hostages

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.

Pres. Herzog:

'Every second of these 300 days is a crime against humanity'

Israeli Pres. Isaac Herzog calls on world leaders to help bring hostages home: 'For 300 days our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, grandparents, have been languishing in the dungeons of Hamas in Gaza.'

Christian students join hostage families at the US Capitol

Passages prepares hundreds of Christian students to face anti-Israel activity on their campuses for the coming academic year.

Mother of Oron Shaul, taken hostage in 2014, asks last request

The family of Oron Shaul, who fell in Gaza in 2014 and whose body was kidnapped by Hamas, pleads for his return to be included in the next hostage deal - before his mother dies.

Report: These are Israel's four new conditions for ceasefire deal

Israel has set four new conditions for a ceasefire-prisoner swap deal, Al Akhbar report claims.

Freed hostage decribes abuse: 'They hurt me deliberately'

Maya Regev says that while she was treated for a gunshot wound to her leg in Gaza after being shot and kidnapeed from the Nova music festival, those treating her deliberately hurt her.

Israel's updated proposal to the USA

Israel has delivered an updated Israeli ceasefire-prisoner swap proposal to American officials before its transfer to mediators.

IDF commander:

'This is where we found our murdered brothers and sisters'

Commanding Officer of IDF's 98th Division speaks from inside the tunnel from which the hostages were rescued, beneath the area previously designated as the humanitarian area. 'We will do all it takes to bring down Hamas, and all it takes to bring back our fellow people, from wherever they are.'

During US visit:

Noa Argamani visits Lubavitcher Rebbe's gravesite

Rescued hostage Noa Argamani, visiting the US with families of hostages still in Gaza, arrives at gravesite of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson.

Hamas:

No security inspections when residents of northern Gaza go home

Egypt insists Israel compromise on demand to control Philadelphi Corridor, Hamas insists Gazans returning to northern Gaza do so without security inspections, Reuters reports.

Netanyahu & wife Sara meet representatives of hostages' families

Following address to Congress, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stresses: 'We’re committed to bringing everyone back. We’re engaged in very intensive efforts right now, and I hope they succeed.'

65 ft. underground:

Watch: Bodies of hostages recovered from Gaza tunnel

IDF releases footage from operation in which the bodies of 5 hostages were recovered. The bodies were held in an area that had been designated as a humanitarian zone.

ISA reveals photos from operation to rescue hostages' bodies

ISA publishes photos from operation to rescue the bodies of Maya Goren, Oren Goldin, Staff Sergeant Tomer Ahimas, Sergeant Kiril Brodski, and Sergeant Major (Res.) Ravid Aryeh Katz from Hamas captivity in Gaza.

Report: Israel agreed to one of Hamas' key demands for deal

Israel has agreed to compromise on Philadelphi Corridor, Rafah Crossing, in proposed ceasefire-prisoner swap deal with Hamas terror group, report says.

Israeli coordinator for hostages and missing meets US counterpart

In Washington meeting, Israeli coordinator for hostages and missing Gal Hirsch meets US Deputy Special Envoy Dustin Stewart, discussing efforts on behalf of both countries' captive and missing.

Vitriolic media attack on Noa Argamani for joining PM delegation

Leftist journalists fume after Noa Argamani and her father join Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's delegation to Washington. Rightwing anchor: 'Noa, ignore those lacking compassion.'

Cleared for publication:

Hostages Yagev Buchshtab & Alex Dancyg were murdered in captivity

Yagev Buchshtab and Alex Dancyg, kidnapped on October 7, were murdered while held hostage in Gaza.

‘If only we had known’

Neighbors of the hostage-holders in Nuseirat express self-pity, not sorrow for the captives next door. Op-ed.

Defense Minister:

'Limited window of opportunity' for prisoner swap deal

IDF's military achievements during the war have created conditions, limited window of opportunity, to establish framework for the release of the hostages, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant says.

Chief Rabbi's ruling:

Releasing terrorists 'permitted' in order to free hostages

Outgoing Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef calls for government to sign prisoner swap deal, claiming 'there is no choice - release terrorists with blood on their hands.'

Analyst: Israel needs to operate underground, hurt Hamas' spine

Tzvi Yechezkeli, Arab affairs analyst, says Israeli intelligence almost certainly knows where Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is hiding, reiterates belief that he is surrounded by hostages.

Father of IDF lookout:

'We have indications that the lookouts are still alive'

Eli Albag, father of IDF lookout Liri Albag, who is held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, says he 'collapsed' after publication of photo, has indication that the Nahal Oz lookouts are still alive.

Freed hostage:

'I was asked - say anything so he wouldn't touch us again'

Agam Goldstein-Almog, who was freed after 50 days in Hamas captivity in November addresses screening of 'Screams Before Silence,' recalls the horrors she and her mother endured in captivity.

Watch:

The chilling testimony of Danielle and Emilia Aloni's survival

Project Remember publishes AI-illustrated testimony of October 7 massacre survivor and freed hostage Danielle Aloni, who was kidnapped to Gaza together with her five-year-old daughter Emilia.

Rescued hostage:

'Every day in Gaza was a living hell'

Andrey Kozlov, rescued by the IDF from Hamas captivity, describes his time in captivity: 'Every day in Gaza was a living hell; every day felt like it could be my last on earth.'

Rescued hostage:

My hands were tied for two months

'For the first two months, my hands and feet were always tied with ropes or iron chains with lock,' rescued hostage Andrey Kozlov says.

Israeli journalist:

Hamas set a condition that will leave most hostages captive

Journalist Yaron Avraham explains Hamas' problematic condition for prisoner swap deal, adds: 'Israel cannot agree to this condition.'

Smotrich on prisoner swap:

Isn't it time to start listening to us?

Journalist asks Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich why the public should listen to his warnings about a potential prisoner swap deal, instead of to the other side. Smotrich: 'Because for 30 years, what I've said has turned out to be correct.'

Video shows IDF lookout Daniella Gilboa in captivity

Family of IDF lookout allows publication of video clip filmed by Hamas on Daniella Gilboa's 107th day of captivity. 'We received another sign of life from her two months ago,' mother Orly says.

Hostages' families warn:

Proposed prisoner swap deal will leave most hostages in Gaza

Hostages families, members of the Tikva Forum, call to reject proposed prisoner swap deal, warn that agreeing to it will harm their loved ones.

Mother of hostage reveals:

'I received a sign of life from him'

Anat, mother of Matan Angrest who was kidnapped on October 7 after suffering a serious injury, reveals in a speech at rally in Tel Aviv that the IDF located a video in which her son is seen addressing Prime Minister Netanyahu: "I trust you to get me out of here".

Hamas waiting for Israel's response to ceasefire offer

According to Hamas' offer, the hostages will be released before the end of the fifth week of the second stage, and only after the IDF withdraws its forces.

Released hostage:

'I hope all the hostages experience rebirth like I did'

Almog Meir Jan, rescued from Gaza in Operation Arnon, speaks for the first time about his eight months in Hamas captivity.

Hostages' families demand immediate action this Independence Day

'As the United States celebrates its independence, we're reminded that freedom remains elusive for 120 hostages, including eight US citizens,' Hostages Families Forum says.

Israeli source: We're on the brink of a deal with Hamas

Israel will evacuate Rafah Crossing, proposed deal allows Israel to return to fighting if Hamas violates conditions, reports say.

Report:

Hostages' families in deteriorating condition

Interviews conducted with the families reveal damages in a wide range of areas related to physical and mental health requiring significant treatment.

Hostages' families to accompany Netanyahu during Congress speech

Netanyahu is scheduled to address Congress on July 24, will be accompanied by families of people held hostage in Gaza and of people who have been killed in the war.

Hostage's mother:

'I might be a grandmother after she was held for 9 months'

Families of hostages demand answers from PM on the status of the hostage negotiations. Orly Gilboa, the mother of IDF observer, Daniella Gilboa, reveals her fears of what is happening to her daughter.

The Road to Hell:

Hostage Families Forum to Release Abduction Video

At the request of the Goldberg-Polin, Levy, and Cohen families, the video of the kidnappings from the "Death Shelter" at the Nova music festival will be released tonight.

Hostage turns 20:

Family implores: 'Bring our daughter home'

The family of hostage Naama Levy addressed their daughter this evening on the occasion of her 20th birthday, which she is spending in Hamas custody.

Former hostage graduates high school

Agam Goldstein-Almog, who was held hostage for 51 days in Gaza after watching her father and sister be murdered, graduates high school 7 months after she was released.

WSJ: As few as 50 hostages may still be alive

Sources say up to 66 of the hostages still in Gaza may be dead, possibly only 50 still alive.