Swords of Iron

IDF Spokesperson:

'Avigail a living example that war against Hamas is justified'

Spokesman Hagari reiterated that there is still much work to be done, and the mission will not be complete until everyone returns home.

Watch:

Footage shows freed hostages' first moments back in Israel

Several videos show the hostages who returned to Israel on Saturday night reuniting with their families.

Gantz to Netanyahu:

'I will vote against the budget'

Chairman of the National Unity party and member of the war cabinet announced that his party would oppose the state budget

84-year-old hostage returns in serious condition

Elma Avraham was airlifted directly from Gaza to Soroka Hospital, where she underwent medical examinations and further treatment.

Touching video:

Avigdori family reunited after 50 days in captivity

The Avigdori family reunited on Saturday night after the mother, Sharon, and daughter, Noam, were released from Hamas captivity.

14 Israeli hostages, 3 foreigners have returned to Israel

14 Israeli hostages and three foreign nationals have been handed over to the IDF and entered Israel after over 50 days in Hamas captivity.

Minister of Defense:

Hezbollah will withdraw, Israel’s northern residents will return

Gallant stated: 'We will make every effort to bring all hostages home as quickly as possible. I am personally committed to it.'

President Biden:

'We will not stop until every one of the hostages is returned'

President Biden delivered remarks following the release of the third group of hostages.

Hamas claims it freed hostage with Russian citizenship from Gaza

Hamas announced the release of a Russian citizen 'as a sign of appreciation for the Russian position supporting the Palestinian issue.'

PM Netanyahu in Gaza:

'We will continue to the end nothing will stop us'

The Prime Minister visited the Gaza Strip, where he met with troops and was briefed on the situation.

Diaspora Minister:

'This is why I voted for the hostage deal'

Minister Amichai Chikli intended to vote against the prisoner exchange , and explains what changed his mind.

Hostages return home:

Yavne welcomes mother and daughter freed from Hamas captivity

Dozens of Yavne residents welcome Danielle Aloni and daughter Amelia, released from Hamas captivity, waving Israeli flags and singing

Hostage separated from mother:

'Hamas separated us from each other two days before my release'

12-year-old Hila Rotem was returned without her mother, in violation of the deal between Israel and Hamas.

IDF eliminated five senior Hamas commanders prior to ceasefire

The commanders operated both in the Gaza Strip and in Judea and Samaria and participated in planning the October 7th massacre.

Hamas explains separation of families during exchange

Hamas claims to have been unable to find some of the captives scheduled to have been released.

Report: Hamas to free Russian-Israel hostage at Putin's request

Russian President Vladimir Putin is reported to have interceded to secure the release of an additional Israeli with Russian citizenship.

Hostages' families:

'We will not stop until the last hostage is freed'

The families of the hostages sent a message to 100,000 people in the Hostage Plaza: "We will not stop until the last hostage is released"

Watch:

Ohad on his way home in cockpit of IDF helicopter

9-year-old Ohad Munder was released from Hamas captivity together with his mother and grandmother and brought to an Israeli hospital.

Soldier:

'My dog gave me the signal - get back!'

Military dogs have exposed 50 booby-trap explosives and dozens of weapons stockpiles since the start of the war. 4 dogs have been killed.

Red Cross official:

'We can't make predictions' on Hamas releasing hostages

Red Cross crisis response director Pascal Hundt tells Sky News release of hostages was 'extremely emotional moment' for all present.

Hamas confirms military commander of northern Gaza killed

Terror organization says Ahmed Ghandour, 1 of the most wanted Hamas leaders, was killed during Swords of Iron war.

Hamas ordered hostages: 'Keep waving'

Pro-Israel activist Yoseph Haddad shows Hamas forcing prisoners to act cheerful for the camera before the exchange.

The Eternal Hatred: Lessons from Yaacov and Esau

Rabbi Eliezer Simcha Weisz tells what we can learn today from the biblical story of Esau and Yaakov meeting once again.

Chief of Staff:

IDF will resume war with Hamas 'with determination' after pause

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi writes to soldiers that the IDF's successes paved way for current hostage deal, war will continue.

Aviv Gefen mocks Channel 14 for not broadcasting on Shabbat

The singer drew severe online criticism for poking fun at a channel that did not show the release of the hostages on Friday evening.

Qatar:

13 Israeli women and children to be released today

Number of Israelis released to rise to 39 with third group this evening. 7 foreign nationals to also be released, according to reports.

Israeli FM to Irish PM:

'You have lost your moral compass'

Foreign Minister Eli Cohen reacts to Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar's claim 8-year-old girl kidnapped by Hamas was merely 'lost.'

Freed hostage in hospital care, no danger to her life

Maya Regev was among the last group of hostages freed by Hamas, and was taken to hospital care after a medical assessment.

Israel receives list of hostages to be released tonight

Security forces are warning that they will not to tolerate any further delays or breaches of the prisoner exchange agreements.

Report:

Netanyahu pledged not to target Hamas leaders in Qatar

French newspaper Le Figaro reports Qatar extracted a promise from Israel to leave Hamas leaders on Qatari soil alone in hostage deal.

Watch: Freed Emily embraces her father

8-year-old Emily Hand, 13-year-old Hila Rotem Shoshani reunited with their families after more than a month and a half in Hamas captivity.

Report:

BBC bars reporter from attending march against antisemitism

Network tells employees seeking to attend National Solidarity March Against Antisemitism that the London march is too "controversial."

These are the hostages who were released Saturday night

As the second group of released hostages reaches the Rafah Crossing, friends and neighbors in Israel learn of their return.

'We have a long way to go':

Family members respond to the release of their relatives

Family members of the 13 hostages who were freed by Hamas welcome the release of their relatives.

Kibbutz Be'eri: Hamas callously trampled the agreement

Following negotiations, Egypt succeeds in resolving crisis caused by technical issues; second stage of prisoner swap took place as planned.

Four terrorists eliminated in Jenin

IDF forces operate in Jenin, exchanges of fire reported with armed terrorists.

Watch:

Eden Hason sings Psalms with families of hostages

Israeli music star Eden Hason leads the families of the hostages in singing 'Shir Lam'alot,' Psalms 121.

Week 7 - Live updates:

Ceasefire holding as second group of hostages set to be released

IDF continues to battle Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza as attacks from Lebanon continue.

IDF Intelligence Directorate was warned of attack

A detailed report on the planned invasion was given to the head of IDF Intelligence, who did not pass it on to his superiors.

Terrorist who burned her face in terror attack to be released

Asra'a Jabas, who carried out a terror attack near Maaleh Adumim in 2015, to be released years early in prisoner swap.

Released hostages:

'We were afraid we'd be lynched on the way to Rafah'

Hostages released Friday night told of dwindling food supplies, said they ate only rice during last two weeks of captivity.

Hamas delays release of second group of hostages

Hamas' military arm claims it decided to delay release of hostages 'until Israel meets terms of agreement.'

Security sources give Hamas until midnight to release hostages

Hamas delays release of 2nd group of hostages; security sources warn ground operations resume if hostages are not released by midnight.

Report: Qatar tells Hamas to 'quit the games'

Magen David Adom explains why hostage release not on the horizon at the moment.

Defense Min.:

Any negotiation to bring home hostages will be held under fire

'We won't leave Gaza until all the hostages are brought back home, any negotiation will be held under fire,' Defense Min. Gallant promises.

Reports of elderly woman's death in Gaza greatly exaggerated

An Israeli woman reported dead in captivity by Islamic Jihad has returned to her home in Kibbutz Nir Oz.

Hamas terrorist lays hand on boy hostage Ohad Munder

Terrorist from Hamas' military arm lays arm on Ohad Munder, 9, before Munder is released from Hamas captivity.

Grandchildren of released hostage:

The fight is not over until all of the hostages are back

Adva and Alon Adar, grandchildren of released hostage Yaffa Adar, urge international community, 'Don't stop until they are all home.'

Family reunification: 'The dream came true, we're at home'

Watch: Yoni Asher reunites with wife Doron and daughters Aviv and Raz, after their release from Hamas captivity.

Chief of Staff:

When the ceasefire ends we'll return to attacking in Gaza

'We do not intend, do not want, and are not willing, to stop before we have brought all of the hostages home,' Chief of Staff Halevi says.

Watch: Freed hostages runs towards his father

Ohad Munder, 9, who was held hostage with his mother and grandmother, runs towards his father in emotional reunion at hospital.

IDF downs surface-to-air missile as fire from Lebanon continues

IDF strikes Hezbollah terror infrastructure, downs surface-to-air missile launched towards IDF UAV.

49 days later:

First group of hostages returns to Israel

Hamas releases first batch of 13 hostages as agreed upon in ceasefire deal. Israel releases 39 security prisoners.

IDF Spokesperson:

'During the pause, IDF will prepare for next phases of the war'

IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari after Hamas releases 13 hostages: More than ever, we must take care not to distribute unverified information.

Watch:

Hamas hands over hostages to the Red Cross

Footage released by Hamas shows Israeli and Thai hostages handed over to the Red Cross before their return to Israel.

President Herzog:

'The job isn't done until all the hostages return home'

President Isaac Herzog welcomes release of first batch of hostages: I pray for return of those who are still in the hands of the enemy.

Biden on hostage release:

'This is only the beginning'

President Joe Biden after Hamas releases 13 hostages: We will not stop until we get the hostages brought home.

Gallant on hostage release:

'We have taken an important first step'

Defense Minister stresses Israel will continue to do everything to bring all the hostages home.

Netanyahu:

'We are committed to the return of all our hostages'

Netanyahu welcomes release of first batch of 13 hostages by Hamas.

Defense Minister Gallant:

'There will be a pause, then we will continue with full power'

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told his Italian counterpart that Israel won't stop until it has destroyed Hamas and recovered all hostages.