hostages

President's New Year post:

'Work for the immediate, unconditional release of our hostages'

President Isaac Herzog called on leaders and people around the world to work for the immediate return of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

Nir Barkat:

'Absurd for Israel to fight Hamas and give it humanitairan aid'

Former Jerusalem mayor questions why Israel allows so much aid to go into Gaza while Hamas continues to hold 133 Israelis hostage.

Israel confirms slight progress on talks for hostage deal

No breakthroughs, but slight progress, in attempts to achieve deal to free remaining hostages, report says.

Veteran diplomat Dennis Ross

'I know about Hamas - there must be military pressure'

Former White House Middle East advisor Dennis Ross talks about how the world can do more to secure the release of hostages.

Bnei Brak:

Thousands pray for hostages' release at grave of 'Chazon Ish'

Thousands pray for release of hostages, success of IDF soldiers, at gravesite of 'Chazon Ish' in Bnei Brak. Watch.

The Red Cross is an utter, hypocritical failure

In Toronto, they hid behind locked doors when we came. Hard to beleive they wrote the Geneva Conventions. Opinion.

Julia Haart at family rally:

I am proud to be a Jew, we will not be silent

Fashion designer Julia Haart took the stage at a rally for the hostages' families to deliver an impassioned message to the nation.

Rescued soldier:

'Hamas murdered us while we were still in pajamas'

Ori Megidish, IDF lookout rescued from Hamas captivity, shares: 'Despite the pain and loneliness, I had hope that they would rescue me.'

Report:

Hamas willing to discuss new hostage release deal

Hamas reportedly no longer insists on ending the war as a condition for moving forward with new deal. Several proposals being discussed.

Watch:

Ambassador Erdan reads names of hostages at the UN

Israel’s UN Ambassador reads names of hostages during Security Council meeting: We are fighting for their release and you should be too.

Hamas:

'No talks about deal before a complete ceasefire'

Hamas spokesman says there is nothing more important than a complete cessation of the war.

PM to hostages' families:

'We are holding negotiations even at this very moment'

PM Netanyahu met with families of hostages and listened to their questions and concerns.

Pres. Biden 'devastated' at Judi Weinstein's murder

US President releases statement in response to murder of elderly couple who were American citizens by Hamas terrorists.

Investigation:

Soldiers did not hear orders during shooting of 3 hostages

Chief of Staff concludes killing of 3 hostages by IDF forces could have been prevented, but soldiers acted according to their understanding.

Judi Weinstein, previously thought kidnapped, killed on Oct. 7

Hopes of family crushed as couple believed kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz confirmed to have been murdered, their bodies held by Hamas.

CNN presenter burst into tears when reading mother's plea

John Vause, CNN presenter, burst into tears when reading plea to President Biden, from Liora Argamani, mother of Noa, kidnapped to Gaza.

Biden speaks to Qatari Emir amid Gaza ceasefire talks

White House says the two discussed urgent effort to secure the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas.

Hostage's mother to Biden:

'I want to see my daughter before I leave this world'

Liora Argamani, the terminally ill mother of Noa Argamani, writes letter to Biden, pleads for his help to secure her daughter's release.

Hamas told 12-year-old hostage Israel was destroyed

Eitan Yahalomi, freed in November, reveals how Hamas captors lied to him about the fate of his family, town, and nation.

Another day, another UNSC resolution. Yawn!

What happens when UN Security Council resolutions are ignored? Depends whether or not you are Israel. Op-ed.

TikTok refuses to run ads calling for return of hostages

Communications Minister contacts TikTok, demands it walk back its decision not to approve ads of the Hostages and Missing Persons Forum.

Sara Netanyahu to Pope:

'Please demand the unconditional release of all hostages'

Prime Minister's wife calls on the leader of the Christian world to intervene to bring about the release of the hostages being held in Gaza.

Chief Rabbi Yosef:

'Don't forget the hostages; pray for them'

The Sefardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, insisted that the Torah-observant public must not stop praying for their return.

Israeli official confirms:

Israel rejected an Egyptian proposal to release hostages

The proposed plan would see Israel end the war while a government of Fatah and Hamas members takes control of the Gaza Strip.

Mind games and hostages

Hamas manipulates our suffering, prolonging our painful anxiety for their sadistic pleasure. Why do we let them see our pain? Op-ed.

'The hostages are colder':

Tens of thousands rally to support hostages and their families

Tens of thousands arrive from all over the country to support the hostages and their families under the banner: "The hostages are colder".

White House:

'Biden and Netanyahu discussed importance of releasing hostages'

White House after Biden and Netanyahu conversation: They discussed Israel’s military campaign in Gaza to include its objectives and phasing.

Scooter Braun:

'Shame on my industry for not speaking up immediately'

Jewish record executive Scooter Braun calls for entertainment industry to advocate for release of hostages.

Freed Hostage:

'I was a prize for them'

Moran Stela Yanai and Sapir Cohen, two women who were held captive by Hamas, recount details of their ordeals.

Gadi Haggai, 73, killed by Hamas, body held in Gaza

Kibbutz Nir Oz announces that elderly resident kidnapped on October 7 has been killed, his 70-year-old wife remains a hostage.

Israel considering 'improving' its offer to Hamas

According to reports, Israel will offer to extend the ceasefire for more than two weeks in order to convince Hamas to release more hostages.

IDF Spokesperson:

'We will continue to operate to enable return of hostages'

IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari sends warning to Hezbollah: We will continue to act to push Hezbollah away from the border.

Terror group is desperate:

Hamas publishes footage of murdered hostages

In the footage, Elia Toledano, Nik Beizer, and Ron Scherman, who were murdered in captivity, are seen alive.

Hillary Clinton meets with families of hostages in NY

The families shared their stories with the Fmr. Sec. of State and presented her with a dog tag reading: "Our hearts are captive in Gaza."

World's largest 'Bring Them Home Now' mural unveiled near LA

The mural, which was painted on a building owned by a Hollywood producer, calls for the release of the nearly 130 hostages held by Hamas.

Hamas: No deal until war ends

Hamas publishes official declaration, says 'no discussion about captives and prisoner swap until end of aggression.'

Released hostage:

'We heard on the radio that Dad had been killed'

Agam Goldstein-Almog, 17, speaks about her time in Hamas captivity. 'We knew about Yam's death, we still held out hope for Dad.'

Report:

Hamas rejected Israeli offer for hostage deal

Wall Street Journal report: The Israeli offer included a one-week ceasefire in exchange for dozens of hostages.

The freed hostages read a psalm at the Kotel

Their being released alive and well should not be taken for granted, nor should their being able to come on their own to give thanks.

Israeli hostages are not welcome in London

When there are no longer Jews in Europe, will they call Hamas to light the Hanukkah candles? Op-ed.

New details emerge:

One hostage shouted, 'Help, hostages' at IDF dog's camera

Footage from IDF dog's camera could have alerted soldiers to hostages' presence - but was discovered only after their deaths.

Released hostage Ofir Engel:

'They told us the families don't want us to come back'

Ofir Engel, released hostage, returns to Kibbutz Be'eri, from which he was kidnapped on the day of Hamas' brutal attack on Israel.

Bereaved mother to soldiers:

'I love and appreciate you. I have no anger'

Iris Haim, mother of hostage shot by IDF, tells soldiers: 'I love and appreciate you. I have no anger.'

Relative of infant hostage:

Israelis have accepted the hostage situation

Relative of the Bibas family, who are in Hamas captivity, shared: 'I called the lists of released hostages modern day 'Schindler’s Lists.''

Aviv Geffen in a new single with released hostage Mia Leimberg

After a two-month silence since Oct. 7, video of Mia returning from Hamas captivity with dog Bella shook Aviv and he started singing again

NBC4:

Largest poster in the world features 173 Israeli hostages

Largest poster in the world features 173 hostages kidnapped by Hamas, covers the entire side of the studio building in Culver City.

Report:

Israel considering two-week ceasefire for hostage release

Washington Post reports Israel considering longer ceasefire, up to two weeks, for Hamas to find all hostages and bring them back to safety.

Watch:

Freed hostages in prayer of thanksgiving at the Western Wall

Sapir Cohen, Yelena Trupanob and Irena Tati visit Western Wall, recite prayers of thanksgiving.

Sign of life from captivity:

Islamic Jihad publishes video of two hostages

Islamic Jihad publishes video of hostages Elad Katzir and Gadi Moses who appeal for action to be taken to secure their release.

Netanyahu meets families of hostages

Netanyahu: "I just now sent the head of the Mossad to Europe to advance the process."

Report:

Communications failure led to shooting of 3 hostages

Battalion which mistakenly killed 3 hostages had relieved another force, wasn't told of evidence of hostages' presence, according to report.

Investigation:

Noa Argamani may have been abducted by Gaza civilians, not Hamas

NBC reports female hostage seen being kidnapped from music festival on motorcycle may not have been released because she's not with Hamas.

Jerry Seinfeld:

'Committed to raising awareness for hostages'

According to those present, Seinfeld and his family were very moved by the hostages' stories.

Hamas denies talks with Israel on hostage release

Hamas leader's media adviser says "there is no dialogue or negotiation regarding a new exchange deal with Israel."

Hamas publishes video of 3 hostages as psychological warfare

Video is first sign of life from Amiram Cooper, Chaim Peri and Yoram Metzger since October 7, set to song 'Don't cast me out when I am old.'

Hamas is dastardly - was the hostage escape a set up?

The shooting of three hostages sure feels like a cynical set up. And Hamas has no red lines, as we know. Opinion.

Father of shot hostage:

'This isn't an oversight, it's lawlessness'

Avi Shamriz, father of one of the hostages accidentally shot dead by IDF: They marched in broad daylight and the force slaughtered them.

Report:

Israel to agree to new ceasefire and hostage release

Egyptian security sources say Israel and Hamas are both open to renewed ceasefire and hostage release.

Hostage released from Gaza:

'I didn't know if I would get out - or if they would kill me'

Hostage recounts harrowing days in Hamas captivity: 'Terrorists said Bibi doesn't care about you, I thought they had forgotten about me.'

Chief of Staff:

IDF doesn't shoot a person who raises their hands

Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi speaks with commanders & soldiers in Gaza, urges soldiers to use their heads, do the right thing going forward.