Hostage

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.

Minister of Finance and Head of the Religious Zionist Party Bezalel Smotrich leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, February 16, 2026.
Arbel Yehoud and released hostage Ariel Cunio reunite on October 13, 2025.

Released hostage Arbel Yehoud: I was sexually assaulted 'almost every single day' in Gaza

Participants hold up posters of hostages as thousands of people attend the March for Israel on the National Mall in November 2023 in Washington, DC. Following October 7, American Jews mobilized more than $1 billion for Israel’s relief and recovery.

From hostages to heritage: Defending Diaspora Judaism's modern world - opinion

 LUIS HAR (far left) and Fernando Marman (center), two hostages rescued in a special forces operation in Rafah, Gaza, in February 2024, reunite with loved ones later in the day at Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer.

WATCH: 'We have two diamonds here': IDF releases video from hostage rescue operation


What the hostages reveal about Israel’s real strength - opinion

Survivors of captivity, grieving mothers, and quiet heroes show that Israel’s true strength lies in its people.

Visitors at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv. The hostages are expected to be released from Hamas captivity tomorrow morning, on October 12, 2025.

Hamas official told Eitan Mor he would be released two weeks after abduction, ex-hostage recounts

Eitan Mor described how he was starved, beaten, and electrocuted during his captivity.

Eitan Mor greets the public upon his release from Hamas's terror captivity, October 13, 2025; illustrative.

Israel hands mediators list of PIJ terrorists with knowledge of Ran Gvili’s location - report

In addition to the names of terrorists, Israel reportedly handed over a map with locations relevant to the search for Gvili’s remains.

Posters of Ran Gvili, whose body is still being held captive by Hamas in Gaza, seen at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv. December 02, 2025.

WATCH: Newly-obtained footage shows six Gaza hostages lighting Hanukkah candles in Hamas tunnel

The footage, obtained by the IDF, shows the six hostages, Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, Alexander Lobanov, and Almog Sarusi, who were murdered by Hamas in 2024.

IDF-obtained footage of Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, Alexander Lobanov, and Almog Sarusi lighting Hanukkah candles while in Hamas captivity.

'Gazan doctors killed my daughter by injecting air into her veins,' father of murdered soldier says

Avi Marciano said that rather than treat his daughter Noa for her wounds, a doctor at al-Shifa hospital killed her. He was sent a video of her last moments.

IDF soldier Noa Marciano who was killed while being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.

Ran Gvili, last remaining Israeli hostage in Gaza, featured on two Times Square digital billboards

One billboard is part of an effort led by the Israeli Consulate in New York and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. The other was launched by the American Jewish Committee.

A billboard in Times Square calls for the release of Ran Gvili, the last remaining hostage in Gaza. (Screenshot)

IDF carried out mission to locate former hostage Avera Mengistu a day before Oct. 7 - KAN

The mission reportedly failed to identify Mengistu, and also did not detect Hamas' preparations for an attack, sources familiar with the matter told KAN.

Avera Mengistu seen ahead of his release from Gaza, February 22, 2025

Israel, Thailand mourn together as slain Thai hostage Rinthalak returns home in touching ceremony

“Their hopes, and even their right to dream, were taken away along with their lives and freedom,” the Thailand’s ambassador to Israel said.

Relatives and friends of Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak mourn next to his coffin during a farewell ceremony before being flown to Thailand for burial, at Ben Gurion airport, near Tel Aviv, December 9, 2025.

PIJ claims it handed over 'last hostage in its possession' as Israel awaits Ran Gvili's return

The al-Quds Brigades "adhered to all the terms of the ceasefire agreement," Hamza claimed, which he said came about as an achievement of Palestinian martial efforts during the war.

Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas terrorists transport a white body bag believed to carry the remains of an Israeli hostage in the town of Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip on December 3, 2025.

Family of slain Gaza hostage Ran Gvili met with US UN ambassador to discuss return efforts

During the meeting, Ambassador Waltz affirmed the US’s obligation to ensure the completion of the return of all hostages taken during Hamas’s brutal October 7 massacre. 

US UN ambassador Michael Walz meets with Talik and Itzik Gvili, the parents of slain Gaza hostage Ran Gvili, Israel’s UN ambassador Danny Danon, and Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing Brig.-Gen. (Res.) Gal Hirsch.