Over 16 Months After Abduction, 24 Individuals Are Believed to Be Alive Amid Ongoing Ceasefire Negotiations
More than a year has passed since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, yet the fate of 24 hostages still held in Gaza remains unclear. These individuals are believed to be alive, though concrete evidence of their well-being has been scarce.
Talks surrounding a potential second phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal continue, with hopes that it could lead to their release and a permanent cessation of hostilities.
The first stage of the ceasefire, which began on 19 January and is set to expire on 1 March, resulted in the release of 25 Israeli and dual-national hostages, alongside the return of eight bodies. Additionally, five Thai nationals were freed separately from the official agreement.
Limited Proof of Life
Israeli authorities estimate that 24 out of 58 hostages still in Gaza remain alive, though little evidence supports this. Some proof emerged recently, including a Hamas-released video on 24 February showing two hostages, Evyatar David and Guy Gilboa-Dalal, observing the transfer of other captives. Previous footage, dating back to late 2023, depicted captives Edan Alexander and Matan Zangauker.
Hostages released under the truce have provided Israeli officials with accounts of seeing over a dozen other captives alive. However, with three bodies recently returned from Gaza belonging to individuals previously presumed to be alive, concerns remain.
All Male Hostages, Mostly Young
The remaining hostages believed to be alive are all men, predominantly under 30. Among them, 22 are Israeli, including 10 dual nationals, while two others are foreign nationals—Nepali student Bipin Joshi, 24, and Thai agricultural worker Natthapong Pinta, 35.
Five of the hostages are Israeli soldiers, including the youngest, 20-year-olds Tamir Nimrodi and Nimrod Cohen. The oldest, Omri Miran, is a 47-year-old Israeli-Hungarian citizen.
Eleven of the 24 captives were taken from a music festival targeted during the October 2023 attack.
The Missing and the Deceased
Out of the 251 individuals kidnapped during the attack, at least 41 were already deceased when taken to Gaza, including 11 soldiers. Authorities report that Hamas and its ally, Islamic Jihad, still possess the bodies of 34 hostages.
At least 25 of these individuals were killed during the initial assault, with militants taking their bodies. Others perished while in captivity, including 25-year-old Sahar Baruch, who was killed in late 2023 during an unsuccessful Israeli rescue attempt. His remains have yet to be returned.
Nearly 150 Hostages Freed Alive
Since the war began, 145 hostages have been released alive, while the bodies of 48 have been repatriated. Most of these releases occurred during two ceasefire periods.
A previous truce in November 2023 saw the return of mostly women, children, and foreign nationals. The ongoing ceasefire has facilitated the release of elderly individuals, those in fragile health, and other remaining female captives. However, the fate of the remaining hostages continues to be a critical point in negotiations.
