Remaining Hostages in Gaza: Latest Count

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    @USLive
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    JERUSALEM — In a development early Thursday, the militant group Hamas returned the remains of another four hostages while Israel concurrently released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners under a ceasefire arrangement in the Gaza Strip.
    The exchange marked the final planned operation of the initial ceasefire phase, which is scheduled to conclude this weekend. However, there is no clarity yet on subsequent negotiations between Israel and Hamas, raising concerns that the war could reignite, leaving numerous hostages still held within Gaza.
    During this stage of hostage exchanges, a total of 33 Israelis have been freed. This number includes eight individuals who were either killed in captivity or during the October 7, 2023 attack that initiated this current conflict. Separately, five Thai hostages have also been released.
    Hamas-led forces carried out the October 7 assault, abducting 251 people and resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals, largely civilians. The ongoing violence in Gaza has resulted in over 48,000 Palestinian fatalities, primarily women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. This figure does not differentiate between civilians and combatants.
    As part of the ceasefire’s first phase, Israel has released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees in exchange for the hostages.
    Here is an overview of the hostage situation:
    Total captured on October 7, 2023: 251
    Hostages taken before the October 7 attack: Two individuals who entered Gaza in 2014 and 2015, along with the bodies of two soldiers from the 2014 conflict.
    Hostages released through exchanges or other deals: 147, including 8 who were deceased.
    Hostages still in captivity: 59, with Israel declaring 32 of them as deceased.
    Bodies of hostages retrieved by Israeli forces: 41
    Hostages rescued alive: 8
    Among those still in captivity are:
    — 13 soldiers, with 9 declared deceased by Israel.
    — 5 non-Israeli individuals (3 Thais, 1 Nepalese, and 1 Tanzanian), with 2 (1 Thai and 1 Nepalese) believed to be alive.