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NEW DELHI: Six months following the outbreak of hostilities in the Gaza Strip, Israel’s efforts to free hostages taken during Hamas’ October 7 infiltration attack into southern Israel have been met with significant challenges. The attack resulted in the abduction of over 250 individuals, with 1,163 people killed, according to government data cited by AFP.The ongoing Israeli military offensive in Gaza has led to nearly 33,000 Palestinian fatalities, reported by the Associated Press from Gaza Health Ministry data.
The chaos of the October 7 attack has made it difficult to ascertain the exact number of hostages. The situation of many remains unclear as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continue their operations in Gaza. Hamas has claimed that several hostages have been killed in IDF strikes. Prior to the attack, Hamas already held some Israeli hostages, though their current status is uncertain.
An IDF spokesperson informed Newsweek that there are still 134 hostages, including 11 foreign nationals, with 123 having been released. Hostages have been freed both through humanitarian actions and Israeli military operations, as well as during a seven-day ceasefire and prisoner swap in November.
The number of hostages still held is subject to change, with estimates varying. In February, The New York Times reported 136 captives remained in Gaza, with at least 30 possibly deceased. Last month, The Wall Street Journal indicated that 130 hostages remain, with at least 34 believed to have died.
The intense IDF bombardment of Gaza, aimed at targeting militants and their infrastructure, including tunnels used to hold hostages, poses a risk to the captives’ safety. Hamas attributes several hostage deaths to Israeli airstrikes since October 7, and in December, three were killed by IDF fire in Gaza.
Hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas have been fraught, with the militant group demanding a full ceasefire, IDF withdrawal, the release of Palestinian prisoners, and the return of displaced Gazans for the release of all remaining hostages.
This issue has sparked widespread protests in Israel against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s handling of the situation. Netanyahu, facing criticism, asserted his commitment to returning all hostages, stating, “Whoever says that I am not doing everything to return our hostages is mistaken and is misleading others…I am committed to returning all of our hostages, women and men, civilians and soldiers, the living and the victims. I will not leave even one behind.”
The chaos of the October 7 attack has made it difficult to ascertain the exact number of hostages. The situation of many remains unclear as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continue their operations in Gaza. Hamas has claimed that several hostages have been killed in IDF strikes. Prior to the attack, Hamas already held some Israeli hostages, though their current status is uncertain.
An IDF spokesperson informed Newsweek that there are still 134 hostages, including 11 foreign nationals, with 123 having been released. Hostages have been freed both through humanitarian actions and Israeli military operations, as well as during a seven-day ceasefire and prisoner swap in November.
The number of hostages still held is subject to change, with estimates varying. In February, The New York Times reported 136 captives remained in Gaza, with at least 30 possibly deceased. Last month, The Wall Street Journal indicated that 130 hostages remain, with at least 34 believed to have died.
The intense IDF bombardment of Gaza, aimed at targeting militants and their infrastructure, including tunnels used to hold hostages, poses a risk to the captives’ safety. Hamas attributes several hostage deaths to Israeli airstrikes since October 7, and in December, three were killed by IDF fire in Gaza.
Hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas have been fraught, with the militant group demanding a full ceasefire, IDF withdrawal, the release of Palestinian prisoners, and the return of displaced Gazans for the release of all remaining hostages.
This issue has sparked widespread protests in Israel against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s handling of the situation. Netanyahu, facing criticism, asserted his commitment to returning all hostages, stating, “Whoever says that I am not doing everything to return our hostages is mistaken and is misleading others…I am committed to returning all of our hostages, women and men, civilians and soldiers, the living and the victims. I will not leave even one behind.”
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