Prisoner swap

Israel seeks return of Jewish remains buried in Lebanon as part of prisoner talks - report

The discussions reportedly involved remains buried in Jewish cemeteries in Beirut and Sidon, alongside the status of Lebanese detainees held by Israel.

The Beth Elamen Jewish cemetery at Damascus Road in the Achrafieh quarter of the Lebanese capital Beirut, taken 2021
Palestinian militant group Hamas fighters secure an area before handing over two Israeli hostages to a Red Cross team in Khan Yunis.

Exiled Palestinian official walks back Jared Kushner ceasefire claim as Israeli strikes hit Gaza

 UKRAINE-RUSSIA-CONFLICT-WAR-POW Released Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) react upon arrival by bus following a prisoner exchange at an undisclosed location, in the Chernihiv region on May 15, 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Russia, Ukraine confirm exchange of 160 prisoners of war

 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) are seen next to buses after a swap, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in an undisclosed location, Ukraine April 19, 2025.

Russia says US hasn't followed through on Trump-Putin 'understandings' as war grinds on


Hamas military commanders invited to Cairo for prisoner swap talks

Israeli security officials are also scheduled to arrive in Cairo to discuss the prisoner exchange issue.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh In Cairo

Sinwar: Hamas ready to hold talks with Israel on prisoner swap

The Hamas leader said that "in the coming days we will be witnessing a dialogue in Cairo with the aim of reaching agreements on the issues at hand."

YAHYA SINWAR, leader of Hamas in Gaza, gestures on stage during a rally in Gaza City on May 24

Hamas refuses link between prisoner swap, Gaza ceasefire, reconstruction

Hamas is holding two Israeli civilians, Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, who entered the Gaza Strip on their own, and the bodies of IDF soldiers Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul, killed in 2014.

Israelis Hadar Goldin, Oron Shaul, Avera Mengistu and Hisham Al-Sayed being held by Hamas in Gaza

Washington denies Iran state media report saying prisoner swap agreed

"Reports that a prisoner swap deal has been reached are not true," State Department spokesman Ned Price told Reuters

A boy playing the role of a prisoner has his hands tied during a rally marking Palestinian Prisoners' Day April 17, 2019.

Hamas willing to accept less prisoner releases in exchange deal - report

Israeli officials do not have high expectations from the talks.

Israelis Hadar Goldin, Oron Shaul, Avera Mengistu and Hisham Al-Sayed being held by Hamas in Gaza

Israeli who crossed Syrian border refused to help commit terrorist attack

This was not the first time the woman has illegally crossed borders or put herself at risk with Israel's neighbors.

An Israeli soldier stands near the Quneitra crossing in the Golan Heights on the border line between Israel and Syria, October 15, 2018

Woman who crossed from Israel into Syria indicted

Syria is on the list of enemy states, and quite a few Israeli-Arabs who have crossed into Israel's neighbor and returned were indicted for their actions.

An old military fort on the Syrian border is seen, with snow-covered Mount Hermon in the background.

Should Israeli woman who crossed into Syria be indicted?

Israeli law prohibits citizens from traveling to enemy states and prohibits citizens of enemy states to cross into Israel, among other things.

View of Mount Hermon covered with snow as it seen from the northern Golan Heights, near the border with Syria, January 20, 2021.

Why can’t Netanyahu free Israelis from Gaza as easily as from Syria?

The prisoner swap happened so quickly that the public barely learned an Israeli woman had been held in Syria before she was already safely back in Israel.

A protest calling for the return of Avera Mengistu

Hezbollah media claims Israeli in Syria deal was seen at Lebanon border

The woman's Facebook account showed her traveling all over the country, including into parts of the Palestinian territories which Israelis are forbidden to enter.

A military zone on the border between Israel and Lebanon