hostages

Cabinet approves:

Mandate for Israeli negotiating team

Political-Security Cabinet meeting concludes after more than three hours. Cabinet approves departure of Israeli delegation to Doha for talks on hostage release deal.

Blinken, Bahrain Crown Prince discuss hostage deal

US Secretary of State meets Bahraini Crown Prince in Manama to discuss potential ceasefire-hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas.

Hostage release deal:

Hamas submits response, Cabinet to convene

The Cabinet will meet on Friday afternoon and discuss Hamas' response to the deal. Prime Minister’s Office: Hamas continues making preposterous demands.

Sarkozy to hostages' families:

'Silence is a death sentence for the hostages'

Families of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza meet former French President Nicolas Sarkozy at his residence in Paris.

Freed hostage:

'Nurses at Gaza hospital were cheering'

Judith Raanan, who was kidnapped together with her daughter on October 7 and freed 13 days later, shares her experience in TV interview.

Former hostage:

'Hamas spat on, slapped me during surgery'

Itay Regev, who was freed from Hamas captivity in November, describes to the BBC how horrific his treatment was, including being forced to undergo surgery to remove a bullet without painkillers.

CIA director:

'A ceasefire and hostage deal is critical'

CIA director William Burns tells Senators the parties are trying to broker a deal for a six-week ceasefire that would allow for the release of 40 hostages as well as Palestinian Arab prisoners being held in Israel.

Calls for release of hostages

PM's wife writes to Emir of Qatar's mother

Sara Netanyahu sends personal letter to the Emir of Qatar's mother on the occasion of Ramadan and for the release of the hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza.

Erdan on UN chief:

'He cares more about terrorists than about hostages'

Israel’s Ambassador to the UN slams UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres who called Israel’s war against Hamas a “catastrophic onslaught” against Gaza.

Families of hostages:

'Sexual violations by Hamas are an ongoing crime'

Released hostages and families leave for UN Security Council session on the UN sexual violence report.

Report:

CIA chief held secret Cairo meeting last week

CIA chief William Burns paid secret visit to Cairo before meeting with Mossad chief David Barnea, report says.

Hostages' families:

'Stop negotiations, enter Rafah now'

Tikva Forum, an organization representing families of hostages, says Hamas toying with Israel and the loved ones of the hostages in the negotiations.

Released hostage at rally:

Those in captivity are still experiencing horrors

Massive rally demands return of hostages: '19 women held hostage by Hamas - Women's Day 2024.'

Psychological terrorism:

Hamas claims seven hostages killed by Israeli fire

The communications officers accompanying the families of the hostages claim that there is no evidence to support Hamas' story.

Mossad:

'Hamas uninterested in deal, aims to ignite region'

Mossad chief David Barnea meets CIA chief William Burns, in attempt to advance prisoner swap deal, free hostages.

Arab report claims:

Prisoner swap negotiations stalled because of Israel

Negotiations for prisoner swap stalled after Israel insisted on hostage release happening first, Arab report claims.

Hamas' new demand:

Release Arab-Israeli terrorists

Hamas demanding that Israel will not have the power to veto release of terrorists with Israeli citizenship as part of a hostage release deal.

Report:

Hamas won't compromise on archterrorist's release

Jordanian news outlet says Hamas won't compromise on Marwan Barghouti's release, complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Blinken to Gantz:

'Humanitarian plan needed before operation in Rafah'

Minister Benny Gantz meets US Secretary of State in Washington. State Department: The Secretary underscored the importance of reaching an agreement to achieve the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

Biden:

'Hostage deal is in Hamas' hands'

US President says Israel has been 'cooperating,' agreed to 'rational' ceasefire deal, it will be seen in the next few days if Hamas agrees to this deal.

Hamas official claims:

'We don't know how many hostages are alive'

Amid talks on a hostage release deal, senior Hamas leader Bassem Naim claims a ceasefire is needed in order for Hamas to verify how many hostages are still alive.

Biden:

'I will not let up on a hostage release deal'

US President pledges to continue pushing for six-week ceasefire during which Hamas would release the hostages it is holding.

Spine-chilling recording:

'Help, hostages. We’re under the stairs'

Kan News reveals recording from the scene where hostages were hiding. They begged for help after their captors were killed by IDF fire. Hostage families: 'IDF leaking this, terrorizing us psychologically, like Hamas.'

Source:

Sinwar prefers condemnation of Israel over Gazans

Hamas decided not to provide any details on two central issues: an updated list of hostages, and the number of terrorists to be released in any prisoner swap deal, source says.

Negotiations crisis:

Israel won't send delegation to Cairo

Representatives of Qatar, the US, and the Hamas terror group arrive in Cairo to negotiate a prisoner swap; following Hamas' partial response, Israel announces that it will not send a representative to the talks.

US official on hostage deal: Ball is in Hamas' court

Israel has agreed to hostage deal, progress on deal and ceasefire now depend on Hamas' agreement, US official says.

Moving: Mothers of hostages rally in unity

Ditza Or, mother of Avinatan, and Meirav Leshem Gonen, mother of Romi, go on stage together at Families Forum event in Jerusalem: 'We're united for them.' Watch.

Report:

Israel demanding list of hostages still alive

Israel tells Qatar and Egypt there will be no more talks on hostage release deal, until Hamas provides a list of hostages who are still alive.

Defense Min. to Lloyd Austin:

Israel won't tolerate threats against its citizens

Defense Min. Gallant briefs US Defense Sec. Austin on progress of Israel-Hamas war, importance of international pressure in securing hostages' freedom.

Former Amb. Friedman:

'Biden committed negotiating malpractice'

Former ambassador David Friedman denounced US President Joe Biden's ice cream shop talk about the hostage negotiations.

Hostage deals - a rabbinic perspective

Interview with Rav Dr. Ido Rechnitz, co author of Jewish Military Ethics. A Rabbinic perspective on our painful, national moral dilemma of ‘freeing hostages versus a winning a military offensive.

Father of freed 9-year-old:

'If we don't finish the job, it'll happen again'

Thomas Hand, father of nine-year-old Emily who was freed from Hamas captivity after 50 days, says Israel must “finish the job” against Hamas.

Report:

US deal would free 40 hostages for 400 terrorists

Leaked document from Paris talks shows proposal in which Israel would free 10 terrorists for each hostage freed from Hamas' clutches, 90 hostages would remain in captivity.

Report: Hamas examining proposed prisoner swap deal

Second stage of hostage deal to be negotiated separately from first stage; first stage to see release of just 40 hostages.

Lapid:

We'll provide a security net for a hostage deal

Opposition leader MK Yair Lapid says Yesh Atid won't join emergency government, but may provide government with security net for hostage deal - under certain conditions.

Watch:

Biden eats ice cream while discussing hostages

US Pres. Biden is asked about hostage deal - while eating ice cream. 'National Security Adviser tells me that we're close.'

MK Edelstein:

'Yellow badge in the Knesset crosses a red line'

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on his decision not to allow the brother of a hostage to speak after wearing a yellow badge: I oppose the comparison between October 7 and the Holocaust.

Biden:

'I hope for a ceasefire by next Monday'

US President speaks to reporters in New York: My national security adviser tells me that they’re close. My hope is by next Monday we’ll have a ceasefire.

Herzog to hostages' families:

'Redeeming captives is the greatest commandment'

Israeli President meets families of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, says Israel will do everything possible to bring the hostages home.

Ori, rescued from captivity, returns to IDF service

Ori Megidish, IDF lookout rescued from Hamas captivity, will return to military service - in the intelligence corps.

Report:

Netanyahu reprimanded the head of the Mossad

TV report says Prime Minister scolded the head of the Mossad and the negotiating team that had returned from Paris: That's not how you conduct negotiations, you have to be tough.

Dozens of Nukhba terrorists arrested in Khan Yunis

The terrorists were interrogated by IDF intelligence and Shin Bet and provided information on how they held the hostages in Gaza.

Cabinet to decide:

Merchandise to northern Gaza? Only as part of a deal

Harsh criticism leads War Cabinet to rescind decision to approve humanitarian aid to northern Gaza, instead tying it to a prisoner swap deal.

Watch:

Singer Shlomi Shabat performs for released hostage

Singer Shlomi Shabat promised to sing to Louis Har after his release from Hamas captivity. On Sunday, Har's 71st birthday, he came to keep his promise.

Sergeant Oz Daniel was murdered in 7/10 massacre

Sergeant Oz Daniel was murdered on October 7; his body is still held captive by Hamas.

National Security Council chief:

We demand immediate release of all the women

National Security Council chief Tzachi Hanegbi says Israel demanding 'release of all hostages, and immediate release of all the women,' promises Israel will destroy 'all of Hamas' battalions.'

Netanyahu: We will approve plans for Rafah operation

PM Netanyahu says Cabinet will meet to approve plans for Rafah operation, evacuation of Gaza civilians.

10 terrorists for every 1 hostage:

All the details of the proposed prisoner swap

Document reveals: Prisoner swap would see release of around 40 women, elderly, and ailing, in exchange for hundreds of convicted terrorists; six-week ceasefire.

Guterres to protesters:

'There's a glimmer of hope for hostage release deal'

UN Secretary-General to protest who said he works more for the sake of UNRWA than that of the hostages: I have no authority. If I had any, they would have already been released.

Hostage deal talks in Paris:

Israeli officials optimistic, but no agreement yet

Israel willing to be flexible on the days of respite and on humanitarian aid, but will not agree to cessation of the fighting.

Soldier rescued by IDF:

'I believe in G-d, I know He exists'

Ori Megidish, kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 and rescued by the IDF less than a month later, tells what kept her strong in captivity: 'I held faith in my grandmother, I knew I would get out of there, whether in a deal or by rescue.'

War Cabinet okays:

Delegation to Paris for hostage release deal talks

The final approval for the delegation and granting of its powers will be done by the expanded cabinet. The delegation will be headed by Mossad chief David Barnea.

France claims 45 hostages received medications

French govt. echoes claims by Qatar that some hostages in Gaza have finally received medications after 4 months in captivity, but no evidence has yet been provided.

President Herzog:

Be considerate of hostage families' feelings

President Isaac Herzog calls on high school students in Haifa: 'We must consider the feelings of the hostages’ families, understand that they are going through a living hell every day and every hour.'

Yair Lapid:

'Path to victory starts with commitment to hostages'

MK Yair Lapid, opposition leader, addresses Jewish group, says, 'Path to victory starts with our commitment to the hostages, anyone who thinks that commitment is a weakness, doesn't understand Jewish principle of mutual responsibility.'

US to propose:

Hostage release in exchange for Ramadan ceasefire

Ceasefire proposal would see cessation of fighting during Ramadan in exchange for release of hostages, report says.

Egyptian sources:

Yahya Sinwar did not escape to Sinai

Hostages held by Gaza are safe, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar did not escape to Egypt with hostages, report says.

Lital Shemesh to Susan Sarandon:

You have lost touch with reality

News anchor Lital Shemesh responds to Susan Sarandon's call for Israel to end war in Gaza. 'Save your songs, they don't want a Palestinian state, they don't want peace, they want the destruction of the State of Israel.'

Qatar claims:

'The medications were transferred to the hostages'

Prime Minister's Office: Israel will examine the credibility of the report and continue to work for the welfare of our hostages.

Talks on hostage release:

Contacts underway for another summit in Paris

As Hamas delegation arrives in Cairo, diplomatic officials estimate that the upcoming month of Ramadan creates an opportunity for a deal to release hostages.