Juma Ibrahim Abu Ghanima

Yaron Blum, coordinator for negotiating the return of POWs and MIAs, on April 3, 2019 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

April 5, 2019, 10:44 pm

Top negotiator: No true rehabilitation for Gaza until missing Israelis returned

Yaron Blum says Israel ‘leaving no stone unturned and sparing no efforts’ to bring back slain soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin, as well as captured civilians

By TOI staff

A composite photo of IDF soldiers Oron Shaul, left, and Hadar Goldin, right.

October 21, 2018, 6:19 pm

Ministers support bill banning family visits to Hamas prisoners in Israeli jails

Public Security Minister Erdan says that as long as terror group holds Israeli citizens and bodies of IDF soldiers captive, its incarcerated members will be denied visitations

By TOI staff

Simcha Goldin, father of late Israeli soldier Hadar Goldin whose body is held by Hamas, speaks at a protest calling on the government to return the bodies of his son and fellow late Israeli soldier Oron Shaul outside the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv on August 10, 2018. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)

October 1, 2018, 11:41 am

Norway mediating between Israel, Hamas for return of soldiers’ bodies – report

Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese daily says there is flexibility regarding Hamas’ preconditions; Oslo sent envoy to Gaza to receive approval from terrorist group to open negotiations

By TOI staff and Agencies

Trucks loaded with goods and merchandise make deliveries to the Gaza Strip after the Kerem Shalom crossing was opened on August 15, 2018. (Flash90)

August 15, 2018, 8:55 pm

Israel says Gaza calm brokered with Hamas, but no ‘real’ deal without captives

As quiet returns to the border and goods crossing reopens, Netanyahu appears to respond to criticism over ceasefire by speaking of ‘cost of war’

By TOI staff

The family of the late IDF soldier Hadar Goldin speaks at a press conference in Tel Aviv on November 5, 2017, announcing their intention to file a petition to the High Court. (Flash90)

November 6, 2017, 11:47 pm

Court orders state to answer petition urging pressure on Hamas to return bodies

Family of Hadar Goldin asks court to ensure government implements plan meant to help push for release of son’s body from Gaza

By TOI staff

Manal al-Sayed holds up a picture of her son, Hisham, who is believed to be held captive in Gaza by the Hamas terrorist group, in 2016. (Yoav Lemmer/AFP)

October 23, 2017, 2:01 am

Unlike slain soldiers, Israeli civilians missing in Gaza largely overlooked

4 Israelis are known to have illicitly crossed into Strip in the past 3 years, yet race, mental illness and complexities of the situation keep the issue on the back burner

By Judah Ari Gross

President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Peter Maurer at a press conference at the American Colony Hotel in East Jerusalem, September 7, 2017. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

September 7, 2017, 10:34 pm

Red Cross chief blasts settlements as ‘key humanitarian challenge’

Peter Maurer laments ‘process of de facto annexation,’ says Hamas violates humanitarian law by withholding information on missing Israelis

By Raphael Ahren

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, meets with Peter Maurer, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on September 6, 2017. (Kobi Gideon/GPO)

September 6, 2017, 6:39 pm

Netanyahu tells Red Cross chief of unbelievable Hamas ‘cruelty’

Meeting Peter Maurer, PM says terror group’s holding of Israeli citizens and bodies of slain soldiers contravenes all international norms

By Alexander Fulbright

Peter Maurer, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross. (AP/Keystone, Salvatore Di Nolfi)

September 5, 2017, 10:10 am

Red Cross chief to raise missing Israelis in talks with Hamas

Peter Maurer heads to Gaza Strip for meeting with terror group’s new Gaza chief Yahya Sinwar, will discuss fate of 3 civilians and remains of 2 IDF soldiers

By Stuart Winer

US President Donald Trump's peace envoy Jason Greenblatt (L) tours a Hamas terror tunnel near the Gaza Strip with Coordinator for Government Activities in the Territories Yoav Mordechai, on August 30, 2017. (COGAT Spokesperson's Office)

August 30, 2017, 7:00 pm

US envoy calls on Hamas to return soldiers’ bodies, prisoners

During tour of Gaza border area, Jason Greenblatt condemns terror group for its ‘commitment to terrorist violence’

By Alexander Fulbright

Lior Lotan speaking to Channel 2 television in 2011. (screen capture:Channel 2)

August 28, 2017, 12:35 pm

Israel should kidnap enemy fighters to use in prisoner swaps – negotiator

Lior Lotan, who was in charge of efforts to return IDF soldiers’ bodies held by Hamas, says in recording he wants to play ‘with a full hand’ in talks

By Alexander Fulbright

Simha (R) and Leah Goldin, whose during a press conference responding to statements by Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman rejecting the possibility of a deal to return the remains of their son Hadar Goldin, killed during the 2014 Gaza War, from Gaza, August 27, 2017. (Screen capture: Channel 2)

August 27, 2017, 7:05 pm

Father of fallen soldier held in Gaza blasts ‘weak’ Liberman

Simha Goldin calls defense minister ‘cowardly’ for failing to pressure Hamas to return bodies of his son and Oron Shaul

By Raoul Wootliff

Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman leads a faction meeting of his Yisrael Beytenu party at the Knesset on July 10, 2017. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

August 27, 2017, 12:25 pm

Liberman: Israel won’t release terrorists in any prisoner swap

After resignation of official overseeing efforts to return captured Israelis from Gaza, defense minister says Israel needs ‘clear boundaries’ in negotiations with Hamas

By Alexander Fulbright

Fighters from the Izz-a-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian Hamas terror group, attend a memorial service for a commander killed in an apparently accidental explosion in the southern Gaza Strip on June 10, 2017. (AFP/Said Khatib)

July 19, 2017, 10:46 am

Israel, Hamas make prisoner swap counteroffers – report

Jerusalem said seeking video of Israelis held in Gaza, while terror group reportedly demands release of Shalit deal recidivists

By Alexander Fulbright

Members of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian terror group Hamas, at a rally to mark Land Day near the Israeli border with east Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, March 30, 2017. (AFP/Said Khatib)

July 10, 2017, 10:12 am

Hamas team reportedly in Cairo for prisoner swap talks

Palestinian source says discussions have come a long way; delegation arrives a week after Israelis said to have visited

By TOI staff