Hostage

Freed hostages David, Ariel Cunio to attend Berlinale with updated version of 'A Letter to David'

David Cunio and Ariel Cunio were both kidnapped on October 7, 2023 from Kibbutz Nir Oz, where more than a quarter of the approximately 400 residents were either killed or abducted.

|ByHANNAH BROWN
David and Ariel Cunio
Police officers in Thailand, in Bangkok, Thailand (illustrative)

Two injured after gunman takes hostage at Thai school, police say suspect detained

"The perpetrator has been captured," Deputy Superintendent Wichian Soboon told Reuters, adding that two people - a student and a teacher - were wounded in the incident.

|ByREUTERS
Eliya Cohen, a hostage held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, is escorted by Hamas militants as he is released as part of a ceasefire and a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, February 22, 2025.

Eliya Cohen calls for hostages to 'press button' on Hamas terrorists as death penalty bill advances

"Raping, murdering, smashing heads, desecrating bodies, burning babies, kidnapping civilians, and torturing them 24/7, is that not a violation of the international convention?" said Cohen.

|ByLARA SUKSTER MOSHEYOF
CNN anchor and chief political correspondent Dana Bash, left, and Matan Sivek, the co-founder of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum-US, are two of the high-profile speakers at the 2026 Jewish Digital Summit.

Dana Bash, Matan Sivek to headline 4th annual Jewish Digital Summit

Now in its fourth year, the Jewish Digital Summit, which will take place Feb. 24 through Feb. 26, promises to be more dynamic and impactful than ever.

|ByJTA STAFF

Former Hamas hostage shares preview of new song one year after release from captivity

"I can't believe that the moment has finally arrived when I get to share share something of mine, finally my voice can be heard and I don't need to whisper anymore, don't need to fear," Gilboa wrote.

JANUARY 26, 2026ByTZVI JASPER
FORMER HOSTAGE Daniella Gilboa previews her new song in an Instagram post, January 25, 2026.

Israel intends to name new Negev town after slain hostage Ran Gvili, Netanyahu announces

In the announcement, the prime minister said that one of the towns will be named Ranenim "after Israel’s hero, the late Ran Gvili."

JANUARY 25, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Posters of Ran Gvili, whose body is still being held captive by Hamas in Gaza, seen at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv. December 02, 2025.

With new players and old alliances, Israel’s post-October 7 political map takes shape

POLITICAL AFFAIRS: Two significant political developments played out this week as Israel moves towards elections. Gadi Eisenkot and Yonatan Shamriz took the reflectors with key announcements.

JANUARY 23, 2026ByHERB KEINON
Former prime minister Naftali Bennett seen with Gadi Eisenkot during a march in support of the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jews into the IDF, from the entrance of Jerusalem to the Knesset, January 15, 2026

Emily Damari proposes to girlfriend Danielle Amit at event marking a year since release from Hamas

Damari was released from Hamas captivity in January 2025 alongside former hostages Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher. 

JANUARY 23, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Former hostage Emily Damari and her girlfriend, social media influencer Danielle Amit.

Brother of former hostage Avera Mengitsu missing, police ask public for help with search

Ashgara Mengistu, a 34-year-old resident of Ashkelon, left his mother's home in Ma'ale Adumim on Sunday and hasn't been seen since, the police reported.

JANUARY 21, 2026ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN
Ashgara Mengistu, Avera Mengitsu's brother, is missing.

Trump says US knows where Ran Gvili's remains are located

"Hamas knows exactly where our son is and has knowingly and deliberately violated President Trump’s framework and the agreement to return all hostages," Talik Gvili said.

JANUARY 20, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, REUTERS
Posters of Ran Gvili, whose body is still being held captive by Hamas in Gaza, seen at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv. December 02, 2025.

Released hostages Keith and Aviva Siegel to enter humanitarian work following Gaza captivity trauma

"The extraordinary mobilization of Israeli society that fought for our freedom moved us deeply," said Keith, who spent 484 days in Gaza.

JANUARY 20, 2026ByMATHILDA HELLER
Released hostages Aviva and Keith Siegel have decided to step into international humanitarian work following their experience in captivity, the pair announced at the SID Israel conference on January 19.

Parents of slain Gaza hostages Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Roni Eshel to release memoirs of experience

Goldberg-Polin, mother of Hersh, will release an intimate memoir this spring, while Eshel, father of Roni, is publishing a book chronicling the 34 days before learning of his daughter’s death.

JANUARY 18, 2026BySHIR PERETS
RACHEL GOLDBERG-POLIN interviews in Jerusalem, May 29.

Trump advised not to strike Iran, former hostage files assault complaint

The Jerusalem Post's must-listen news roundup with Shifra Jacobs—the top stories, clear and concise.

JANUARY 18, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST PODCASTS
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff delivers a press conference upon the signing of the declaration on deploying post-ceasefire force in Ukraine, during the so-called 'Coalition of the Willing' summit, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, January 6, 2026.

Guatemalan inmates riot at three prisons, taking 46 people hostage

Inmates, some wearing jumpsuits but most in tank tops and shorts, their faces covered by masks improvised with pieces of clothing, watched from above, perched in the prison's patrol towers.

JANUARY 18, 2026ByREUTERS
An inmate looks out from a security tower at the Renovacion 1 prison, as inmates at three Guatemalan prisons rioted on Saturday and took mostly prison guards hostage, authorities said, in Escuintla, Guatemala, January 17, 2026.