All articles tagged with #conflicthostage situation
Hamas released a video showing three of the 132 hostages kidnapped in Gaza, including Karina Ariev and Daniela Gilboa, both taken from an IDF base, and Doron Steinbrecher, kidnapped from her home. The hostages appeared in a video discussing their 107 days in captivity, with their families expressing anguish over their situation. This is a developing story with ongoing concerns for the hostages' well-being.
The armed wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, Al Quds Brigades, released a video on Tuesday showing two Israeli hostages in Gaza pleading for their release. The hostages, identified as Gadi Moses and Elad Katzir, appeared in the video asking for intensified efforts to reunite them with their families. The men, who appeared unshaven and visibly thinner, described their unbearable situation. The release of the video follows Hamas' release of a separate video showing three other elderly Israeli hostages. Israel and Hamas had agreed to a week-long ceasefire in November, which included the release of some hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Yarden Roman-Gat, an Israeli hostage who was recently released after 54 days in captivity in Gaza, is now fighting for the return of her sister-in-law, Carmel, who is still being held by Hamas. Yarden and her family were taken hostage during an attack on Kibbutz Be'eri, which resulted in the death of Alon's mother and the disappearance of Carmel. Yarden's husband, Alon, is determined to bring Carmel back and fears for her well-being. Despite the release of over 100 hostages, approximately 130 remain in captivity. Yarden shared her harrowing experience of being held captive, including being paraded as a trophy and enduring constant fear and uncertainty. The family is advocating for the release of all hostages and is determined to bring Carmel home.
Former Hamas hostages have met with Israeli officials to discuss the dangers of Gaza's extensive tunnel system and called for a new cease-fire deal to free the remaining captives. The hostages warned of the colossal danger posed by Hamas' movement in the tunnels and urged Israeli soldiers to avoid them. They also emphasized the need for Israel to negotiate the release of over 100 Israelis still held captive in Gaza. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Minister Benny Gantz assured the hostages' families that their release was the top priority, while Prime Minister Netanyahu hinted at new negotiations with Hamas and Qatar for a possible hostage deal.
Chen Goldstein-Almog, a former Israeli hostage released by Hamas in late November, shared her traumatic experience of being held captive in Gaza with her children. During her captivity, she was warned by one of the guards not to return to her kibbutz near Gaza. She and her children were mostly confined to a room in various locations, including apartments, tunnels, a mosque, and a destroyed supermarket. While they were treated respectfully and not physically harmed, Goldstein-Almog encountered other hostages who were mistreated, including two women who said they were sexually abused. The constant fear and danger during their captivity were described as unimaginable.
The bodies of three Israelis, including two soldiers and a French-Israeli civilian, who were taken hostage and held in Gaza, have been recovered by the Israeli military. The hostages were abducted during Hamas' attacks in southern Israel on October 7. The IDF did not disclose the details of how they may have died or where they were found. Israel says 240 people were abducted during the attacks, which also resulted in 1,200 deaths. Over 100 captives were released last month in exchange for 240 women and teenagers imprisoned by Israel, but around 130 hostages still remain in Gaza.
Israeli special forces have recovered the body of 28-year-old hostage Elia Toledano, who was taken by Hamas from a music festival in southern Israel. The body was found in the Gaza Strip, and an identification procedure was carried out by medical officials, military rabbis, and forensic experts. Over 130 hostages still remain in Gaza, with some being declared dead in absentia by Israeli authorities.
Israeli special forces have recovered the body of 28-year-old hostage Elia Toledano, who was held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip since October 7. An identification procedure was carried out by medical officials, military rabbis, and forensic experts. Over 130 hostages still remain in Gaza, with some being declared dead in absentia by Israeli authorities.
A 25-year-old Israeli hostage, Sahar Baruch, who was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists in Gaza on October 7, has been confirmed dead. His body was featured in a Hamas propaganda video released on Friday, with Hamas claiming he was killed in an Israeli Defense Forces operation. However, the IDF denied the claims and stated that Baruch had been murdered by Hamas. Baruch's family is demanding the return of his remains in any future hostage release deal. Baruch's brother was also killed by Hamas during the same incident.
The recent release of dozens of Israeli hostages, with many still in captivity, has shed light on Hamas' hostage strategy during the Israel-Gaza war. The kibbutz of Nir Oz serves as a prime example of this strategy, as it was targeted by Hamas militants who captured and killed a quarter of the community's residents. The operation involved the seizure of civilians, including women, children, and the elderly, which is unusual for armed groups. The attack was meticulously planned, and Hamas' actions indicate a deliberate intent to target civilians.
Four hostages, including an elderly grandfather, a female kindergarten teacher, and a photographer, have died while being held captive by Hamas in Gaza, according to Israel. The deceased individuals were residents of Kibbutz Nir Oz. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed the deaths, including that of Eliyahu Margalit, whose daughter was recently released from Hamas custody. The cause and timing of the deaths were not disclosed. Hamas had released over 100 hostages during a seven-day cease-fire in exchange for the release of prisoners held in Israeli facilities, but fighting resumed after the cease-fire ended.
Hamas leader Ghazi Hamad stated in an interview that he did not know how many hostages were still alive in Gaza and that it was not important to him. He claimed that Hamas would release all the hostages if Israel freed around 6,000 Palestinian prisoners. Hamad also mentioned that he could provide proof that Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, who were abducted in October, were no longer alive. The IDF informed the family of 86-year-old Aryeh Zalmanowitz, who was taken hostage by Hamas, that he was no longer alive.
Freed Israeli hostages who were held by Hamas in Gaza have provided chilling accounts of their captivity. The hostages, including women, children, and foreign workers, were subjected to harsh conditions, including being kept in the dark, forced to sit in silence, and fed meager rations. Some were held in underground tunnels, while others were imprisoned above ground. The hostages suffered physical and mental abuse, with reports of beatings and psychological manipulation. Many experienced weight loss and pale skin due to poor nutrition. The psychological impact on the former captives is expected to be significant, with experts warning of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress. The Red Cross and other humanitarian groups have not been allowed to visit the hostages, leaving families desperate for information about their loved ones still held in Gaza.
Hamas releases a propaganda video showing Israeli hostage Yarden Bibas in tears, blaming Israel for the alleged deaths of his wife and two children in an IDF airstrike. Hamas claims to have offered to release the bodies to the IDF, but the Israeli military denies this. The fate of the Bibas family remains unverified, and Israeli officials are conducting an investigation.
Aviv Atzili, a 49-year-old farmer and garage manager, was thought to be kidnapped by Hamas but his family was informed of his death during the Hamas attacks on October 7. Atzili, described as an artist who depicted the landscapes of Kibbutz Nir Oz, went out to fight against terrorists and was killed during the fighting. In a separate hostage deal, 12 hostages were released from Hamas captivity, while two hostages of Russian origin were released as a sign of appreciation for Putin.