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ISRAEL AT WAR - DAY 564

Gal Hirsch

Hostages Maxim Herkin (left) and Bar Kupershtein. (Courtesy)
April 5, 2025, 11:23 pm
Hamas hostage video shows Maxim Herkin and Bar Kupershtein, in first signs of life
Both captives’ families ask Israeli media not to publish the clip itself; official says PM ‘updated’ on video, recently spoke with the families
By ToI Staff
Danny Elgarat, whose brother Itzik is held hostage in Gaza, speaks during a Constitution, Law and Justice Committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem on January 28, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
January 28, 2025, 4:34 pm
Bracing for the worst: Some hostages’ families say IDF told them loved ones may be dead
After Hamas conveys ‘list’ saying 8 of 26 hostages set to be released in coming weeks are dead, relatives say the military gave them grim assessment of their loved ones’ fate
By ToI Staff
US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris lead a briefing regarding the federal response to the wildfires in the Los Angeles area, in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (Ben Curtis/AP)
January 10, 2025, 4:47 am
Biden: ‘Real progress’ being made in hostage talks, but Hamas ‘in the way’ of a deal
Netanyahu’s hostage envoy tries to assure families of captives that government not abandoning their loved ones as it pushes for agreement in which they’d be released in phases
By Jacob Magid
Former US president Donald Trump appears at Manhattan criminal court in New York, May 20, 2024. (Steven Hirsch/ New York Post via AP, Pool)
December 4, 2024, 5:09 pm
Isolated Hamas faces collapsing negotiating stance after drastic Trump threat
Terror group pinned hopes of salvation on the Iranian axis and world pressure on Israel, but now has just a few weeks until an unpredictable and angry US president returns
By Lazar Berman
Demonstrators call for the release of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip at a protest outside the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv, October 17, 2024, hours after Israel confirmed the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. (Erik Marmor/Flash90)
October 19, 2024, 8:50 pm
Hostages’ families shaken as false rumors of rescue spread online
‘We all took anxiety pills,’ says mother of one hostage; police detain suspect behind misinformation clip, as IDF makes multiple appeals to the public to avoid spreading fake news
By ToI Staff
Israelis attend an event calling for the release of hostages still held captive by Hamas terrorists in Gaza, and in memory of those killed in the group's attack last October 7, on the eve of the first anniversary of the attack, at "Hostage Square" in Tel Aviv, October 6, 2024. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
October 7, 2024, 3:21 am
Officials said to warn PM that hostages are in dire conditions, intel is drying up
Netanyahu convenes what is reportedly the first discussion in a month on the hostages, half of whom are thought to be alive, as Israel marks one year since their abduction
By ToI Staff
Israelis protest calling for the release of hostages held kidnapped by Hamas terrorists in Gaza outside the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv, September 19, 2024. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)
September 20, 2024, 11:56 am
Top negotiator says proposal to end war, free all hostages ‘unknown’ to him – report
IDF envoy to talks notes government point-man Gal Hirsch, who told hostages’ families of plan, is not in negotiating team; Hostage Families Forum slams ‘cheap, cynical manipulation’
By ToI Staff
Protesters call for the release of Israelis held hostage by Hamas terrorists in Gaza, and the end of the war, outside Hakirya Base in Tel Aviv, September 19, 2024 (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)
September 19, 2024, 5:01 pm
Israel offers to end war, let Sinwar leave if all hostages freed at once, Gaza disarmed
Proposal, discussed in Washington recently, also stipulates new regime for Strip; hostages’ relatives hail plan, but Hamas official swiftly rejects it as ‘ridiculous’
By Lazar Berman and ToI Staff
National Unity Party leader Benny Gantz (left) speaks at the Middle East America Dialogue (MEAD) summit in Washington, DC, September 8, 2024. (Itzik Balnitzki / Courtesy)
September 9, 2024, 11:50 am
Gantz says military focus should shift from Gaza to Lebanon: ‘We’re late on this’
At Washington summit, National Unity chair says ‘story of Hamas is old news,’ while hostage point man Gal Hirsch says terror group unmotivated to strike deal when pressure is on Israel
By ToI Staff and Agencies
Protesters hold photographs of Israelis held hostage by Hamas terrorists in Gaza, as they rally to call for the government to find a means to bring the hostages home, outside the Kirya military HQ in Tel Aviv, December 19, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
December 19, 2023, 11:11 pm
Netanyahu meets several hostage families amid murmurs of a possible new swap deal
Some outraged as PM meets handpicked group of relatives; Israel said seeking ‘humanitarian’ deal for 30-40 women, sick and elderly; official says any deal far off and would be costly
By ToI Staff
Gal Hirsch, the government point man on missing and kidnapped citizens, speaks during a meeting with relatives of Israelis kidnapped by Hamas and missing Israelis in Tel Aviv, October 13, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
November 4, 2023, 7:09 pm
Hostage envoy booed at Tel Aviv protest as families step up pressure on government
Gal Hirsch greeted by mix of hugs and cries of ‘shame,’ as relatives of captives held in Gaza vow to sleep outside military HQ until loved ones return
By ToI Staff
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant meets with the families of hostages held in the Gaza Strip, on October 29, 2023. (Ariel Hermoni/Defense Ministry)
October 30, 2023, 1:36 am
Gallant tells families ‘all for all’ hostage offer phony, pushes military pressure
Defense minister claims ‘deal’ part of terror group’s psychological games, as representatives of captives’ families urge government to agree to swap and bring loved ones home
By ToI Staff and AFP
Natalie Raanan, 2nd left, Judith Raanan, right, are seen upon arrival in Israel after being released from Hamas captivity as government hostage envoy Gal Hirsch, center, holds their hands, October 20, 2023. (Courtesy)
October 25, 2023, 6:05 pm
Hostage negotiators say pilloried Israeli envoy a nonfactor in talks
Two foreign officials tell ToI Gal Hirsch didn’t play role in release of first four hostages, has been unhelpful in efforts for remainder; defense officials say he’s unfit for post
By Jacob Magid
Supporters and family members of Israeli hostages look at images of the hostages plastered on a wall during a rally outside of the Kirya military base in central Tel Aviv on October 14, 2023. (Gil Cohen-Magen/AFP)
October 16, 2023, 1:48 pm
IDF notifies relatives of 199 people that their loved ones are Gaza hostages
Spokesman says military has information on the whereabouts of some of those who were kidnapped during murderous assault by Hamas terrorists
By Emanuel Fabian and Jacob Magid
Avihai Brodutch, whose wife and three children were abducted by terrorists to Gaza, protests outside the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, October 14, 2023 (Avshalom Sassoni/FLASH90)
October 14, 2023, 4:44 pm
Hundreds join vigil of man whose wife, kids abducted to Gaza; many rage at government
Avihai Brodutch sets up camp outside the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, plans to stay there until abductees return
By Carrie Keller-Lynn and ToI Staff
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