hostages

A crowd gathers in what's become known as Hostages Square in central Tel Aviv, Feb. 11, 2024.

Most families of Israeli hostages want their loved ones returned home but some say it’s more important to defeat Hamas first

Israel-Hamas war

A slight rift has emerged within the group of families that have loved ones whom Hamas kidnapped on Oct. 7. Many of them want the Israeli government to move swiftly to bring the hostages home. But some are saying that Hamas should be defeated first, even if it takes longer to release the captives.

A still image from a video posted by the Taliban on social media on Dec. 19, 2016, shows American Caitlan Coleman, left, speaking next to her Canadian husband Joshua Boyle and their sons.

Pakistan describes freeing US Canadian family from the Taliban, but officials doubt the story

Conflict
Jihadi John

Who is Jihadi John — and why will so many people be happy if he is dead?

Conflict
Screenshot of the video message from the Islamic State, in which a man believed  to be Kenji Goto warns that there are only 24 hours left to save his life and even less time for a Jordanian air force pilot Muath al-Kasasbeh, who is also being held hostage

Under pressure, Jordan proposes prisoner swap with ISIS

Conflict
American journalist James Foley arrives at the Rixos hotel in Tripoli after being released from capitivity by the Libyan government on May 18, 2011.

America’s policy on hostages may have cost the life of James Foley

Conflict