Gaza hostages

Thousands urge Israeli media to skip state Independence Day ceremony, air civilian alternative

The campaign was launched by Yotam Kipnis, a resident of Kibbutz Be’eri who lost both his parents and several relatives in the October 7.

|ByTOBIAS SIEGAL
Former hostage Emily Damari lights the torch during the main rehearsal of the 77th anniversary Independence Day ceremony, held at Mount Herzl, Jerusalem, on April 28, 2025.
RACHEL AND JON Goldberg-Polin attend the funeral of their son, Hersh, in Jerusalem.

'I feel like we failed' to bring Gaza hostages home, Rachel Goldberg-Polin tells CBS's 60 Minutes

"What we were fighting for did happen. We got all these people home, not the way we wanted. We wanted them home, alive, but they had come home," she told Anderson Cooper.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Family members of slain hostages spoke of the lack of government support and emotional struggle at Knesset panel. April 19, 2026.

'I feel invisible’: Families of slain hostages warn Knesset panel they lack gov't support

Family members of slain hostages share their emotional struggles, criticizing the government for a lack of support and calling for a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 failures.

|ByKESHET NEEV
Demonstrators gather to protest in support of causes that include the Palestinians, immigration, labor, and the environment, at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, March 12, 2025; illustrative.

Seattle Palestinian festival hosting terrorist released in hostage deal as keynote speaker

Raed Abduljalil, a former al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades terrorist released in a hostage ransom, is set to speak at the Seattle Palestinian Cultural Resistance Festival.

|ByMICHAEL STARR

'Just wanted to serve the country': The story of Gaza hostage St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili - explainer

The IDF recovered the body of Staff Sgt Maj Ran Gvili from Gaza, more than two years after he was killed fighting Hamas on October 7.

JANUARY 26, 2026ByLEO FEIERBERG BETTER
St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili

Former Hamas hostage shares preview of new song one year after release from captivity

"I can't believe that the moment has finally arrived when I get to share share something of mine, finally my voice can be heard and I don't need to whisper anymore, don't need to fear," Gilboa wrote.

JANUARY 26, 2026ByTZVI JASPER
FORMER HOSTAGE Daniella Gilboa previews her new song in an Instagram post, January 25, 2026.

No second phase without the return of Ran Gvili's remains - editorial

The return of fallen hostages is not a secondary issue to be postponed; it is a core obligation. Israel and the US should not allow themselves to be trapped in that pattern again.

JANUARY 22, 2026ByJPOST EDITORIAL
Posters of Ran Gvili, whose body is still being held captive by Hamas in Gaza, seen at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv. December 02, 2025.

Brother of former hostage Avera Mengitsu missing, police ask public for help with search

Ashgara Mengistu, a 34-year-old resident of Ashkelon, left his mother's home in Ma'ale Adumim on Sunday and hasn't been seen since, the police reported.

JANUARY 21, 2026ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN
Ashgara Mengistu, Avera Mengitsu's brother, is missing.

Noam Bettan wins Next Star reality show, to represent Israel at Eurovision 2026

Noam Bettan wins Next Star for Eurovision and prepares to showcase his soulful performance for Israel on the world stage in Vienna.

JANUARY 21, 2026ByHANNAH BROWN
Noam Bettan will represent Israel at Eurovision 2026.

Family of slain hostage sues UNRWA for alleged role in October 7 kidnapping, murder

The lawsuit names UNRWA, a UNRWA employee alleged to have taken part in the attack, and several current and former senior UNRWA officials as defendants.

JANUARY 20, 2026BySARAH BEN-NUN
Poster of hostage Yonatan Mordechai Samerano during demonstrations for the hostages still held in Gaza.

Bereaved families protest Knesset debate on political probe into Oct. 7 failings

Bereaved families, victims of the October 7 attacks, and parents of former hostages attended the panel.

JANUARY 19, 2026ByKESHET NEEV
Bereaved families and opposition MKs formed a separate committee meeting in the Knesset in protest of the first debate advancing the government bill that aims to establish a politically appointed committee to investigate the failures surrounding the October 7 attacks.

Parents of slain Gaza hostages Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Roni Eshel to release memoirs of experience

Goldberg-Polin, mother of Hersh, will release an intimate memoir this spring, while Eshel, father of Roni, is publishing a book chronicling the 34 days before learning of his daughter’s death.

JANUARY 18, 2026BySHIR PERETS
RACHEL GOLDBERG-POLIN interviews in Jerusalem, May 29.

'I'm sorry for bringing you into such a cruel world': Yarden Bibas mourns Kfir on his 3rd birthday

Kfir, his older brother Ariel, and his mother Shiri were all murdered by Hamas terrorists after being taken hostage on October 7. His father was the only survivor of the family.

JANUARY 18, 2026ByTZVI JASPER
Kfir Bibas, who was murdered in Hamas captivity.

Former hostage Rom Braslavski files assault complaint against Israeli singer's partner

A source told Maariv the partner shouted at him, “Just because you were a hostage doesn’t mean you can talk however you want,” and then went on to assault his friend. 

JANUARY 18, 2026ByHODAYA RAN, ALON HACHMON
Former hostage Rom Braslavski at the Israeli Premier League match between Maccabi Netanya and Beitar Jerusalem at the Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem on November 30, 2025.