hostages

Yigal Sarusi (centre) mourns during the funeral of his son, slain hostage Almog Sarusi. Photo: AP Photo/Ariel Schalit

September 5, 2024, 12:12 pm

Comprehensively degrading Hamas's ability to harm Israelis – and Gazans – has always been Israel's goal in its military operation since October.

By AJN STAFF

September 5, 2024, 12:00 pm

Rabbi’s link to Hersh

US-born Rabbi Yonatan Sadoff of Kehilat Nitzan shule, who later lived and worked in Israel, was a friend of Jon Polin, Hersh's father, from their university days.

By Peter Kohn

Mourners hold placards calling for the release of the remaining hostages at a memorial service at Caulfield Shule for the six hostages found murdered in Gaza. Photo: Peter Haskin

September 5, 2024, 11:20 am

‘Bring remaining hostages home – alive!’

Six speakers lit candles and paid tribute to the six murdered hostages, describing their vanquished hopes and dreams.

By Peter Kohn

Memorial service at Caulfield shule for the 6 hostages that were found murdered in Gaza. Photo: Peter Haskin

September 5, 2024, 9:07 am

Australian Jewish community in mourning

Liberal Senator Dave Sharma wrote on social media on September 2, "Hamas's abduction, detention and killing of such innocent civilians is a clear and cold-blooded war crime.

By Sharyn Kolieb

Hersh Goldberg-Polin was taken captive by Hamas terrorists from the Supernova desert rave on October 7, 2023. Photo: The Times of Israel: Courtesy Rachel Goldberg

September 5, 2024, 9:06 am

This grief belongs to all

Remembering Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

By Shoshana Gottlieb

September 4, 2024, 1:47 pm

Moving service for murdered hostages held at Bondi

“We meet today in pain and anguish,” declared Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin.

By Gareth Narunsky

Large crowds of Israelis call for an urgent deal to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, outside the Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv, September 1, 2024. (The Times of Israel: Ohad Avrahami/Pro-Democracy Protest Movement)

September 2, 2024, 1:44 pm

Masses protest across Israel in flood of grief, anger after Hamas executes 6 hostages

Almost 300,000 rally in Tel Aviv in largest protest since Oct. 7, later clashing with police and blocking highway for hours as they demand Netanyahu agree to hostage-ceasefire deal.

By NOAM LEHMANN, GIANLUCA PACCHIANI, TOI STAFF and AGENCIES

Top (L-R)Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Ori Danino, 25, Bottom (L-R): Alex Lubnov, 32, Carmel Gat, 39, and Almog Sarusi, 25

September 1, 2024, 2:27 pm

IDF announces bodies of 6 hostages murdered by Hamas found in Rafah tunnel

According to the IDF, the six were murdered by Hamas a short while, possibly around a day or two, before troops found them.

By Emanuel Fabian

Top (L-R): Nadav Popplewell, Yoram Metzger, Avraham Munder; bottom (L-R): Chaim Peri, Yagev Buchshtav, Alex Dancyg (The Times of Israel: Courtesy)

August 20, 2024, 6:04 pm

IDF confirms it retrieved bodies of 6 hostages from Gaza

The hostages are Alex Dancyg, 75, Yagev Buchshtav, 35, Chaim Peri, 79, Yoram Metzger, 80, Nadav Popplewell, 51, and Avraham Munder, 78.

By Emanuel Fabian

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

Composite photo of Yagev Buchshtav (right) and Alex Dancyg. (The Times of Israel: Courtesy)

July 22, 2024, 9:25 pm

IDF announces deaths of hostages Alex Dancyg and Yagev Buchshtav in Hamas captivity

IDF says it is investigating circumstances surrounding the deaths of the two men in Khan Younis, including the possibility they were killed by Israeli fire.

By Emanuel Fabian and TOI STAFF

An undated picture of four IDF surveillance soldiers held hostage by Hamas in Gaza since October 7, 2023, that was made public by their families on July 16, 2024. From left: Liri Albag, Agam Berger, Daniella Gilboa, and Karina Ariev. (The Times of Israel: Courtesy)

July 17, 2024, 9:12 am

Hostage families release photos of 5 female soldiers from early days of captivity

Relatives of IDF observation troops kidnapped from Nahal Oz base on October 7 beg Netanyahu not to depart for Washington before signing a hostage release deal.

By TOI STAFF

Screenshots of hostages Hersh Goldberg-Polin (left), Eliya Cohen (middle) and Or Levy (right) as they were taken hostage into Gaza by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023 (The Times of Israel: Courtesy Hostages and Missing Families Forum)

June 25, 2024, 10:13 am

Hostage families release Hamas video showing 3 sons’ abduction into Gaza under fire

In new footage, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eliya Cohen and Or Levy are seen crammed and bloodied on flatbed of pickup truck, being driven toward Strip.

By JESSICA STEINBERG

Hostages Almog Meir Jan and Andrey Kozlov being rescued on June 8.
Photo: Israel Police

June 20, 2024, 8:00 am

NIF supports Gaza ceasefire

NIF Australia Executive Director Michael Chaitow said a ceasefire deal would finally allow the residents of Gaza to start rebuilding their lives and bring the hostages home.

By Bruce Hill

US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield (C) votes during a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East at UN headquarters on June 10, 2024 in New York. (The Times of Israel: ANGELA WEISS / AFP)

June 11, 2024, 10:46 am

UN Security Council adopts motion urging Hamas to accept Israeli hostage-truce offer

Terror group welcomes resolution even though it has yet to accept proposal; Israel avoids publicly voicing opposition to initiative after coming out against it last week.

By Jacob Magid