Prisoner release

Afghanistan releases American detainee in an effort to improve Taliban, US relations

Dennis Coyle, an American citizen held in Afghanistan since authorities detained him at his Kabul home in 2025, is among the hundreds of Americans freed by the Trump administration.

|ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN, REUTERS
THE BLUE Mosque in Kabul.
Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez, Venezuela's National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez and Venezuela's Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello attend a press conference, more than a week after the U.S. launched a strike on the country and captured President Nicolas Maduro and his wife

Venezuela plans amnesty law for prisoners, vows to convert major prison center

Rodriguez said that the Helicoide prison, a long-standing symbol of alleged government repression, will instead be converted into a center for sports and social services.

|ByREUTERS
A person holds a Venezuelan flag as Venezuelans living in Costa Rica demonstrate for a democratic transition, after the US launched strikes on Venezuela, capturing its President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, in San Jose, Costa Rica January 4, 2026

Venezuela frees at least 104 political prisoners as interim government continues releases

They were released from prisons across the country, and more releases were likely taking place, said Alfredo Romero, the director of Venezuelan human rights group Foro Penal.

|ByREUTERS
Members of the Bolivarian National Police ride in a vehicle, outside the Helicoide detention center, in Caracas, Venezuela, January 9, 2026

Venezuela releases Israeli prisoner accused of being a 'foreign mercenary'

The call, joined by Harari’s daughters Yael and Yaara, followed more than a year in which Harari was held by authorities in Caracas alongside other Western detainees.

|BySHIR PERETS

Israel publishes list of 735 terrorists to be freed as part of hostage deal

Among the more familiar names is Zakaria Zubeidi, former commander of Fatah's Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades in Jenin.

JANUARY 18, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Hamas terrorists who were caught during the October 7 massacre and during the IDF operation in the Gaza Strip, seen at a courtyard in a prison in southern Israel, February 14, 2024

Justice Ministry releases names of Palestinian prisoners to be released in deal

The list of names on the ministry's website shows that a vast majority of those arrested were after the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023.

JANUARY 17, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Palestinian terrorists from Fatah carry their weapons during a parade in the Balata refugee camp in the West Bank city of Nablus, September 29, 2023

Former IDF prosecutor: Hostage deals have not worked, only encouraged Hamas

Hirsch explains that there can be no moral equivalence between someone convicted of terror offenses and an innocent civilian.

JANUARY 16, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Former IDF prosecutor: Hostage deals have not worked, only encouraged Hamas

Senior Hamas leader: Gaza ceasefire amendments are 'not significant'

Hamas demands it select a list of 100 Palestinians with long-term sentences to be released from Israeli jails, said the senior Hamas leader.

JUNE 13, 2024ByREUTERS
Palestinian fighters from the armed wing of Hamas take part in a military parade to mark the anniversary of the 2014 war with Israel, near the border in the central Gaza Strip, July 19, 2023.

Yemen's Houthis postpone release of 100 prisoners belonging to government forces

The release, originally planned for late Saturday, was allegedly delayed due to "technical reasons."

MAY 25, 2024ByREUTERS
Houthi tribesmen gather to show defiance after U.S. and UK air strikes on Houthi positions near Sanaa, Yemen February 4, 2024

WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich has detention extended to June

Gershkovich, his paper, and the US government all strongly deny the charges against him, which carry a sentence of up to 20 years in jail.

MARCH 26, 2024ByREUTERS
Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who is in custody on espionage charges, stands behind a glass wall of an enclosure for defendants as he attends a court hearing to consider extending his detention in Moscow, Russia, March 26, 2024.

How to conduct hostage negotiations - opinion

The keys to successful negotiations that may bring the hostages home to their loving families are outlined by an expert.

DECEMBER 26, 2023ByRAPHAEL COHEN-ALMAGOR
GAL HIRSCH, the government’s liaison on the issue of the hostages, arrives for a meeting earlier this month with families of those held in Gaza, and with hostages since released.

First release of security prisoners sees them greeted with cheers and Hamas flags

Perry visited the prison facilities in order to monitor the activity, and instructed the staff to act professionally, in order to allow the return of the Israeli abductees home.

NOVEMBER 25, 2023ByWALLA!
Ofer Prison

Former Gaza hostage advises Israeli gov't: Don't overwhelm those freed

Lipshitz, a resident of Nir Oz, was released from Hamas captivity a month ago, alongside Nurit Cooper.

NOVEMBER 24, 2023ByURI SELA/WALLA
Photo of Yocheved Lipshitz who was released from Hamas captivity a month ago.

Families beginning to reunite with hostages released from Gaza

13 hostages enter Israel, escorted by IDF and Shin Bet officials • 10 Thai hostages, one Filipino freed in separate deal

NOVEMBER 24, 2023ByGADI ZAIG
The Egyptian newpaper "Youm7" publishes photos of the hostages who were released inside the bus that transported them back to Israel on November 24, 2023.