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Hostages

How many of the Israeli hostages have been released?

As of February 8, 2025, a total of 138 Israeli hostages have been released. This includes 105 freed in a 2023 prisoner exchange deal, four released unilaterally by Hamas, eight rescued by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and 21 released in a 2025 prisoner exchange agreement.

Coach Bruce Pearl with players from Auburn University and the Israel U-20 squad before their game in Israel in August 2022. Photo by Steven Leonard/Auburn Athletics.

Herzog thanks coach Pearl for supporting hostages in Gaza

U.S.-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander's father, Adi, is due to attend Auburn University's upcoming game as a guest of Athletes for Israel.

March 28, 2025

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) meets with rescued hostage Andrey Kozlov, March 25, 2025. Credit: Courtesy.

Sherman calls for end of tax-exempt organizations with ‘terror ties’

Sherman met with Andrey Kozlov, who was “held hostage by a terrorist who worked for the Palestine Chronicle, a tax-exempt organization.”

March 27, 2025

Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa'ar speaks to reporters at the ministry in Jerusalem, Jan. 13, 2025. Photo by Chaim Goldberg/Flash90.

Israel open to renewing ceasefire deal, won’t ‘wait forever,’ Sa’ar says

"Hamas, which insists on continuing to hold hostages and refuses to demilitarize the Gaza Strip, is pushing for the renewal of war in Gaza," the Israeli foreign minister said.

JNS Staff

March 26, 2025

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a 40-signatures debate at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, March 26, 2025. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.

Netanyahu: Gaza protests against Hamas proof ‘our policy is working’

"As long as Hamas persists in refusing to release our hostages, the pressure we apply will become stronger and stronger. This includes capturing territories," said the Israeli premier.

Akiva Van Koningsveld

March 26, 2025

Israelis attend a protest march against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government, Jerusalem, March 23, 2025. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.

Terrorist talking points and the Israeli protest movement

Hamas is taking its cue from the “anybody but Bibi” camp, which is endangering the hostages and weakening the war effort.

Ruthie Blum

March 26, 2025

Released Hamas hostage Omer Shem Tov and his mother, Shelly, with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and his wife, Michal, at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, March 24, 2025. Photo by Avi Kaner/GPO.

Herzog meets released hostage Omer Shem Tov, calls for return of ‘all our sons and daughters’

Shem Tov was taken hostage by Hamas terrorists at the Nova festival during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack and spent 505 days in captivity.

JNS Staff

March 26, 2025

Former hostage Ilana Gritzewsky speaks during a rally calling for the release of Israelis held captive by Hamas terrorists in Gaza at "Hostage Square" in Tel Aviv, March 8, 2025. Photo by Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90.

Former hostage tells ‘Times’ about being sexually assaulted in Gaza

Ilana Gritzewsky told the paper that she passed out after her abduction on Oct. 7 and woke up in the Strip "surrounded by gunmen, half-naked, terrified and vulnerable."

March 25, 2025

Israeli President Isaac Herzog speaks during the “Partners for Life conference held by the Ministry of Defense’s Rehabilitation Department at Tel Aviv University on March 25, 2025. Photo by Haim Zach (GPO).

Herzog, defense officials vow support for hostages, wounded troops

The president called the return of the remaining captives in Gaza a top national priority.

JNS Staff

March 25, 2025

Ilay David (left) and his brother, Evyatar David, who has been held hostage in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023. Credit: Courtesy.

‘We just cannot lose hope,’ hostage’s brother tells JNS

"We need to send the hostages our prayers, hope, powers, energy and strength to give them the hope to continue and survive," says Ilay David.

Amelie Botbol

March 25, 2025