Hostage Crisis News - Latest Updates & Headlines
Israeli PM says Hamas rejects deal to return half of living hostages
Jerusalem, April 20: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Hamas had rejected a proposal for the return of half of the living hostages in Gaza by demanding the end of the war and an Israeli military retreat from Gaza.
Israel claims strikes on Hamas, Hezbollah targets
Jerusalem, April 17: Israel said on Thursday it carried out airstrikes in southern Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, targeting what it described as Hamas and Hezbollah infrastructure.
Israeli troops to stay in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria indefinitely: Defence Minister
Jerusalem, April 17: Israel's Defence Minister has said that troops will remain in security zones in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and Syria indefinitely, remarks that could further complicate talks with Hamas over a ceasefire and hostage release.
Over 250 former Israeli intelligence officials urge end to Gaza war, return of hostages: Media
Jerusalem, April 14: More than 250 former officials of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency have signed a letter urging the government to immediately end the war in the Gaza Strip and bring about the release of the Israeli hostages still held there, Israel's state-owned Kan TV News reported.
Hamas releases video of Israeli-American hostage
Gaza, April 13: Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, released a video of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, who has been held in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023.
Katz urges Gazans: Topple Hamas, free the hostages
Tel Aviv, April 12: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz called on the people of Gaza to "remove Hamas and release all hostages" before the IDF expands its operations especially in the southern part of the Strip.
Air Force retirees, reservists dismissed from service after publishing political statement
Tel Aviv, April 10: A thousand Air Force retirees and reservists are being dismissed after publishing a letter calling for the end of the war in Gaza.
Israeli PM Netanyahu vows pressure on Gaza until hostages are returned
Tel Aviv, April 3: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday spoke about the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intensifying their operations in the Gaza Strip and said that the IDF is not only seizing territory and destroying infrastructure but also targeting key corridors, such as the Morag Corridor.
Israel expands military operation in Gaza
Tel Aviv, April 2: Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz announced on Wednesday that the military is expanding its operation against Hamas in Gaza.
Israeli Defence Minister says okayed operational plans to continue Gaza offensive
Jerusalem, March 25: Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Tuesday he has approved operational plans for "continuing" the offensive in the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu, Rubio discuss hostage release, Gaza offensive
Jerusalem, March 24: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have discussed over the phone efforts to release hostages in Hamas captivity and Israel's renewed assault on Gaza.
Hamas political leader killed in Israeli airstrike in Gaza: Report
Jerusalem, March 23: Hamas political leader Salah al-Bardaweel was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis, Gaza, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.
Israel proposes two-phase hostage release plan to Hamas: Egyptian sources
Cairo, March 23: Israel has proposed a two-phase plan to the Hamas movement, through Egyptian mediators, for the release of hostages held in Gaza, Egyptian sources told media.
Israel will maintain 'permanant presence' in Gaza unless hostage release, says Israel Defence Minister
Tel Aviv, March 23: Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has warned Hamas that Israel will maintain a permanent presence in parts of Gaza unless the hostages in Gaza are released, CNN reported.
Hamas denies halting talks on prisoner-hostage exchange deal
Gaza, March 22: Hamas refuted a media report that it had halted communication or talks on a prisoner exchange deal with Israel.
Israel has no other option but to renew military pressure: Israeli envoy Azar after collapse of truce with Hamas
New Delhi, March 19: Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, said on Wednesday that Israel has no other option but to renew military pressure to bring back hostages as Hamas has numerous times rejected proposals by American mediators.
Israel conducts 'extensive airstrikes' on Hamas in Gaza, cites stalled ceasefire talks
Jerusalem, March 18: Israel launched a series of heavy airstrikes on Hamas targets across the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, marking the first major military operation since the ceasefire began on January 19.
Netanyahu instructs negotiating team to resume talks for hostages release
Tel Aviv, March 16: Benjamin Netanyahu has given a green signal for continuing the negotiations towards bringing back the hostages, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office shared in a statement on Sunday.
'September 5', based on Munich Olympics hostage crisis, to open second edition of Red Lorry Film Festival
Mumbai, March 12: The historical-drama-thriller film 'September 5', directed by Tim Fehlbaum is set to open the upcoming edition of the Red Lorry Film Festival. The film was nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the Academy Awards this year, and offers a unique look into one of the most tension-filled moments in modern media history.
Jordan condemns Israel's halting electricity supply to Gaza
Amman, March 11: Jordan's Foreign Ministry strongly condemned Israel's decision to halt the electricity supply to Gaza to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages.
Israel's Energy Minister orders cutting off electricity supply to Gaza Strip
Tel Aviv, March 10: Israel's Energy Minister Eli Cohen on Sunday directed the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) to immediately cut off the electricity supply to the Gaza Strip, in an apparent attempt to put pressure on the enclave, where around 24 hostages are still presumed to be alive, while the bodies of 35 more, are still held, The Times of Israel reported.
Release hostages or it is over for you: Donald Trump gives 'last warning' to Hamas
Washington, DC, March 6: US President Donald Trump has issued a final warning for Hamas, demanding the release of all hostages and return of the dead bodies of the people who have been "murdered" by them or "it is over" for them.
Trump issues 'last warning' to Hamas as US confirms direct hostage talks
Washington, March 6: US President Donald Trump has issued what he called a "last warning" to Hamas to release the hostages being held in Gaza.
Croatian FM Meets Israeli FM in Jerusalem Visit
Jerusalem, March 2: Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar met in Jerusalem with Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic Radman.
Israeli Embassy in New Delhi turns orange in tribute to Bibas family
New Delhi, Feb 27: The Embassy of Israel in New Delhi has turned orange in a solemn tribute to the Bibas family — Shiri and her two young red-haired sons, Ariel and Kfir - who were brutally murdered while in captivity by Hamas terrorists in Gaza. The Bibas family were kidnapped from their home on October 7, 2023, during Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel, and were finally laid to rest on Wednesday after over 500 days in captivity.
Israeli Embassy in New Delhi turns orange in tribute to family killed by Hamas
New Delhi, February 27: The Israeli Embassy in New Delhi has turned orange as a tribute to the Bibas family, who were tragically murdered by Hamas terrorists in Gaza.
Thousands of Israelis Line Streets to Pay Final Respects to Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas
Tel Aviv, February 26: Thousands of Israelis lined the streets of southern Israel to pay their final respects to Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas on Wednesday morning as their funeral procession began.
We have to bring back all hostages, make sure Hamas is destroyed: Israeli Ambassador to India
New Delhi, Feb 26: Israel remains completely focused on bringing back its hostages and completely destroying Palestinian terror outfit Hamas so that it can no longer constitute a military threat in future or form a government in Gaza, Reuven Azar, the Ambassador of Israel to India, told IANS in an exclusive interview on Wednesday.
Israel ready to return at any moment to fight, Netanyahu says
Tel Aviv, February 24: Speaking to cadets graduating from the IDF Ground Forces combat officers course, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warns that Israel is "ready to return at any moment to intensive combat. The operational plans are ready," The Times of Israel reported.
Frightened and frustrated...had been staged: Mother of Israeli hostage Evyatar David after watching Hamas video
Tel Aviv, February 23: Galia David, the mother of hostage Evyatar David, has spoken out about the emotional turmoil she experienced watching her son in a propaganda video released by Hamas on Saturday, The Jerusalem Post reported.
Israel delays release of Palestinian prisoners until assured of hostages' return without 'humiliation'
Tel Aviv, February 23: In a major development, Israel has announced that it is delaying the release of 620 Palestinian prisoners until it is given assurances that the next set of Israeli hostages will be released without subjecting them to any "humiliatiation".
Israel delays Palestinian prisoner release after 'humiliating' hostage handovers
Jerusalem, Feb 23: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that the release of Palestinian prisoners would be delayed until Hamas ceases its "humiliating ceremonies" during the release of Israeli hostages under the ceasefire deal.
Six hostages released by Hamas in latest swap
Gaza, Feb 22: Six Israeli hostages previously held by Hamas were released on Saturday as part of an ongoing ceasefire exchange, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed in a statement.
Israeli PM Netanyahu condemns Hamas for killing Bibas brothers
Tel Aviv, February 22: Israeli PM Netanyahu condemns Hamas for killing the Bibas brothers, pledging unwavering commitment to bringing those responsible to justice.
Israel confirms death of Shiri Bibas in Hamas captivity after 16 months of uncertainty
Jerusalem, Feb 22: Israel confirmed early Saturday that Shiri Bibas, who was held captive in Gaza since October 7, 2023, was murdered by Hamas.
Hamas receives aid while Israel faces deception in hostage release crisis
Tel Aviv, February 21: While Israel continues efforts to secure the release of its hostages, Hamas appears to be receiving a steady flow of humanitarian aid.
Hamas hands over body of Shiri Bibas to ICRC, senior official says
Gaza, Feb 22: Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, handed over the body of Shiri Bibas, an Israeli hostage, to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), according to a senior Hamas official, after Israeli authorities determined that a body returned by Hamas on Thursday was not her.
'Israel will never forget and forgive': Netanyahu expresses grief as children killed by Hamas returned
Tel Aviv, Feb 21: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday expressed sorrow and anger over the brutal killing of kidnapped children by Hamas as their bodies were returned to Israel amid national mourning.
To defend Hamas is to defend barbarism, its reign of terror must end
The images haunt us: a young mother, Shiri Bibas, ripped from the heart of ordinary life, clutching her two small red-haired children, four-year-old boy Ariel and nine-month-old baby Kfir, their faces etched with fear as they are dragged away to Gaza.
Hostage families demand release of all hostages under ultimatum
Tel Aviv, February 21: Hostage Families' Forum of Hope issued a statement on Friday morning asserting that only the release of all hostages together, under an ultimatum, will save their lives while ensuring Israel's security.