Swords of Iron

The Cruel Game Hamas is Playing

Hamas' taking of 240 hostages and refusal to free them has backfired on this cruel terrorist organization. Op Ed

Hamas holding bodies of 3 soldiers in Gaza

For the 1st time, the IDF confirms that the bodies of soldiers killed on October 7 are being held hostage in Gaza.

Soroka Medical Center:

Condition of released 84 year old hostage improving

Hospital confirmed improvement in condition of 84 year old hostage released from Hamas captivity in serious condition.

Aunt of 10-month-old hostage: Hamas, are these your enemies?

Bibas family demands Hamas return baby, toddler who were kidnapped on October 7. 'We don't know who comforts them when they cry.'

Chief of Staff:

"IDF is ready today to continue fighting"

Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said that the return of the hostages is a silver lining and that the IDF is ready to continue fighting

Gantz admits: 'Haredi budget is small; visibility is important'

Minister Gantz admitted that Haredi teachers budget is negligible compared to the war budget, but "it is important that justice be seen"

Freed hostage's aunt:

'Hamas forced 12-year-old to watch films of the horrors'

Aunt of 12-year-old Eitan Yahalom says Hamas 'monsters' threatened any child who cried with rifles, forced them to watch videos of Oct. 7.

Terrorists violate ceasefire, detonate explosives and open fire

Several soldiers hurt after 3 explosives detonated next to IDF soldiers in Gaza, terrorists open fire on troops. Hamas denies responsibility

Teenage siblings freed to find their mother was murdered

Two teens kidnapped by Hamas have only just learned that their mother was killed during the invasion.

Father of freed hostage:

'I asked Emily how long she was in Gaza: She said a year'

Thomas Hand, father of 9-year-old Emily, describes how traumatic her 50 days as a hostage of Hamas were to CNN.

Family of missing man learns he was murdered

Family of Ravid Katz, father of three missing since October 7, learns of his death.

Analyst: 'Hamas is functional - we need to destroy it'

Analyst Zvi Yehezkeli discusses temporary ceasefire, deal to free hostages: 'Hamas is managing things, wants ceasefire as long as possible.'

United Hatzalah holds mass casualty training in Arab village

United Hatzalah Muslim volunteers oin IDF and hold training drill simulating missile attack in Kafr Qassem.

A first hug from Mom:

Renana Gome hugs sons following their release from captivity

Renana Gome publishes photograph of herself with sons Yagil and Or, after their release from Hamas captivity.

Daughter of freed hostage:

'My mother arrived on the brink of death'

Elma Avraham 'lived independently, cooked for herself, and took care of all her needs - she did not have to return this way,' daughter says.

Watch:

Freed hostage Eitan Yahalomi reunites with his mother in Israel

IDF spokesperson publishes footage from the moving moment when Eitan Yahalomi, 12, reunites with mother Batsheva upon his return to Israel.

Prof. Yisrael Aumann:

'Media campaign is raising the price of our hostages'

Prof. Aumann warns that the hostage deal may have been made too quickly, and says that the campaign must focus on the international opinion

Watch:

Children released from Hamas captivity meet their family dog

Uriah, Yuval and Ofri Brodutch reunite with pet Rodney at Schneider Children's Medical Center, following their release from captivity.

British newspapers call for return of infant held by Hamas

The front pages of British newspapers today featured Kfir Bibas, a baby less than a year old kidnapped by Hamas.

Hostage relative thanks Biden and Macron

Ido Dan, relative of Sahar and Erez Kalderon, who were freed from Hamas captivity, thanks Biden & Macron, brokers Qatar & Egypt for support.

Minister Orit Strock:

'The deal may be bad, but it is a necessary evil'

Settlements Minister Orit Strock explains why she voted in favor of the deal despite her opinion against prisoner exchange deals

Daughter of released hostage:

Mother didn’t receive medication, she overcame a major trauma

Carmit Palty Katzir, daughter of released hostage Chana Katzir, says, 'Mother didn’t know Father was murdered and her son kidnapped.'

'A great relief'

How one hostage sent regards to his family

Alex Danzig, a Polish-Israeli historian held hostage in Gaza, sent a message to his family in Israel.

Freed hostage's testimony:

'We slept on chairs, it was stuffy'

78-year-old Ruti Munder, who was held captive for 50 days with her daughter and grandson, speaks about her experience.

The hostages' conditions:

No shower, a piece of pita as food

The freed hostages are beginning to tell their stories to their families and reveal the conditions of their captivity.

'One quarter of Kibbutz Nir Oz was abducted or murdered'

Kibbutz Nir Oz welcomes return of 11 hostages from the Kibbutz: The fight will continue until the last hostage is returned.

11 Israeli hostages, 6 Thai hostages return to Israel

9 children and 2 women have been handed over to the IDF and have entered Israel after over 50 days in Hamas captivity.

BBC:

Hamas practiced for three years, 1 km from Israel

A new BBC report gives chilling details on the scope of the intelligence failure that allowed Hamas to invade Israel.

German rabbis show solidarity in Israel visit

Senior German rabbis visit devastated southern Israel, survivors in hospitals, displaced Israelis in hotels following Hamas massacre.

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar met with captured Israelis in Gaza

One of the released Israelis claims that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar met her in person in Gaza, promising 'Nothing will happen to you.'

Red Cross receives 4th group of freed hostages

9 children, 2 mothers on their way home as ceasefire extended for 2 days, allowing for release of 20 more hostages.

Family devastated: Four relatives will not be freed in exchange

The Bibas family will not embrace their relatives Yarden, Shiri, four-year-old Ariel, or ten-month-old Kfir, as all four remain captive.

Elon Musk: 'No choice but to kill those who insist on murder'

Elon Musk met with President Isaac Herzog and laid out three things he believes Israel must do in Gaza.

Qatar:

Ceasefire extended for 2 days, 20 more hostages to be freed

Ceasefire originally scheduled to end tomorrow morning extended until Thursday as final 11 hostages from original deal set to be released.

'Our government is not in control of prisoner exchanges'

The brother of one of the hostages criticizes Israel for being 'a passive party' in the prisoner exchange deal.

Egypt: Agreement on 2-day ceasefire extension close

Egyptian govt. says Hamas will release 20 more hostages in exchange for 2 more days before the fighting resumes.

CNN: Over 40 hostages held by others, not Hamas

According to foreign sources, dozens of hostages are being held by Islamic Jihad or individual Gazans not affiliated with terror groups.

Report:

4th hostage release delayed due to Hamas violations of agreement

Hamas reportedly reduces number of hostages to be released on the final day of the ceasefire from 13 to 11, including 9 children.

Daughter of freed hostage:

Red Cross refused to take medication for my mother

Daughter of Elma Avraham, 84-year-old in serious condition, says Red Cross refused to accept medication to pass to her mother.

Elon Musk:

'Terrorists must be neutralized then there can be a good future'

Elon Musk spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after visiting one of the sites of the Hamas massacre.

German Pres. President Steinmeier visits Kibbutz Be’eri

President of Germany announces €7m funding to rebuild Kibbutz Be'eri art gallery. 'Even in these days we’re thinking to the future.'

Raids deep in terror tunnels:

A look into the activities of the Shaldag Unit

The Israeli Air Force's special operation unit has been fully active since the beginning of the war, both inside Israel and the Gaza Strip.

Israeli President, First Lady meet their son, who fought in Gaza

During a visit to Kibbutz Be'eri, Israel's Pres. Herzog & wife Michal meet their son, who was called up for reserve duty on October 7.

The first hug:

Avichai Brodtz reunites with his wife and three children

Uriah Brodtz, 4, Yuval Brodtz, 8, Ofri Brodtz, 10, and their mother, Hagar Brodtz, returned from captivity in Gaza.

Hundreds attend moving prayer service held at hostage's home

Hundreds gather for moving prayer service as Torah scroll is brought into captive Mia Shem’s home.

Shin Bet interrogation reveals

This is how some of the hostages were kidnapped

Terrorists seen on kibbutz security cameras kidnapped foreigners, brought them to Shifa Hospital, and were caught on camera at the hospital.

PM Netanyahu shows Elon Musk the horrors of the Oct. 7 massacre

PM Netanyahu tours Kfar Aza with X owner Elon Musk, tour Kfar Aza, showing him the horrors of the October 7 massacre.

'Happy I got my life back':

First video of soldier freed from captivity

Video of PVT Ori Megidish, who was freed from captivity in an IDF operation last month, shows the soldier in good spirits.

'I thought it was over':

Man who escaped massacre by hiding in fridge tells his story

Bar, who works in a convenience store at a gas station, saw the Hamas terrorists coming his way - and hid in the fridge with a coworker.

Defense Min. renovates hundreds of bomb shelters in periphery

Defense Min. renovates 160 bomb shelters in Ashkelon, 190 in Nahariya; over 200 shelters in 3 other cities in advanced stage of renovations.

Freed hostage managed to escape, but was caught

The building where Roni Krivoi was being held collapsed; he took advantage of this and escaped but was caught four days later.

IDF chief female coroner:

'Two months later we are still identifying Oct. 7th vicitms'

IDF Rabbinate's female coroner team leader says that despite the difficult scenes, the importance of the work keeps her team going.

Doctors fight to save released hostage Elma Avraham, 84

'Elma did not receive the medications that kept her alive, she is not stable,' Soroka ICU director says.

Called to support Hamas:

Police report filed against terrorist released in deal

Immediately following her release, Rudah Abu Ajmiyah called to support Hamas and exclaimed: 'We are the sword of Mohammed Deif!'

Fmr. Shin Bet official:

'Hamas controls most of the hostages'

Shalom Ben-Hanan says Hamas can easily release the majority of the hostages being held, including those being held by other organizations.

Jewish groups to Pope Francis:

Clarify Israel ‘terrorism’ comments

'Hamas’ butchering and kidnapping of civilians is terrorism. Israel’s self-defense is not,' Jewish group notes. 'Vatican, please clarify.'

US national security adviser:

'We're working to bring back hostages held by other groups'

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan says other groups in Gaza are holding hostages and efforts are underway to bring them back.

Morocco:

Protesters call for suspension of ties with Israel amid war

Tens of thousands of Moroccans wave PLO flags in demonstration in the country's commercial capital Casablanca.

Aunt of freed hostage:

'It's important for me to say that Avigail has a family'

The aunt of the 4-year-old who was released from captivity thanks everyone for their support and love. Says she needs privacy.

New video from Hamas attack:

Gas station attacked, employees hid for hours in the freezer

Two employees hid in the freezer as Hamas terrorists ransacked the store, searching it with the intention of murdering anyone inside.