Hostage Deal

Smotrich, Netanyahu quarrel over law banning release of senior terrorists during exchange deals

The absence of such a law places "every Israeli citizen, at home and abroad, under a real threat of abduction," argued Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

|ByAVI SOLOMON
Finance Minister and Head of the Religious Zionist Party Bezalel Smotrich leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, February 16, 2026.
MEMBERS OF the Hostages and Missing Families Forum hold a vigil in London for the one-year anniversary of the October 7 massacre, on October 7, 2024,

Lessons from Hostages Forum: Making a Jewish movement for peace, equality - opinion

For too long, too many religious Jews have been asked to choose between loving our people and fulfilling our values.

|ByESTHER SPERBER
Released Israeli hostage Nimrod Cohen at the funeral of Israeli soldier Staff Sgt. Daniel Oz, at the military cemetery in Kfar Saba.

Former hostage Nimrod Cohen announces return to IDF: 'Didn't do enough during my mandatory service'

"I didn't really do my service, the way I see it. I served for ten months until I was kidnapped," Cohen said in an interview for N12's Ulpan Shishi.

|ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN
Opposition head Yair Lapid and Yesh Atid MKs arrive for a court hearing at the Supreme Court on a petition against the transfer of funds to ultra-Orthodox educational institutions, January 8, 2026

Yair Lapid held undisclosed meetings with Qatari officials to discuss Gaza hostages situation

The encounter happened on January 12, 2025, on the same day as another meeting between the Qatari officials, Lapid's team, and the representatives of the Gaza hostages' families.

|ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN

WATCH: Vance ‘optimistic’ Gaza peace will hold, says US won’t force Israel to host foreign troops

Special Envoy Kushner stated that Israel and Hamas are transitioning to a peacetime posture.

OCTOBER 21, 2025ByAMICHAI STEIN, JERUSALEM POST STAFF, REUTERS
US Vice President JD Vance speaks to members of the media in Kiryat Gat, Israel, October 21, 2025.

After the hostage release: The world must remember what it knew - opinion

The hostages’ return is a moment of grace, but only conscience can heal the world.

OCTOBER 21, 2025ByJACK SIMONY
THE WRITER addresses an Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation event in New York earlier this year, marking 25 years of the foundation. He condemns those who equate Gaza’s suffering with the Holocaust, weaponizing Jewish trauma to vilify Israel.

Equating Palestinian prisoners, Israeli hostages: The necessity of having a moral compass - opinion

In truth, it doesn’t take much thought to come to the conclusion that violence, as a means to accomplish one’s personal aspirations, is always wrong and always evil.

OCTOBER 21, 2025ByCOOKIE SCHWAEBER-ISSAN
People attend a protest at “Hostage Square” in Tel Aviv, calling for the release of Israelis held by Hamas, October 18, 2025.

The Diaspora is linked to Israel’s destiny - opinion

This Diaspora Jewish connection to Israel is deeper than we are led to believe. 

OCTOBER 21, 2025ByMICAH HALPERN
AVINATAN OR arrives at Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Campus after his release from captivity in Gaza last week. The October 7 massacre created a sense of collective belonging for many, the writer asserts.

Trump’s success in securing hostage releases is a victory for all who cherish peace - opinion

History will remember this as the moment the hostages came home and the day President Trump once again proved that the US leads best when it leads with strength, conviction, and the blessing of God.

OCTOBER 20, 2025ByABRAHAM J. HAMADEH
OMRI MIRAN speaks to members of the media as he returns home to Kibbutz Kramim upon his discharge from Ichilov Hospital after his release from captivity in Gaza last week. Strength, perseverance, and faith can prevail over evil, the writer asserts.

Brother of freed hostage: Eating is difficult after captivity, large portions cause pain

“It’s hard for him to eat a lot; it weighs on his stomach," revealed Gilboa-Dalal's brother.

OCTOBER 19, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Released hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal waves the Israeli flag as he arrives to Beilinson hospital, October 13, 2025.

Who was Ronen Engel, the Hamas hostage kidnapped and killed on October 7? - explainer

Engel fell while "protecting his family and fighting terrorists" during the October 7 massacre, the kibbutz eulogized.

OCTOBER 19, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Ronen Engel, from Kibbutz Nir Oz

Two police officers injured in protests, Ceasfire resumes after Hamas violation kills two soldiers

Netanyahu says Gaza crossings will reopen for aid when Hamas bombing ceases • Maj. Yaniv Kula, St.-Sgt. Itay Yavetz killed in Rafah • Hamas says it located deceased Gaza hostage

OCTOBER 19, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Pallbearers carry the coffin of Israeli hostage Tamir Nimrodi, a soldier who, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, was kidnapped alive from his military base during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas. October 16, 2025.

'The struggle has not ended': Hostage families rally to bring slain captives home

Orna Neutra, mother of slain hostage Omer Neutra, pushed for US President Trump to pressure Hamas to return the remaining 18 hostages' bodies.

OCTOBER 18, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Israelis protest for the return of the 18 slain Gaza hostages on October 18, 2025.

Hostage deal brings relief, but marred by nasty narratives and political distortion - opinion

Instead of action to retaliate and truly deter Hamas from ever raising a hand against a hostage again, we get diplomatic rewards for Palestinian intransigence and violence.

OCTOBER 18, 2025ByDAVID M. WEINBERG
PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu addresses Monday’s special Knesset session. It’s political nastiness to negate Netanyahu’s navigation of the accord to completion, and an over-attribution of credit is given to US President Donald Trump, the writer argues.