hostages

Minister Akunis:

Hostage deal was 'deal with the devil' but had to be done

Science and Technology Minister Ofir Akunis tells Arutz Sheva the hostage deal is not the end of the war but the beginning.

Ahead of hostage release:

Government rep. asks not to publish names of released hostages

Brg. Gen. (Res.) Gal Hirsch requested that the media not publish the list of the first hostages to be released until they arrive in Israel.

We support and we hold responsible

We support the Israeli government's decision but hold resonsible all those who made it necessary. Op-ed.

Qatar Foreign Ministry:

Ceasefire on Friday at 7 am, hostages will be released at 4 pm

Spokesperson for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry says Qatar has lists of people to be released from both sides, 13 Israelis to be released tomorrow

'A disgusting accusation'

Israeli spokesman left speechless by ridiculous question

Eylon Levy is shocked by the suggestion that Israel sees Palestinian lives as less valuable than Israeli lives.

Netanyau to David Cameron:

'We hope to get our hostages, but there are challenges'

PM meets British Foreign Secretary, says peace can only happen if Hamas is eliminated.

Relative of kidnapped family:

'They will not come back the same people'

Oriyah Yahbas, cousin of Jordan Bibas, who was abducted to Gaza together with wife Shiri & their children, speaks about the prisoner swap.

SWC: Hamas could end all the suffering by releasing all hostages

'The suffering of the families of Israeli hostages is on the hands of Hamas terrorists,' Simon Wiesenthal Center says.

Analyst:

The soldiers on the ground believe ceasefire is a mistake

Military analyst Yossi Yehoshua: 'Significant' discrepancies between how top IDF bronze, soldiers fighting on the ground, see prisoner swap.

Why is Hamas calling the shots?

Did you get back all the hostages in this deal? That would have been something.Op-ed.

Top White House official:

'The war won't be over after the truce ends'

White House official John Kirby speaks to US Jewish community leaders, says Hamas still poses a real threat to Israel.

Will the Red Cross finally do its job?

The Red Cross will finally visit Hamas hostages. But will the org.that failed in the Holocaust and failed Shalit protect Jews? Op-ed

Ben Gvir, Zohar argued at Cabinet meeting on hostage deal

Ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Miki Zohar clashed at Cabinet meeting to approve hostage deal. Ben Gvir: This isn't Likud Central Committee.

White House:

'Hostage deal was agreed, parties are working out final details'

National Security Council spokesperson says the US is hopeful that implementation of hostage deal with Hamas begins on Friday.

Biden speaks to Netanyahu, welcomes hostage deal

White House says Biden assured Netanyahu he will continue working to secure the release of all remaining hostages.

Report:

These are the reasons for delay in hostage deal

According to The Wall Street Journal, Hamas did not provide adequate info about the hostages it was going to release.

NSC head:

Hostage release will not take place before Friday

Tzachi Hanegbi says implementation of hostage release deal is being delayed and will not happen before Friday.

Simon Wiesenthal Center:

'Tragically, hostage deal gives Hamas a lifeline'

Simon Wiesenthal Center says it is relieved to see dozens of hostages released, but Hamas must be 'removed permanently' for peace to exist.

Diplomatic source:

Hostages' families will be told only when the release happens

Israeli source explains why families will not be informed ahead of time that their loved ones are being released by Hamas.

'You don’t negotiate with terrorists' - Binyamin Netanyahu

This is an agreement that does not take the future into account. Op-ed.

Smotrich's condition for supporting hostage deal

After voicing opposition, the Religious Zionism party voted in favor of the hostage deal thanks to a clause added to the Cabinet decision.

Media consultant:

'No regrets about leading the campaign to release Gilad Shalit'

Activist who pushed for Shalit deal: 'Saving lives is most important value in Israeli society,' says she'd be 'happy' to see alternative.

Minister Orit Strock:

'Hostages deal - achievement for IDF commanders and soldiers'

Minister Orit Strock explains why the Religious Zionist party members changed their mind and decided to vote in favor of the hostages deal.

In the heart of Gaza:

Watch: IDF soldier celebrates birthday of kidnapped brother

Together with other soldiers, Elisha Libman celebrates birthday of brother Elyakim, who was kidnapped by Hamas.

What is wrong with us?

The same people whose mistaken view of the situation allowed the massacre on October 7th, made the decision fot a ceasefire now. Op-ed.

German Chancellor praises prisoner swap: 'Good news'

'Israeli government has done the right thing,' says Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

UK Foreign Secretary:

Prisoner swap 'crucial step' toward relief of crisis

UK Foreign Sec. says prisoner swap offers 'important opportunity' to ensure aid reaches Gaza, urges 'all parties' to follow through.

Former Mossad & NSC head:

'Military campaign will be difficult to renew after deal'

'It will be much more difficult to resume the military campaign until Hamas collapses,' warns Efraim Halevy, former Mossad chief.

Tzohar rabbi meets families of hostages

Rabbi David Stav meets families of hostages, families evacuated from Kibbutz Nahal Oz.

Hostage deal:

These are the 300 terrorists on the list for release

The Ministry of Justice published a list containing the names of 300 prisoners 'intended for release,' as part of the hostages deal.

Hamas to provide Israel with list of 10 hostages to be released

On Wednesday evening, Hamas is expected to send Israel a list of the 10 hostages to be released Thursday under prisoner swap deal.

European Commission President:

'Wholeheartedly welcome agreement for pause in hostilities'

European Commission President von der Leyen: 'Every day these mothers and children are held hostage by terrorists is one too many.'

Religious Zionist ministers support hostage deal

Minister Smotrich: 'This is a good deal that will contribute to raising national morale. Fighting will resume until Hamas is destroyed.'

President Herzog:

'I back and support the hostage release deal'

President Isaac Herzog comments on deal to release hostages which was approved by the government: This is a moral and ethical duty.

Biden welcomes hostage deal:

'Important that all aspects of this deal be fully implemented'

US President vows that he will not stop until all American hostages are released.

Otzma Yehudit votes against

Government approves hostage release deal

Government approves deal which will see 50 Israelis released in batches during a four-day ceasefire. The releases will begin on Thursday.

Brother of Hadar Goldin:

'Operation must not end until last soldier returns'

Tzur Goldin, whose brother's body is being held by Hamas: "Make sure that this operation does not end until the last soldier returns."

Hostages' families:

'Increase pressure on Hamas instead of current deal'

Several familes of hostages in Gaza: "The pressure on Hamas must be increased out of an obligation to release all the hostages."

Haredi influencer: "Hope the hostage deal includes all of them"

Haredi influencer Yanky Goldhaber: "It is forbidden to leave even one hostage with them. Without that, there is no deal and no ceasefire."

Netanyahu:

'Red Cross to visit Hamas hostages, provide medical assistance'

For 1st time ever, the Red Cross will visit Israelis held hostage by Hamas, under terms of hostage deal.

MK Saada: "Sinwar should not be allowed to perform selection"

Likud MK Moshe Saada criticizes the outline of the deal for the release of the hostages: "We must reach a deal that includes everyone."

Otzma Yehudit: We will oppose hostage deal

Party gives reasons for not supporting deal to release hostages and emphasizes: "We need a deal that will release everyone - on our terms"

MK Ohad Tal:

'Only way to release our hostages is to pressure Hamas more'

MK Ohad Tal: "We have to pressure Hamas much, much more and that is the only way we will be able to bring our hostages back home."

Avi Maoz: 'Strongly oppose surrendering to terror'

Deputy Minister Avi Maoz: calls on the government to return the army to full combat operation until the mission is completed.

Cabinet discusses hostage deal with some ministers opposed

Religious Zionist parties to oppose deal to fee terrorists and pause fighting in exchange for 50 hostages, haredi parties to support deal.

Religious Zionist Party:

'Proposed deal is bad - we must not agree to it'

Religious Zionist Party: "deal for release of the hostages is bad for Israel's security, bad for the hostages and bad for the IDF soldiers"

Chief of Staff:

'IDF pressure on Hamas makes better conditions for hostages'

Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi visits soldiers in Gaza, says Israel still determined to dismantle Hamas rule.

Hostage release deal outline:

12 to be released each day, respite set for 4 days

A political official outlined the agreement for the release of the hostages in Gaza - which may be expanded during implementation.

We’ll make difficult decisions, return of the hostages is closer

Minister of Defense: "To bring about the return of the hostages is an ultimate goal that I will make every effort to reach."

Report:

Cabinet to meet at 8 tonight to vote on hostage deal

PM to convene War Cabinet, Political-Security Cabinet, and Cabinet tonight to approve deal to free dozens of Hamas hostages.

Hostages' parents support DM, demand increased pressure on Hamas

Parents of hostages call to end humanitarian aid to Gaza, worry release of women and children will harm hostages left behind.

UN rapporteurs should focus on immediate release of all hostages

'Imperative for international community to exert every effort to secure safe return of the hostages,' expert Dr. Shelly Aviv Yeini says.

Liberman:

Obsession with discussing prisoner swap raises price

'Hamas has identified that this is our weak spot, and is utilizing that to its fullest,' opposition MK Avigdor Liberman says.

Israeli source: We are close to closing a prisoner swap

Senior Israeli source says Israel and Hamas are nearing prisoner swap - but lowers the number of terrorists to be freed.

Report:

Swap to include 50-100 hostages, in exchange for 300 terrorists

Details of deal will be publicized by Qatar when they are finalized, senior Hamas official promises.

Proof of life as a prerequisite for any hostage deal

Israel should only value living hostages in a deal, although it must demand the bodies of those who have died. Op-ed.

Herzog on Fox News:

'Hamas is holding children hostage, where are the protests?'

President Herzog criticizes pro-Hamas protesters in the US, says they support terrorism.

Red Cross president meets Hamas leader Haniyeh in Qatar

The Red Cross has not been permitted to visit the more than 200 hostages who are held by Hamas in Gaza.

Netanyahu:

'We are committed to bringing back the hostages'

Prime Minister Netanyahu and the War Cabinet meet with families of the hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza,

White House:

'We're closer to a hostage deal than we've been before'

WH National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby rejects accusations Israel committing genocide, calls for PA to rule Gaza.