Gaza hostages

Beersheba Family Court approves Iris Haim to use sperm of slain hostage son to have child

Iris Haim submitted the request several months ago - and argued that her son, Yotam Haim “saw bringing children into the world as the fulfillment of a significant personal dream."

|ByYANIR YAGNA, URI SELA
Iris Haim and members of the "Shover Shivion" organization hold a press conference in Tel Aviv presening a new agreed proposal by Likud Central Committee members and protest-aligned academics to establish a commission of inquiry into the October 7 events. February 23, 2026.
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.

Former Gaza hostage Rom Braslavski faces online attacks after criticizing Gal Hirsch

Former hostage Rom Braslavski wrote on social media that the choice to have Brig.-Gen. (res.) Gal Hirsch light a torch at the Independence Day ceremony is “a slap in the face” to hostage families.

|ByMIKI LEVIN
A TORCH burns on Jerusalem’s Mount Herzl.

Argentina’s Milei to light torch at Israel’s 78th Independence Day ceremony

Argentina President Javier Milei will light a torch at Israel’s 78th Independence Day ceremony, with Regev citing his strong support for Israel and fight against antisemitism.

|BySHOSHANA BAKER, ARIELLA ROITMAN
Bar Kupershtein acknowledges those welcoming him as he comes home last month, in Holon, after his release from Hamas captivity in Gaza. The return of the hostages restored our breath, says the writer.

'They broke my leg for what happened in Sde Teiman': Bar Kupershtein recounts Hamas brutality

"They took Yosef Chaim Ohana and me, and broke my leg. They said that it was because of Netanyahu, Ben Gvir, because of Sde Teiman," Kupershtein said in an interview for KAN Reshet Bet.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

On Passover, former Gaza hostages say freedom 'takes on a different meaning' - interview

Former hostages David Cunio and Keith Siegel return home, discovering a deeper, personal meaning of freedom this Passover.

APRIL 1, 2026ByHANNAH BROWN
Released hostage David Cunio is greeted as he returns to his home in Yavne, last October.

'Helplessness, uncontrollable fear': Romi Gonen shares how Iran war brings back Gaza trauma

“Notice the people outside who need help,” she wrote. “The siren caught me twice on the road, and it immediately threw me back into helplessness and uncontrollable fear.”

MARCH 29, 2026ByURI SELA
Former hostage Romi Gonen speaks to Channel 12's "Uvda" about her experiences in Hamas's terror captivity, December 25, 2025.

Freed Gaza hostages relive trauma as Iran war sirens trigger captivity memories

“We will live with captivity for the rest of our lives," former hostage Luis Har said.

MARCH 19, 2026ByURI SELA
Luis Har.

For former Gaza hostage Elkana Bohbot, this war with Iran is different - interview

Being at home with family when Operation Rising Lion began felt like a privilege in comparison to the tunnels of Gaza, former Hamas hostage Elkana Bohbot told Maariv.

MARCH 13, 2026ByDUDI PATIMER
Portrait of Elkana Bohbot who was held hostage by Hamas terrorists in Gaza and released a few months ago. February 12, 2026.

WATCH: 'I screamed in pain': Former hostage Matan Angrest says Hamas terrorists electrocuted him

Former Gaza hostage Matan Angrest told Channel 12's 'Uvda' about his captivity, including Hamas torture, the loss of his tank crew, bonding with fellow hostage Gali Berman, and his eventual release.

FEBRUARY 27, 2026ByJAMES GENN
Former hostage Matan Angrest speaks to Channel 12's 'Uvda' about his experience in Hamas terror captivity, including torture, broadcast on February 26, 2026.

Teaching October 8 Jews requires moral courage, not comfort - opinion

Is there still time for Jewish joy in a world of hostages and war, amid dilemmas around the war’s justness, recognition of Palestinian suffering, and the desire to see Hamas dismantled? At what cost?

FEBRUARY 25, 2026BySAMANTHA VINOKOR-MEINRATH
An empty classroom (illustrative).

Former hostage performs song he sang in Hamas tunnels on first birthday since captivity

Held two weeks ago, the concert celebrated Ohel’s first birthday outside captivity, coming four months after his release. Tickets sold out within hours.

FEBRUARY 25, 2026ByHANNAH BROWN
FORMER HOSTAGE Alon Ohel performs with Israeli artists during a concert in Tel Aviv, on February 9, 2026.

Trump says Iran will 'never' have nuclear weapons during State of the Union address

As US-Iran tensions rise, US President Donald Trump stated that he will “never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror to have a nuclear weapon.”

FEBRUARY 25, 2026ByGOLDIE KATZ, JAMES GENN
US President Donald J. Trump delivers the first State of the Union address of his second term to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber of the United States Capitol in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

Freed Israeli hostages recite Shema prayer on New York City stage in front of thousands

This event was part of the Chabad-Lubavitch CTeen International Summit, an annual conference for Jewish teens from around the world. 

FEBRUARY 24, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Freed Israeli hostages Matan Zangauker, Ilana Gritzewsky, and Segev Kalfon, recite the Shema prayer on stage in Times Square on February 21, 2026.

‘I’ll shout Shema in New York’: Freed hostage Segev Kalfon launches US Chabad tour

"They didn't let me shout Shema Yisrael in Gaza," Kalfon said. "I'll shout Shema Yisrael in New York."

FEBRUARY 23, 2026ByESTHER DAVIS
Former hostage Segev Kalfon, with his family, in a helicopter on their way to the hospital. October 14, 2025.