Swords of Iron

US official: Trump is focused on freeing all the hostages

Ahead of US President Donald Trump's meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US official explains Trump's priorities for the war, Gazans, and the Middle East.

Wallace Shawn:

IDF in Gaza 'worse than the Nazis in some ways'

The anti-Israel Jewish actor claimed that Israel's publication of their actions made their actions even worse than those of Nazi Germany.

Liri Albag celebrates 20th birthday and shares her wish

IDF lookout Liri Albag, who was released from Hamas captivity last week, celebrated her 20th birthday on Tuesday.

Released Thai hostages reunite with family members

Four out of the five Thai hostages who were released by Hamas last week reunited in Israel with their loved ones.

Moving:

'Amit's beret is now yours - wear it with pride'

Itzik Bonzel presented his daughter, Adi, with the beret that belonged to her brother, Amit, who fell in battle in Gaza.

Likud MK:

The West will be tested in Gaza

Gaza is the test of the West. If we cannot even secure victory in Gaza, we will fail everywhere else.

Hamas official:

We're holding two senior IDF officers hostage

Negotiations for second stage of deal to focus on IDF's full withdrawal from Gaza, permanent ceasefire, and preventing resumption of fighting, Hamas tells mediators.

Emotional ceremony:

Netzach Yehuda soldiers receive medals of excellence

After combat soldiers excel in exposing terrorist infrastructures and eliminating terrorist squads, battalion commander awards medals for 'fighting spirit, determination and endless dedication.'

Bibas family:

Yarden is asking about Shiri and the kids & we don't have answers

Family of released hostage Yarden Bibas speaks to media about his condition, calls on government to act to free his wife Shiri and children Ariel and Kfir.

Yarden Bibas was held alone, lied to about his family's fate

The Hamas terrorists holding hostage Yarden Bibas refused to allow him to stay with other hostages, allowing him out of the tunnel only once a day to eat; he lost 15 kilograms during his time in captivity.

Keith Siegel's daughter reveals:

'Dad was starved and mentally and physically abused'

Siegel's wife, Aviva, thanked US President Donald Trump for his part in her husband's release: 'Mr. President, you are our hope for those who are still in captivity.'

Arbel Yehud's first post since being released from captivity

Arbel Yehud, who was released from Hamas captivity last week, published a post on social media calling on everyone to 'continue the struggle and not let up.'

Moving video:

Agam Berger presents sister with military lanyard at graduation

At the end of IDF social worker training, released hostage Agam Berger presented her sister, Bar, with the purple lanyard worn by military social workers.

Bereavement:

'Sara knew pain, but she found happiness in life'

Daughter of Sara Vaspi, who lost her husband, son and grandson in Israel's wars, and passed away, eulogizes her mother: 'Whoever colors my mother in colors of bereavement is wrong.'

Reservists to Netanyahu: Destroying Hamas is your life's test

'Reservists - Generation of Victory' movement kicks off new campaign, calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to stop the war in Gaza. 'The test of your life is to destroy Hamas.'

Despite Netanyahu's promise:

Palestinian Authority involved in control of Rafah Crossing

The Palestinian Authority is operating the Rafah Crossing between Israel and Gaza, alongside international bodies. 'The Prime Minister caved in.'

Giving thanks for hostages' release:

Thai delegation visits Western Wall

After release of Thai hostages from Hamas captivity, Thailand's Foreign Minister, Chief of Staff, pay emotional visit to the Western Wall.

Calderon family: Ofer came back to us weak, but on his feet

The family of Ofer Calderon, released Saturday from Hamas captivity, spoke to the media, asking for time and privacy. 'Now we can recover, we are whole.'

Emily Damari returns to home she was kidnapped from

Emily Damari, recently released from Hamas captivity, returns to her home in Kfar Aza, from which she was kidnapped on the morning of the October 7 massacre.

Bibas family:

'Yarden feels good, he's strong and amazing'

Bibas family issues statement following Yarden Bibas' release from Hamas captivity, thanks public for support. 'We can finally breathe.'

Senior military source:

Most of the terrorists released in the deal returned to terror

According to information from the defense echelon, at least two of the terrorists released in November 2023 were eliminated in the antiterror operation in Jenin, and dozens others were arrested.

Witkoff to released hostages:

'President Trump could not be happier for your return'

The four hostages who returned last week met with US special envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff and thanked him and all those involved in securing their release.

One reported dead:

IAF opens fire to distance vehicle that violated ceasefire

Israel confirms it fired at a vehicle in Gaza, according to Arab reports, one individual was killed and several others were wounded.

Herzog to Thai FM:

'Thai hostages are our brothers'

President Isaac Herzog met with Thailand’s Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa. He welcomed the return of the five hostages and stressed his concern for all the remaining hostages.

Daniella Gilboa:

'The only thing that saved me was faith'

Daniella Gilboa, who was released from Hamas captivity, shared that from the moment she was abducted, she waited to recite the thanksgiving blessing.

Former Mossad official:

'No choice but to continue war'

Mossad agent, Oded Eilam, says that any other alternative, other than a return to combat, 'will fall from the 14th floor.'

The released terrorist's surprising statement

Mohammed a-Tus was released after 40 years in Israeli prison as part of the hostage deal with Hamas. He implicitly criticized the terror organization's attack on October 7th.

Infuriating comparison:

BBC news presenter calls Israeli hostages 'prisoners,' apologizes

BBC news presenter Nicky Schiller referred to the three Israeli hostages released yesterday as 'prisoners,' similar to the term used for the terrorists imprisoned in Israel.

Little food and severe abuse:

Keith, Yarden, and Ofer were held in harsh conditions

Hamas terrorists treated Ofer as if he were a reservist. Yarden underwent severe psychological abuse, with the terrorists constantly talking about his wife and young children.

Senior Hamas official: We're ready to resume the fighting

Taher Nounou, a senior Hamas official, calls on the international community to force Netanyahu to stop the war and fully withdraw from the Gaza Strip.

Bereaved families:

Cancel shipments of terrorists abroad

Bereaved families from the Almagor Terror Victims Association‎ call on Cabinet ministers to stop the release of terrorists to foreign countries. 'Terrible mistake that began with a pathetic decision.'

Strike in Samaria:

One of the eliminated terrorists was freed in Nov. 2023 deal

Terrorist Abed Aluna, one of the terrorists eliminated Saturday in a vehicle strike, was released from prison during the first prisoner swap deal in November 2023.

Ahead of the second stage:

Netanyahu's dramatic decision

Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer to head negotiations team for second stage of prisoner swap deal with Hamas, report says. PM's Office: 'Decisions on negotiations to be made only after PM returns from US.'

Released hostage:

'I'm here thanks to you, and I'm okay'

Released hostage Doron Steinbrecher tells attendees at Hostages Square rally: 'Thanks to everyone who supported and embraced, thanks to all of the soldiers, and the security forces.'

Defense Min. threatens:

'One mistake - and you'll meet old friends'

Defense Minister Israel Katz warns terrorist Zakaria Zubeidi, released in prisoner swap deal, not to incite or participate in terror. 'One mistake, and you'll go to join old friends. We will not accept support for terror.'

Netanyahu after hostages' release:

'Our steadfast stand proved itself'

'We'll continue to take determined action to bring hostages back home, and achieve all of our objectives for the war,' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says.

Released hostage testifies:

'It was very hard for Yarden, his fear was very great'

Tami Metzger, released in a November 2023 prisoner swap deal, tells of her time in captivity alongside Yarden Bibas and Ofer Calderon.

IDF Confirms:

Hamas officer believed killed is still alive

The IDF has admitted that the commander of the Shati Brigade of Hamas, Hitham Hujari, was not killed in the December 2023 strike as previously claimed.

Watch:

'Dad, that's it, it's over - now you're with us'

Ofer Calderon, 54, kidnapped with his children to Gaza during the October 7 massacre, reunites with his children and other family members in Israel, after 484 days in captivity.

Bibas family: Yarden has returned to an unbearable reality

After meeting his father and sister in Re'im, released hostage Yarden Bibas arrived at Sheba Medical Center, where he met his mother Penina. His wife Shiri and children Ariel and Kfir are still in Gaza.

Siegel family reunites:

'Dad, you came back to us!! You're a hero for surviving!'

Watch the emotional reunion as released hostage Keith Seigel meets his family after 484 days in captivity.

After 484 days in captivity:

Keith, Ofer, and Yarden returned to Israel

Hostages Keith Siegel, Yarden Bibas, and Ofer Calderon were released Saturday from Hamas captivity.

Bibas family:

'We face very difficult days'

Ahead of Yarden Bibas's expected release from captivity, his family asked: 'Please, protect Yerden's heart and respect his privacy and the privacy of the family in the coming time.'

Liri Albag's first social media post after leaving captivity

In her first social media post after being released from Hamas captivity, Liri Albag thanked the people of Israel for their support and the security forces for their sacrifice.

Senior Hamas official:

'We'll continue governing Gaza until an alternative is found'

Senior Hamas official Taher Nounou states that “practically, we can say that the war is over” and claims that "the enemy did not achieve its goals”.

Trump insists:

'Egypt and Jordan will do it, they will take in Gazans'

US President unfazed by Egypt and Jordan rejecting his plan which would see them taking in Palestinian Arabs from Gaza: They’re going to do it. We do a lot for them, and they’re going to do it.

Steve Witkoff:

Almost nothing left in Gaza, reconstruction will take 10-15 years

US Middle East envoy reacts to seeing the destruction in Gaza during his visit to the coastal enclave.

5 soldiers injured:

Staff Sergeant Liam Hazi fell in Jenin

Haruv reconnaissance soldier, First Sergeant Liam Hazi from Rosh Haayin, fell during operational activity in Jenin. Another soldier from the unit was seriously injured.

Six months later:

Hamas admits for the first time: 'Mohammed Deif is dead'

Spokesman for Hamas' military wing, Abu Ubaida, confirms for the first time that Mohammed Deif was eliminated in an Israeli attack approximately six months ago.

IDF:

2 terrorists who took part in 10/7 attack killed in recent months

Haitham Hazem Hijazi Ragheb and Muhammad Ahmed Frej Saeid, both of whom participated in the October 7 massacre and the abductions of soldiers from the Nahal Oz base, were eliminated before the ceasefire deal was reached.

Watch:

Children in Gaza cheer for terrorists

Children in Gaza cheer for terrorists following the release of three hostages today.

Live updates:

After 482 days: Arbel, Gadi, and Agam arrive in Israel

Arbel Yehud and Gadi Mozes, along with five Thai citizens, cross into Israeli territory after being released from Islamic Jihad captivity. Agam Berger, released from Hamas captivity, has reunited with her parents.

Following chaos in Khan Yunis:

Israel delaying release of terrorists slated to be freed in deal

Following scenes of chaos and violence in Khan Yunis, political echelon orders release of 110 terrorists to be delayed.

Infuriating footage from Gaza:

Masses of terrorists surround Red Cross vehicles

Hostages Gadi Mozes, 80, and Arbel Yehud, 29, were transferred to the care of the Red Cross on Thursday afternoon, after 482 days in captivity.

Netanyahu on hostages' release:

These horrific scenes must not be allowed to repeat themselves

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu harshly criticizes chaos in Khan Yunis during release of hostages Arbel Yehud and Gadi Mozes.

Pres. Herzog:

Scenes were horrifying, they endured hell with amazing bravery

Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomes Israelis Arbel Yehud and Gadi Mozes, five Thai citizens, to Israel, says 'scenes of abuse and terror towards the hostages' during release were 'horrifying.'

Emotional moment:

'We'll never leave you': Agam Berger reunites with her parents

IDF publishes footage of soldier Agam Berger's arrival in Israel, reunification with her parents.

Like mother, like daughter:

Agam kept Shabbat and kosher - even during captivity

Liri Albag, who was held together with Agam Berger in captivity, tells Agam's mother details about her time in captivity.

Four months ago:

IDF: Terrorist who kidnapped Naama Levi killed in airstrike

The IDF has confirmed that the terrorist who was documented kidnapping IDF lookout Naama Levi on the morning of October 7 was eliminated in a Gaza City airstrike four months ago.

Moments after her release:

Watch: Prayer of thanksgiving outside Agam Berger's home

Neighbors and relatives of IDF soldier Agam Berger, who was released Thursday morning from Hamas captivity, celebrate outside her home with prayers of thanksgiving.