Gaza Strip
Israel declares numerous abducted hostages dead
Israeli women hold placards during a demonstration calling for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. The army has now declared numerous abducted hostages dead. photo
© Ilia Yefimovich/dpa
Israel recently assumed that more than 130 hostages, dead or alive, were still being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The army has now sent news of the deaths to 31 families.
Almost four months after the terrorist attack by the Islamist Hamas on Israel, according to the Israeli armed forces, many of those in the Hostages abducted from Gaza Strip declared dead. “We have informed 31 families that their loved ones taken hostage are no longer alive and their deaths have been confirmed,” said military spokesman Daniel Hagari. “We continue to work to create the conditions to bring all hostages home.” Israel previously assumed that more than 130 hostages were still being held dead or alive in the Gaza Strip.
The New York Times newspaper had previously reported, citing a confidential Israeli intelligence document, that at least 30 hostages had died in or since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th. Some were therefore already killed during the attack on Israeli territory. Their bodies were then taken to the Gaza Strip. Their deaths were not confirmed at the time, which is why they were counted as hostages. Others died from their injuries in the Gaza Strip or were killed by Hamas fighters. There are also unconfirmed indications of the deaths of at least 20 other hostages.
The New York Times count also includes two Israeli soldiers who were killed in 2014 and whose bodies were taken to the Gaza Strip. According to a report in the Times of Israel newspaper, the hostages now declared dead are 29 people abducted in the terrorist attack on October 7th as well as the two Israeli soldiers killed in 2014.
A total of 253 people were abducted to the Gaza Strip in Hamas’ attack on Israel. Last November, 105 hostages were released. According to the Times of Israel, four hostages were also released before the ceasefire. Israeli soldiers also freed a hostage and recovered eight bodies. Three other hostages were also mistakenly killed by Israeli troops during a military operation in the Gaza Strip.