Other individuals tapped for the torch-lighting ceremony include 28-year-old Emily Damari, a former Gaza hostage who was abducted from Kibbutz Kfar Azza on October 7, 2023.

Karina Ariev, who was released in January in the latest ceasefire-hostage deal, urged Israelis celebrating the Seder to 'leave an empty chair for the hostages, and do not forget them.'

At the National Republican Congressional Committee fundraising dinner, three former Oct. 7 hostages thanked President Trump for securing their freedom.

The Israeli prime minister also announced that the Israeli military was seizing the Morag Corridor in the southern Gaza Strip.

'The combination of military and diplomatic pressure is the only thing that has returned the hostages,' said the premier.

Elkana Bohbot, a selfless young man kidnapped while helping others during a music festival, has been held captive for 534 days, with his family and supporters worldwide holding onto hope and praying for his safe return and emotional strength.

Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl passionately called for the release of Edan Alexander, an American-Israeli held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended resuming military operations in Gaza, blaming Hamas for the stalled ceasefire talks and ongoing conflict while keeping the door open for future hostage negotiations.

In an emotional and deeply moving moment, several released hostages expressed their appreciation and faith after enduring unimaginable hardship.

On International Women’s Day, tIsraeli women who were kidnapped on October 7, 2023, and survived captivity in Gaza were honored for their resilience, while advocating for those still held hostage.

'You'd think there'd be a couple people that would be kind, that would say, 'You're gonna be OK,' but they had none of that.'

US President Donald Trump responded to a reporter who asked what the US response would be if Hamas does not release the hostages.

After hearing the harrowing stories of Israeli hostages at the White House, President Trump took to Truth Social with a chilling warning to Hamas: 'Shalom means Hello and Goodbye – You can choose.'

Abdallah Aljamal allegedly informed hostages that Hamas would 'ensure that the United States, as well as Jews and Israelis, are hated everywhere.'

His remains were returned to Israel last Thursday, along with those of Itzik Elgarat, Shlomo Mantzur, and Tsachi Idan.

President Trump invited multiple families of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas to his congressional address, where he promised to bring them home and expand on the Abraham Accords.

Families of hostages held in Gaza have been eagerly awaiting any sign of life from their loved ones since they were torn from their homes on October 7, making these ceasefire negotiations and releases especially painful and difficult.

Former hostage Andrey Kozlov recounts the fast-paced military operation that led to his rescue from captivity in Gaza, noting the heroism of the IDF soldiers involved.

Released hostage Omer Shem Tov was greeted by a jubilant crowd of Israelis singing and chanting in support as he left the hospital after his harrowing captivity.

Kobi and Edith, the parents of hostage Alon Ohel, dedicated a Torah scroll in his room, praying for his safe and speedy return, with Edith saying, 'His faith, which he still holds onto in Gaza, will bring him home.'

'The basis of Game Theory is to give incentives to the other side to do what's good for you. And we keep doing the opposite. We are literally killing ourselves.'

In exchange for their return to Israel, Jerusalem is releasing some 600 Arab terrorists whose scheduled release on Feb. 22 was postponed due to ceasefire violations by Hamas.

Addressing the UN Security Council, Noa Argamani spoke about the tragic fates of two captives taken with her—Yossi Sharabi, who perished beneath the rubble of an explosion, and Itay Svirsky, brutally murdered by his captor days later.

'We fought for years for peace and social justice – unfortunately, we were dealt a harsh blow by the very people we helped on the other side.'

Ilana Gritzewsky, who was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz alongside her boyfriend, Matan Zangauker, also spoke at the rally.

Na’el Obeid, a convicted terrorist involved in a deadly suicide bombing that claimed seven lives, died in a sudden accident at his Jerusalem home just days after he was released in the Hamas-Israel hostage deal.

'Our examination found no injuries consistent with a bombing.'

On Saturday, Israel facilitated the release of six living hostages from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip: Eliya Cohen, 27, Avera Mengistu, 39, Hisham al-Sayed, 36, Omer Shem Tov, 22, Tal Shoham, 40, and Omer Wenkert, 23.

Hostage families’ Forum of Hope says that only the release of all hostages together, under an ultimatum, will save their lives while ensuring Israel’s security.

'We demand that Hamas return Shiri home along with all our hostages,' the Israeli military said.

The Jewish state is in mourning as the bodies of four Israeli hostages—including infant and toddler Kfir and Ariel Bibas, their mother Shiri, and the elderly Oded Lifshitz—are returned to Israel for a proper burial.

Herzog and Sulyok also met with Hungarian-born Holocaust survivor Aharon Shevo and his family who presented the Hungarian leader with a stamp commemorating 80 years since the Holocaust.

Hamas, under extreme Israeli pressure has agreed to double the number of hostages set for release in the seventh round on Saturday, bringing the total to six, including Tal Shoham, Omer Shem Tov, Eliya Cohen, Omer Wenkert, Hisham Al-Sayed, and Avera Mengistu

Professor Hagai Levine, who heads the Health Department at the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, emphasized the need for systematic monitoring of returnees’ health conditions.

President Trump shared the 20-year-old’s raw appeal on his Truth Social account without commentary to let her powerful words speak for themselves.

Agam Berger, who was recently released from Hamas captivity, calls on members of the public to take on a good deed for the hostages. 'It really brings everyone's return closer.'

Israeli actor and singer Idan Amedi performed some of his songs for the five female border soldiers recently released after being kidnapped on October 7th, in an effort to share and relieve some of their pain.

Released captives reveal the terrorists subjected all younger male hostages to more aggressive treatment, with many enduring severe torture.

American-Israeli Sagui Dekel-Chen, 36, and Argentinian-Israeli Iair Horn, 46, were captives of Hamas while Alexander Troufanov, 29, who has dual Russian citizenship, had been held by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization.

'I can't tell you what Israel is going to do.'