The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/prisoner-exchange/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Wed, 10 Jun 2026 03:29:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png prisoner exchange | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/prisoner-exchange/ 32 32 US and Russia exchange prisoners in 2nd swap since Trump took office https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-and-russia-exchange-prisoners-in-2nd-swap-since-trump-took-office/ Thu, 10 Apr 2025 13:17:27 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3524759 Moscow frees Ksenia Karelina, a US-Russian citizen sentenced to 12 years on treason charges, in exchange for Arthur Petrov, a Russian exporter held in US for sanctions violations

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]]> Following release, elderly Palestinian security prisoner bashes Hamas, price of Oct. 7 https://www.timesofisrael.com/following-release-elderly-ex-security-prisoner-criticizes-hamas-october-7-attack/ Sun, 02 Feb 2025 13:00:25 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3473518 Citing Gaza war's heavy Palestinian death toll, 69-year-old Mohammed al-Tous tells Arab outlets that he is warning his grandchildren against armed resistance

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]]> Gershkovich, other freed prisoners met by families, Biden and Harris as they land in US https://www.timesofisrael.com/gershkovich-other-freed-prisoners-met-by-families-biden-and-harris-as-they-land-in-us/ Fri, 02 Aug 2024 06:25:34 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3345691 WSJ journalist says he feels 'not bad' after finally returning home; ex-US Marine Paul Whelan and Russian dissidents also released as part of major exchange with Moscow

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]]> US reporter Evan Gershkovich freed in 24-prisoner swap between Russia, West https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-reporter-evan-gershkovich-freed-in-24-prisoner-swap-between-russia-west/ Thu, 01 Aug 2024 19:09:11 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3345502 Biden hails 'diplomatic feat' alongside American prisoners' families at White House; Medvedev celebrates Russians who 'worked for the fatherland'

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]]> As hope for deal fills Hostages Square, chaos erupts at nearby anti-Netanyahu rally https://www.timesofisrael.com/as-hope-for-a-deal-fills-hostages-square-chaos-erupts-at-nearby-anti-netanyahu-rally/ Sun, 25 Feb 2024 00:07:15 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3231738 Using mounted officers and water cannons, police in Tel Aviv clash with protesters in scenes reminiscent of pre-Oct. 7 civil unrest over judicial overhaul; 21 arrested

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]]> Gallant hails Gaza intelligence treasure trove as key to ‘realistic’ hostage deal https://www.timesofisrael.com/gallant-hails-gaza-intelligence-treasure-trove-as-key-to-realistic-hostage-deal/ Sun, 11 Feb 2024 14:23:38 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3221549 Defense minister says information on Hamas used against it, as terror group maintains tough position for temporary truce amid upcoming Cairo talks, looming military op in Rafah

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]]> Hamas wish list of prisoners includes terror masterminds of Second Intifada https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-wish-list-of-prisoners-includes-terror-masterminds-of-second-intifada/ Sun, 04 Feb 2024 23:31:34 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3216588 Terror group expeced to demand the freeing of planners of suicide bombings at Hebrew University, Park Hotel, Sbarro restaurant as part of potential truce and hostage release deal

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]]> Families of hostages seen in new Hamas video urge release deal at any price https://www.timesofisrael.com/families-of-hostages-seen-in-new-hamas-video-urge-release-deal-at-any-price/ Tue, 19 Dec 2023 15:02:43 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3181973 Amid reports Israel is in talks for a fresh prisoner exchange deal, families note that the only hostages coming out of Gaza recently are dead

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]]> Partisan divisions resurface at rival rallies for release of Gaza hostages https://www.timesofisrael.com/partisan-divisions-resurface-at-rival-rallies-for-the-release-of-hostages-in-gaza/ Sun, 17 Dec 2023 09:58:32 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3180022 Hostility toward Netanyahu simmers at weekly solidarity gathering whose organizers say is nonpartisan; right-wing counter-protest says no one should 'get in the way' of IDF campaign

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]]> US House advances measure blocking Iran from $6 billion freed up in prisoner swap https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-house-advances-measure-blocking-iran-from-6-billion-freed-up-in-prisoner-swap/ Fri, 01 Dec 2023 03:39:38 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3167848 Bill, which is unlikely to pass Democrat controlled Senate, would impose new sanctions on Tehran and permanently bar it from accessing funds in light of its support for terror

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]]> Hostages’ families describe ’emotional rollercoaster’ as they wait for releases https://www.timesofisrael.com/hostages-families-describe-emotional-rollercoaster-as-they-wait-for-releases/ Thu, 23 Nov 2023 18:22:30 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3161329 Relatives of those held in Gaza hope their loved ones are freed as soon as possible, describing the uncertainty as unbearable

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]]> Palestinian just convicted of stabbing her neighbor may be freed in Hamas deal https://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinian-just-convicted-of-stabbing-her-neighbor-may-be-freed-in-hamas-deal/ Wed, 22 Nov 2023 14:27:08 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3160177 Dvir Cohen, whose wife Moriah was attacked by Nafoz Hamad in Jerusalem, says that while he's 'happy for the families of the hostages,' he'll fight to keep her in prison

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]]> Most politicians welcome hostage deal; Smotrich explains why party ended up voting yes https://www.timesofisrael.com/most-politicians-welcome-hostage-deal-smotrich-explains-why-party-ended-up-voting-yes/ Wed, 22 Nov 2023 09:42:55 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3159871&preview=true&preview_id=3159871 Herzog, Lapid back cabinet-approved agreement; many lawmakers stress that initial deal must lead to release of all hostages, allow for IDF to continue fighting following pause

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]]> Cabinet okays deal for release of 50 Israeli hostages in exchange for 4-day Gaza truce https://www.timesofisrael.com/cabinet-approves-deal-for-return-of-50-hostages-in-exchange-for-multi-day-ceasefire/ Wed, 22 Nov 2023 01:09:51 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3159690&preview=true&preview_id=3159690 150 underage or female Palestinian terrorists to go free in return for abductees; halt could be extended by a day for each additional 10 Israeli hostages, then war will resume

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]]> Israel set to approve Gaza hostage deal slated to see release of 50 Israelis https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-set-to-convene-cabinets-to-vote-on-gaza-hostage-deal/ Tue, 21 Nov 2023 15:39:00 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3159325 Hamas, Qatar confirm agreement is close - including multi-day pause in fighting and release of 150-300 Palestinian prisoners; Biden: 'Things are looking good'

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