Hostage

With new players and old alliances, Israel’s post-October 7 political map takes shape

POLITICAL AFFAIRS: Two significant political developments played out this week as Israel moves towards elections. Gadi Eisenkot and Yonatan Shamriz took the reflectors with key announcements.

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett seen with Gadi Eisenkot during a march in support of the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jews into the IDF, from the entrance of Jerusalem to the Knesset, January 15, 2026
Former hostage Emily Damari and her girlfriend, social media influencer Danielle Amit.

Emily Damari proposes to girlfriend Danielle Amit at event marking a year since release from Hamas

Ashgara Mengistu, Avera Mengitsu's brother, is missing.

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

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.

Trump says US knows where Ran Gvili's remains are located


Released hostages Keith and Aviva Siegel to enter humanitarian work following Gaza captivity trauma

"The extraordinary mobilization of Israeli society that fought for our freedom moved us deeply," said Keith, who spent 484 days in Gaza.

Released hostages Aviva and Keith Siegel have decided to step into international humanitarian work following their experience in captivity, the pair announced at the SID Israel conference on January 19.

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.

 RACHEL GOLDBERG-POLIN interviews in Jerusalem, May 29.

Trump advised not to strike Iran, former hostage files assault complaint

The Jerusalem Post's must-listen news roundup with Shifra Jacobs—the top stories, clear and concise.

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff delivers a press conference upon the signing of the declaration on deploying post-ceasefire force in Ukraine, during the so-called 'Coalition of the Willing' summit, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, January 6, 2026.

Guatemalan inmates riot at three prisons, taking 46 people hostage

Inmates, some wearing jumpsuits but most in tank tops and shorts, their faces covered by masks improvised with pieces of clothing, watched from above, perched in the prison's patrol towers.

An inmate looks out from a security tower at the Renovacion 1 prison, as inmates at three Guatemalan prisons rioted on Saturday and took mostly prison guards hostage, authorities said, in Escuintla, Guatemala, January 17, 2026.

Gaza Phase II begins: Trump unveils 'Board of Peace,' demands Hamas disarm

“As I have said before, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. The people of Gaza have suffered long enough. The time is NOW,” Trump wrote.

Israeli army soldier holding a mounted machine gun in front of destroyed buildings in the vicinity of the Jordanian Field Hospital in Gaza City.

'Every day I planned an escape': Ariel Cunio shares details of Hamas captivity - exclusive

Ariel and his brother David, who were some of the longest-held living Israeli hostages taken by Hamas on October 7, have begun a Fuente Latina media tour this month.

David (L) and Ariel Cunio.

Kfar Aza Foundation head appears together with former hostage Keith Siegel at Miami Summit

Siegel: “During my 484 days in captivity, the source of my resilience and my strength was my family, my Jewish faith, the Jewish people, and all of you”

Alon Futterman ,Director of the Kfar Azza Foundation and Keith Siegel, Former Hostage

Trump’s Gaza peace plan officially entering Phase II, Witkoff announces

The interim governing body for Gaza will have 15 members, according to Witkoff, though their names have not been confirmed. It remains unclear how Hamas will be disarmed as required by the plan.

US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff speaks at the weekly rally at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, October 11, 2025.

Netanyahu convenes Israel's security cabinet on Gaza ceasefire's Phase II

Israel’s Security Cabinet met to discuss Phase II of the Gaza peace plan amid ongoing Iranian protests. The progression hinges on Hamas disarming and returning the remains of the final hostage.

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convenes a security cabinet meeting on April 6, 2023

'Cool!' Ex-hostages Emily Damari, Romi Gonen recount learning of Hamas leader Sinwar's death

Emily Damari and Romi Gonen also recalled their harrowing time in captivity, their bond through music, and their emotional journey after the Oct. 7 massacre during a Galgaltz show on Monday.

 Former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar on the backdrop of hostage posters. (Illustrative)