Israel passes counter-proposal for ceasefire to mediators

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds series of meetings following receipt of Hamas' ceasefire offer, counter-offer passed to mediators.

Israel demanding 10 living hostages; Hamas insists on only 5

Egyptian sources say Hamas agreed to release five Israeli hostages, including dual citizen Edan Alexander and four others, some of whom are alive.

Netanyahu to negotiating team:

Prepare for talks to release 11 hostages

Following high-level meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructs negotiating team to prepare to continue talks for hostages' release.

50-day ceasefire

Steve Witkoff's new proposal for a ceasefire deal

US envoy Steve Witkoff proposes Israel resume humanitarian aid to Hamas, release terrorists, in exchange for the release of several hostages.

Report: Hamas agrees to extend first stage of ceasefire deal

Al Hadath reports Hamas agreed to US initiative to extend first stage of ceasefire deal in exchange for the release of several living hostages; Hamas denies report.

Netanyahu's office:

Israeli delegation to leave for negotiations in Qatar

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirms Israeli delegation to leave for Qatar on Monday to negotiate advance negotiations to free hostages.

US advancing:

Initiative to release hostages - without Israel's involvement

US holding negotiations with Hamas to extend ceasefire in exchange for release of some hostages. Israeli source: 'Negotiations are being held above our heads.'

Progress on talks for deal's second stage? Israel denies it

Hamas claims progress on negotiations for second stage of deal, Israeli source clarifies: 'Not familiar with progress on talks at this stage.'

Ohad Yahalomi, killed in Hamas captivity, is laid to rest

Funeral for Ohad Yahalomi, kidnapped to Gaza on October 7 and murdered in Hamas captivity, begins in Rishon Lezion; he will be buried in Kibbutz Nir Oz.

In exchange for hostages' release:

Israel agrees to Witkoff's plan for temporary ceasefire

Prime Minister's Office says Israel accepts plan to extend ceasefire through Ramadan, Passover, in exchange for release of all hostages still held in Gaza.

Hamas: We won't accept outside interference in governing Gaza

Hamas leader reveals terror group prioritizing forcing Israel to capitulate, claims terror group wants to aid Gaza residents.

Watch:

Omer Shem Tov returns to his home in Herzliya

Omer Shem Tov, freed from Hamas captivity earlier this month, is released from the hospital and returns home to Herzliya, is greeted by city residents who gathered to greet him.

Hamas rejects Israel's proposal to extend first stage of deal

Hamas spokesman says terror group rejects Israel's proposal to extend first stage of ceasefire deal, says there are no negotiations for second stage.

Psychological terrorism:

Hamas publishes footage of the Horn brothers' goodbyes

Hamas publishes video clip showing hostages Eitan Horn and Iair Horn, as they part ahead of Iair's release after 498 days in captivity.

Ceasefire to be extended?

Israeli source: Additional hostages may be released on Saturday

'We expect additional hostages to be released this Saturday, in exchange for extension of ceasefire,' Israeli source claims.

Hamas:

We didn't plan to attack Israeli soldiers, towns during ceasefire

'Declaring Philadelphi Corridor to be buffer zone is clear violation of ceasefire agreement,' Hamas claims.

Israeli source: We won't exit Philadelphi Corridor

Israeli source says IDF will not exit the Philadelphi Corridor, promising, 'We won't allow Hamas to rebuild themselves through smuggling.'

Pres. Herzog:

Our hearts ache at identification of Ohad, Itzik, Tsachi & Shlomo

Israeli President Isaac Herzog mourns hostages Ohad Yahalomi, Tsachi Idan, Itzik Elgarat, and Shlomo Mantzur, whose bodies were returned Wednesday night.

Bodies of Shlomo, Itzik, Tsachi, and Ohad identified

Abu Kabir forensic institute positively identifies the bodies of the four hostages returned to Israel late Wednesday night.

Yarden Bibas:

'I'm sorry I didn't manage to save you'

Funeral for Ariel, Kfir, and Shiri Bibas leaves Rishon Lezion for Nir Oz cemetery; thousands stand along the roadsides, waving Israeli flags and paying last respects.

Report: Hamas may release two deceased hostages Mon. evening

Saudi newspaper reports progress in negotiations to solve crisis; two bodies of murdered hostages may be released in exchange for the over 600 terrorists whose release was delayed.

Due to fear of rescue:

Terrorists chained Eliya Cohen to other hostages

Sigi Cohen, mother of released hostage Eliya Cohen, tells of her son's time in captivity.

With Israeli flags lining the road:

This is what Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir's funeral will look like

As per the family's request, the funeral will be limited to invitees only, but the public may honor the memory of Shiri and her sons Ariel and Kfir, accompanying the funeral procession by holding Israeli flags along the roadside.

Israel forces Hamas to fold

Hamas spokesman in Gaza says terror group willing to agree to proposal to free hostages in order to end crisis and free terrorists.

Cruelty and evil:

Hamas brought two additional hostages to release point

Hamas publishes video clip showing hostages Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Evyatar David, sitting in a car while forced to watch their friends' 'release ceremony.'

Released terrorist dead after falling from roof in Isawiya

Nael Abed, a dangerous terrorist released last week as part of the deal with Hamas, falls from a rooftop to his death.

Returning from captivity:

Eliya discovers that his girlfriend is alive

Eliya Cohen, released from Hamas captivity after 505 days, thought his girlfriend Ziv had been killed in the 'bomb shelter of death.' Prior to the massacre, he had bought a ring - but did not manage to propose before he was kidnapped.

Starved and abused:

Testimonies from Omer, Tal, Omer, and Eliya

Tal Shoham and Omer Wenkert were held together for most of their time in Hamas captivity; Eliya Cohen was kept in complete darkness formost of the time; Omer Shem Tov lost 17 kilograms.

Sign of life received from hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal

Father of hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal says family received 'sign of life' from one of the six hostages who returned to Israel earlier on Saturday.

After nearly a decade: Hisham al-Sayed reunites with his family

Hisham al-Sayed, released from Hamas captivity after nearly a decade in Gaza, meets his father Shaaban and brother Wasim at the initial reception point in Israel, and additional family members at the hospital.

'How good is G-d!'

Moving 'havdalah' ceremony with returned hostages

Omer Shem Tov, Eliya Cohen, and Omer Wenkert attend 'havdalah' ceremony marking the conclusion of Shabbat at Beilinson Hospital. Watch.

'Thank you to everyone who prayed': Yarden Bibas' moving post

One day after his wife Shiri's remains were returned to Israel, Yarden Bibas thanks those who supported and cared for his family.

Netanyahu on Bibas murders: 'We shall neither forgive nor forget'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says heart 'bursts with excitement' at return of six living hostages from Hamas captivity, Israel will 'neither forgive nor forget' brutal murders of Shiri Bibas and her young sons Ariel and Kfir.

Dr. Chen Kugel:

'We have witnessed unimaginable depths of cruelty and evil'

Dr. Chen Kugel, head of the Abu Kabir forensic institute, says there is 'no evidence' that Shiri Bibas was killed in a bombing, proving Hamas' earlier claims were lies.

Due to Bibas family's murder:

Israel delays release of 602 terrorists

Israel announces that it will delay the 602 terrorists due to be released in exchange for six living hostages; terrorists' families informed that the release will take place around 8:00 p.m.

Watch:

After over a decade, Avera Mengistu reunites with his family

Avera Mengistu, held captive in Gaza since September 2014, reunites with his family at the initial reception point in Israel and at Ichilov Hospital.

With praise to G-d:

Moving: Omer Wenkert reunites with his parents in Israel

Omer Wenkert meets his parents Niva and Shai at the initial reception point in Israel. Watch.

'That's it, don't cry anymore'

Eliya Cohen's moving reunion with his parents

Watch Eliya Cohen's moving reunion with his parents, Sigalit and Maimon, and his partner Ziv.

Omer Shem Tov returns to his family:

'That's it, we're together, it's over'

Watch Omer Shem Tov's emotional meeting with his family, as they reunite at Beilinson Hospital.

Shiri Bibas was murdered in captivity

Shiri Bibas was murdered in the first weeks of the war, together with her children Kfir and Ariel. 'She was beloved by everyone who knew her, but above all, she was a dedicated mother.'

After 505 days in captivity:

Omer, Eliya, Omer, Avera, Tal, and Hisham are back in Israel

Hisham al-Sayed, Omer Wenkert, Eliya Cohen, Avera Mengistu, Tal Shoham, and Omer Shem Tov are back in Israel after being released from Hamas captivity.

Netanyahu on Bibas murders: Today is a day of indescribable pain

'I vow that I will not rest until the savages who executed our hostages are brought to justice,' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promises.

Coffins of four deceased hostages arrive at forensic institute

The coffins of Shiri Bibas and her sons Ariel and Kfir, and Oded Lifshitz, have crossed the border into Israel and arrived at the Abu Kabir forensic institute.

To the sound of Hatikva:

Remains of four deceased hostages arrive at forensic institute

The four coffins were wrapped in Israeli flags by IDF soldiers and brought into Israel; IDF Chief Rabbi Eyal Karim reads Psalms during military ceremony in Gaza.

Watch: Mourning together at Hostages Square

Crowd gathers at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, waving Israeli flags and some wearing orange hats or shirts, in solidarity with the Bibas family.

Innocents in Gaza?

Children and infants attend Hamas 'ceremony' for hostage release

Hundreds of Gazan civilians, including infants and children, attend Hamas cynical 'release ceremony' showing off bodies of four killed hostages.

Ari Fuld's brother:

We're happy hostages are returning, pained at terrorists' release

Eitan Fuld, brother of terror victim Ari Fuld who was murdered in Gush Etzion, shares his family's reaction to the news that Ari's murderer will be released in the Hamas deal.

Haredi minister to Keith Siegel:

I will continue to support every deal

Construction and Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf meets release hostage Keith Siegel at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, says his thoughts are always with the hostages still in Gaza. 'Your descriptions support what we knew - this is a matter of life-and-death, and about saving lives.'

Hamas moved up the release?

'New level of absurdity and reverberating propaganda'

Source in Prime Minister's Office says Hamas agreement to release six living hostages on Saturday stems from decision to make changes to negotiating team.

Ofer Calderon's uncle: Hamas stuffed him ahead of his release

Shami Calderon, uncle of released hostage Ofer Calderon, says Hamas terrorists stuffed Ofer ahead of his release in ceasefire deal. 'Three months before his release he weighed 25 kilograms less.'

Cabinet to meet to discuss negotiations on second stage of deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich that negotiations for the second stage of the deal with Hamas would not begin without the Cabinet's approval, report says.

Israeli official: We're weighing bringing caravans into Gaza

Israel and the US are pushing for an additional hostage release in the next few days - or the release of all six living hostages next Saturday.

Hamas slams Trump: US must force Israel to keep agreement

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qasem says US must force Israel to implement ceasefire deal if it is interested in the hostages' lives.

'A gift for his wife'

Terrorists told Sagui of daughter's birth, gave gift for his wife

Terrorists told hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen of his daughter's birth while he was in captivity, gave him earrings to give his wife as a gift; Sasha Troufanov was informed in captivity of his father Vitaly's death, and burst into tears.

'She's such a strong woman'

Sasha meets his mother, and his girlfriend Sapir

Watch: Sasha Troufanov reunites with his mother, Yelena, and his partner Sapir Cohen at the initial reception point in Israel.

'Wow, you're a champ!'

Yair Horn meets his father in the hospital

Yair Horn meets mother Ruth and brother Amos at the initial reception point in Israel, and afterwards meets his father Yitzhak at Ichilov Hospital. Watch.

Sagui hears his infant daughter's name for the first time

After 498 days in Hamas captivity, family of hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen watches his release from his wife Avital's apartment in Carmei Gat, and from the town of Gvaot Bar.

Moving:

'Thanks for watching over me, Daddy is on the way'

Watch the moving moments when released hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen meets his family, and as he makes his way to an IDF helicopter. 'Bari, Gali, and Shachar - thanks for watching over me, Daddy is on his way.'

After nearly 500 days:

Iair, Sagui, and Sasha are back in Israel

Sagui Dekel-Chen was informed of his daughter's birth, Sasha Troufanov of the murder of his father Vitaly. All three have arrived in hospitals in central Israel.

Hamas confirms:

Three hostages will be released Saturday, as per original deal

In official statement, Hamas terror group confirms deal is still on, says additional hostages will be released Saturday.