Hamas militants launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, taking 251 hostages back to the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023. Some hostages were dead even before they were taken. Nearly a year later, 64 people, including two children, remain in captivity, and Israeli authorities believe they are still alive.
Hamas’ Bargaining Strategy
For Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, the hostages serve as crucial leverage to negotiate a ceasefire with Israel. They aim to use the hostages to secure the release of Palestinian prisoners currently detained in Israeli jails.
Who Are the Remaining Hostages?
Out of the 251 hostages taken, 117 have been released, many of whom were women, children, and foreign workers. Most were freed during a week-long ceasefire in November 2023, in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.
Today, Israel believes that 64 hostages are still alive in Gaza. Among them, 57 are Israeli citizens, some holding multiple nationalities. Six are Thai nationals, and one is from Nepal. Fifty-two of the hostages are men, 10 are women, and two are children. Eleven hostages are military personnel.
Children Among the Hostages
The youngest hostage, Kfir, was only eight-and-a-half months old when taken, while his brother Ariel was four. Although Hamas has claimed that these two children are no longer alive, Israel has not confirmed this information.
Lack of Proof of Life
Since the ceasefire ended in December 2023, seven hostages have been freed, but no further proof of life has been provided for the remaining captives. Hamas has announced the deaths of other hostages, but Israel has yet to verify many of these claims, leaving families in a state of anguish.
Bodies Taken to Gaza
Hamas militants also took several bodies back to Gaza on October 7, including those of 10 Israeli soldiers. At least 28 hostages have died since the conflict began. Tragically, three hostages were killed in an Israeli military operation in December 2023.
Impact on Families
Many families were taken hostage together, and while some have been freed, others remain in captivity. For instance, three French-Israeli children were released, but their fathers remain in Gaza.
The hostage situation continues to be a painful and unresolved part of the Israel-Hamas conflict, with many families still waiting for news of their loved ones.