prisoner swap

Smotrich: Set a new policy for returning hostages

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: "Bring the Law to Adopt the Conclusions of the Shamgar Committee to the Cabinet for Decision."

Houthis, Yemeni government to exchange nearly 3,000 prisoners

Yemen’s warring parties agree to exchange nearly 3,000 prisoners after Oman talks, marking the largest swap in 11 years and raising cautious hopes for advancing peace efforts.

Analyst estimates:

Secret section in deal provides Hamas significant protection

Analyst Ohad Hemo explains why Hamas agreed to release hostages, even though it was their last card left.

After 781 days:

Body of hostage Dror Or returned to Israel for burial

The IDF has announced that the body of deceased hostage Dror Or has been returned to Israel for burial.

160 of the newly-freed terrorists left jail millionaires

'Pay to Slay' salaries paid to imprisoned terrorists over the years turned 160 of the 250 deadly terrorists released into millionaires, former military prosecutor says.

Former missing persons envoy:

'When we don't pressure Hamas, they do what they want'

Colonel (Res.) Lior Lotan, former Special Envoy on Hostages and Missing Persons in the Prime Minister's Office, responds to Hamas' repeated violations of the hostage deal, says 'war is not over.'

Hamas spokesman says returning deceased hostages is 'complex'

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem blames Israel for 'very great complexities' in returning bodies of deceased hostages.

Hostages to be released on Monday - perhaps even Sunday

Under the agreement, living hostages will be returned first, possibly as a single group, and deceased hostages will be returned later.

Hamas official:

Deal with Israel includes end to war, senior terrorists' release

Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan says new agreement guarantees 'final cessation of the war in Gaza,' with US oversight to ensure Israel’s compliance.

Hamas demanding release of major archterrorists in hostage deal

List of prisoners on Hamas' list includes Marwan Barghouti, Abdullah Barghouti, Ahmad Sa'adat, Ibrahim Hamad, Abbas al-Sayeed, and Hassan Salamah; PM's Office clarifies ceasefire has not yet taken effect.

Hamas demanding Nukhba terrorists' release in ceasefire deal

Hamas demands Israel free six senior terrorists, along with Nukhba terrorists responsible for the October 7 massacre. 'Optimism growing in ceasefire talks,' senior Hamas official reports.

MK Rothman:

250 terrorists with blood on their hands is a high price to pay

MK Simcha Rothman says US President Donald Trump's proposal is 'not good,' freeing terrorists with blood on their hands is a price too high to pay.

Hamas official:

Talks of renewing ceasefire negotiations 'entertaining'

Mohammad Nazzal, senior Hamas official abroad, says talks of renewing negotiations for ceasefire deal 'entertaining,' questions who Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu imagined holding discussions with if Qatar strike had succeeded.

Netanyahu to Cabinet ministers: Partial deal not on the table

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refuses to hold vote on resolution opposing partial deal with Hamas, claiming such a deal is 'not on the table.'

Report: Negotiations for ceasefire with Hamas to restart

Arab reports say negotiations for Gaza ceasefire may resume - while Israel continues preparing for military operation.

Details of Hamas' ceasefire proposal revealed

Hamas demanding release of 150 mass murderers, agrees to 700-meter perimeter in some areas of Gaza.

Last-ditch effort to reach deal with Hamas before Gaza conquest

White House envoy Steve Witkoff meets Qatari Prime Minister in Spain discuss a plan for ending the war, Israeli official notes such a deal would be unacceptable to Hamas and thus 'futile.'

Former IDF general: Gaza conquest key to defeating Hamas

Full takeover of Gaza necessary to defeat Hamas, would take only a few months, former IDF General Yiftah Ron-Tal says.

Saudi report:

Hamas freezes ceasefire talks 'due to hunger in Gaza'

Hamas freezes ceasefire talks following exponential increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza, insisting talks cannot take place due to 'hunger in Gaza'

After Hamas rejects US offer:

Israel considers changes to ceasefire proposal

Sources say Israel exploring changes to ceasefire and prisoner swap proposal, with Hamas expressing willingness to return to the Qatari plan.

Amid stalemate:

Israel to present new Gaza withdrawal maps in Qatar talks

Israel set to present new maps outlining IDF withdrawal plans during Qatar negotiations, gap remains over the scope of IDF withdrawal from Gaza.

Hamas rejects Qatari proposal, blocking 60-day ceasefire and deal

Political source reveals Hamas’ rejection of Qatari proposal prevented a 60-day ceasefire and agreement, says Hamas continuing to harden its stance, disrupt negotiations.

Arab source: Agreement with Hamas 'a matter of days'

Palestinian Arab source involved in ceasefire-prisoner swap negotiations predicts agreement between Israel and Hamas could be signed soon, due to direct involvement from US President Donald Trump.

Netanyahu lands in Washington ahead of meeting with Trump

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives in Washington for talks with US President Donald Trump, aiming to finalize deal with Hamas, both leaders express optimism.

Netanyahu's promise to Smotrich and Ben Gvir

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggests those threatening to leave government over deal's approval wait until end of Knesset recess, allowing time to reassess.

Israeli delegation headed to Doha amid hostage deal concerns

Hostages Families Forum warns against partial deals, calls for a comprehensive agreement to bring all 50 hostages home.

Report: New proposal for Gaza ceasefire deal

New 60-day ceasefire proposal includes phased release of hostages, IDF withdrawal from Gaza, and international guarantees, aiming for a permanent agreement.

Report:

Hamas presents ceasefire demands, US offers 70-day guarantee

Hamas seeks protection for its leaders, control over Gaza’s civil administration, senior Arab source claims. Hamas denies report.

Hamas:

Intensive talks to end Gaza war, US showing greater willingness

Hamas sources say serious negotiations ongoing in Cairo and Doha to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, full agreement may take two to three weeks.

Hamas claims progress in Gaza ceasefire talks

Saudi media reports renewed momentum in Gaza ceasefire negotiations; US President Trump says Iran strike may aid hostage release.

Egypt pushes to renew Israel-Hamas talks after Iran ceasefire

Efforts resume to renew talks for ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with coordination from Qatar and new proposals expected in the coming days.

Hamas demands:

Seven-year ceasefire, full IDF withdrawal in latest proposal

Israeli official: Hamas’ response to ceasefire plan is 'a slammed door,' with demands far from Israel’s offer. Witkoff: Hamas' response 'totally unacceptable.'

Hamas responds to ceasefire proposal with conditions and demands

Hamas delivers conditional response to US envoy Steve Witkoff's truce plan, seeking phased hostage release and US pressure on Israel to comply.

US envoy deal: 9 living hostages, 60-day ceasefire, IDF withdraws

US envoy Steve Witkoff’s plan includes release of nine hostages, 18 bodies, IDF pullback, and UN-managed aid to Gaza during talks to end the war.

Report: Trump to announce ceasefire deal tied to hostage release

US President Donald Trump expected to announce Gaza ceasefire within days as part of a deal to release Israeli hostages and return of bodies, reports say.

Report: Alexander’s release part of wider US-brokered ceasefire

Ceasefire, hostage releases, and indirect talks expected as part of emerging deal mediated in Qatar, report says.

New proposal:

All hostages released, six-month ceasefire

Qatar and Egypt propose six-month ceasefire, release of terrorists, in exchange for release of all hostages.

Hamas offers:

All hostages released in exchange for five-year ceasefire

Senior Hamas delegation arrives in Cairo to discuss prisoner swap, full IDF withdrawal from Gaza.

Israel weighing re-arrest of terrorists freed in previous deals

Ministers push to give Hamas a deadline to agree to Witkoff plan, re-arrest terrorists released in previous deals.

Hamas interested in single-stage deal

Hamas-affiliated analyst says Israel has two options: ending the war and bringing the hostages back, or continuing the political and military crisis with no end in sight.

Egypt's proposal: Hamas will release 11 living hostages

Egyptian proposal would see 40-70 day ceasefire in Gaza, alongside release of 1,100 terrorists, Al Akhbar reports.

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.