Hostages in Gaza

After Trump ultimatum

Hamas: We won’t give Israel excuses to resume war

Hamas says it won’t provoke Israel as it searches Gaza for hostage bodies, in comments coming after Trump demands all bodies be returned within 48 hours.

Hamas official: Return of hostages' bodies a matter of 'months'

Moussa Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas official, insists Hamas has no more hostages to hand over, claims transfer of remaining 13 hostages' bodies could take 'months.' 'This is not a matter of weeks.'

Trump gives Hamas 48-hour deadline

US President Donald Trump urges Hamas to promptly return the bodies of deceased hostages, including two Americans, warning that failure to comply could prompt international action. 'I am watching this very closely.'

Hostage's mother:

Matan bears scars of heroism on his body

Anat Angrest, mother of Hamas captivity survivor Matan Angrest, says her son came home with scars from Hamas' abuse, but he wants to join IDF, bring hostage Itay Chen home.

Following US pressure:

Egyptian team to help locate hostages' bodies

Egyptian team to enter Gaza, help locate deceased hostages' bodies, as US prevents Israel from taking steps to punish Hamas for delay.

Despite hostage delays

Officials: Phase 2 of Hamas ceasefire deal 'very likely'

Israeli officials say Phase 2 of the Hamas ceasefire deal is likely, despite Hamas stalling on return of remaining bodies of hostages.

'Thank you for not giving up'

Omri Miran sends first message

Hostage survivor Omri Miran sent his first message 10 days after returning home, expressing pride in the army, its fighters, and commanders despite the pain and tragedy he endured.

'From here, only good things'

Captivity survivor Alon Ohel discharged from hospital

A week and a half after being released from Hamas captivity, Alon Ohel returns home, 'So I can continue my life and achieve my goals.'

Israeli official:

Hamas unsure of locations of five hostages' bodies

Hamas 'playing games' to avoid entering second stage of Trump deal, which requires disarming, Israeli official says.

Israel preparing to receive bodies of two hostages

Sources in Israel's defense echelon estimate Hamas may transfer Israel bodies of deceased hostages over the weekend, following pressure from the US and Israel.

Israel to VP Vance:

'Hamas can return hostage bodies without foreign help'

Israeli officials brief Vice President Vance, saying Hamas can recover hostages’ bodies without international aid and is exploiting the ceasefire to regroup, undermining progress under the Trump framework.

Where 1 hostage was held

Report: 12 Soldiers killed in Gaza due to “attack-free zone”

In southern Gaza, there were areas the IDF avoided entering or striking due to assessments that hostages were being held there. Hamas exploited this immunity, repeatedly launching attacks from those locations. According to estimates, around 12 soldiers were killed in terror operations originating from an area where only a single hostage was held.

Selfie with 'my partner'

Eitan Mor's humorous reaction to abductor's elimination

Captivity survivor Eitan Mor posted a light-hearted Instagram story after learning that his abductor was eliminated.

IDF confirms:

The score has been settled

The IDF and Shin Bet confirmed the elimination of eight Hamas terrorists who infiltrated Israel on October 7, including those responsible for the abductions at the Supernova Music Festival.

‘She said yes!’

Freed hostage Eliya Cohen fulfills promise to propose

Months after surviving Hamas captivity, Eliya Cohen proposed to his girlfriend Ziv Abud - who fought tirelessly for his release - in an emotional rooftop ceremony in Tel Aviv.

With song and dance

Captivity survivor Matan Angrest leaves the hospital

Just over a week after being released from Hamas captivity, Matan Angrest celebrates his discharge from the hosptial, removing the poster with his picture from his parents' car.

'You have returned home'

Tamir Adar laid to rest two years after defending his kibbutz

Tamir Adar, who gave his life defending his community during the October 7th attack, was laid to rest in the kibbutz where he was born, raised, and built his family.

Hamas accuses: Israel to blame for delay in bodies' transfer

Hamas spokesman Ismail Radwan accuses Israel of obstructing recovery of hostages’ bodies, says terror group determined that ceasefire succeed.

'You can rest now, you're safe'

The heartbreaking eulogy of Ela for Tal Haimi

At the Nir Yitzhak Cemetery, thousands accompanied Tal Haimi to his final resting place after his body was returned from Gaza after 2 years.

Emotional:

Captivity survivor Yosef Chaim Ohana returns home

Yosef Chaim Ohana returned to his home after 2 years in Hamas captivity, and before joining the celebrations, he removed the poster that had identified him as a hostage.

Emotional

Twins who survived Hamas captivity put on tefillin

Gali and Ziv Berman, who were released last week from Hamas captivity, put on tefillin today. Ziv noted that it was his first time since his bar mitzvah.

Watch:

Miriam Adelson's emotional meeting with captivity survivors

President Isaac Herzog brought together Dr. Miriam Adelson, who has worked extensively for the return of the hostages, with former hostages Matan Angrest and Segev Kalphon.

Murdered Nepali hostage laid to rest in hometown

23-year-old agricultural student Bipin Joshi, who was murdered in Hamas captivity, was laid to rest in a traditional Hindu cremation ceremony in Nepal after his body was returned from captivity.

'Thanks to you, I returned'

Watch: Captivity survivor Maxim Herkin in uniform once again

Captain (Res.) Maxim Herkin addressed an IDF ceremony wearing an IDF uniform, just over a week after being released from Hamas captivity.

Herzog to Vance:

‘Your visit is a brick toward building peace’

President Isaac Herzog met US Vice President JD Vance in Jerusalem, thanking him and President Trump for their efforts to advance peace and expressing hope for the swift return of all hostages.

Mark Levin:

Hamas must be destroyed, and only Israel has the guts to do it

Phase 2 of the Mideast peace plan was never intended to be so amorphous as to allow Hamas to do as it pleases. Opinion.

Bodies of hostages Arie Zalmanowicz and Tamir Adar returned

Hamas returns the bodies of Arie (Zalman) Zalmanowicz and Tamir Adar. The terrorist organization still holds the bodies of 13 hostages.

Released hostage's brother:

'Avinatan has not changed, he only got stronger'

Moshe Or says his brother, released from Hamas captivity, 'wants to make up for the lost years, travel, catch up with family and friends, and reconnect with the world that was left behind.'

Hamas says it will return bodies of 2 hostages tonight

The coffins are to be handed over to the Red Cross by 9:00 PM (Tuesday). Israel is preparing to receive the bodies and identify them.

'At last, I'm here'

Hundreds celebrate return of freed hostage Avinatan Or to Shiloh

Freed hostage Avinatan Or received a hero’s welcome in Shiloh as hundreds of residents lined the roads with flags, songs, and prayers to celebrate his return after two years in Hamas captivity.

'Crushing, truly unbearable'

Murdered hostage Ronen Engel laid to rest

Convoy of dozens of motorcyclists led the funeral procession, honoring Ronen’s life, courage, and spirit as family, friends, and supporters came together to pay their final respects.

Ben-Gvir:

'Terrorists will continue to receive absolute minimum conditions'

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir defended the treatment of security prisoners despite allegations that it made Hamas abuse the hostages.

Witkoff and Kushner meet with newly released hostages

US Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with hostages released from Hamas captivity last week, who thanked them for their instrumental role in securing the deal that brought them home.

'Coming Home'

Emotional Yiddish cover marks hostages’ long-awaited homecoming

Hassidic singer and rapper Mendy Twerski performs a stirring cover of the pop song 'Coming Home' in Yiddish, marking the return of the remaining hostages from Hamas captivity.

Tal Haimi's widow: 'We have reached a sad closure'

Ela Haimi, wife of Tal Haimi, Nir Yitzhak’s rapid response commander murdered by Hamas on October 7th, said her husband’s return brings 'real closure' and urged an end for all hostage families.

Body of murdered hostage Tal Haimi returned to Israel

Body of hostage Tal Haimi, killed while defending Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak on Oct. 7, returned to Israel. Haimi leaves behind a wife and four children.

Watch:

Captivity survivor Bar Kupershtein comes full circle

Bar Kupershtein, a captivity survivor, is released from the hospital and meets with singer Yagel Oshri to sing "Getting Out of Depression," a song that accompanied him during his time in captivity.

Hamas: Efforts ongoing to return bodies of hostages

A spokesperson for the terrorist organization claims it remains commited to return all the bodies of Israeli hostages in accordance with the ceasefire agreement.

Witkoff recounts personal bond with Hamas terrorist leader

In a 60 Minutes interview, US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner described an emotional moment with Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya in Egypt, as the envoy and terrorist bonded over the loss of their sons.

Israel preparing to receive body of deceased hostage

Israel preparing for possibility Hamas will return body of a deceased hostage on Monday night.

Sister of freed hostage Evyatar David: I can’t believe he’s home

Yeela David, sister of freed hostage Evyatar David, shares an emotional message from Beilinson Hospital, thanking supporters and urging continued efforts to bring home the remaining hostages.

Heartwarming reunion

Watch: Tal Shoham surprises fellow former hostage

Former hostage Tal Shoham meets for the first time with Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Evyatar David, with whom he was held together, in an especially emotional reunion.

Watch:

Ravid Plotnik sings with freed hostages

Israeli singer and rapper Ravid Plotnik visits Beilinson Hospital, speaks with survivors of captivity and joins them in an emotional rendition of the lyrics: “Yesterday was yesterday, today is a new day.”

Released hostage's mother:

Avinatan is stronger in spirit and more determined than ever

Ditza Or, mother of Hamas captivity survivor Avinatan Or, speaks to the media about her son's condition following his release from Hamas captivity.

Watch: Chief rabbi dances with freed hostages

Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi Kalman Ber visits released hostages in Tel Hashomer Hospital, stressing mutual responsibility to bring the deceased hostages home for burial.

Watch: Ariel Cunio returns to Nir Oz community

Hamas captivity survivors Ariel Cunio and partner Arbel Yehud arrive at their home in Kiryat Gat, to live in temporary residences intended for the Nir Oz community; their community is on hand to greet them.

Hamas: We located the body of a hostage, will return him tonight

The murderous terrorist organization announced that it has located the body of another kidnapped civilian and will hand it over this evening (Sunday) "if conditions permit."

Watch:

Uriel Baruch laid to rest

Uriel Baruch laid to rest after his body was returned to Israel in the hostage deal.

IDF confirms:

Body of Thai farmhand Sontaya Ukkharsri returned to Israel

The second body returned on Saturday night was identified as that of Thai citizen Sontaya Ukkharsri, who was murdered in the fields of Be'eri on October 7th, 2023.

Hostage survivors speak out:

'Our new life starts now!'

Hostage survivors David and Ariel Cunio in their first public message: 'In the most difficult moments in captivity, we felt that you were fighting for us. That you were not giving up.'

Keith Siegel:

Matan Angrest and I were held in a small, dark room

Keith Siegel looks back at his time in captivity with newly released hostage Matan Angrest. 'We kept each other strong, we laughed together.'

Former hostage:

'I fasted on Yom Kippur time and was released from captivity'

Hostage survivor Eitan Horn tearfully recounts how he decided to fast on Yom Kippur, for the first time in his life, and was released from Hamas captivity less than two weeks later. Watch

Bodies of two hostages returned

Kibbutz Nir Oz announces: Body of Ronen Engel returned

Hamas transfers bodies of two hostages to the IDF via the Red Cross. One is confirmed to be Ronen Engel of Kibbutz Nir Oz, killed defending his family during the October 7 terror attack.

Einav Zangauker blames Netanyahu for failures

Einav Zangauker, mother of freed hostage Matan, delivers speech at Hostages Square rally, thanks the nation, praises the soldiers, but also condemns the government, and pledges to continue to fight.

Hamas threatens to delay deceased hostages' return

'Closing Rafah Crossing will delay transfer of additional deceased hostages,' Hamas threatens.

Fallen soldier's sister: 'This is the last battle'

Ayelet Goldin, sister of fallen IDF soldier Hadar Goldin, whose body has been held in Gaza since 2014, says she is 'terrified of the day they'll say, 'We did everything.''

Together again:

Omer and Tal meet their newly-released friends

Hamas captivity survivors Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Evyatar David reunite in Beilinson Hospital with friends Tal Shoham and Omer Wenkert, who were released earlier this year from Hamas captivity. Watch.

Alon Ohel plays the piano again

Instagram account 'Alon is home' publishes photo of Hamas captivity survivor Alon Ohel playing on a piano brought to the hospital especially for him.

Body of Eliyahu Margalit returned to Israel

Eliyahu Margalit, 75, was murdered during the October 7 massacre in Kibbutz Nir Oz and his body was kidnapped to Gaza.

Hamas hands over body of deceased hostage

Hamas says it found a hostage’s body in Gaza, hands it over to Red Cross, which will then hand it over to IDF troops. Hamas continues to fall short of ceasefire terms requiring return of all hostages.