hostages

Talks on prisoner swap renew - without Israel

Following PM Netanyahu's decision not to return delegation to Cairo, negotiations on prisoner swap deal continue - without Israel's presence.

Praying for the hostages

There is a link in this article to the list of hostages and their mothers' names, as is customary in Jewish prayers for someone's welfare.

Brother of hostage:

'Send representatives to talks in Egypt'

Danny Elgarat demands that the government send representatives to the talks in Egypt and act to bring back the hostages, including his brother Itzik.

Brother of hostage explains:

How the suit in The Hague can hurt Hamas

Moshe Or, the brother of the hostage Avinatan Or, explains to Arutz Sheva that the families of the hostages want the ICJ to issue warrants against Hamas leaders in all UN member states.

Freed hostages released from hospital after 3 days

Sheba Tel Hashomer Hospital says 3-day treatment of Fernando Marman and Louis Har after they were freed from 129 days in Hamas captivity shows the danger to the remaining hostages.

PA chief to Hamas:

Reach a prisoner swap deal quickly

All sides bear responsibility for failure to reach prisoner swap agreement until now, Palestinian Authority chairman Abbas says.

Watch: Protesters block aid trucks to Gaza

'None of this aid is going to the civilian population or to the hostages - it all goes to Hamas,' protester says.

Lebanese report:

Israel proposes: Free civilians and female soldiers

Israeli delegation to Cairo offered deal similar to November 2023 prisoner swap, report says.

On the path to demand justice:

Hostages' relatives set off to make history at Hague

Hostages' relatives travel to ICC, promising to bring Hamas terrorists to justice - for the sake of the world. 'Just because it happened in Israel doesn't mean it won't happen tomorrow in Europe or the United States.'

'He's harming the talks'

Lapid criticizes government, Likud fires back

Opposition leader Yair Lapid blasts government following reports that Israel did not present a proposal for release of the hostages in Cairo.

Egyptian official:

'Cairo talks have been extended for three days'

US official says the next two days of talks on a hostage release deal will involve lower-level officials, who will continue discussing a new framework for a deal.

US officials:

'Talks in Cairo productive, but no breakthrough'

US official tells CNN the outstanding area of disagreement in hostage deal talks is the ratio of prisoners to hostages that would be released.

Watch:

Eric Adams' 4 words for anti-Israel protestors

Pro-Palestine protester confronts Eric Adams, NYC Mayor, accusing him of being 'complicit in the genocide of Palestinian children.' Listen to his reply.

'Gaza is gone. Turn over the hostages'

Israeli analyst Zvi Yehezkeli delivers a grim video message to the residents of Gaza.

Watch: Released hostages recite blessing of thanks

Fernando Marman and Louis Har, rescued from Hamas captivity, recite 'Hagomel' blessing, Yeshiva University students in New York recite 'amen.'

Running for the hostages in Gaza - in Florida

Eighteen boys and girls from Emunah Bet Sabah Elazraki Children’s Home ran a half marathon in Daytona Beach, Florida, with the aim of raising awareness of the hostages in Gaza.

Transportation Min. visits site of Mumbai massacre

Transportation Minister Regev opens diplomatic visit to India with a visit to a Chabad house in Mumbai, where a 2008 terror attack left six Jews dead, including Chabad emissaries.

Assessment:

Hamas to toughen security of hostages

Hamas trying to find out how Israel got precise intelligence information about the location of the two hostages who were rescued.

Talks on hostage deal

Netanyahu approves delegation for talks in Cairo

Officials say Israel has formulated a new position that includes a compromise. The official delegation to talks in Cairo will include the head of the Mossad and the head of the Shin Bet.

Biden:

'US working on Gaza truce of at least six weeks'

US President says the key elements of a hostage release deal are on the table: Gaps remain, but I’ve encouraged Israeli leaders to keep working to achieve the deal.

Watch:

Freed hostages' first moments of freedom

After 129 days in Hamas captivity, Fernando Simon Marman and Louis Har were rescued from Rafah and taken by helicopter to the hospital.

Defense Minister Gallant:

'This is a turning point, Hamas is vulnerable'

Defense Minister meets with troops who participated in the rescue of 2 hostages from Rafah in Gaza.

Netanyahu to soldiers:

'1 of the most successful rescue operations ever'

PM meets soldiers who freed Fernando Marman and Louis Har from Rafah in Gaza, calls hostage-rescue mission ' a successful operation, a perfect operation.'

Watch:

Footage of hostage rescue operation in Rafah

IDF releases aerial footage from operation which freed Fernando Simon Marman and Louis Har.

Smotrich:

'Send Shin Bet to kill Hamas leaders, not Cairo'

Finance Minister says rescue of 2 hostages in Rafah demonstrates why continuation of military operation must take precedence over hostage deal talks with Hamas.

Watch:

Rescued hostages reunite with family in Israel

Fernando Marman and Louis Har, rescued from Gaza by the IDF, reunite with their relatives in Sheba Medical Center.

Gaza reports:

This is the building the hostages were rescued from

Gaza footage reveals site of nighttime rescue operation which freed elderly hostages Fernando Marman and Louis Har from Hamas terrorists.

Moving:

First photo of newly-released hostages in hospital

Sheba Medical Center publishes first photo of Louis Har and Fernando Marman, who were rescued Sunday night from captivity in Gaza.

Mitzpe Yericho Yeshiva celebrate hostages' rescue

Students at the Maor Tuvia yeshiva in Mitzpe Yericho celebrate success of operation to rescue hostages Fernando Marman and Louis Har.

Watch:

Knesset Speaker announces hostage rescue on plane

Upon landing in Israel from a diplomatic visit to the US, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana notified his fellow passengers of the operation to rescue two hostages from Rafah.

Crown Heights:

Yeshiva students celebrate hostage rescue operation

Dozens of yeshiva students break out dancing in Chabad-Lubavitch world headquarters in Crown Heights, New York, following news that IDF rescued two hostages from Hamas captivity.

Argentine President thanks Israel for hostage rescue

Politicians praise hostage rescue operation, Israeli Pres. Herzog promises, 'We will continue to act in every way to return all the hostages home.'

IDF spokesman reveals details of dramatic rescue

'We prepared for this operation over the course of time, waited for conditions which would allow it to be carried out,' IDF spokesman Hagari says.

Rescued hostage's son-in-law:

'We met and embraced, they are surrounded by family'

Idan Bejerano, the son-in-law of Louis Har, described the reunion with his father-in-law after he was freed from Hamas captivity in an Israeli operation.

Brother of dead hostage:

'Perhaps Yossi's death saved the lives of soldiers'

Brother of Eli Sharabi who is held captive by Hamas and Yossi Sharabi who was killed in captivity says he hopes his brother's "was not in vain".

In dramatic operation:

Israeli troops free two hostages from captivity

Fernando Simon Marman (60) and Louis Har (70), kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak on October 7, freed in joint IDF, Israel Security Agency and Israel Police operation in Rafah.

US official:

'Framework in place for hostage deal, gaps remain'

Following Biden-Netanyahu conversation, senior administration official says Biden is determined to bring about a hostage release deal.

'Bring them home'

Israel purchases Super Bowl ads for hostages

Diaspora Affairs Ministry and the Public Diplomacy Directorate hope to reach tens of millions of Americans with videos, radio commercials, and billboards drawing attention to the plight of the hostages during the Super Bowl.

In Hague:

Hostages' families to file complaint against Hamas

Delegation from Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum headquarters to travel to The Hague this week to file complaint in ICJ against Hamas to secure arrest warrants against Hamas leaders, pressure terrorists to release hostages.

UN Secretary-General:

'If I were PM, my main priority would be hostages'

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres meets protesters calling for the release of hostages, says he is worried a deal will fall through because of statements by Hamas and Netanyahu.

Impasse in talks

Israel rejects most of Hamas' demands

War Cabinet agrees that Hamas' demands are unrealistic, and therefore there is no point in attending talks in Egypt on a hostage release deal.

IDF:

Yossi Sharabi likely killed after Israeli strike

IDF informs family of Yossi Sharabi, who was taken hostage by Hamas from Kibbutz Be’eri, of the details of investigation into the circumstances of his death.

Hundreds of bodies brought to Israel for examination

Over 350 bodies have been brought from Gaza to Israel for the purpose of searching for bodies of hostages.

Hostage expert weighs in:

This is how to prevent kidnappings

Hostage expert Jared Genser explains why Israel’s hostage crisis is uniquely challenging.

Report:

Talks on hostage deal to resume soon in Cairo

Arab newspaper reports that a senior Israeli security delegation will visit Cairo as indirect negotiations with Hamas continue.

Body of Manny Godard, murdered 7/10, held in Gaza

The family of Manny Godard of Kibbutz Be'eri receives update that his body is held captive in Gaza.

Putin:

'Russia working to free hostages held by Hamas'

Russian President meets leaders of local Jewish community, says Moscow achieved "specific results" in efforts to free hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza.

Biden Admin official:

Hamas hostage release proposal 'generally positive'

Administration official says there is 'room to work with' after Hamas finally responds to hostage deal proposal, but they are still 'skeptical' a deal will be made.

Egypt:

'We received Hamas' response to hostage deal'

Despite Hamas' demand that the fighting in Gaza end completely, Egyptian security sources say its response showed flexibility.

President of Portugal:

'Portugal will advance the release of hostages'

Portuguese President meets for the first time with families of hostages, expresses his personal support and the support of his country for the families.

Hamas finally responds to proposed hostage deal

After days of foot-dragging, Qatari PM says Hamas terror group has finally submitted its response to the proposed hostage deal. Hamas reiterates demand of end to war.

New York Times:

Nearly one quarter of the hostages are dead

NYT reports that Israeli intelligence now believes 32 of the 136 hostages still being held by Hamas are dead, majority were killed on October 7. Another 20 hostages may also be dead.

France:

'We expect proof that hostages received medication'

Medicine for Israeli hostages being held by Hamas entered the Gaza Strip last month, but there has been no indication that the hostages received it.

London:

Dozens rally for women being held by Hamas

Several dozen rally in London to draw attention to the women still being held hostage by Hamas and to the issue of Hamas’ sexual violence.

Pundit:

'We are not on the verge of a hostage deal'

Channel 12 News’ Middle Eastern affairs commentator Ehud Yaari says Hamas insists on the end of the war and the withdrawal of the IDF as a condition for any release of hostages.

Hamas' demands:

One hostage per day, release of Nukhba terrorists

Hamas demands release of murderous terrorists who took part in October 7 attack, and to set four stages for the hostage release deal.

Teen freed from Hamas:

'We saw burned houses and bodies'

Released hostage Hila Rotem Shoshani: 'Truthfully I thought the whole kibbutz was either taken hostage or killed.'

Hamas delaying response to prisoner swap offer

Arab media reports: Hamas inclined to accept prisoner swap deal, even though it does not include cessation of fighting.

Advice from a hostage’s mother

Do not supress pain, but do not let it rule.

New prisoner swap?

150 terrorists per female soldier, 6-week ceasefire

Reports say new prisoner swap deal would see Gaza hospitals, bakeries, reopen, and give Gazans freedom of movement throughout entire Strip.