Hostages

Hostages and prisoners are out, guns are quiet—for now. The hardest questions start here: disarmament, who governs, and when Israeli troops leave.

Israel accuses Hamas of violating Gaza deal over failure to return hostages bodies

Israeli defence officials argue that Hamas has shown “no significant effort” to locate or retrieve the remaining 24 sets of remains.

Cease-fire, hostage swaps, and what’s next: Explaining a pivotal day in the Israel-Hamas conflict

A US-brokered pause delivered emotional reunions and mass releases, even as thorny questions over Gaza’s future remain unresolved.

From 7 October 2023 to hostage release: A timeline of two years of Israel-Gaza war

Hamas began releasing surviving hostages under U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan, marking a key breakthrough as Israel frees 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and leaders meet in Egypt to advance a lasting truce.

Hamas releases all hostages today: How the operation unfolds and its impact on Israel-Hamas relations

After two years of captivity, 20 living Israeli hostages and 28 deceased are set to return from Gaza under Trump’s peace plan, marking a crucial step in Israel-Hamas ceasefire and recovery.

Hamas release list of 20 living Israeli hostages ahead of ceasefire exchange

Hamas released a list of 20 living Israeli hostages and over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners as part of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, while Trump arrived to oversee humanitarian aid and postwar discussions.

What to know as Israel and Gaza brace for hostage releases, aid and Trump visit

Israel and Gaza awaited the release of hostages and prisoners under a fragile ceasefire, as aid convoys prepared to enter the war-torn enclave ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit to the region.

Why the release of hostages is central to Trump’s Gaza cease-fire plan

Israel says around 20 hostages are still alive, but uncertainty surrounds their release.

Hamas at crossroads: Weakened militarily and with little choice but to accept Trump’s Gaza plan

Hamas, weakened militarily and losing support in Gaza, has partially accepted Trump’s peace plan, including releasing Israeli hostages and ceding Gaza administration, but faces hurdles in disarmament, ideology, and militant factions.

Israelis call for election as they march through Tel Aviv

Thousands of Israeli protesters rallied in Tel Aviv, demanding elections and the return of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. The protest follows a controversial law passed by Israel's Knesset, which changes the committee responsible for appointing judges. This comes as Israel resumes its military campaign against Hamas after a ceasefire, with the country divided over political decisions and the fate of the hostages.

Trump's last warning to Hamas | 'Leave Gaza, Release Hostages' | 'Sick and twisted' | N18G

President Donald Trump issued a "last warning" to Hamas, demanding the immediate release of all hostages and the bodies of those killed in Gaza. He condemned Hamas for their actions, calling them "sick and twisted," and urged the people of Gaza to make a smart decision, warning that those who continue holding hostages would face severe consequences. Trump expressed strong support for Israel, stating he would provide all necessary resources to "finish the job" against Hamas. His remarks followed a meeting with eight former hostages at the White House. The White House confirmed US officials had engaged in direct talks with Hamas representatives in Qatar, marking a shift from the US policy of not negotiating with the group. Israeli officials reported that around 24 hostages, including Edan Alexander, were still alive in Gaza, while at least 35 bodies were being held. Trump's envoy, Adam Boehler, led the negotiations.

Hamas to turn over bodies of four Israeli hostages in exchange for release of hundreds of prisoners

Israel has delayed the release of some 600 Palestinian prisoners since Saturday to protest what it says is the cruel treatment of hostages during their release by Hamas.

Prisoners’ Return, Bombardment, Halted Aid To Gaza; Hamas Cites Why It Postponed Truce With Israel

After a brief progress in the IDF-Hamas hostage deal, the militant group on February 10 said that it would stop releasing the Israeli hostages until further notice. The decision came over the alleged violation of the ceasefire agreement by Israel. The allegation against Israel and delayed exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners raises the risk of reigniting the conflict.

Hamas set to release four Israeli soldier hostages in second swap

The Hamas prisoners media office said it expected 200 prisoners to be freed on Saturday as part of the exchange, including 120 serving life sentences and 80 prisoners with other lengthy sentences.

‘All hell will break out in the Middle East if...’ Donald Trump's dire warning to Hamas

Meanwhile, ongoing negotiations between Hamas and Israel in Qatar have seen Hamas propose the release of 34 hostages, including two dual US citizens, in exchange for a ceasefire deal.

Trump warns Hamas, says 'all hell will break out' if hostages not returned before inauguration |N18G

President-elect Donald Trump warned Hamas that if all hostages, including American citizens, are not released by his Inauguration Day on January 20, "all hell will break out" in the Middle East. Trump did not specify the actions he would take but emphasized that the situation would be detrimental to Hamas and others. Around 100 hostages remain in Gaza, captured since the October 7, 2023 attack, many of whom are feared to be dead. Trump criticized the initial attack and its devastating toll on lives. The Biden administration has been working on securing their release, but efforts have stalled due to Hamas's rejections and Israeli objections. Experts, including former US Ambassador Daniel Kurtzer, expressed doubts about the substance of Trump’s threats. Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, acknowledged ongoing talks with the Biden team and plans to return to Doha for further negotiations, with both administrations focused on pressuring Hamas.

'ALL HELL TO PAY': Trump warns Hamas to release hostages, sets ultimatum for January 20, 2025 | N18G

President-elect Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Hamas on December 2, 2024, demanding the immediate release of hostages held in Gaza. Trump stated that if the hostages were not freed by the time of his inauguration on January 20, 2025, there would be "all hell to pay" in the Middle East. The hostages were taken during the deadly Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths in Israel. Around 100 hostages remain in captivity, with some confirmed dead. Hamas has linked the release of hostages to an end to Israel’s military operations and a full withdrawal from Gaza. Despite efforts by the Biden administration to broker peace, including a fragile ceasefire with Hezbollah, Hamas has shown little willingness to negotiate. The war has had devastating consequences, with over 44,400 Palestinians killed and Gaza's infrastructure largely destroyed. Trump’s threat adds to the growing tension in the region.

US Democrats urge Israel-Hamas ceasefire after dead hostages recovered

Israel recovered the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel in Gaza where they were apparently killed shortly before its troops reached them, triggering Israeli protests on Sunday and planned strikes over the failure to save them.

Watch: How IDF rescues Israeli hostage from Hamas tunnel in Gaza after 10 months of captivity

The Israeli military announced the rescue of Kaid Farhan Alkadi, an Israeli hostage held in Gaza for over 10 months, following his abduction during the October 7 Hamas attacks. He is now stable.

US says Gaza ceasefire & hostage deal is likely soon | Urges Hamas to accept a bridging proposal

Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal "now is in sight," the U.S. envoy to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the Security Council on Thursday, August 22. She also urged the 15-member body to press Palestinian militants Hamas to accept a bridging proposal.

Israeli Military recovers bodies of six hostages during Gaza operation

The military said its forces recovered the bodies in an overnight operation in southern Gaza, without saying when or how the six died. A forum for hostage families said they were kidnapped alive. Hamas says some captives have been killed and wounded in Israeli airstrikes.

Israel-Hamas War | Protesters Push Israel Towards US-Backed Hostage Deal

Thousands took to the streets in Tel Aviv on Saturday (July 6) to demand the Israeli government secure the release of hostages in Gaza, coming as a source told Reuters Hamas had accepted a U.S.-backed proposal to begin talks on releasing Israeli hostages, including soldiers and men.

Hamas Accepts US Proposal On Talks Over Releasing Israeli Hostages: Report

The Hamas group has dropped a demand that Israel first commit to a permanent ceasefire before signing the agreement, and would allow negotiations to achieve that throughout the six-week first phase, the source told Reuters on condition of anonymity because the talks are private.

Three released in Dutch hostage drama, situation ongoing

The local municipality said on its website that the town centre had been closed off and that riot police and explosives experts were at the scene.

Talks on Gaza cease-fire and freeing more hostages as Hamas leader is in Egypt

The draft resolution on the table Monday morning had called for an urgent and sustainable cessation of hostilities, but this language was watered down in a new draft circulated early Tuesday.