Hamas hostages: What is the current situation?
Hamas is holding more than 200 people captive. Image: Reuters
In the ongoing brutal war between Israel and Hamas, thousands of people have lost their lives since the surprise attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7. In retaliation, Israel pounded Gaza with airstrikes. Israel's military has said that around 200 people have been taken hostage by Hamas, reported Reuters. Here's what we know about the hostage situation so far.
Additionally, Hamas has suggested that the hostages held captive by them can be exchanged for the 6,000 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
Hamas has how many hostages?
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Israel's public broadcaster Kan reported on Thursday, citing military sources, that approximately 200 people, including 30 minors and young children, and 20 people over the age of 60, are being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.
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Hamas claims it has between 200 and 250 hostages. They stated that more than 20 hostages have been killed by Israeli airstrikes, but they have not provided any more information on this.
Where are the hostages being held?
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Although the hostages were taken to Gaza, their exact whereabouts are unknown. However, it is believed that many of the hostages are being held in the underground network of tunnels under Gaza that Israeli troops call the "Gaza Metro."
What are the nationalities of the hostages?
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The hostages include people belonging to different countries, including some who have Israeli citizenship.
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The US State Department claimed that at least 13 Americans remain unaccounted for, but it's not sure how many are being held hostage, as reported by The New York Times.
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Republican Senator Jim Risch told reporters on Tuesday that 10 of the hostages were Americans. 17 Thai citizens are being held captive, and there are 8 Germans among the hostages as well.
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16 citizens of Argentina, and according to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesperson, at least nine British nationals have been killed, and seven are missing. Some of the missing are believed to have been taken hostage by Hamas.
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Some French citizens are being held hostage in Gaza, and France has not clarified exactly how many. According to the Dutch government, Ofir Engel, an 18-year-old Dutch national, was kidnapped from Kibbutz Be'eri and is being held in Gaza.
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Portugal said it assumes that four Portuguese-Israelis who are missing have been taken hostage. Israeli-Chilean Dafna Garcovich was taken hostage with her Spanish husband Ivan Illaramendi, according to her father.
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Italy says two dual Italian-Israeli nationals are missing, and they are presumed to have been kidnapped.
Hamas' armed wing separately stated on October 16 that the non-Israelis were "guests" who would be released "when circumstances allow".
What are the governments doing about this hostage situation?
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed a retired general, Gal Hirsch, as the coordinator for captives and missing persons.
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The US has sent a small team of Special Operations forces to Israel to assist with intelligence and planning to help locate and try to rescue the hostages.
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The British government is in talks with its partners in the region to try to help and secure the safe return of hostages. Argentine President Alberto Fernandez said his government is seeking help from Israeli intelligence forces to locate Argentine hostages.
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Germany has opened an investigation into members of Hamas for suspected murder, manslaughter, and hostage-taking. Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that Turkey is also talking with Hamas to help ensure the release of hostages.