hostages

Iris Haim, mother of hostage Yotam Haim, listens as Eilon Kotler tells how his beloved kibbutz Kfar Aza was decimated at the BringThemHomeNow: Hear Their Stories event in Melbourne last week. Photo: Peter Haskin

December 7, 2023, 10:29 am

“They were brutally killed. There were so many dreams, they were only 22 years old,” said Delegation member Tali Kizhner.

By BRUCE HILL & GARETH NARUNSKY

A giant teddy bear dedicated to Emilia Aloni, aged five, with its eyes covered and showing signs of injury sits on a street bench in Tel Aviv to draw attention to the plight of the hostages. Aloni and her mother were released by Hamas, but many of their relatives remain in Gaza. (Keller: via Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

December 6, 2023, 1:08 pm

The stories of the Israeli Hostage Kids who have returned are harrowing

For the kids who have returned from captivity in Gaza, the road to recovery is long and complicated.

By Lior Zaltzman

Israelis held hostage since October 7 are transferred by Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists to the Red Cross in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on November 28, 2023. (The Times of Israel: Photo by AFP)

December 6, 2023, 10:12 am

Health Ministry says Hamas drugged released hostages to make them appear happy

Knesset committee urges ministry to send international health organisations an official report with evidence of the drugging and other disturbing post-release medical findings.

By Renee Ghert-Zand

Yelena Trufanova (center), and her mother, Irena Tati (second from left), who were both freed from Hamas captivity, arrive for a meeting with members of the war cabinet, in Herzliya, December 5, 2023. (The Times of Israel: Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

December 6, 2023, 10:03 am

‘Chaos and yelling’: Freed hostages, family members clash with Netanyahu in meeting

Released captive tells PM women are ‘being touched’ in the tunnels, as others speak of difficult conditions, airstrikes: ‘Bring them all home now, not in another month’.

By TOI STAFF

ael Adar (right) and other relatives of Israelis held hostage by Hamas terrorists in Gaza since the October 7 massacre, at a press conference in Tel Aviv on December 4, 2023. (The Times of Israel: Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)

December 5, 2023, 9:45 am

Hamas aims to make us not want to live in Israel. ‘Victory’ is when that threat is defeated

Battling in Gaza, the IDF is beginning the long process of restoring public faith in its ability to protect us from savage, amoral enemies; not so our political leaders.

By DAVID HOROVITZ

Eitan Yahalomi hugs his mother after getting off an IDF helicopter after being released from Hamas captivity. Photo: IDF

December 4, 2023, 3:11 pm

Hamas forced hostage kids to watch atrocities

"When he arrived in Gaza, all of the residents, all of them, beat him up. He's a 12-year-old child," says Deborah Cohen.

By TOI STAFF

Israeli hostages released on November 30, 2023: Top L-R: Siblings Bilal and Aisha Ziyadne, Ilana Gritzewsky, Nili Margalit; bottom: Shani Goren, Amit Soussana, Sapir Cohen, Mia Schem. Photo: Courtesy; combination image: The Times of Israel.

December 1, 2023, 10:18 am

8 Israeli hostages freed from Gaza at end of seventh day of truce

Two women returned in late afternoon, while six others released to Israel shortly before midnight; unclear whether ceasefire will be extended further.

By AMY SPIRO and TOI STAFF

Israeli hostage Mia Schem is transferred to Red Cross custody by Hamas terrorists, in Gaza City, ahead of her return to Israel, November 30, 2023. (The Times of Israel: Telegram screen capture: Used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

December 1, 2023, 7:43 am

Hamas frees 2 Israeli women, with 6-8 more set for return alongside 3 bodies

Mia Schem, 21, and Amit Soussana, 40, back in Israel as part of seventh group to be released from captivity in Gaza.

By Agencies and TOI Staff

Israeli hostages released on November 29, 2023: Top L-R: Raz Ben Ami, Yarden Roman, Liat Atzili, Moran Stela Yanai; middle: Liam Or, Itay Regev, Ofir Engel, Amit Shani; bottom: Gali Tarshansky, Raaya Rotem, Yelena Trupanov, and her mother Irena Tati. (Courtesy: combination image/Times of Israel)

November 30, 2023, 10:47 am

In 6th release, 12 Israelis and 4 Thais freed from Gaza following 54 days of captivity

Among those freed are Raaya Rotem, mother of Hila released days ago; 13-year-old Gali Tarshansky; Yarden Roman-Gat, who handed daughter to husband to flee to safety.

By AMY SPIRO

Israeli hostages released on November 28, 2023: Top L-R: Ditza Heiman, Tamar Metzger, Noralin Babadila Agojo, Ada Sagi, Meirav Tal; bottom: Rimon Kirsht, Ofelia Roitman, Gabriela Leimberg and her daughter Mia, Clara Marman. (Courtesy; combination image: Times of Israel)

November 29, 2023, 7:57 am

10 Israeli and 2 Thai hostages arrive back in Israel after 53 days in Gaza captivity

8 women, one teen and her mom freed; most were kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz; footage shows them walking, flanked by armed, masked terrorists.

By Michael Bachner

Palestinians sell vegetables in front of a destroyed building in Gaza City on November 27, 2023. (The Times of Israel: Omar El-Qattaa / AFP)

November 28, 2023, 9:35 am

Israel and Hamas agree to extend Gaza truce by two days, say US, Qatar

Doha, Cairo broker deal to maintain pause, in move that is expected to see some 20 additional hostages, 60 Palestinian security prisoners released; Israel says extension ‘not final’.

By TOI Staff and Agencies

Israeli hostages released on November 27, 2023: Top L-R: Sharon Aloni Cunio and her children Emma and Yuli, siblings Sahar and Erez Calderon; bottom: Karina Engel-Bart and her children Mika and Yuval, siblings Yagil and Or Yaakov, and Eitan Yahalomi. (Courtesy; combination image: Times of Israel)

November 28, 2023, 8:46 am

Nine children, two mothers released from Hamas captivity as truce holds for 4th day

After delays, uncertainty, latest group of hostages – all from Nir Oz – freed from Gaza; IDF says Hamas handed Bibas family off to a different terror faction in Khan Younis.

By TOI STAFF

Emily Hand (right) reunites with her father, Tom Hand. Photo: Israel Defence Forces

November 27, 2023, 2:20 pm

Irish PM panned for saying hostage was ‘lost’

“Emily was never ‘Lost’ – she was brutally kidnapped and held hostage by terrorist Hamas.” War cabinet minister Benny Gantz

By TOI STAFF

Israeli hostages released on November 25, 2023: Top from L-R: Sharon Avigdori and her daughter Noam, siblings Alma and Noam Or; middle: Hila Rotem, Emily Hand, Shiri Weiss and her daughter Noga; bottom: Adi Shoham and children Yahel and Naveh, Maya Regev, and Shoshan Haran. (Photos: Courtesy; combination image: Times of Israel)

November 26, 2023, 9:10 am

Second round of hostages – 13 Israeli, 4 foreign nationals – freed to Israel

After much delay and anticipation, the second round of hostages have been released from Gaza. The group includes 8 children and 5 women.

By TOI STAFF and Emanuel Fabian

A helicopter carrying hostages released by Hamas lands at Schneider Children's Medical Center in Petah Tikva, Israel on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. Photo: AP/Ohad Zwigenberg/The Times of Israel.

November 25, 2023, 6:36 pm

Israel prepares to receive second group of hostages later Saturday

Israel's Channel 12 reported that the latest list of hostages set for release Saturday has 13 names and includes more children.

By TOI STAFF