hostages

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.

At Ashdod port, dozens protest Gaza aid

Protesters block entry and exit from Ashdod port, in attempt to prevent humanitarian aid from reaching Gaza.

Former Shin Bet chief:

'IDF only remains in Gaza because of the hostages'

Former Shin Bet chief Carmi Gillon claims that "the military pressure in the Gaza Strip is the only thing that can bring the hostages home."

Prime Minister Netanyahu:

'Hostage release deal - not at any cost'

Prime Minister in a statement: I have red lines - we will not end the war, we will not remove the IDF from the Strip, and we will not release thousands of terrorists.

Rabbi Dee:

'I am proud of my son for supporting the hostages'

After his son was detained while protesting aid trucks entering the Gaza Strip, Rabbi Leo Dee says he understands why people go to protests. 'They are doing everything they can.'

Netanyahu to hostages' families:

'The more efforts are quiet the better our chances'

Netanyahu said that efforts are currently being made to bring the hostages back to Israel but it is best not to publicize the details. 'The more that effort is publicized the further away it gets.'

Op-ed:

“Bring them Home” is wrong. Here’s why

Don’t waste any more time on a misguided campaign. Opinion.

Bereaved son & brother detained at Gaza crossing

Large numbers of police officers prevent protesters from reaching crossing, ensure trucks carrying humanitarian aid enter Gaza.

IDF declares Egypt crossing a closed military zone

Following protests against Gaza aid, IDF's Southern Command chief declares Nitzana Border Crossing a closed military zone.

Report:

Israel agrees to six-week ceasefire for all hostages

Israel has signaled its agreement to a plan that would see all civilian hostages released in exchange for a two-month lull in the fighting in Gaza.

Report: Israel transferred around 100 bodies to Gaza

Gazans bury dozens of bodies sent by Israel in trucks intended to carry humanitarian aid, Reuters says.

Amid negotiations on deal

Hostages' families meet US National Security Advisor

Family members of eight hostages with US citizenship meet Jake Sullivan in Washington: Every day that the hostages remain in Gaza, they are at risk.

Egyptian officials:

Hostage deal expected as early as next week

Egyptian officials told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that negotiations were 'moving in a positive direction.'

Release of soldiers and bodies:

Hamas official sheds light on proposed hostage deal

A senior Hamas official told Reuters that the organization received a proposal that would see a three-stage deal.

Netanyahu in Eli:

'We will not release thousands of terrorists'

Prime Minister Netanyahu visited the Bnei David Institutions and addressed reports of a hostage deal.

Ben-Gvir:

'Irresponsible deal? No government'

The National Security Minister tweeted this afternoon to warn against the most recent proposals for prisoner exchange agreements with Hamas.

Hamas leader:

'Open to any proposal that leads to end of war'

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh says terror group received Paris summit proposal, has not rejected it outright.

Saudi normalization deal in exchange for end of war?

New proposal for prisoner swap offers promise of Israel-Saudi Arabia normalization - if Israel agrees not to dismantle Hamas.

Blinken:

'There is real hope for a hostage release deal'

US Secretary of State says "important, productive work has been done" on a deal to free the hostages still being held by Hamas.

Prime Minister's Office:

'Reports of hostage deal are incorrect'

Prime Minister's Office denies reports that Israel agreed to a deal that would see the firingof thousands of terrorists in return for the remaining Israeli hostages.

Leader of anti-aid protest arrested at Gaza border

Sima Hasson, leader of the struggle to end aid to Gaza and mother of two IDF soldiers, is arrested at the Kerem Shalom Crossing.

Brother of hostage in Gaza:

‘Strongly object sending aid to Hamas’

Elkana Libman, brother of Elyakim who was taken hostage in Gaza, at the Knesset education committee: “The only way to bring my brother home is to defeat Hamas.”

Benny Gantz to residents of southern Israel:

The war could last an entire generation

In closed meeting with residents of Gaza border region, Min. Benny Gantz stresses hostages need to take priority, warns war against Hamas may last years.

Torah scroll dedicated to hostage's speedy release

Family of hostage Avinatan Or dedicates Torah scroll in town of Shiloh, praying for his immediate release from Hamas captivity.

Paris summit:

'Progress in discussions; differences still wide'

Israel is demanding to put additional pressure on Hamas to reduce its demands and agree to an outline of a two-month ceasefire, in exchange for the release of the hostages.

After protests at site:

Kerem Shalom Crossing declared closed military zone

Following protests against humanitarian aid to Gaza, Commander of IDF's Southern Command declares Kerem Shalom Crossing to be closed military zone.

Israel’s isolated generals

The Israeli public has made clear that it opposes cutting a deal for the hostages that will enable Hamas to survive the war. Its leaders should listen.

Smotrich:

'There will be military rule in Gaza after the war'

Finance Minister in TV interview: Anyone who undertakes to bring all the hostages back alive is not telling the families the truth.

Report:

Deal that would halt Gaza war for two months close

New York Times report: American-led negotiators are edging closer to an agreement in which Israel would suspend Gaza war for about two months in exchange for release of hostages.

'Save the lives of hostages'

Righteous Among Nations families' message to Gazans

Families of Righteous Among the Nations urge Gaza residents to save hostages' lives.

Efforts to release hostages

Biden and Qatar's Emir speak about Gaza

US President speaks with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani about efforts to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas.

Psychological terror:

Hamas releases video of three female hostages

Hamas releases propaganda video showing three women in captivity: Karina Ariev, 19, Doron Steinbrecher, 33, and Daniela Gilboa, 19.

Majority of Israelis:

Hostages' families correct in stepping up protest

Women more likely than men to support increasing scope of protests demanding to bring hostages home, poll shows.

Defense Min. Gallant to Lloyd Austin:

US pressure important to bring hostages home

Defense Min. Yoav Gallant briefs US Sec. Lloyd Austin on progress in dismantling Hamas, urges, 'US pressure important in efforts to return the hostages home.'

Minister Sofer to Arutz Sheva:

'Promote hostage deal, strive for victory'

Minister Ofir Sofer tells Arutz Sheva-Israel National News in an interview that a deal for the release of hostages must be promoted, but one that will ultimately allow for the defeat of Hamas.

Minister Tropper:

'We will not agree to end the fighting'

Minister Hili Tropper says bringing back the hostages is more urgent right now, but Israel cannot end the war as part of a deal.

MK Ohad Tal to Arutz Sheva:

'Deal must ensure that Israelis return home safely'

MK Ohad Tal: "There's only one result for this war; a complete and clear victory for Israel over Hamas. We have to eradicate Hamas in a way that they will understand that the atrocities of October 7th cannot happen again.”

Hostage’s sister-in-law:

'If you send trucks to Hamas, I'll lie on the road'

Tzofit Libman, sister-in-law of hostage Elyakim Libman, screamed at policemen during a demonstration: “My brother-in-law was kidnapped. We don’t know if he is alive, and you are sending trucks into Gaza?”

Minister Gantz criticizes leaks on hostages:

'Tearing families apart and harming efforts'

Minister Benny Gantz criticizes the leaks about the hostages, speaks about continuation of the war in Gaza.

Released hostage:

'Sinwar came and waved to us'

A hostage who was released from captivity recalls the moment when she was taken to a tunnel where the murderer Yahya Sinwar was. “He was smiling and looked so happy."

In anti-Hamas protest:

Gazans call for release of Israeli hostages

IDF Arabic spokesman publishes rare footage of anti-Hamas protest in Gaza.

Marwan Barghouti may be released in hostage deal

Several foreign intermediaries are cautiously optimistic about a new prisoner swap plan with Hamas.

Nitsana Darshan-Leitner:

'The world ignores what happened on October 7'

Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, founder of Shurat HaDin: The world has to wake up and the only way to wake up the world is to bring the terrorists to justice, both internally but also outside.