Number of Hostages Remaining in Gaza

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    JERUSALEM — Israel has launched another series of airstrikes on Gaza after a brief halt in hostilities that saw the return of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for nearly 1,800 Palestinian prisoners. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized the strikes, citing stalled negotiations aimed at prolonging the truce. Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized that the military actions would persist until the release of all hostages.

    Hamas has condemned Israel’s actions, accusing it of disrupting the ceasefire agreement and endangering the remaining hostages’ safety. The conflict traces back to an attack on October 7, led by Hamas militants, which resulted in the abduction of 251 people and the deaths of about 1,200 individuals, predominantly civilians. In the ongoing conflict, the Gaza Health Ministry reports over 48,000 Palestinian deaths, comprising mostly women and children, although these numbers do not differentiate between civilians and combatants.

    An overview of the hostage situation is as follows: On October 7, 2023, a total of 251 hostages were taken. Prior to this attack, 2 individuals, who entered Gaza in 2014 and 2015, along with the bodies of 2 soldiers who died in the 2014 conflict, were also held as hostages. A total of 147 hostages have been released or freed through various deals, with 8 of these individuals being deceased. Presently, 59 hostages remain in captivity, and Israel suspects that 35 of these individuals may no longer be alive.

    Israeli forces have retrieved the remains of 41 hostages, and 8 individuals have been rescued alive. Among those still held, there are allegedly 13 soldiers, with 9 of them declared dead by Israeli authorities. Additionally, there are 5 non-Israeli hostages, including 3 Thais, 1 Nepalese, and 1 Tanzanian. Out of these, one Thai and one Nepalese national are believed to be alive.

    The ongoing conflict and the complexities around the hostage situation continue to capture international attention, as efforts for resolution remain fraught with challenges.