ALBAWABA - Amid Israel's announcement to resume the fighting in the Gaza Strip, many people questioned the number of Israeli hostages who are still alive after about a year and a half since Hamas' surprise attack in 2023.
Hamas fighters infiltrated Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and took over 250 Israeli hostages into the Gaza Strip in an operation called "Al-Aqsa Flood," the Israeli army announced counter-operation on Hamas positions on the same day.
The war continued until a ceasefire was agreed upon between Hamas and Israel in January 2025, which included the halt of fighting, and the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails in addition to allowing the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The first phase, however, ended on March 1 and parties were unable to reach a new agreement or extend the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire.
Israel on March 18 announced the resumption of attacks on Gaza killing at least 356 people including children after Hamas rejected the US ceasefire proposal.
How many Israeli hostages are still alive in Gaza?
According to an analysis by the New York Times, out of the 251 people taken by Hamas fighters in October 2023, about 41 hostages were killed while in custody of the Palestinian group.
The data also showed that 130 or more hostages were released under the temporary agreements between Hamas and Israel. In addition, the Israeli army has retrieved the bodies of at least 40 others, taken by Hamas.
On the other hand, the American newspaper cited the Israeli government that less than half of the 59 hostages who are still in Gaza are believed to be still alive.
