The Hostages
The Human Cost of Hamas Terror and the Fight for Their Freedom
On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists invaded Israel, murdering over 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages into Gaza. These hostages—men, women, children, elderly, and foreign nationals—became pawns in a brutal conflict. While some have been freed through ceasefire agreements and rescue operations, dozens remained in captivity for over two years, facing torture, abuse, and inhumane conditions.
This page documents their stories, the ongoing efforts to bring them home, and the tragic fate of those who did not survive. The hostage crisis lasted 843 days—from October 7, 2023 until January 26, 2026, when the remains of the final hostage, Ran Gvili, were recovered from Gaza.
251
Hostages Taken
166
Returned Alive
85
Bodies Returned
843
Days of Crisis
25+
Countries Affected
Hostage Releases: A Glimmer of Hope
In the aftermath of Hamas’s October 7 attack, the international community mobilized to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza. Through diplomatic efforts involving Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, two major ceasefire agreements were negotiated, allowing for the phased release of captives.
The first exchange took place in late November 2023 during a brief truce, while a second occurred in January-February 2025 as part of a longer ceasefire. During these pauses in fighting, Hamas handed over hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) at the Gaza border, who then transported them to Israel for medical evaluation and reunion with their families.
By the Numbers
- By January 2026, all 251 hostages had been accounted for—166 returned alive, 85 in coffins
- The initial November 2023 truce released 105 civilian hostages, including 81 Israelis, 23 Thai nationals, and 1 Filipino
- Hamas unilaterally freed 4 captives (including two American women) in October 2023
- In January 2025, the second ceasefire began with the release of 4 Israeli female soldiers
- By late February 2025, 33 Israeli and 5 Thai hostages were freed under the second-stage ceasefire
- On January 26, 2026, the remains of Ran Gvili—the final hostage—were recovered
Those freed represented a wide range of ages and backgrounds—from 4-year-old Abigail Mor (the youngest American-Israeli citizen released, whose parents were killed in the attack) to elderly grandparents in their 70s and 80s who emerged from captivity in frail condition. Many children were released alongside their mothers, while the Thai hostages—agricultural workers who had been laboring in Israel—constituted the largest foreign group held captive.
The January 2025 Ceasefire Releases
After months of negotiations mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, the January 2025 ceasefire brought dozens of hostages home.
January 19 – First Release
Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher – After 471 days. Emily lost two fingers on Oct 7. “If I hadn’t had Romi with me, I would have died.”
January 25 – Female Soldiers
Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy – All 19-20 years old, lookouts captured at Nahal Oz base.
February 1 – Fourth Release
Yarden Bibas – Released knowing his wife Shiri and children Kfir and Ariel were murdered. Keith Siegel, Ofer Kalderon.
February 15 – Sixth Release
Sagui Dekel-Chen (American-Israeli), Alexander Troufanov, Yair Horn – All from Kibbutz Nir Oz, released after 498 days.
Life in Captivity: Torture and Abuse
Reports from freed hostages and medical evaluations reveal the horrific conditions endured in Hamas captivity. According to a detailed Israeli Health Ministry report based on interviews with over 100 released hostages, captives were subjected to systematic torture, abuse, and neglect while in Gaza.
Many hostages, including children and teenagers, were found bound, beaten, or even branded with hot metal by their captors. Female hostages reported instances of sexual assault at gunpoint by Hamas militants. Male prisoners were frequently beaten, starved, and held in isolation for extended periods, often kept bound and denied access to toilets.
Medical neglect was common—hostages with pre-existing injuries or conditions were often denied treatment, and some became gravely ill in the dank, unsanitary hiding places where they were kept. Dr. Itai Pessach, an Israeli physician who treated several rescued hostages, told the press that “every hour” in Hamas captivity brought new physical and mental abuse, and prolonged malnutrition left many with wasted muscles and other health damage.
The psychological pressure on hostages was extreme. Survivors have described constant fear and unpredictable violence. Children in particular showed signs of severe trauma after release, with some having been forced to hide in dark tunnels for weeks. Even those who appeared outwardly okay were suffering from shock, dehydration, and weight loss.
While Hamas has denied mistreating the hostages, claiming they were cared for and that any who died were victims of Israeli airstrikes, the consistent accounts from dozens of hostages and medical professionals strongly indicate a pattern of systematic cruelty. International law experts have underscored that hostage-taking itself is a war crime, and the reported mistreatment—from torture to sexual violence—constitutes serious violations of international humanitarian law.
The Bibas Family Tragedy
One of the most heartbreaking cases is that of the Bibas family. Yarden and Shiri Bibas, along with their two young sons—9-month-old Kfir and 4-year-old Ariel—were abducted by Hamas from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7. Footage of Shiri clutching her babies while being taken captive circulated widely, making the family a symbol of the hostage crisis.
For weeks, their fate remained uncertain. Hamas eventually claimed in November 2023 that Shiri and the children had been killed by an Israeli airstrike. Israeli authorities and the family hoped this was propaganda or a mistake, as Hamas continued to hold Yarden (the father).
During ceasefire negotiations in early 2025, Hamas agreed to return the remains of Shiri and her two children, as well as another deceased hostage. On February 22, 2025, four small coffins were handed over via the Red Cross at the Rafah crossing. However, Israeli forensic examiners quickly discovered a disturbing error: one of the bodies was not Shiri Bibas at all. Hamas had mistakenly (or falsely) sent a different woman’s corpse in place of Shiri’s.
This “misidentification” outraged Israel and threatened to derail the ceasefire agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of a cruel deception and warned that “Hamas will pay” for not returning Shiri’s body as promised.
Israel’s military conducted its own investigation into the Bibas family’s deaths. Israeli intelligence and forensic analysis concluded that Hamas was directly responsible—evidence indicated the two Bibas children were deliberately killed by their captors and not killed by any airstrike. The IDF’s chief spokesman stated that the young boys were murdered “with their bare hands” by the militants.
Tragically, while Shiri and her children were killed, Yarden Bibas survived and was freed on February 1, 2025, after enduring months of captivity knowing his family had been murdered.
Those Who Were Murdered
The Six Murdered in August 2024
Found in a Rafah tunnel, murdered 48-72 hours before recovery: Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23 (American-Israeli), Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Ori Danino, 25, Alex Lobanov, 32, Carmel Gat, 40, Almog Sarusi, 27. Their execution sparked worldwide outrage.
Ran Gvili – The Last Hostage
Ran Gvili, 24, was a special forces policeman who rushed to fight Hamas on Oct 7 despite being on medical leave. He was killed in battle and his body taken by Palestinian Islamic Jihad. On January 26, 2026, IDF recovered his remains from a Gaza cemetery—ending the 843-day crisis.
Others Killed in Captivity
Avraham Munder from Nir Oz died in captivity. Tsachi Idan, Tamir Nimrodi, Bipin Joshi, and others were confirmed dead before their planned release. At least 85 hostages were killed—either on Oct 7 or while held by Hamas.
Global Response: A United Call for Freedom
The international reaction to the hostage crisis has been one of widespread condemnation of Hamas and support for the hostages’ release. Governments worldwide, especially those with citizens among the captives, have issued strong statements:
- United States: Presidents Biden and Trump both worked to secure releases. The US played a crucial mediating role alongside Qatar and Egypt, with the White House repeatedly stressing that Hamas must release everyone in captivity.
- Israel: Prime Minister Netanyahu called Hamas’s taking of hostages a “crime against humanity” and promised to “ensure Hamas pays the full price” for its abuses.
- European Nations: Leaders from the UK, France, Germany, and Canada uniformly condemned Hamas’s hostage-taking. French President Macron welcomed freed French-Israeli hostages and pledged support to families.
- Thailand: With over 20 nationals held hostage, Thailand engaged in separate negotiations. The government arranged flights to bring freed agricultural workers home.
- Human Rights Organizations: Groups like Human Rights Watch stated that holding civilians hostage is a war crime and called for “immediate and unconditional release” of all abducted.
- United Nations: UN officials called for Hamas to release all hostages, especially children. After hostages were paraded through crowds, UN experts “denounced the degrading public display.”
Media coverage of the hostage crisis was extensive, with major news networks broadcasting emotional reunions. In Israel, walls of cities were plastered with posters of the hostages’ faces as part of a campaign to keep their plight visible. Each name freed was celebrated on social media and in town squares.
Peace Through Freedom: The Path Forward
The hostage releases had significant implications for the Israel-Hamas conflict. They demonstrated that diplomacy can yield results even amid intense fighting, with the prospect of freeing hostages becoming a key driver for temporary pauses in the conflict.
Each tranche of releases slightly eased domestic pressure on the Israeli government, as families of hostages formed a powerful advocacy group. The war effort was effectively put on hold during ceasefires, showing that the hostage question could even supersede military objectives.
Internationally, the successful releases were seen as confidence-building measures. The January 2025 agreement included discussions of a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza after hostages were freed, and potentially a shift to longer-term negotiations about Gaza’s future and reconstruction.
On January 26, 2026, when the remains of Ran Gvili were finally recovered, Prime Minister Netanyahu told the Knesset: “We have brought back Rani Gvili, of blessed memory, a hero of Israel. There are no more hostages in Gaza.” The 843-day hostage crisis had finally ended—but the trauma, grief, and search for justice continues for the families of those who were taken.
Never Forget
The hostage crisis may be over, but the memory of those 843 days must endure. Here are ways to honor the hostages and support survivors:
- Learn their stories – Each of the 251 hostages has a story. Visit BringThemHomeNow.net to learn about them.
- Support survivors – Many freed hostages face years of physical and psychological rehabilitation.
- Remember the murdered – 85 hostages never came home alive. Their families deserve our solidarity.
- Demand accountability – Hostage-taking is a war crime. Those responsible must face justice.
Sources: Times of Israel, AJC Hostage Updates, NPR, Euronews