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hostages

Yotam Haim, left, and his mother, Iris Haim, in an undated photo. (Courtesy)
April 10, 2026, 2:44 pm
Judge rules slain hostage’s family may use his sperm with a surrogate
Beersheba family court says Yotam Haim, who was abducted to Gaza and mistakenly killed by troops after escaping Hamas captivity, expressed ‘unequivocal’ desire to have children
By Leon Kraiem
Rachel Goldberg-Polin poses for a portrait on day 98 since her son, Hersh Goldberg-Polin was kidnapped by Hamas, in Jerusalem, January 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File)
March 19, 2026, 12:54 pm
USA Today names Rachel Goldberg‑Polin as a Woman of the Year
Lauding mother of slain American-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, paper says her ‘cadence, her analogies, her stories, remind us of what it’s like to be human’
By Sue Surkes
This picture shows the destruction at Evin prison in Tehran after Israeli airstrikes in June, on July 1, 2025. (AFP)
March 8, 2026, 12:34 am
Families of US detainees in Iran fear they risk becoming collateral damage in war
Six Americans are believed held by Tehran, including at Evin Prison; relatives say airstrikes, poor medical care and possible retaliation put them at growing risk
By AP
Protesters rally in support of the hostages in Central Park, New York City, June 8, 2025. (Luke Tress/ Times of Israel)
January 26, 2026, 8:46 pm
Ran Gvili’s return marks the end of a movement that united Jews across the globe
In an era of polarization, a movement linking Jewish people across differences seemed unlikely, but ‘Bring Them Home’ activism showed they can still come together
By Ben Sales
Nvidia Israel's head of HR and deputy general counsel Gideon Rosenberg leads a march with hostage families demanding the release of their loved ones held in the Gaza Strip, November 2023. (Uriel Even Sapir)
December 15, 2025, 7:14 am
How an Nvidia exec came to be a leader in the October 7 hostage advocacy movement
Gideon Rosenberg, head of HR for 5,000 workers in Israel, talks about going above and beyond for his employee Avinatan Or, who was held in Hamas tunnels in Gaza for two years
By Sharon Wrobel
Simcha and Leah Goldin give a statement about the return of the body of their son, Hadar Goldin, on November 9, 2025, after it was held in Gaza for 11 years. (Alon Gilboa/ Hostages Forum)
November 9, 2025, 10:53 pm
‘Hero of Israel’: After 11 years in Hamas captivity, Lt. Hadar Goldin’s body brought home
Lamenting years of inaction by government, parents thank ‘IDF and no one else’ for long-awaited return, which becomes a symbol of national resilience and remembrance
By Emanuel Fabian, Jessica Steinberg and Sam Sokol
Former Israeli hostage Elizabeth Tsurkov is greeted by family and friends at Sheba Medical Center on September 10, 2025. (Yuval Yosef/GPO)
November 5, 2025, 2:45 pm
Freed hostage Elizabeth Tsurkov details torture, sexual assault by Iraqi captors
In NY Times interview, academic says captors ‘used her as a punching bag’ in early months of captivity, says she falsely confessed to being an Israeli spy to halt beatings
By ToI Staff
Maj. Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon attends a ceremony at the IDF Central Command headquarters in Jerusalem on July 8, 2024. (Oren Ben Hakoon/ Flash90/ File)
November 3, 2025, 2:37 am
‘A beacon of humanity’: Nitzan Alon, IDF’s hostage point man, to leave role after 2 years
Relatives of freed captives praise his persistence and accountability; ‘When I was taught in the army what an IDF commander should look like, I imagined someone like him,’ says one
By Emanuel Fabian and ToI Staff
Dr. David Senesh, a clinical psychologist specialized in intergenerational trauma, is a former Yom Kippur War prisoner of war and the nephew of Zionist poet Hannah Senesh. (Courtesy)
October 27, 2025, 5:54 am
Raised in Hannah Senesh’s shadow, an ex-POW says Israel must finally face its demons
Leaving Israel for Berlin, David Senesh, a clinical psychologist dealing with intergenerational trauma, says hostages, and country, can only process and heal once cycle of crises ends
By Rossella Tercatin
People demonstrate for the release of all hostages held in the Gaza Strip at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, October 14, 2025. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
October 16, 2025, 5:02 pm
In Hostages Square, Simhat Torah holiday exposes divide over hostage release celebrations
While the final 20 living abductees were returned to Israel Monday, the remains of many still haven’t made it home, leaving their loved ones in limbo amid a bittersweet moment
By Deborah Danan
From left, Eitan Levy, Uriel Baruch and Staff Sgt. Tamir Nimrodi, who were held hostage in Gaza and whose bodies were returned by Hamas on October 14, 2025. (Courtesy)
October 15, 2025, 1:35 pm
Hamas returns bodies of hostages Tamir Nimrodi, Uriel Baruch, Eitan Levy; 4th body a Palestinian
Forensic examination confirms fourth body transferred by terror group does not belong to any hostage; return of Nimrodi’s remains is first confirmation he was killed in captivity
By Emanuel Fabian, Lazar Berman, Nurit Yohanan, Nava Freiberg and ToI Staff
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives an interview to CBS News from Beilinson Medical Center, October 14, 2025. (Screenshot, CBS News)
October 15, 2025, 9:41 am
Netanyahu warns Hamas to disarm or risk ‘all hell’ breaking loose
Premier tells CBS that Israel giving peace a chance, urges Hamas to do same; adds that opportunity is ripe for more countries to join Abraham Accords
By ToI Staff
Jewish worshipers attend the 'priestly blessing' ceremony at Jerusalem's Western Wall during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, on October 9, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
October 10, 2025, 1:11 am
At ‘priestly blessing’ in Jerusalem, prayers, hope and ‘mixed feelings’ over hostage deal
Tens of thousands gather at the holy site to attend the service and celebrate the festival of Sukkot. Among them are ex-hostages, families of hostages, and IDF reservists
By Rossella Tercatin
Dr. Noya Shilo, head of the Return to Life Center at Sheba Medical Center, walks with two hostages released from Gaza captivity in February 2024. (Courtesy/Sheba Medical Center)
October 9, 2025, 1:51 pm
Hospitals gear up to receive returning hostages after over 734 days in Gaza captivity
Health Ministry says it asked Red Cross to try to ensure hostages aren’t suddenly overfed by captors as it can cause medical issues; forensic teams prepping for bodies of slain captives
By Diana Bletter
Icelandic parliamentarian Birgir Thorarinsson (left) meeting in Baghdad with Rayan al-Kildani, the Assyrian Christian leader of the Babylon Movement party and its militia, the Babylon Brigade, May 3, 2025 (courtesy Birgir Thorarinsson )
September 28, 2025, 2:46 pm
From Iceland to Iran and Iraq: One man’s mission to help free Elizabeth Tsurkov
Former lawmaker Birgir Thorarinsson used connections, persistence, and nationality to convince a dangerous militia to drop its ransom demand for a kidnapped Israeli researcher
By Lazar Berman
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