Gaza hostages

Every day is Memorial Day: A mother's daily battle with grief and the choice to live - opinion

Memorial Day holds new meaning for Shirit Yerushalmi, who reflects on life after losing her daughter in Gaza.

|BySHIRIT YERUSHALMI
People next to photos of victims of terror attacks and fallen Israeli soldiers at Dizengoff Square in Tel Aviv on the eve of Israel’s Memorial Day, April 20, 2026.
Pictures of Shiri Bibas and her children Kfir and Ariel, in Jerusalem, February 20, 2025

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. 

|BySHIR PERETS
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

The campaign was launched by Yotam Kipnis, a resident of Kibbutz Be’eri who lost both his parents and several relatives in the October 7 massacre.

|ByTOBIAS SIEGAL
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

"What we were fighting for did happen. We got all these people home, not the way we wanted. We wanted them home, alive, but they had come home," she told Anderson Cooper.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

No one left behind, Israel completes hostage recovery - comment

After 843 days, Israel has accounted for every hostage taken on October 7, bringing home the living and the fallen at immense cost.

JANUARY 26, 2026ByHERB KEINON
Thousands gather at Hostage Square to celebrate the return of the hostages, October 13, 2025. We have rejoiced alongside their families, who spent two years trapped in a waking nightmare.

'Hero of Kibbutz Alumim': Israel reacts to news of final hostage Ran Gvili's return

Leaders across Israel paid tribute as the remains of St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili were brought home, closing the chapter of Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

JANUARY 26, 2026ByJAMES GENN
Itzik Gvili, father of St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili, places his hands on the coffin containing his son's remains, January 26, 2026.

'Just wanted to serve the country': The story of Gaza hostage St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili - explainer

The IDF recovered the body of Staff Sgt Maj Ran Gvili from Gaza, more than two years after he was killed fighting Hamas on October 7.

JANUARY 26, 2026ByLEO FEIERBERG BETTER
St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili

Former Hamas hostage shares preview of new song one year after release from captivity

"I can't believe that the moment has finally arrived when I get to share share something of mine, finally my voice can be heard and I don't need to whisper anymore, don't need to fear," Gilboa wrote.

JANUARY 26, 2026ByTZVI JASPER
FORMER HOSTAGE Daniella Gilboa previews her new song in an Instagram post, January 25, 2026.

No second phase without the return of Ran Gvili's remains - editorial

The return of fallen hostages is not a secondary issue to be postponed; it is a core obligation. Israel and the US should not allow themselves to be trapped in that pattern again.

JANUARY 22, 2026ByJPOST EDITORIAL
Posters of Ran Gvili, whose body is still being held captive by Hamas in Gaza, seen at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv. December 02, 2025.

Brother of former hostage Avera Mengitsu missing, police ask public for help with search

Ashgara Mengistu, a 34-year-old resident of Ashkelon, left his mother's home in Ma'ale Adumim on Sunday and hasn't been seen since, the police reported.

JANUARY 21, 2026ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN
Ashgara Mengistu, Avera Mengitsu's brother, is missing.

Noam Bettan wins Next Star reality show, to represent Israel at Eurovision 2026

Noam Bettan wins Next Star for Eurovision and prepares to showcase his soulful performance for Israel on the world stage in Vienna.

JANUARY 21, 2026ByHANNAH BROWN
Noam Bettan will represent Israel at Eurovision 2026.

Family of slain hostage sues UNRWA for alleged role in October 7 kidnapping, murder

The lawsuit names UNRWA, a UNRWA employee alleged to have taken part in the attack, and several current and former senior UNRWA officials as defendants.

JANUARY 20, 2026BySARAH BEN-NUN
Poster of hostage Yonatan Mordechai Samerano during demonstrations for the hostages still held in Gaza.

Bereaved families protest Knesset debate on political probe into Oct. 7 failings

Bereaved families, victims of the October 7 attacks, and parents of former hostages attended the panel.

JANUARY 19, 2026ByKESHET NEEV
Bereaved families and opposition MKs formed a separate committee meeting in the Knesset in protest of the first debate advancing the government bill that aims to establish a politically appointed committee to investigate the failures surrounding the October 7 attacks.

Parents of slain Gaza hostages Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Roni Eshel to release memoirs of experience

Goldberg-Polin, mother of Hersh, will release an intimate memoir this spring, while Eshel, father of Roni, is publishing a book chronicling the 34 days before learning of his daughter’s death.

JANUARY 18, 2026BySHIR PERETS
RACHEL GOLDBERG-POLIN interviews in Jerusalem, May 29.