yanai, who was kidnapped by Hamas and released 54 days later, directly addressing pro-Palestinian Arab activist Aidan Dewolf.

ISA director visits Turkey to discuss hostage deal

ISA director Ronen Bar met last Saturday with his Turkish counterpart, Ibrahim Kalin. The two discussed the possibility of Ankara renewing the negotiations for a hostage deal.

Netanyahu Confirms:

'We hit a component related to Iran's nuclear program'

Prime Minister Netanyahu has publicly confirmed for the first time that Israel's attack damaged the Iranian nuclear program.