1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
In focus
Israel and the crisis in the Middle EastTrump inaugurationGerman election 2025
Latest audioLatest videos
Live TV
ConflictsIsrael

Families of Israeli hostages tell of hope, dread

Ralph Martin
January 15, 2025

On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants attacked Kibbutz Kfar and killed over 60 of its residents. 19 others were kidnapped. Their families have been living in hope and fear ever since.

https://p.dw.com/p/4pBRI
Skip next section Similar stories from Israel

Similar stories from Israel

Yelena Trufanova, speaking here to DW correspondent Konstantin Eggert, hopes that her son Sasha who was taken hostage by Hamas on October 7th, 2023 is still alive.

Israel: Mother of hostage in Gaza hopes for his release

In the kibbutz of Nir Oz, DW met with Yelena Trufanova whose only wish is that her son is alive and will return.
ConflictsJanuary 15, 202503:16 min
Macabit Mayer, aunt of two hostages held in Gaza, speaks into a DW microphone

Israelis split on price for return of hostages

A ceasefire with Hezbollah has revived hopes for the hostages' return. But what concessions are Israelis ready to make?
ConflictsDecember 6, 202402:48 min
Yuval Green, former reservist, describes his experiences in Gaza to DW

The Israeli reservists refusing to fight in Gaza

In May, 42 Israeli reservists deployed in Gaza wrote an open letter refusing to take up arms again. DW met two of them.
ConflictsSeptember 9, 202404:55 min
Show more
Skip next section More on Conflicts from Middle East

More on Conflicts from Middle East

Banners on Tel Aviv's Hostage Square show Israelis kidnapped by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023. A large countdown is seen in the background.

Israel, Hamas inch closer to truce, release of hostages

In Qatar, ceasefire talks between Israel and the militant group Hamas are reportedly making progress.
ConflictsJanuary 14, 202501:55 min
A view of Palestinians praying over the civilian victims of an Israeli strike in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip (file photo)

Israel steps up airstrikes in Gaza

The intense bombardment comes as negotiators try again to broker a ceasefire and hostage-release deal in Qatar.
ConflictsJanuary 5, 202501:35 min
mourning woman resting her head on the body bag containing a killed relative

UN condemns targeting of Gaza medical facilities

Israel has defended last week's raid on a hospital in northern Gaza, saying it was being used by Palestinian militants.
ConflictsJanuary 4, 202502:01 min
Show more
Skip next section More on Conflicts from around the world

More on Conflicts from around the world

This picture taken on October 12, 2015 shows the C-Lion1 submarine telecommunications cable being laid to the bottom of the Baltic Sea by cable laying ship "Ile de Brehat" off the shore of Helsinki, Finland.

NATO seeks to combat hybrid warfare in Baltic region

DW's Anchal Vora reports on NATO and EU efforts to counter the threat of Russian sabotage.
ConflictsJanuary 14, 202502:29 min
A Ukrainian tank in a wooded area on the Ukrainian-Russian border

Ukrainian forces struggle to retain control of Russian land

Whether the Ukrainians can hold onto parts of Russia's Kursk region is a question no one on the front lines can answer.
ConflictsDecember 11, 202403:09 min
Fokus Europa Türkei Femizide

Focus on Europe — Spotlight on People

Femicide and violence against women are on the rise in Turkey.
ConflictsDecember 5, 202426:04 min
Show more