Ceasefire
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, IDF chief Herzi Halevi (left), Defense Minister Israel Katz (second from right) and IAF chief of staff Omer Tischler (right) in the military headquarters in Tel Aviv on December 26, 2024. (Kobi Gideon/GPO)
March 2, 2025, 8:37 am
Israel endorses new US plan for half of hostages to be released now, ceasefire maintained
As phase 1 period ends, PM’s office backs what it says is Witkoff proposal for permanent ceasefire and all hostages freed by end of Passover; Hamas: Israel reneging on deal
By Lazar Berman and ToI Staff
This image released by the IDF on Jan. 20, 2024, shows the inside of a cell in a Hamas tunnel in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis where hostages were held. (Photo courtesy of the Israel Defense Forces)
February 19, 2025, 9:56 am
PM said to condition deal’s 2nd phase on end of Hamas presence in Gaza, no PA rule
Israel reportedly readying for potential resumption of war if ceasefire collapses, amassing troops and equipment along Gaza border; delegation yet to depart for latest Doha talks
By ToI staff and Emanuel Fabian
Row 1 (L-R): Omer Wenkert, Eliya Cohen, Tal Shoham; Row 2: Omer Shem-Tov, Avera Mengistu, Hisham al-Sayed. (All photos courtesy)
February 18, 2025, 2:06 pm
6 hostages to be freed Sat.; Hamas says bodies of Bibas mom, kids set for Thurs. return
Family of Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas ‘in turmoil’ over Hamas announcement, has not received Israeli confirmation; only 3 living hostages were to go free this week, but Hamas will instead release all 6 of phase 1’s remaining living hostages
By Lazar Berman
Surrounded by other family members of Americans who were taken hostage by Hamas during the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks in Israel, Jonathan Dekel-Chen, father of Sagui Dekel-Chen, and Ruby Chen, father of Itay Chen, speak to reporters after a meeting with President Biden at the White House, Dec. 13, 2023. (Julia Nikhinson/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)
February 14, 2025, 9:30 am
Sagui Dekel-Chen, Sasha Trufanov, Yair Horn set for release from Gaza
Dekel-Chen is the last American citizen held hostage by Hamas set to be freed during the current ceasefire.
By Philissa Cramer
The 17 hostages slated to be returned in phase one of the Gaza ceasefire deal as of February 8, 2025 after the first five rounds saw 16 captives freed. Row 1 (L-R): Ariel Bibas, Kfir Bibas, Shiri Bibas, Sasha Trufanov; Row 2: Shlomo Mantzur, Ohad Yahalomi, Oded Lifshitz, Tsahi Idan; Row 3: Hisham al-Sayed, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Yair Horn, Omer Wenkert; Row 4: Itzik Elgarat, Eliya Cohen, Avera Mengistu, Tal Shoham, Omer Shem-Tov. (All photos courtesy)
February 13, 2025, 11:18 am
Hamas says it’ll free hostages as planned; PM’s office implies gaps remain on deal
Terror group, Egyptian media claim ‘obstacles’ threatening to unravel Gaza agreement have been overcome, though Israel denies reports of mobile homes, heavy equipment entering Strip
By Charlie Summers, Lazar Berman and Agencies
Soldiers of the IDF Southern Command, Oct. 30, 2023.( Credit: IDF)
February 12, 2025, 3:49 pm
IDF bolsters forces at Gaza border in case ceasefire collapses
The military is preparing to potentially resume fighting following Hamas's announcement that it would delay releasing hostages.
By JNS
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a joint meeting of Congress on July 24, 2024. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
February 11, 2025, 3:30 pm
Netanyahu: ‘If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon, the ceasefire will end’
An anonymous Israeli official said Netanyahu, like Trump, was demanding that Hamas release all remaining hostages by Saturday at noon.
By Ben Sales
The security cabinet meets in Jerusalem on January 17, 2025 to discuss the ceasefire-hostage release deal. (Kobi Gideon/GPO)
January 17, 2025, 12:33 pm
Security cabinet approves hostage-ceasefire deal; full cabinet meets to review, vote on it
First hostages to be freed Sunday afternoon; Smotrich said to agree to stay in coalition; relatives of hostages not set for release in 1st phase urge public support for next stage
By Amy Spiro, Emanuel Fabian and ToI Staff
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri attend a Shas Party faction meeting at the Knesset, Jan. 23, 2023. (Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90 via JNS)
January 16, 2025, 1:55 pm
Deri: Israel-Hamas deal back on track
"A few minutes ago, I received the final word that all obstacles have been overcome," the former War Cabinet observer said.
By JNS
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (center), Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich (left) and Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs at a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, November 1, 2024. (Amos Ben Gershom/GPO)
January 16, 2025, 8:41 am
Israel holds off on approving hostage deal, accusing Hamas of reneging on details
Cabinet meeting to vote on agreement delayed; Prime Minister’s Office says dispute hinges on identities of Palestinian security prisoners to be freed; Hamas denies backtracking
By Amy Spiro
Hostage Farhan al-Qadi meets with the commander of the 162nd Division, Brig. Gen. Itzik Cohen, moments after being rescued from a tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip, August 27, 2024. (Israel Defense Forces)
January 15, 2025, 5:16 pm
World leaders welcome hostage-ceasefire deal, express hope it will endure
Biden and Trump both fete accomplishment, as Europe calls for a path toward long-term solution
By ToI Staff
Keren Munder, center, a former Hamas hostage, at a rally in Central Park, March 10, 2024. (Luke Tress)
January 15, 2025, 2:08 pm
Israel and Hamas agree to ceasefire deal after 15 months of war
President-elect Donald Trump, who pressed for an end to the war, was the first world leader to confirm a deal.
By Ben Sales
Hundreds donning orange balloons mark the birthday of ginger-haired hostage Kfir Bibas, in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square on January 18, 2024. (Courtesy via The Times of Israel)
March 7, 2024, 11:05 pm
US says Hamas holding up 6-week ceasefire by refusing to release vulnerable hostages
Biden officials insist deal still possible amid deadlock, reveal truce would let civilians return to north Gaza; add there’s no hard deadline but want agreement before Ramadan
By Jacob Magid
U.S. President Joe Biden points toward the Marine One presidential helicopter as he departs the White House, Feb. 26, 2024. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
February 27, 2024, 12:59 pm
Biden predicts ceasefire by Monday, though Hamas and Israel seem skeptical
Israel, Hamas and Qatar have said a deal remains possible but does not appear to be close.
By Ron Kampeas
Flag of Israel close up. (Photo by cottonbro studio, courtesy of Pexels)
December 13, 2023, 11:53 am
Calls for a premature ceasefire are ‘immoral and counterproductive’
Israel was forced to enter a war that it never wanted in a fight for its survival and a race against time to rescue the hostages.
By Julie Paris
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