Hostage Deal

Since the October 7 massacre, hundreds of Israelis were taken hostage by Hamas and were held captive in the Gaza Strip. While many of the hostages have either been freed, rescued, or killed, many still remain in captivity. The hostage deal is a hypothetical agreement between Israel and Hamas that would see the hostages, living and dead, released from captivity back to Israel. 

Such a deal was implemented in the early days of the war, in November 2023, where many hostages were released over the course of a few days. A much longer one was implemented in early 2025, which saw many hostages released from captivity in exchange for the release of high numbers of Palestinian security prisoners.

Hamas official says group ready for further talks, Gaza militia claims to take land from Hamas

Emily Damari opens up about abuse experience in captivity • Hind Rajab Foundation files complaint against Israeli Druze soldier in Cyprus

Palestinians seeking aid supplies from the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation travel in an animal-drawn cart, near Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, July 24, 2025.
 Emily Damari pre surgery holding hand up, March 2, 2025.

Emily Damari opens up about abuse experience in captivity, suicide pact with fellow hostage

Illustrative image of Hamas terrorists in Gaza.

Hamas official says terror group 'surprised' by US accusation, asserts ready to resume talks

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff with hostage posters seen behind him (Illustrative).

US envoy Witkoff to meet Israeli, Qatari officials in Rome for hostage deal talks


Hamas claims group submitted ceasefire response, anti-Druze, antisemitic hate speech online rises

Canada calls for immediate UN-aid resumption • Rubio discusses Syrian ceasefire, Gaza Strip, West Bank security situation with Jordanian counterpart

Illustrative image of Hamas terrorists in Gaza.

WATCH: Former hostages meet Wonder Woman actress Gal Gadot

Gal Gadot met with former hostages Doron Steinbrecher, Liri Albag, Naama Levy, Moran Stella Yanai, and Ilana Gritzewsky.

Former hostages meet with Israeli actress Gal Gadot on July 22, 2025.

PIJ claims it lost contact with terrorists holding hostage Rom Braslavski

The Braslavski family said in a statement that Israeli officials were refusing to meet with them and provide updates on Rom's condition.

 Rom Braslavski, who was taken hostage on October 7 at the Nova Music Festival (illustration).

The Netanyahu-Trump dynamic: What aides say amid hope for a hostage deal - opinion

According to aides, Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump regularly have difficulties figuring each other out.

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and their teams, attend a dinner at the White House earlier this month. The dynamic between the two leaders has helped ‘to make significant progress,’ said an Israeli source.

Mediators say 'blame will lie fully with Hamas' should ceasefire deal talks fall apart - report

Senior Hamas officials in Doha are reportedly inclined to support the deal on the table, but no response has been received from Hamas's military leadership in Gaza, N12 noted. 

 Families of hostages, former hostages, and supporters march to the US embassy branch in Tel Aviv, calling for the release of all hostages, July 19, 2025.

Why do hostage families fear the IDF's reinvasion of Deir al-Balah, despite past ops.? - analysis

On Sunday, the IDF issued evacuation orders for the Deir al-Balah central Gaza area, a reliable sign that the IDF intends to attack an area more aggressively, often with a full-scale invasion.

The IDF located the shaft to the tunnel where the bodies of the six hostages were found, surrounded by childrens toys in a backyard in Gaza, September 4, 2024.

Hostage families warn IDF against op. in areas where hostages may be

The IDF issued an evacuation warning for residents in the southwestern area of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, an area the IDF has not operated in before.

 Israelis demonstrate in Tel Aviv in support of a hostage, ceasefire deal, July 19, 2025.

'We can save the next family from the worst': Former hostages rally on horseback at Nir Oz

Some freed hostages, as well as family members of captives, attended a horse rally at Kibbutz Nir Oz to honor those still in Gaza.

 Protesters ride horses in a rally to release the hostages at Kibbutz Nir Oz on July 18, 2025.

Trump says 'another ten hostages' will be released from Gaza shortly

"We got most of the hostages back. We're going to have another 10 coming very shortly, and we hope to have that finished quickly," Trump said.

 (L-R): Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump seen near posters of Gaza hostages (illustrative)

Israel has 'made significant strides' in Qatar talks, Hamas is curbing progress - Israeli official

"The flexibility and constructive approach shown by Israel in the negotiations are not matched by Hamas,” the official said.

 Demonstrators protest for the release of Israelis held hostage in the Gaza Strip, outside Hakirya Base in Tel Aviv, July 12, 2025.

Hamas says it will not agree to an interim truce if latest round of talks fail

The terrorist organization also said that if an agreement was not reached in the latest round of ceasefire talks, the group would not agree to an interim truce or partial hostage deal in the future.

 Hamas terrorists carry grenade launchers at the funeral of Marwan Issa, a senior Hamas deputy military commander who was killed in an Israeli airstrike during the conflict between Israel and Hamas, February 7, 2025.