Gaza hostages

Op. Red Heart: Fallen soldier’s mother reveals son was killed in op. tied to Bibas rescue attempt

The disclosure came more than two years after the soldiers’ deaths and after Israel later learned that Shiri Bibas and her children had already been killed in captivity. 

 Pictures of Shiri Bibas and her children Kfir and Ariel, in Jerusalem, February 20, 2025
Former hostage Emily Damari lights the torch during the main rehearsal of the 77th anniversary Independence Day ceremony, held at Mount Herzl, Jerusalem, on April 28, 2025.

Thousands urge Israeli media to skip state Independence Day ceremony, air civilian alternative

 RACHEL AND JON Goldberg-Polin attend the funeral of their son, Hersh, in Jerusalem.

'I feel like we failed' to bring Gaza hostages home, Rachel Goldberg-Polin tells CBS's 60 Minutes

Family members of slain hostages spoke of the lack of government support and emotional struggle at Knesset panel. April 19, 2026.

'I feel invisible’: Families of slain hostages warn Knesset panel they lack gov't support


On Passover, former Gaza hostages say freedom 'takes on a different meaning' - interview

Former hostages David Cunio and Keith Siegel return home, discovering a deeper, personal meaning of freedom this Passover.

Released hostage David Cunio is greeted as he returns to his home in Yavne, last October.

'Helplessness, uncontrollable fear': Romi Gonen shares how Iran war brings back Gaza trauma

“Notice the people outside who need help,” she wrote. “The siren caught me twice on the road, and it immediately threw me back into helplessness and uncontrollable fear.”

Former hostage Romi Gonen speaks to Channel 12's "Uvda" about her experiences in Hamas's terror captivity, December 25, 2025.

Freed Gaza hostages relive trauma as Iran war sirens trigger captivity memories

“We will live with captivity for the rest of our lives," former hostage Luis Har said.

Luis Har.

For former Gaza hostage Elkana Bohbot, this war with Iran is different - interview

Being at home with family when Operation Rising Lion began felt like a privilege in comparison to the tunnels of Gaza, former Hamas hostage Elkana Bohbot told Maariv.

Portrait of Elkana Bohbot who was held hostage by Hamas terrorists in Gaza and released a few months ago. February 12, 2026.

WATCH: 'I screamed in pain': Former hostage Matan Angrest says Hamas terrorists electrocuted him

Former Gaza hostage Matan Angrest told Channel 12's 'Uvda' about his captivity, including Hamas torture, the loss of his tank crew, bonding with fellow hostage Gali Berman, and his eventual release.

Former hostage Matan Angrest speaks to Channel 12's 'Uvda' about his experience in Hamas terror captivity, including torture, broadcast on February 26, 2026.

Teaching October 8 Jews requires moral courage, not comfort - opinion

Is there still time for Jewish joy in a world of hostages and war, amid dilemmas around the war’s justness, recognition of Palestinian suffering, and the desire to see Hamas dismantled? At what cost?

An empty classroom (illustrative).

Former hostage performs song he sang in Hamas tunnels on first birthday since captivity

Held two weeks ago, the concert celebrated Ohel’s first birthday outside captivity, coming four months after his release. Tickets sold out within hours.

FORMER HOSTAGE Alon Ohel performs with Israeli artists during a concert in Tel Aviv, on February 9, 2026.

Trump says Iran will 'never' have nuclear weapons during State of the Union address

As US-Iran tensions rise, US President Donald Trump stated that he will “never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror to have a nuclear weapon.”

US President Donald J. Trump delivers the first State of the Union address of his second term to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber of the United States Capitol in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

Freed Israeli hostages recite Shema prayer on New York City stage in front of thousands

This event was part of the Chabad-Lubavitch CTeen International Summit, an annual conference for Jewish teens from around the world. 

Freed Israeli hostages Matan Zangauker, Ilana Gritzewsky, and Segev Kalfon, recite the Shema prayer on stage in Times Square on February 21, 2026.

‘I’ll shout Shema in New York’: Freed hostage Segev Kalfon launches US Chabad tour

"They didn't let me shout Shema Yisrael in Gaza," Kalfon said. "I'll shout Shema Yisrael in New York."

Former hostage Segev Kalfon, with his family, in a helicopter on their way to the hospital. October 14, 2025.