hostages

Body of foreign student Joshua Loitu Mollel returned to Israel

Joshua Loitu Mollel, was an agricultural student from Tanzania who came to Kibbutz Nahal Oz just weeks before the October 7 massacre, when he was killed and his body abducted to Gaza.

Freed hostage Evyatar David publishes first social media post

Evyatar David, who was held in Hamas captivity for two years, publishes his first social media post since his release from captivity, thanking the nation for their support.

Hamas demanding heavy equipment to retrieve hostages' bodies

Hamas announces willingness to search for hostages' remains in IDF-controlled territory, demands heavy equipment.

Iris Haim condemns honorary degree granted to activist mother

Iris Haim, mother of hostage Yotam Haim who was killed in IDF error, condemns honorary degree granted to Einav Zangauker, stridently anti-Netanyahu mother of released hostage Matan Zangauker.

Israeli source:

Remains transferred Friday not of Israeli hostages

Israel says remains of three bodies transferred Friday not a match for any hostages; Hamas shifts blame to Israel.

Moving:

Captivity survivor Bar Kupershtein dons tefillin at Hostages Sq.

Crowds gather at Hostages Square, praying with released hostage Bar Kupershtein as he dons tefillin and prays for the return of the deceased hostages.

Captivity survivor surprises the Jerusalemites

Rom Braslavski, recently freed from Hamas captivity, moved thousands with a heartfelt message to the “Yerushalmim V'Yerushalmiot” group after two years of silence.

Bodies of murdered hostages Amiram Cooper, Sahar Baruch returned

Two caskets of what are said to be hostages were brought to Israel and were taken to the National Institute for Forensic Medicine for identification.

Hostages Families Forum sends warning to haredi protest group

Hostages Families Forum sends cease and desist warning to Ateret Shlomo Yeshiva in Beit Shemesh, claiming 'cynical, degrading, and unlawful use' of symbols of fight for hostages' return.

IDF announces: Gaza ceasefire renews, 30 terrorists struck

IDF concludes series of 'significant strikes' in Gaza following Hamas attacks on IDF troops which left one soldier dead.

Exploiting ceasefire:

Hamas searching for weapons instead of deceased hostages

Hamas terrorists enter territory controlled by IDF under pretense of searching for bodies of deceased hostages, but search for weapons instead, security sources reveal.

Hamas announces: We can retrieve 7-9 hostages' bodies

Following US pressure, Hamas terror group announces it is able to retrieve most of the remaining hostages' bodies from the rubble, report says.

'You were a human shield for us'

Hostage Yossi Sharabi laid to rest

Hundreds attend funeral of murdered hostage Yossi Sharabi, who was kidnapped during the October 7 massacre and murdered in Hamas captivity.

MK Kroizer:

Otzma Yehudit pushing for renewed IDF offensive in Gaza

Hamas continues to tear Israeli society apart, IDF must bring the last hostage home, MK Yitzhak Kroizer says.

Hamas claims it can't find hostages' bodies

Senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya claims terror group not managing to locate hostages' bodies, despite intelligence indicating the terror group knows where the majority of bodies are located.

Watch:

Captivity survivor Eitan Mor receives emotional welcome

Hamas captivity survivor Eitan Mor passes through Oz Vegaon reserve in Gush Etzion, on his way home to Kiryat Arba, receiving a warm and moving welcome by local residents.

Hamas & Red Cross to search for hostages in IDF-controlled areas

Israel approves operations by Hamas, Red Cross, in IDF-controlled areas of Gaza.

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.'

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.

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.

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.

Israel preparing to receive body of deceased hostage

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

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.

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.

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.

After 2 years in captivity:

Hamas captivity survivor requests to return to IDF service

Former hostage Matan Angrest, who was released from Hamas captivity earlier this week, asks IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir to allow him to return to operational activity.

Father of slain hostage reveals son's heroic act during abduction

Father of slain hostage IDF soldier Tamir Nimrodi shares how his son revealed great resourcefulness, remaining calm and attempting to save his life during his kidnapping.

Former missing persons envoy:

'When we don't pressure Hamas, they do what they want'

Colonel (Res.) Lior Lotan, former Special Envoy on Hostages and Missing Persons in the Prime Minister's Office, responds to Hamas' repeated violations of the hostage deal, says 'war is not over.'

Released hostage: 'I have merited to live my life anew'

Hamas captivity survivor Bar Kupershtein gifts Defense Minister Israel Katz a bracelet with the words, 'Always in the Creator's hands.'

Hamas misled Israel:

Fourth body transferred to Israel not that of an Israeli hostage

National Institute of Forensic Medicine clarifies that one of the four bodies Hamas transferred to Israel is not that of a slain hostage but that of a Gazan in IDF uniform.

Hagai Angrest reveals:

Terrorists gave Matan a prayer book, he prayed thrice daily

Hagai Angrest, father of newly-released hostage Matan Angrest, says his son asked for a prayer book in captivity, suffered severe torture. 'He was a soldier who fought against them.'

Returning from captivity:

Bodies of Tamir Nimrodi, Uriel Baruch, and Eitan Levy identified

The bodies of hostages Tamir Nimrodi, Uriel Baruch, Eitan Levy, and an additional hostage were transferred to Israel for burial.

The last hostage to see Guy alive

Freed hostage Maya Regev, who met the late guy Illouz in a Gaza hospital while the two were both in Hamas captivity, shares memories of his final moments following his body's return to Israel.

After 738 days:

All living hostages are back in Israel

After 738 days, Hamas is no longer holding any living hostages; the 13 last living hostages have been handed over to the Red Cross, and the other seven are already in Israel. Some of the deceased hostages will be returned to Israel in the afternoon.

These are the 20 hostages released from Hamas captivity

The 20 hostages released Monday from Hamas captivity are Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Matan Angrest, Gali and Ziv Berman, Eitan Mor, Alon Ohel, Omri Miran, Ariel Cunio, David Cunio, Avinatan Or, Bar Kupershtein, Eitan Horn, Elkana Bohbot, Evyatar David, Maxim Herkin, Matan Zangauker, Nimrod Cohen, Rom Braslvaski, Segev Kalfon, and Yosef Haim Ohana,

'You're coming home'

Watch: Hostage's mother speaks with her son for the first time

Einav Zanguaker, mother of hostage Matan, speaks with her son just prior to his release from Hamas captivity. 'The war is over, you're coming home.'

'It's all okay, calm down'

Watch: Hostage Elkana Bohbot speaks with mother Ruhama

After over 730 days in Hamas captivity, hostage Elkana Bohbot speaks with mother Ruhama on the phone, telling her, 'It's all okay, calm down.'

Watch: Returning hostages cross into Israeli territory

The IDF has released footage of the returning hostages' arrival in Israel. Watch.

IDF chief: 'Our mission won't end until the last hostage returns'

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir is commanding Operation 'Returning Home, says it is a 'very significant day' marking progress toward key war objectives. 'Our mission will not end until the last hostage is returned.'

Government 'committed to the return of all hostages'

Government statement welcomes returning hostages home, says families have been updated.

The Netanyahus' note

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and wife Sara left a personal note for every returning hostage. 'We waited for you, we embrace you.'

Watch live:

Thousands attend holiday prayers at the Western Wall

Thousands of Jews arrive at the Western Wall for festive Hoshana Rabba prayers, thanking G-d for the hostages' release. Watch.

Hamas willing to immediately release 20 living hostages

Wall Street Journal reports that Hamas has announced its willingness to release the 20 living hostages on Sunday.

Hostages' daughter:

Boos directed at Netanyahu 'horrific and tactless'

Shir Siegel, daughter of freed hostages Keith and Aviva Siegel, slams Saturday night boos directed at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during US Envoy Steve Witkoff's speech at Hostages Square.

Hamas spokesman says returning deceased hostages is 'complex'

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem blames Israel for 'very great complexities' in returning bodies of deceased hostages.

Ivanka: 'Trump wants you to know that he stands with you, always'

Ahead of hostages' return, Ivanka Trump speaks at Hostages Square rally, sharing messages of faith and hope. 'This is a triumph of faith, courage, and of a shared humanity.'

Hostages to be released on Monday - perhaps even Sunday

Under the agreement, living hostages will be returned first, possibly as a single group, and deceased hostages will be returned later.

Iris Haim: 'Rejoice quietly, in a trembling voice'

Iris Haim, mother of kidnapped and killed hostage Yotam Haim, calls on Israeli public to rejoice with modesty and remember the fallen soldiers and the hostages who will never return to their families.

Hostages' families:

We understand the price, Israel must prevent future kidnappings

Tikva Forum for families of hostages and fallen soldiers acknowledges Trump deal's risk to Israeli public, demands Israel prevent future kidnappings.

Hamas demanding release of major archterrorists in hostage deal

List of prisoners on Hamas' list includes Marwan Barghouti, Abdullah Barghouti, Ahmad Sa'adat, Ibrahim Hamad, Abbas al-Sayeed, and Hassan Salamah; PM's Office clarifies ceasefire has not yet taken effect.

Israel’s healthcare system on high alert ahead of hostage return

Hospitals, Health Ministry, preparing for the largest hostage admittance operation thus far. 'We are preparing for the worst of all and hoping for good.'

From Gaza’s darkness to hope:

Noa Argamani’s message two years after October 7

Rescued hostage Noa Argamani reflects on the two-year anniversary of the October 7 massacre, recalling her abduction from the Nova Music Festival and expressing hope for the safe return of her partner Avinatan and the remaining hostages.