Hostage Deal

A rally calling for the release of Israelis held hostage by Hamas terrorists in Gaza, in Tel Aviv, August 24, 2024. (The Times of Israel: Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

August 26, 2024, 11:02 am

No breakthroughs in Cairo talks as US says mediators pushing ‘feverishly’ for deal

Hamas official says terror group relayed its response to American ‘bridging proposal,’ denies hostage-ceasefire agreement could be imminent; lower-level negotiators to reconvene.

By AGENCIES and Jacob Magid

Yuval Tal, girlfriend of IDF Sergeant Amir Lavi who was killed battling Hamas terrorists in southern Israel on October 7, visits his grave at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem on August 18, 2024. (The Times of Israel: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

August 19, 2024, 9:48 am

Hamas rejects US hostage-ceasefire proposal as PM said to warn chance for deal ‘not high’

Reports say Israeli negotiators warn there’ll be no deal if Netanyahu insists on keeping IDF on Philadelphi Corridor; he retorts there’ll be no deal unless Hamas accepts demand.

By LAZAR BERMAN and TOI STAFF

Vehicles move past a banner depicting Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei embracing Ismail Haniyeh, the slain leader of Hamas, in Tehran's Azadi Square on August 13, 2024. (The Times of Israel: ATTA KENARE / AFP)

August 14, 2024, 1:04 pm

Biden: Iran expected to push off attacking Israel if Gaza ceasefire deal clinched

US says Qatar trying to bring Hamas terror group to table for Thursday summit, though Israeli negotiator reportedly complains talks doomed unless Netanyahu expands team’s mandate.

By TOI STAFF and Jacob Magid

Protesters outside the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv demand early elections and a deal for the release of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, August 10, 2024. (The Times of Israel: Miriam Alster/Flash90)

August 12, 2024, 12:00 pm

Hamas says it won’t attend Thursday’s ‘last opportunity’ talks for hostage-truce deal

Reports conflict on whether Israel is optimistic or pessimistic negotiations could seal the deal; Biden: Region can ‘easily’ devolve into all-out war.

By TOI Staff and Agencies

An Israeli student holds pictures of hostages during a protest calling for their release near the Knesset in Jerusalem, June 13, 2024. (The Times of Israel: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

June 18, 2024, 2:23 pm

Dozens of hostages are alive ‘with certainty’

“Dozens are alive with certainty,” the official said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak publicly on the issue.

By AFP

Ismail Haniyeh, the Doha-based political bureau chief of Hamas, speaks to the press after a meeting with the Iranian foreign minister in Tehran on March 26, 2024. (The Times of Israel: AFP)

May 7, 2024, 11:01 am

Hamas claims to accept ceasefire, hostage deal; Israel: This isn’t what we agreed to

Gazans celebrate in streets; families of hostages plead for deal; US studying response; war cabinet says negotiators will meet mediators, but orders IDF to push ahead with Rafah op.

By LAZAR BERMAN, AGENCIES and Jacob Magid

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (2nd left) heads the weekly cabinet meeting at the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv on January 7, 2024. (The Times of Israel: RONEN ZVULUN / POOL / AFP)

February 6, 2024, 1:19 pm

Senior Likud minister: We are only ‘at start of journey’ on hostage deal talks

As US push continues, minister tells ToI no specific deal has been brought to cabinet, and that it has not agreed to a long-term ceasefire or release of large number of terrorists

By LAZAR BERMAN

Israelis rally to demand securing the release of hostages held by terrorists in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, February 3, 2024. (The Times of Israel: Miriam Alster/Flash90)

February 5, 2024, 11:53 am

Hamas says more time needed to announce position on potential hostage deal

Lebanon-based official says terror group ‘open to discussing any initiative’; Israel reportedly unclear on cause of delay, cites possible divisions within Hamas.

By Agencies and TOI Staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the Bnei David military academy in the West Bank settlement of Eli, January 30, 2023. (The Times of Israel: Amos Ben Gershom/GPO)

January 31, 2024, 12:15 pm

Netanyahu: Israel won’t free ‘thousands of terrorists’ or withdraw IDF for hostage deal

While his right flank blasts a framework that Israel reportedly agreed to in Paris, Netanyahu says IDF will not leave Gaza; Hamas says it is studying proposal.

By LAZAR BERMAN

Qatar's PM Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani speaking at the Atlantic Council, January 29, 2024. (The Times of Israel: YouTube screenshot)

January 30, 2024, 10:35 am

Hamas seems to reject new hostage deal offer, says it’ll only accept full IDF pullout

Terror group appears to pour cold water on mediators’ latest offer after Qatari PM says ‘good progress’ made; Israel said open to lengthy truce but refuses to end war

By LAZAR BERMAN and TOI Staff and Agencies

Ronen Bar, head of the Shin Bet security services, left, and Mossad chief David Barnea at the annual IDF Armored Corps memorial ceremony, marking the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, in Yad La-Shiryon, on September 27, 2023. (The Times of Israel: Jonathan Shaul/Flash90)

January 29, 2024, 11:28 am

Israel says Paris talks on hostage deal were ‘constructive,’ will continue this week

‘Significant gaps’ remain, says Prime Minister’s Office, after US, Israeli, Qatari and Egyptian officials meet to weigh pause in fighting in exchange for release of hostages.

By LAZAR BERMAN

Families of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and supporters attend a rally calling for their return, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, December 16, 2023. (The Times of Israel: AP Photo/Leo Correa)

December 17, 2023, 9:22 am

Israel said looking to boost efforts for new hostage deal, but expects hard road ahead

Report says Jerusalem will seek release of remaining female hostages, elderly and sick men; Hamas says no further releases before ‘aggression stops once and for all’.

By TOI STAFF

Family and supporters of the estimated 240 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza complete the final leg of a five-day solidarity rally calling for their return, from Tel Aviv to the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, November 18, 2023. (The Times of Israel: AP/Mahmoud Illean)

November 22, 2023, 1:00 pm

Cabinet approves deal for return of 50 hostages in exchange for multi-day ceasefire

Israel believes Hamas could potentially locate some 30 more mothers and children and that the 4-day halt could be extended by extra day per each 10 Israeli hostages freed.

By JACOB MAGID and TAL SCHNEIDER

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leads a meeting of the war cabinet in Tel Aviv on November 16, 2023. (The Times of Israel: Haim Zach/GPO)

November 22, 2023, 8:30 am

Israel set to approve Gaza hostage deal slated to see release of 50 Israelis

Hamas, Qatar confirm agreement is close – including multi-day pause in fighting and release of 150-300 Palestinian prisoners; Biden: ‘Things are looking good’.

By AMY SPIRO and TAL SCHNEIDER and CARRIE KELLER-LYNN

Families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas and other terrorists in Gaza hold a press conference in Tel Aviv, November 19, 2023. (The Times of Israel: Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

November 21, 2023, 9:30 am

PM meets with families of hostages held in Gaza as reports swirl of imminent deal

Netanyahu sits down with relatives of some 240 taken on October 7 by Hamas and other terror factions; Biden says he thinks agreement is close to being finalized.

By TOI STAFF