Israel–Hamas war hostage crisis
Part of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
On 7 October 2023, as part of the Hamas-led attack on Israel at the beginning of the Israel–Hamas war, Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups abducted 251 people from Israel to the Gaza Strip,[2][3][4][5][6][7] including children,[8][9][10][11][12] women, and elderly people.[13] In addition to hostages with only Israeli citizenship, almost half of the hostages are foreign nationals or have multiple citizenships.[14] Some hostages were Negev Bedouins.[15] The precise ratio of soldiers and civilians among the captives is unknown. The captives are likely being held in different locations in the Gaza Strip.[16]
Israel–Hamas war hostage crisis | |||||
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Part of the Israel–Hamas war | |||||
Posters in Tel Aviv calling for the return of Israeli hostages in Gaza | |||||
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Belligerents | |||||
Involved in negotiations: |
Citizens held hostage Israel Thailand Nepal Philippines United States Russia among others | ||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||
Yahya Sinwar In Negotiations Ismail Haniyeh Khalil al-Hayya Basem Naim[1] |
Benjamin Netanyahu In Negotiations David Barnea Ronen Bar Nitzan Alon | ||||
Units involved | |||||
Holding hostages: Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades Al-Nasser Salah al-Deen Brigades Mujahideen Brigades | Israel Defense Forces |
As of 24 July 2024, 116 hostages had been returned alive to Israel, with 105 being released in a prisoner exchange deal, four released by Hamas unilaterally and seven rescued by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).[17][18][19][20][21][22] 24 bodies of hostages were repatriated to Israel, with three of the hostages killed by friendly fire from the IDF[23] and the bodies of twenty-one hostages repatriated through military operations.[24][25] 65 hostages were reportedly killed on October 7 or in Hamas captivity according to Israel.[26][27][28][29][30] As of 24 July 2024, 115 hostages remained in captivity in the Gaza Strip, 111 of whom had been abducted on 7 October 2023; the other four hostages having been captured earlier.[27][31][32]
At the start of the war, Hamas offered to release all hostages in exchange for Israel releasing all Palestinian prisoners.[33] By October 2023, Israel held 5,200 Palestinians (including 170 juveniles) in its prisons.[34] Several countries have been involved in negotiations between Israel and Hamas, with Qatar taking the lead.[35]
On 22 November 2023, Israel and Hamas agreed to the release of 150 Palestinian prisoners and a four-day cease-fire in exchange for Hamas's release of approximately 50 of the hostages. The exchange involved hostages from the categories of women and children.[36][37][38] As of 30 November 2023, the last day of the ceasefire, 105 civilian hostages had been released, which included 81 people from Israel, 23 Thais and one Filipino.[39] On 12 February 2024, two Argentinian-Israeli civilians were rescued in Operation Golden Hand. As of July 2024[update], according to Israeli information, Hamas holds 74 hostages believed to be alive and 41 bodies.[40][failed verification]