Gal Hirsch

Thousands urge Israeli media to skip state Independence Day ceremony, air civilian alternative

The campaign was launched by Yotam Kipnis, a resident of Kibbutz Be’eri who lost both his parents and several relatives in the October 7 massacre.

|ByTOBIAS SIEGAL
Former hostage Emily Damari lights the torch during the main rehearsal of the 77th anniversary Independence Day ceremony, held at Mount Herzl, Jerusalem, on April 28, 2025.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Gal Hirsch, Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing in the Prime Minister's Office hold a press conferene at the Prime Minister's office in Jerursalem, January 27, 2026.

Gal Hirsch faces backlash over Independence Day torch-lighting amid tax fraud trial

The prosecution filed charges against Hirsch and three other individuals in October 2021 for tax offenses in the "Defensive Shield" case.

|ByGILAD MORAG
Former hostage Rom Braslavski at the Israeli Premier League match between Maccabi Netanya and Beitar Jerusalem at the Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem on November 30, 2025.

Former Gaza hostage Rom Braslavski faces online attacks after criticizing Gal Hirsch

Former hostage Rom Braslavski wrote on social media that the choice to have Brig.-Gen. (res.) Gal Hirsch light a torch at the Independence Day ceremony is “a slap in the face” to hostage families.

|ByMIKI LEVIN
A TORCH burns on Jerusalem’s Mount Herzl.

Argentina’s Milei to light torch at Israel’s 78th Independence Day ceremony

Argentina President Javier Milei will light a torch at Israel’s 78th Independence Day ceremony, with Regev citing his strong support for Israel and fight against antisemitism.

|BySHOSHANA BAKER, ARIELLA ROITMAN

Coordinator for hostages returns to Israel before fifth wave of hostage release

Hirsch will update Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the fifth wave of hostage releases while the Israeli leader is meeting with US officials in Washington, DC.

FEBRUARY 7, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Gal Hirsch, the government's point man on missing and kidnapped citizens attends the lobby for releasing the remaining hostages in the Gaza Strip, at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, April 10, 2024.

Israel offers Sinwar safe passage out of Gaza in exchange for hostages 

“I’m ready to provide safe passage to Sinwar, his family, whoever wants to join him. We want the hostages back," Israel’s chief negotiator for hostages and missing persons, Gal Hirsch, said.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
A pro-Palestinian protester holds up a portrait of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar outside of a campaign event for Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris in New York City, U.S., August 14, 2024.

Israeli hostage negotiator: 'Hamas is killing hostages in Gaza as we negotiate'

Hirsch also noted that the war will not end under pressure. “There is a direct correlation between the international pressure on Israel and Hamas' desire to negotiate."

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
MEAD conference

Most Gaza hostages are held in Rafah, Israel's hostage coordinator says

"We do not want to cause collateral damage. Rafah has many people there that Hamas uses right now as human shields," Gal Hirsch stressed.

FEBRUARY 18, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
GAL HIRSCH, the government’s liaison on the issue of the hostages, arrives for a meeting earlier this month with families of those held in Gaza, and with hostages since released.

Israel's hostage rescue chief to receive NIS 500,000 salary for role

Hirsch is forbidden to set policy, he must only advise policymakers on policy implementation, neither can he manage civil servants nor give them instructions.

FEBRUARY 9, 2024ByYUVAL BARNEA
GAL HIRSCH, the government’s liaison on the issue of the hostages, arrives for a meeting earlier this month with families of those held in Gaza, and with hostages since released.

Gaza war pause extended by 2 days says US as 11 captives freed

Qatari mediators are working to resolve the issue and avoid any delay in Monday's planned releases, an official briefed on the matter told Reuters.

NOVEMBER 27, 2023ByTOVAH LAZAROFF
A convoy of Red Cross vehicles believed to be carrying hostages drives by in the southern Gaza Strip, November 26, 2023

Who is really at the helm of Israel's hostage release efforts? - analysis

The IDF said there were top civilian minds from the hi-tech community, some of whom are reservists, along with the police and other civilian teams that were working with them on the issue.

NOVEMBER 13, 2023ByYONAH JEREMY BOB
People gather in front of the United Nations Headquarters in Jerusalem demanding for action to be taken to return the hostages kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7 attacks, in Jerusalem November 13, 2023.

Closing bribery case, police recommend charging Hirsch in tax fraud case

Police, Tax Authority complete investigation into Defensive Shield case

AUGUST 8, 2019ByMAAYAN JAFFE-HOFFMAN
Gal Hirsch at The Jerusalem Post elections conference, April 3rd, 2019

'Georgian Case' against former police chief candidate Hirsch to be closed

Police fail to establish a proper case to prosecute Hirsch.

JULY 5, 2019ByAVISHAI GRINZAIG/MAARIV
GAL HIRSCH, chairman of both the Israel Leadership Institute and Magen Party