The selection coincides with Bar-Ilan’s 70th anniversary, placing Witkoff among a small group of world leaders previously recognized by the university.

Freed on October 13, Evyatar David, Guy Gilboa Dalal, Eitan Horn and Segev Kalfon return from the hospital to cheering crowds welcoming them.

Gali and Ziv Berman, twins who were held apart for most of their two-year captivity in Gaza, reunited when they were freed on October 13.

Ohad Ben Ami embraces once again now-freed hostages he was held with in Gaza.

Freed hostage brothers Ariel and David Cunio thank those who advocated for their release and vowed to keep fighting until the all the dead captives are returned for a proper burial.

So far, Hamas has transferred to Israel only 12 of the 28 hostage remains it agreed to return.

Since the start of the war, Feller has used his sports platform to campaign for the release of hostages in Gaza, maintaining his activism even after his aunt’s return.

The family of Segev Kalfon feared he had been killed until freed hostage Ohad Ben Ami informed them he was still alive in Gaza. Here, Kalfon reunites with his loved ones.

Most of the hostages are said to be in relatively 'normal' condition, better than expected, but must undergo extensive medical and psychological evaluation and treatment.

President Donald Trump addressed the Knesset during the historic implementation of his 20-point plan to release the hostages and promote peace in the Middle East.

While previous rounds of hostage releases were characterized by humiliating 'handover ceremonies' carried out by Gazan terrorist groups, this time, according to the document, the hostages’ return should take place without any such proceedings.

Israeli officials have expressed deep concern about releasing such dangerous terrorists who could return to planning and executing attacks against civilians if freed.

Under the terms of the deal, Hamas must release all captives at once and refrain from doing so in public ceremonies, which were seen during the last ceasefire in February 2025.

Kalfon, 27, was abducted by Hamas terrorists during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on the Nova music festival, and at the time of his abduction, he was a combat veteran with PTSD and an orthopedic injury.

Hostage families welcomed the news that the first phase of President Trump’s Gaza plan is being implemented and that their loved ones may be released within days.

The deal is expected to be formally signed on Thursday in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

Wednesday’s expected arrival of Witkoff and Kushner is expected to help bridge the major gaps and leave only technical issues to be finalized.

This video summarizes and answers questions about US President Donald Trump's 21-point peace plan unveiled during a press conference with Benjamin Netanyahu last week.

Noting that his government already freed 207 of the captives abducted by the terrorists, Netanyahu said the diplomatic and military pressure, primarily through the Israel Defense Forces’ campaign in Gaza City, 'flipped the script' on Hamas.

Netanyahu: 'The war can end immediately under the conditions set by the cabinet: 1. The release of all the hostages. 2. The disarmament of Hamas. 3. The demilitarization of the Strip. 4. Israeli security control of the Strip. 5. The establishment of an alternative civilian government that does not educate for terrorism, does not send terror, and will not threaten Israel.'

Trump is aligned with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against a partial deal, with Jerusalem pursuing a comprehensive agreement for all of the remaining 50 hostages, of whom 20 are believed to be alive, and an end to the war on Israel’s terms.

Netanyahu: 'There is one big obstacle, and everyone knows what it is—Hamas. It is persisting in its refusal.'

'You know, they had a routine discussion the other day and, all of a sudden, they hardened up,' Trump said, adding that Hamas 'doesn't want to give them back.'

US President Trump said that Hamas 'didn’t really want to make a deal' and indicated he would support Israel’s military 'finishing off Hamas in the Gaza Strip.'

The United States is promoting a plan centered on a 60-day ceasefire, phased hostage releases, Israeli troop withdrawals from parts of Gaza and renewed diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.

'If Hamas had accepted the Qatari offer, an agreement could have been reached.'

Huckabee predicted a major Middle East shake-up driven by Trump’s return, hinted at an imminent Gaza ceasefire and hostage release, praised Israel’s flawless strike on Iran, and doubled down on Trump’s role in reshaping regional alliances.

Boehler: 'We’re closer than we ever were” to a hostage deal “because of the movement of Israel and the Israel Defense Forces on the ground.'

Abigail Mor Edan, whose parents were murdered by Hamas, spent 51 days in captivity before she was released on November 26, 2023.

Israeli Prime Minister had strong words for Hamas as the IDF expands its operations in Gaza.

Naama Levy told Trump that 'you were our hope, and now you’re the hope of the rest of the hostages.'

In exchange, Israel was set to release on Saturday 602 Palestinian terrorists, including 50 serving life sentences, 60 serving long terms and 47 re-arrested after the 2011 swap for captive IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.

Ohad Ben Ami, who was freed after being kidnapped by Hamas in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7th, had a message for the remaining captives in Gaza,'Stay strong. You will come home.'

Freed hostage Yair Horn stated his one request: that his brother Eitan, who was also kidnapped by Hamas on October 7th, be released as soon as possible.

Israel is demanding the freedom of six living hostages during the seventh release scheduled for Saturday. According to the deal, Hamas is required to release three captives.

In return, Israel released 369 terrorists later on Saturday—36 serving life sentences.

Hamas continues to dangle hostages in front of a nation still reeling from the October 7 massacre, tormenting the captives' relatives who have been waiting for over a year and a half to welcome them home.

Arab terrorists released by Israel as part of the hostage deal, whom some media outlets have sought to equate with the innocent hostages held by Hamas, took up arms, vowing to continue terrorism.

Reacting to Hamas halting hostage releases, US President Donald Trump warned “All hell is going to break loose” if all hostages aren’t released on Saturday.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar slammed the international community for focusing on 'starvation' in Gaza and ignoring the plight of the hostages, who are clearly emaciated.