Officials initially said about 150 Israeli and foreign nationals were taken hostage when Hamas launched a surprise, large-scale attack on October 7 that killed at least 1,300 people in Israel. people.
Israel responded with a bombardment that killed more than 2,300 Palestinians in the enclave. people. In addition, tens of thousands of troops have massed along the Gaza border as Israel prepares for a ground operation.
Army spokesman Richard Hecht also said that 286 Israeli soldiers are now known to have been killed in military operations launched in response to the unprecedented attacks by Hamas.
Israeli officials say the number of known hostages has been reduced as bodies have been recovered and identified from sites of Hamas attacks in southern Israel.
R. Hecht said during the press conference that information about 126 hostages has been confirmed.
About 120 hostages were announced on Saturday, and officials warned that this number is likely to change in the coming days.
The military also said its forces recovered the bodies of some hostages during raids in the Gaza Strip, but did not provide a number.
Hamas said the Israeli strikes killed 22 hostages, but did not provide evidence.
The group has warned it will kill the hostages if Israel strikes civilian targets without warning.
Hamas is the Palestinian militant group that rules the Gaza Strip; it has been involved in several wars with Israel since taking over the Gaza Strip in 2007. The group has been recognized as a terrorist by Israel, the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and some other countries.
Hamas is supported by Iran, financing the purchase of weapons, supplying them and providing military training. Hamas has a political office in Qatar, where some of its leaders are based.
2.3 million people live in the Gaza Strip. people, but Israel, with the help of Egypt, has imposed a blockade on the territory since 2007 – it has restricted the entry of goods into the territory and their departure from it by water, sea or air, as well as the ability of the Palestinians themselves to leave the territory, except for a few tens of thousands of workers.
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#Israel #confirmed #information #people #hostage #Hamas
**Interview with Middle East Expert Dr. Sarah Cohen on Israeli Hostages Taken by Hamas**
**Interviewer:** Good evening, Dr. Cohen. Thank you for joining us today. We’ve seen a significant escalation in the conflict since the surprise attack by Hamas on October 7th. Can you explain the current situation regarding the hostages?
**Dr. Cohen:** Thank you for having me. Yes, it’s a dire situation. Initially, it was reported that around 150 Israeli and foreign nationals were taken hostage during Hamas’s surprise attack. Since then, we have more clarity as the Israeli military has confirmed that 126 hostages are currently being accounted for. Sadly, the number may fluctuate as bodies have been recovered and identified in the aftermath of these assaults.
**Interviewer:** With reports of extensive casualties on both sides, how is Israel responding to the situation?
**Dr. Cohen:** Israel has launched a military response that includes bombardments resulting in the deaths of over 2,300 Palestinians in Gaza. Furthermore, they have amassed tens of thousands of troops along the border in preparation for a possible ground operation. The military has also confirmed that 286 Israeli soldiers have lost their lives during operations connected to this ongoing conflict.
**Interviewer:** There have been mentions of Israeli civilians who crossed into Gaza years ago. How does this impact the current hostage situation?
**Dr. Cohen:** Yes, that’s correct. In addition to the hostages taken during the recent attacks, Hamas holds two Israeli civilians who entered Gaza in 2014 and 2015, and they also have the bodies of two IDF soldiers killed in 2014. This adds another layer of complexity to an already complicated situation, as these individuals represent not just hostages but also broader issues of long-standing conflict and heartache for many families.
**Interviewer:** What are the implications for the families of those taken hostage and the broader Israeli public during this stressful time?
**Dr. Cohen:** The psychological toll on the families is immense. Knowing their loved ones have been taken hostage in such a violent context creates fear and uncertainty. For the broader Israeli public, there’s a mix of grief for the lives lost, anger at the violence, and anxiety about the safety of those held captive. This situation has the potential to deepen divisions within Israeli society and influence public opinion on government policy and military strategy.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Cohen, for your insights. As the situation continues to evolve, we hope for a resolution that brings safety and peace to all involved.
**Dr. Cohen:** Thank you for having me. It’s a complex issue, and we can only hope for better outcomes as negotiations progress and the situation develops.
**Interviewer:** And to our viewers, please stay tuned as we continue to bring you updates on this critical situation.
