Latest Kidnapping News

Who are the hostages released as part of the Hamas-Israel ceasefire in Gaza?

Jan. 30, 2025 11:14 AM EST

JERUSALEM (AP) — Hamas-led militants released eight hostages on Thursday after more than 15 months in captivity, including an Israeli soldier, bringing to 15 the number of captives freed since the start of a ceasefire in Gaza more than a week ago. Agam Berger, 20, was among five...

How did so many Thai farmers end up held hostage by Hamas?

Jan. 30, 2025 06:59 AM EST

BANGKOK (AP) — Five Thai nationals held hostage by Hamas since its Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel were released on Thursday. They were among 31 Thais taken by the militant group, of whom 23 have already been released. Another two have been confirmed dead, and the status of one...

New Homeland Security secretary joins federal agents to tout immigrant arrests in NYC

Jan. 28, 2025 19:11 PM EST

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem joined federal agents Tuesday in New York City to announce the arrests of immigrants wanted on criminal charges, including a man accused of kidnapping who was seen on a viral video entering a Colorado apartment with reputed gang members. Noem...

Devastating toll for Gaza's children: Over 13,000 killed and an estimated 25,000 injured, UN says

Jan. 25, 2025 18:47 PM EST

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The war in Gaza has been devastating for children: More than 13,000 have been killed, an estimated 25,000 injured, and at least 25,000 hospitalized for malnutrition, according to U.N. agencies. As Britain’s deputy U.N. ambassador, James Kariuki, recently...

Desperate families await return of 4 female soldiers held by Hamas for 15 months

Jan. 24, 2025 18:00 PM EST

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Hamas announced Friday that it would release four female soldiers held hostage for 15 months in Gaza, as part of an exchange for dozens of Palestinian prisoners laid out in its ceasefire agreement with Israel. An advocacy group representing the families of hostages...

Nigerian soldiers killed 79 militants and suspected kidnappers in the past week, army says

Jan. 24, 2025 16:45 PM EST

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigerian soldiers killed 79 militants and suspected kidnappers over the past week, the army said Friday, in an operation targeting a decades-long insurgency by Islamic militants in the northeast and attacks by various armed groups in the northwest. The West...

Mali rebel group frees Spanish national kidnapped in Algeria

Jan. 21, 2025 17:59 PM EST

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — A rebel alliance in Mali said Tuesday it has freed a Spanish man who was kidnapped in southern Algeria last week. The Azawad Liberation Front, or FLA, a coalition of separatist armed groups in Mali's predominately Tuareg north, said on X that it freed Spanish...

Moroccan truck drivers kidnapped in Burkina Faso have been released

Jan. 21, 2025 08:00 AM EST

CASABLANCA, Morocco (AP) — Four Moroccan truck drivers who were kidnapped in West Africa over the weekend were released in Niger. The drivers were the latest victims of insecurity in the Sahel, an arid swath of land south of the Sahara where militant groups such as the Islamic...

At least 80 people killed in northeast Colombia as peace talks fail, official says

Jan. 20, 2025 07:35 AM EST

BOGOTÁ, Colombia (AP) — More than 80 people were killed in the country’s northeast over the weekend following the government's failed attempts to hold peace talks with the National Liberation Army, a Colombian official said. Twenty others were injured in the violence that has...

Oregon man who kidnapped a Seattle woman and kept her in a makeshift cell gets life sentence

Jan. 18, 2025 18:27 PM EST

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon man has been sentenced to life in federal prison after being convicted of kidnapping and sexually assaulting two women in separate instances, including locking one in a cinder block cell. Negasi Zuberi, 31, was sentenced Friday in federal court in...