Hostages

Health Ministry officials Dr. Hagar Mizrahi, left, and Prof. Ronit Endevelt attend a Knesset Health Committee discussion at the Knesset in Jerusalem, December 5, 2023. (Screenshot: Knesset Channel)

Israel at war

Health Ministry says Hamas drugged released hostages to make them appear happy

Knesset committee urges ministry to send international health organizations an official report with evidence of the drugging and other disturbing post-release medical findings

December 5, 2023, 4:22 pm

Health Ministry says Hamas drugged released hostages to make them appear happy

Knesset committee urges ministry to send international health organizations an official report with evidence of the drugging and other disturbing post-release medical findings

By Renee Ghert-Zand

Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby speaks at a press briefing at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Aug. 16, 2021. (DOD Photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Carlos M. Vazquez II)

December 4, 2023, 3:25 pm

White House says Israel ‘making effort’ to better protect Gaza civilians

National Security Council spokesman Kirby credits IDF for publishing online map to help Gazans avoid fighting; ‘There’s not a whole lot of modern militaries that would do that’

By Agencies, ToI Staff and Jacob Magid

Two individuals took down posters of the Hamas hostages in Squirrel Hill on Nov. 27 (Photo courtesy of Julie Paris)

November 29, 2023, 10:04 pm

Antisemitic, anti-Israel vandals strike Squirrel Hill and Oakland

Posters of the hostages held captive by Hamas continue to be torn down; a We Stand With Israel sign is set on fire

By Toby Tabachnick

Israeli hostages released on Nov. 28, 2023: Top L-R: Ditza Heiman, Tamar Metzger, Noralin Babadila Agojo, Ada Sagi, Meirav Tal; bottom: Rimon Kirsht, Ofelia Roitman, Gabriela Leimberg and her daughter Mia, Clara Marman. (Courtesy; combination image: Times of Israel)

November 28, 2023, 2:59 pm

Ten Israeli hostages freed as Hamas breaks ceasefire in Gaza

In addition to the 10 Israelis, Hamas released two hostages with foreign citizenship, the IDF said.

By JNS

Shiri Silberman-Bibas and Kfir Bibas are visible in footage taken by Hamas after they were taken captive on Oct. 7, 2023. (X, via JTA)

November 28, 2023, 2:50 pm

Most child hostages are back in Israel. Redheaded brothers Kfir and Ariel Bibas are still in Gaza.

The Bibas brothers are the youngest and perhaps most prominent children remaining in captivity.

By Eliyahu Freedman

Rep. Summer Lee (Photo courtesy of summerlee.house.gov)

November 28, 2023, 2:01 pm

Many signers of letter calling for ceasefire, and thanking Summer Lee, are anonymous

The letter does not mention Hamas and does not assign responsibility for the attack on Israel.

By Toby Tabachnick

Families and supporters of hostages held in Gaza gather at the public square outside of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art to demand their release, Nov. 4, 2023. (Oren Rozen/Creative Commons)

November 27, 2023, 1:26 pm

Israel and Hamas extend truce for 2 days, paving way for release of 20 more hostages

Israel will release three Palestinian prisoners for each additional hostage freed by Hamas.

By Ron Kampeas

Posters of Israeli hostages in New York City's Union Square subway station, October 16, 2023. (Luke Tress)

November 26, 2023, 6:59 pm

17 additional hostages released by Hamas to Red Cross en route to Israel

Well over 100 hostages remain in captivity

By Ben Sales

Hostages are transported in International Committee of the Red Cross vehicles from the Gaza Strip through the Rafah land crossing in Rafah, Gaza, Nov. 25, 2023. (Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images)

November 25, 2023, 8:34 pm

After delays, Hamas releases another 13 Israeli and 4 foreign hostages

Israel was set to release 39 Palestinian prisoners in exchange.

By Ron Kampeas

Qatari Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari gives details of a planned hostage release, at a press conference in Doha, November 23, 2023 (CNN screenshot, used in accordance with clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

November 24, 2023, 10:28 am

Israel-Hamas truce comes into force, as first 13 Israeli hostages set to be freed

Temporary pause in fighting takes effect at 7 a.m., with group of Israeli children and women to be handed over at 4 p.m.; almost all were abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz

By TAL SCHNEIDER and JACOB MAGID, Times of Israel

A Nov. 6 installation of candles in Tel Aviv, reading "Bring them home" in Hebrew, calls attention to an estimated 240 hostages being held by Hamas. (Photo by Rabbi Seth Adelson)

November 23, 2023, 8:48 am

Hostage release timeline is delayed, extending an excruciating wait for families

Officials say they still expect the deal to be finalized.

By Deborah Danan

IDF troops operate inside Gaza during the ongoing ground offensive against Hamas, in a picture released Nov. 22, 2023. (IDF Spokesman)

November 22, 2023, 4:49 pm

Release of 50 abducted women, children to begin 10 a.m. Thursday – Israeli official

Israel said to receive list of first batch of hostages to be freed; senior Israeli official says Hamas, desperate for more days of halted fighting, could end up releasing up to 80

By Tal Schneider and Carrie Keller-Lynn

Israelis protest calling for the release of Israelis held kidnapped by Hamas terrorists in Gaza, outside Hakirya base in Tel Aviv, Nov. 21, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

November 22, 2023, 4:31 pm

For US officials, Israeli hostage deal brings joy — and hard questions about how much more war to support

Israel has vowed to restart its campaign after the pause, but calls for a long-term ceasefire are already increasing internationally and among Democrats.

By Ron Kampeas

November 21, 2023, 8:56 pm

Chronicle poll question

Do you approve of the hostage deal between Israel and Hamas which was announced on Tues., Nov. 21?

Hamas terrorists bring a hostage into Shifa Hospital as seen on surveillance footage from Oct. 7, 2023. (IDF)

November 21, 2023, 8:21 pm

Cabinet approves deal for return of 50 hostages in exchange for multi-day ceasefire

Israel believes Hamas could potentially locate some 30 more mothers and children and that the 4-day halt could be extended by extra day per each 10 Israeli hostages freed

By Jacob Magid and Tal Schneider