Jan 24 As part of the ceasefire, Hamas publishes the names of 4 hostages it plans to release from Gaza on Saturday By Shlomo Benartzi and Wafaa Shurafa, Associated Press The hostages are to be freed Saturday in exchange for the release of dozens of Palestinians imprisoned or detained by Israel. Continue reading
Jan 20 Hamas returns 3 Israeli hostages and Israel frees 90 Palestinian prisoners as ceasefire takes hold By Wafaa Shurafa, Samy Magdy, Melanie Lidman, Sam Mednick, Associated Press Dozens of Palestinian prisoners have been freed by Israel after three hostages left Hamas captivity in an exchange that took place after 15 months of collective grief and anxiety. Continue reading
Dec 18 As hopes rise for a ceasefire in Gaza, families of hostages endure uncertainty By Melanie Lidman, Associated Press A released hostage in Gaza is fighting to save her boyfriend, who remains in captivity. Ilana Gritzewsky fears time is running out for her partner, Matan Zangauker, even as talks for a ceasefire deal progress. In the deal under discussion,… Continue reading
Nov 12 Watch 6:34 'Change might bring something good,' family of Gaza hostages says amid political shakeups By Nick Schifrin, Zeba Warsi President Biden met Israeli President Isaac Herzog in the Oval Office and reaffirmed his administration’s 'ironclad’ commitment to Israel. The Israeli government says Hamas is still holding 101 hostages in Gaza and Herzog said the war would continue until the… Continue watching
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