hostages

This is Hamas' new demand for a ceasefire deal

Washington Post reports Hamas is demanding a last-minute change in prisoner swap-ceasefire deal; 'take it or leave it' proposal 'indefinitely' delayed.

'We had to smile'

Released hostage gives details on Hamas' hostage videos

Released hostage Aviva Siegel details how she was forced to say her lines 'again and again,' says Hamas tried to make her look presentable before taking photos. 'We had to sit next to them and smile and say everything is OK, just for the picture.'

The Oslo effect

Israelis won’t forgive or forget the left’s weaponization of the hostages to do Hamas’s dirty work for it. It is a terrible betrayal. Opinion.

A new hostage paradigm

Time for some hard truths on the hostage issue. While it is admirable that Israel values each individual life so deeply, prioritizing the safety of millions over the tragic fate of a few is the best bad choice they can make. Opinion.

Families of hostages pressuring Biden to make unilateral deal

Families of Americans held hostage in Gaza pressuring Biden administration to work towards unilateral deal with Hamas terror group, NBC reports.

US official:

Nothing in ceasefire agreement mentions Philadelphi Corridor

Disagreement between Israel and Gaza focuses on 'densely populated' areas, Hamas threatening to execute additional hostages, report says.

Hostage's twin sister:

'We are all waiting for you to come home'

Li-Yam Berger, sister of hostage Agam Berger, sends a message of hope and faith: 'I hope you are staying strong and filled with faith, we are all waiting for you.'

Initial findings:

Hamas identified IDF forces approaching & murdered the 6 hostages

Initial IDF investigation following the deaths of six hostages in Gaza shows that Hamas observed the forces approaching the area near the hostages, decided to murder them.

Insanity and incitement - the new norm?

The political parties heading the opposition, the progressive mainstream media, and the judicial system, have all lined up behind forces of insanity and blindly supported attempts to tear the country apart. Opinion.

Ensure these are the last hostages kidnapped or killed by Hamas

That would require real leadership, a moral backbone, and a willingness to stand up to evil. Do Biden and Harris have what it takes?

In first: UN Security Council to hold meeting on hostages in Gaza

'After 11 months since the kidnapping of hundreds of innocent civilians, it is certainly time for the Security Council to address this issue,' Ambassador Danny Danon says.

Israel's hostage agony

Netanyahu's dual pledge came cruelly apart, but the ensuing protests in Israel are evidence of suicidal stupidity and moral perversity on a very high level indeed. Op-ed.

Minister Amichai Eliyahu:

'Supporters of Disengagement are responsible for hostages'

Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu claimed that the blame for the hostages lies with anyone who supported the Disengagement Law in 2005.

Killed hostage's mother:

'Thinking of striking? Do you want to lose your child?'

Iris Haim, whose son Yotam was kidnapped to Gaza on October 7 and accidentally killed as he tried to escape captivity, calls on Israelis to rethink the strike. 'These protests brought us October 7.'

Please tell me how a general strike will help the hostages

The Histadrut, Israel’s major labour union, declared a general strike. They do not say how that will bring the hostages back, but they are doing it anyway. Opinion.

The deaths of six hostages are not a talking point

We must be united in our sorrow, not fractured by it. Op-ed.

Canada demands Hamas surrender

Canadian Prime Minister and opposition leader condemn hostages' murder, call for Hamas terror group to surrender and for its removal from Gaza.

IDF confirms: Number of bodies found during fighting in Gaza

IDF troops are still working to extract and identify the bodies, IDF confirms.

The high cost to the hostages of ‘enlightened’ hypocrisy

Sound policy does and should drown out the Bibi-bashing for the sake of the men, women and children in the clutches of an actual monster. Op-ed.

Aryeh Zalmanovich was murdered beside his friend Farhan al-Qadi

Qaid Farhan al-Qadi, Bedouin Israeli rescued from Gaza captivity, says hostage Aryeh Zalmanovich was held hostage alongside him until his death.

Haredi minister: Don't allow Red Cross to visit Nukhba terrorists

Construction and Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf demands Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu block Red Cross visits to Nukhba terrorists until Red Cross visits Israelis held hostage in Gaza.

'Hang on, we're coming'

Families of hostages burst across the Gaza border

Families of the hostages who came to the Gaza border to call out to their loved ones broke through the border fence and began marching into Gaza.

Rescued hostage recounts:

Terrorists booby-trapped the tunnel and fled 2 weeks ago

Qaid Farhan al-Qadi, who was rescued from Gaza yesterday after more than 10 months in captivity, described to the security forces who rescued him the conditions he was kept under.

Report: Gaza terror groups planned coup against Sinwar

Hamas last living hostages are being used as Yahya Sinwar's human shields, as Gaza's other terror groups plan coup, the Jewish Chronicle reports.

Back to school in blue & white:

Hostage's father's initiative gaining momentum

Hundreds of schools and thousands of students are joining initiative spearheaded by Tzvika Mor, father of hostage Eitan Mor, to raise national morale during the war.

Hostage's mother: 'Alternative memorial ceremony is dangerous'

Iris Haim, mother of hostage killed hostage Yotam Haim, believes 'alternative' October 7 memorial ceremony is 'a protest against the government.'

Released hostage: The terrorists asked my father for ransom

Moran Stella Yanai, released from Hamas captivity in a prisoner swap, tells of how she was pressured to convert to Islam, and feared being married off by force.

Captivity survivor to husband:

'You must not lose hope, we will bring you home'

Aviva Siegel, whose husband Keith is still held hostage in Gaza, shares, 'There were moments when we believed we would be at our daughter's wedding. It kept us going, it gave us a lot of hope and light within the great darkness.'

Released hostage:

'Thanks for my being kidnapped because of you'

Yagil Yaakov, 13, released in a prisoner swap deal after 52 days in Hamas captivity, addresses outgoing Military Intelligence chief in powerful statement.

Dead hostages, no ceasefire, quantum mechanics & free will

Our hopes and wishes for peace are directed in the wrong direction; therefore, we are disappointed and fail to achieve our desired goal.

How did the hostage talks get so crazy?

As it always goes with the Palestinian Arabs, Washington took the path of least resistance and focused pressure on Israel. It’s the same in peace negotiations. Op-ed.

Hamas demanding cessation of 'aggression,' IDF withdraw from Gaza

Senior Hamas official said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preventing a ceasefire-prisoner swap deal, says deal must include Israeli withdrawal, ability for Hamas to regroup.

Dep. Chief of Staff:

We'll operate in all areas to return our hostages

Deputy Chief of the General Staff Amir Baram joins soldiers who participated in operation to retrieve bodies of hostages, promises, 'We'll continue to operate in all areas of Gaza to defeat Hamas and bring back our hostages.'

Mother of hostage:

'Children of senior officials in exchange for hostages'

Ditza Or, the mother of hostage Avinatan Or, offered Sinwar the children of the five senior officials in exchange for the 109 hostages.

Bereaved father:

Prisoner swap deal 'bitter death sentence for many Jews'

Eliyahu Libman, whose son was murdered on October 7, warns that a 'deal will be the State of Israel's official encouragement of more kidnappings.'

US officials: 'Prisoner swap' deal 'on brink of collapse'

US officials concerned that if talks for what they call a 'prisoner swap' deal with Hamas fail, Iran may attempt direct strike on Israel, escalating tensions throughout the Middle East.

Netanyahu promises:

Unclear if there will be a deal, we will not exit key corridors

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets families of fallen soldiers, hostages held in Gaza, says he will stand up to pressure to relinquish control of Philadelphi, Netzarim, corridors.

Bereaved families to PM:

For the sake of Israel's children - say NO to a reckless deal

Parents of fallen soldiers urge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to say 'no' to a deal which will harm Israel's security. 'Look into the eyes of our children, make a deal - but not one that harms Israel's security.'

Hostage recovery:

'We all grieve together, we will do whatever it takes'

Israeli officials responded to the news that several hostages' remains had been recovered from Gaza by security forces.

Arab report:

Egypt won't oppose Israeli presence along Philadelphi Corridor

Egypt will treat status quo on Philadelphi Route as 'legal violation,' but turn a blind eye to it, report says.

In military operation:

IDF, ISA, retrieve bodies of six hostages from Gaza

On Monday night, the IDF retrieved the bodies of Nadav Popplewell, Yagev Buchstab, Yoram Metzger, Haim Perry, Alex Dancyg, and Avraham Munder from Gaza.

US pressuring Egypt to station forces in Gaza after war's end

Egypt demanding ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas prior to discussions on placing Egyptian troops in Gaza following the war, official says.

Former Justice Minister:

Deal proposed today is 'the worst deal imaginable'

New prisoner swap deal would see just 20 living hostages released in exchange for long-term ceasefire, former Justice Minister Haim Ramon warns. 'Offer Hamas to end the war on condition that all the hostages return at once.'

Israeli officials:

Philadelphi Corridor issue resolved in ceasefire talks

US Secretary of State to arrive in Israel today in bid to push for finalization of ceasefire deal this week.

Report:

Withdrawal from key corridor - decided in Biden-Netanyahu talks

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri calls US Pres. Joe Biden's belief that a ceasefire-prisoner swap deal is close 'delusional.'

PM's Office: 'Cautious optimism' regarding deal with Hamas

Office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expresses 'cautious optimism' regarding chance of ceasefire-prisoner swap deal with Hamas, hope that 'heavy pressure' will lead terror group to remove opposition to US-proposed agreement.

Injured and bruised:

Video of Aryeh Zalmanovich's abduction released

Video footage showing October 7 abduction of 89-year-old Aryeh Zalmanovich is released, showing him on a motorcycle bruised, injured, and with his head bandaged.

Israel's compromise during the Doha summit

Israel has agreed to reduce veto on which terrorists are released, in exchange for an increased number of hostages released each week, report says.

Hostage's father:

'Emerging deal could kill my son'

Tzvika Mor, the father of hostage Eitan Mor, warns that the multi-stage hostage deal puts the male hostages who will not be released in the first stage at risk.

Central sticking point:

Number of live hostages to be released in first stage of deal

Hamas insisting on releasing 'living or dead' hostages from 'humanitarian' group, Israel insists first stage of deal include 30 living hostages.

Hostages' relatives at the Knesset:

'Our loved ones' struggles must remain top priority'

Relatives of Israelis held hostage by Hamas in Gaza hold protest in Knesset, demanding prisoner swap with Hamas.

New York Times: Netanyahu set new conditions for ceasefire deal

New York Times article claims Israel made five changes to the ceasefire-prisoner swap deal proposal - but details only two of them, neither a new demand.

Handwritten messages:

Where is Yahya Sinwar hiding?

'No one in Gaza knows the exact location of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar,' Hamas source tells Asharq Al-Awsat.

Hamas claims to have killed a hostage, harmed others

Hamas claims it murdered one of its hostages circulate on Telegram. IDF says it has no evidence to confirm or refute the reports.

Smotrich hits back:

US would reject a deal surrendering to Al Qaeda and bin Laden

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich responds to White House spokesman John Kirby's verbal attack, says he expects US to 'respect Israel's democracy, citizens, and politicians,' notes that hostage deal would 'abandon most hostages to death.'

Hamas' new demand for a prisoner swap deal

Hamas terror group announces that it will demand archterrorist Marwan Barghouti's release be included in the first stage of any agreed-upon prisoner swap deal, Sky News Arabic reports.

Hostage's grandmother pens letter: Do you remember your birthday?

Pnina Bibas, grandmother of youngest hostages Ariel and Kfir Bibas, who are still held in Gaza, pens letter marking Ariel's fifth birthday: 'Time seems to have frozen without you. You've grown a year older, but there's no celebration.'

Ariel Bibas turns 5 tomorrow after 10 months in captivity

Bibas family releases video of previous birthday pictures of Ariel Bibas to highlight how he remains a hostage on his fifth birthday.

'He shouldn't interfere':

PM Netanyahu's response to Biden's conversation

Prime Minister's Office responds to reports that US Pres. Joe Biden expressed frustration at stalled prisoner swap talks.

Watch:

New footage of hostage Eitan Levi being taken to Gaza

'We decided to share and release the video of his abduction. The proof that there are no innocent civilians in Gaza,' the family wrote.