hostages

Defense Minister:

Chance hostages will be smuggled out of Gaza is minimal

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant speaks with relatives of the hostages, responding to inquiry regarding possibility that they may no longer be in Gaza.

Moving:

The haredi rabbi who has slept on the floor & board since Oct. 7

Families of hostages tour Bnei Brak, learn that Rabbi Yitzhak Koledetski has slept on the floor or on a board since the October 7 massacre. 'How can he sleep comfortably?'

13-year-old released hostage: 'Civilians hit me in Gaza'

Eitan Yahalomi, 13, kidnapped to Gaza on October 7, and released in a November 2023 deal, speaks about the kidnapping and his first days in captivity.

J Street chooses Palestinian State over prioritizing the hostages

What happened when a hostage's father turned to J Street for help. Op-ed.

Hostage Idan Shtivi was murdered the morning of October 7, 2023

Petah Tikva municipality announces that hostage Idan Shtivi was murdered on the morning of the October 7, 2023, massacre, and his body was kidnapped to Gaza.

Gaza:

Israel frees Yazidi woman kidnapped by ISIS and sold to Hamas

After more than a decade in captivity in Gaza: The IDF led by COGAT, in collaboration with the US Embassy in Israel, rescued a young Yazidi woman held by a Hamas terrorist affiliated with ISIS in the Gaza Strip

Pray for a hostage in the dark

We know the well-known Gemara (Bava Kamma 92a), that those who daven for others will have their prayers answered first

Nova artist launches new October 7th exhibition with StandWithUs

'Faces of October 7th' exhibition opens in Jerusalem with the families of victims, ahead of Oct. 7th anniversary.

Former Mossad chief:

We should've released all terrorists in exchange for hostages

'The Israeli government chose revenge, it could've released all terrorists in exchange for all hostages on the morning of October 8,' former Mossad chief Tamir Pardo alleges.

Clashes at Tel Aviv protest:

Hostage's relative detained, protesters surround police car

Police detain Shachar Mor Zahiro, nephew of murdered hostage Avraham Munder; protesters and Labor MKs surround squad car.

Two terrorists who held hostages eliminated

IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari reveals that two of the terrorists who held the six hostages who were murdered in captivity have been eliminated.

Watch:

Trump invites rescued hostage to join him on stage

Former US President Donald Trump invites Andrei Kozlov, who was held hostage in Gaza and rescued during 'Operation Arnon,' to join him on stage, quipping, 'He has more courage than I do.'

Report:

Israeli proposal for prisoner swap offers an end to the war

Israel has presented the US with a plan to release the hostages, end the war, and allow Hamas leaders to safely leave Gaza.

Prime Minister's Office:

Despite the pressure, we agreed to all the US offers

'Whoever wants to help the efforts to free our hostages must pressure the murderer, Sinwar, and not the Prime Minister of Israel.'

Haredi MK tells hostages' families:

There was a proposal for a unity government - it's off the table

In first, MK Moshe Gafni speaks about the discourse regarding a unity government, reveals that the proposal is no longer relevant.

'I trust you'

First sign of life from Matan Angrest

Anat Angrest, the mother of captive soldier Matan Angrest, published an audio clip in which her son is heard addressing the Prime Minister from captivity, asking for help.

Video of murdered hostage Alexander Lobanov made public

In a video crafted by Hamas for the purpose of psychological terrorism, murdered hostage Alexander Lobanov can be heard criticizing the Israeli government, and urging his family to stay strong.

Released hostage:

I discovered Yarden Bibas and Ofer Kalderon held in pens

Adina Moshe, released in the November 2023 prisoner swap deal, says Yarden Bibas expressed hope that his wife and children were not kidnapped by the terrorists.

Restating the obvious: Hamas isn’t negotiating

“Unfortunately, many people repeat the narrative that in fact we are the ones preventing a deal,” said Gal Hirsch. “But this is a lie.” Op-ed.

Cabinet ministers horrified after watching terror tunnel footage

IDF presents Cabinet with chilling footage from the tunnel where six Israeli hostages were found murdered and their bodies recovered.

Hostage's father: Humanitarian aid torpedoes my son's return

Kobi Samerano, father of murdered hostage Yonatan Samerano, criticizes Israeli government for allowing humanitarian aid to reach Hamas. 'You are torpedoing my son's return while you are feeding Hamas.'

Arab source: Hamas didn't toughen its positions

Hamas is demanding that a higher number of high-profle terrorists with blood on their hands be released in a prisoner swap deal - even in exchange for 'humanitarian' hostages.

This is Hamas' new demand for a ceasefire deal

Washington Post reports Hamas is demanding a last-minute change in prisoner swap-ceasefire deal; 'take it or leave it' proposal 'indefinitely' delayed.

'We had to smile'

Released hostage gives details on Hamas' hostage videos

Released hostage Aviva Siegel details how she was forced to say her lines 'again and again,' says Hamas tried to make her look presentable before taking photos. 'We had to sit next to them and smile and say everything is OK, just for the picture.'

The Oslo effect

Israelis won’t forgive or forget the left’s weaponization of the hostages to do Hamas’s dirty work for it. It is a terrible betrayal. Opinion.

A new hostage paradigm

Time for some hard truths on the hostage issue. While it is admirable that Israel values each individual life so deeply, prioritizing the safety of millions over the tragic fate of a few is the best bad choice they can make. Opinion.

Families of hostages pressuring Biden to make unilateral deal

Families of Americans held hostage in Gaza pressuring Biden administration to work towards unilateral deal with Hamas terror group, NBC reports.

US official:

Nothing in ceasefire agreement mentions Philadelphi Corridor

Disagreement between Israel and Gaza focuses on 'densely populated' areas, Hamas threatening to execute additional hostages, report says.

Hostage's twin sister:

'We are all waiting for you to come home'

Li-Yam Berger, sister of hostage Agam Berger, sends a message of hope and faith: 'I hope you are staying strong and filled with faith, we are all waiting for you.'

Initial findings:

Hamas identified IDF forces approaching & murdered the 6 hostages

Initial IDF investigation following the deaths of six hostages in Gaza shows that Hamas observed the forces approaching the area near the hostages, decided to murder them.

Insanity and incitement - the new norm?

The political parties heading the opposition, the progressive mainstream media, and the judicial system, have all lined up behind forces of insanity and blindly supported attempts to tear the country apart. Opinion.

Ensure these are the last hostages kidnapped or killed by Hamas

That would require real leadership, a moral backbone, and a willingness to stand up to evil. Do Biden and Harris have what it takes?

In first: UN Security Council to hold meeting on hostages in Gaza

'After 11 months since the kidnapping of hundreds of innocent civilians, it is certainly time for the Security Council to address this issue,' Ambassador Danny Danon says.

Israel's hostage agony

Netanyahu's dual pledge came cruelly apart, but the ensuing protests in Israel are evidence of suicidal stupidity and moral perversity on a very high level indeed. Op-ed.

Minister Amichai Eliyahu:

'Supporters of Disengagement are responsible for hostages'

Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu claimed that the blame for the hostages lies with anyone who supported the Disengagement Law in 2005.

Killed hostage's mother:

'Thinking of striking? Do you want to lose your child?'

Iris Haim, whose son Yotam was kidnapped to Gaza on October 7 and accidentally killed as he tried to escape captivity, calls on Israelis to rethink the strike. 'These protests brought us October 7.'

Please tell me how a general strike will help the hostages

The Histadrut, Israel’s major labour union, declared a general strike. They do not say how that will bring the hostages back, but they are doing it anyway. Opinion.

The deaths of six hostages are not a talking point

We must be united in our sorrow, not fractured by it. Op-ed.

Canada demands Hamas surrender

Canadian Prime Minister and opposition leader condemn hostages' murder, call for Hamas terror group to surrender and for its removal from Gaza.

IDF confirms: Number of bodies found during fighting in Gaza

IDF troops are still working to extract and identify the bodies, IDF confirms.

The high cost to the hostages of ‘enlightened’ hypocrisy

Sound policy does and should drown out the Bibi-bashing for the sake of the men, women and children in the clutches of an actual monster. Op-ed.

Aryeh Zalmanovich was murdered beside his friend Farhan al-Qadi

Qaid Farhan al-Qadi, Bedouin Israeli rescued from Gaza captivity, says hostage Aryeh Zalmanovich was held hostage alongside him until his death.

Haredi minister: Don't allow Red Cross to visit Nukhba terrorists

Construction and Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf demands Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu block Red Cross visits to Nukhba terrorists until Red Cross visits Israelis held hostage in Gaza.

'Hang on, we're coming'

Families of hostages burst across the Gaza border

Families of the hostages who came to the Gaza border to call out to their loved ones broke through the border fence and began marching into Gaza.

Rescued hostage recounts:

Terrorists booby-trapped the tunnel and fled 2 weeks ago

Qaid Farhan al-Qadi, who was rescued from Gaza yesterday after more than 10 months in captivity, described to the security forces who rescued him the conditions he was kept under.

Report: Gaza terror groups planned coup against Sinwar

Hamas last living hostages are being used as Yahya Sinwar's human shields, as Gaza's other terror groups plan coup, the Jewish Chronicle reports.

Back to school in blue & white:

Hostage's father's initiative gaining momentum

Hundreds of schools and thousands of students are joining initiative spearheaded by Tzvika Mor, father of hostage Eitan Mor, to raise national morale during the war.

Hostage's mother: 'Alternative memorial ceremony is dangerous'

Iris Haim, mother of hostage killed hostage Yotam Haim, believes 'alternative' October 7 memorial ceremony is 'a protest against the government.'

Released hostage: The terrorists asked my father for ransom

Moran Stella Yanai, released from Hamas captivity in a prisoner swap, tells of how she was pressured to convert to Islam, and feared being married off by force.

Captivity survivor to husband:

'You must not lose hope, we will bring you home'

Aviva Siegel, whose husband Keith is still held hostage in Gaza, shares, 'There were moments when we believed we would be at our daughter's wedding. It kept us going, it gave us a lot of hope and light within the great darkness.'

Released hostage:

'Thanks for my being kidnapped because of you'

Yagil Yaakov, 13, released in a prisoner swap deal after 52 days in Hamas captivity, addresses outgoing Military Intelligence chief in powerful statement.

Dead hostages, no ceasefire, quantum mechanics & free will

Our hopes and wishes for peace are directed in the wrong direction; therefore, we are disappointed and fail to achieve our desired goal.

How did the hostage talks get so crazy?

As it always goes with the Palestinian Arabs, Washington took the path of least resistance and focused pressure on Israel. It’s the same in peace negotiations. Op-ed.

Hamas demanding cessation of 'aggression,' IDF withdraw from Gaza

Senior Hamas official said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preventing a ceasefire-prisoner swap deal, says deal must include Israeli withdrawal, ability for Hamas to regroup.

Dep. Chief of Staff:

We'll operate in all areas to return our hostages

Deputy Chief of the General Staff Amir Baram joins soldiers who participated in operation to retrieve bodies of hostages, promises, 'We'll continue to operate in all areas of Gaza to defeat Hamas and bring back our hostages.'

Mother of hostage:

'Children of senior officials in exchange for hostages'

Ditza Or, the mother of hostage Avinatan Or, offered Sinwar the children of the five senior officials in exchange for the 109 hostages.

Bereaved father:

Prisoner swap deal 'bitter death sentence for many Jews'

Eliyahu Libman, whose son was murdered on October 7, warns that a 'deal will be the State of Israel's official encouragement of more kidnappings.'

US officials: 'Prisoner swap' deal 'on brink of collapse'

US officials concerned that if talks for what they call a 'prisoner swap' deal with Hamas fail, Iran may attempt direct strike on Israel, escalating tensions throughout the Middle East.

Netanyahu promises:

Unclear if there will be a deal, we will not exit key corridors

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets families of fallen soldiers, hostages held in Gaza, says he will stand up to pressure to relinquish control of Philadelphi, Netzarim, corridors.

Bereaved families to PM:

For the sake of Israel's children - say NO to a reckless deal

Parents of fallen soldiers urge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to say 'no' to a deal which will harm Israel's security. 'Look into the eyes of our children, make a deal - but not one that harms Israel's security.'