Since the October 7 attack, 48 Israeli civilians are being held in Gaza by Hamas, with about 20 still alive amid an ongoing conflict that has caused over 66,000 deaths.
Who Has Been Kidnapped
Elkana Bohbot, a 36‑year‑old musician, was abducted from a Nova festival; his wife and 5‑year‑old son await his return. Matan Zangauker was taken from the kibbutz Nir Oz, along with a partner who has since been released. The brothers Galia Ziv Berman, currently in captivity in Kfar Aza, have spent 28 years as hostages. These individuals are part of 251 people seized during the May 2023 Hamas assault, including 27 soldiers and 124 men, 64 women, and 36 children.
Impact of the October 7 Assault
On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants struck Israel, killing roughly 1,200 people—most of them civilians—and capturing 251 hostages. The group also seized the bodies of several dead and secured additional prisoners, inflating the total count to 251.
Negotiations and Releases
Many hostages have survived or been freed through diplomatic talks rather than military action. Earlier ceasefire agreements led to releases, but a March break in negotiations saw Israel resume attacks. In August 2023, soldiers mistakenly killed three hostages who turned out to be Israelis. Despite these setbacks, successive negotiations have resulted in the release of groups of hostages and the return of some bodies.
Criticism of Israeli Leadership
Families of hostages protested in Tel Aviv before Jom Kippur, demanding that the Israeli government favor a comprehensive agreement that frees all 48 hostages and ends the Gaza war. The hostage‑support organization accused Prime Minister Netanyahu of escalating the conflict and undermining potential peace deals.
International Legal Actions
The International Criminal Court’s prosecutor filed arrest warrants in May 2024 for Hamas leaders Ismail Hanji, Mohammed Dajfa, and Jahed Sinwar—three figures later killed by Israeli forces. In November 2024, the ICC provisional chamber issued warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Galant on counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity.