After being captured by Hamas terrorists during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, Omer Wenkert said he never doubted that he would survive.

Israelis expressed relief as the remains of Ran Gvili, the last hostage taken into Gaza, were recovered Monday.

Mateo, identified in court filings and by investigators as using the alias "Waches," pleaded guilty in November 2024 to one count of conspiracy to commit hostage taking. He had been indicted in April 2024 on six counts and was arrested in May 2024 after law enforcement tracked down an Austin apartment where nine people were being held,