Sep 21 New Zealand pilot held captive by rebels in Indonesia’s Papua region is freed after 19 months By Niniek Karmini, Charlotte Graham-McLay, Associated Press Phillip Mark Mehrtens, a 38-year-old pilot from Christchurch, was working for Indonesian aviation company Susi Air when he was abducted by rebels from a remote airport on Feb. 7, 2023. Continue reading
Sep 01 Who were the 6 hostages held by Hamas whose bodies the Israeli military recovered from Gaza? By Associated Press Israel's military said the six were killed shortly before Israeli forces were to rescue them and that the bodies were found in a tunnel beneath the southern Gaza city of Rafah. The news sparked calls for mass protests by families… Continue reading
Sep 01 Six more hostage deaths in Gaza spark grief, protests and anger against Netanyahu in Israel By Josef Federman, Associated Press Israel’s largest trade union called a general strike for Monday to pressure the government for a cease-fire in Gaza after Israel said it had recovered the bodies of six hostages, including a young Israeli-American man held by Hamas. Continue reading
Aug 21 Parents of American held by Hamas appeal for hostages’ release during Democratic convention By Jonathan J. Cooper, Associated Press The parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin on Wednesday pleaded for the release of the dozens of people who continue to be held captive in Gaza. Continue reading
Aug 21 WATCH: Parents of Hamas hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin speak at 2024 Democratic National Convention By Joshua Barajas Rachel told a hushed crowd inside United Center that Hersh’s left forearm was blown off by a grenade in the attack before Hamas loaded him onto a pick-up truck, “stolen from his life – and me and Jon – in… Continue reading
Aug 20 Bodies of 6 Israeli hostages recovered from Gaza By Julia Frankel, Associated Press The recovery of the remains is a blow to Hamas, which hopes to exchange hostages for Palestinian prisoners, an Israeli withdrawal and a lasting cease-fire. But it was also likely to increase pressure on Israel's government to reach a deal. Continue reading
Jul 25 Watch 8:48 Father of American hostage in Gaza shares insight on meeting with Biden and Netanyahu By Nick Schifrin Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu visited the White House for separate meetings with President Biden and Vice President Harris. He and Biden also met with the families of Americans held by Hamas in Gaza for the last 293 days. Nick Schifrin… Continue watching
Jun 11 UN says Israeli forces, Palestinian armed groups may have committed war crimes in deadly raid By Jamey Keaten, Associated Press “It was catastrophic, the way that this was carried out in that civilians — again — were caught smack bang in the middle of this,” spokesman Jeremy Laurence said. Continue reading
Jun 05 Watch 8:41 Negotiator reveals shadowy world of hostage rescue in new book, ‘In the Shadows’ By Nick Schifrin, Dan Sagalyn For decades, families who have had loved ones kidnapped overseas have often had to work with consultants to get their relatives freed. Negotiating with kidnappers, terrorists and hostile countries is a murky and secretive world. One of the leading hostage… Continue watching
Jun 03 4 more hostages found dead, Israel says By Julia Frankel, Associated Press The Israeli military on Monday confirmed the deaths, including three older men seen in a Hamas video begging for their release. Continue reading