Hostages

Who are the 13 Israeli hostages released by Hamas on Day 1 of Gaza ceasefire?

On Friday, Hamas freed the first group of prisoners that had been held captive for seven weeks. Six elderly people, three mothers and their four children were released, along with 10 Thai hostages and one Filipino hostage, who were not involved in the agreement between Israel and Hamas

Babies, grandmas, entire families: The heartbreaking stories of the Gaza hostages

Hamas is expected to release at least 50 of the 240 hostages as part of a deal with Israel. Those in captivity include a nine-month-old baby boy and 34 other children, many of whom have had their birthdays in captivity. At least eight of those abducted are aged over 80

‘Is it my beloved or not?’ How Israeli, Palestinian families anxiously wait as day of truce arrives

The breakthrough swap, set to be staggered over four days, starts Friday with the freeing of 13 Israeli women and children and the reciprocal release of some Palestinian prisoners. It has given families hope but is also making them nervous

Negotiators near deal with Hamas for initial release of 50 hostages, 20-25 more likely to be freed later

Negotiations are very near to an agreement with Hamas to release the first 50 civilians in exchange for Israel allowing in more aid, including fuel, and limited pause in fighting, according to a report, citing multiple sources  

CIA director discusses hostage release plan with IDF during Israel visit

During his visit to Israel, CIA Director Bill Burns discussed the efforts to release hostages with IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi

40,000 fighters, tunnels: How Hamas will take on Israeli soldiers in Gaza

Hamas is ready for a protracted battle in the Gaza Strip. It has amassed enough weapons, food, and medical supplies, and the group is certain its 40,000 fighters can survive for months in a vast web of tunnels that cut deep beneath the Palestinian territory

'Israel will do everything to return them': President Herzog to countries whose citizens were taken hostage by Hamas

"I met today with ambassadors to Israel of Thailand, the Philippines, Tanzania, and Nepal, countries who had many citizens massacred and kidnapped in the Hamas attack... I asked to convey to their families that the State of Israel will do everything to return them...," Herzog posted on X

Can ‘talk’ about Israel-Hamas ceasefire only after hostages freed, says Biden

"We should have those hostages released and then we can talk," Biden said at a White House event when asked if he would support a "hostages-for-ceasefire" deal

Hamas frees two Israeli women as US cautions on Gaza invasion

The Israeli prime minister's office issued a statement confirming that the women, whom it named as Nurit Cooper, 79, and Yocheved Lifshitz, 85, were handed over to the Israeli military

Hamas hostages: Who are they? How can they be brought back?

Hamas claims to have 200 to 250 hostages, and that Israeli airstrikes have killed more than 20 of them. The militant group has proposed exchanging the hostages for around 6,000 Palestinians imprisoned in Israeli jails