The conclusion of the initial stage of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage agreement has left many anxiously awaiting the release of the remaining hostages who are still alive, as well as the return of those who perished while in captivity.
Israel estimates that 24 hostages remain alive in Gaza, including 22 Israelis, one Thai national, and one Nepali. These hostages, all young men, were taken hostage during the brutal October 7, 2023 assault, when Hamas-led terrorists invaded southern Israel, killing nearly 1,200 people and kidnapping 251. This attack sparked the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Among the group of 24 are four active-duty soldiers and several individuals who were providing security at the Nova music festival. Some of these security personnel have been wrongly labeled by Hamas as soldiers.
Others were abducted from the Nova rave itself, where they had been enjoying the festival when the assault began in the early hours. Many of the remaining hostages were taken from their homes in kibbutzim or were trying to protect their families from the massacre carried out by Hamas that day.
According to the ceasefire agreement in effect in Gaza, the release of these 24 hostages is part of a planned second stage of the deal. However, Israel has hesitated to begin negotiations for this phase, which would involve the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the end of the conflict, insisting that the hostages must first be released.
Another 35 hostages are confirmed dead but still held in Gaza. Among them are 34 who were abducted during the October 7 attack, along with a soldier who was taken during the 2014 Gaza war. These fallen captives would potentially be returned during the third phase of the deal.
In the first 42-day phase of the ceasefire, Hamas released 33 hostages, including Israeli women, children, civilian men over the age of 50, and those classified as “humanitarian cases.” Tragically, eight hostages were returned deceased, including Ariel and Kfir Bibas, aged 4 and nine months, and their mother Shiri. During this phase, Hamas also released five Thai nationals who were not included in the original deal.
Additionally, 105 hostages were freed during a temporary ceasefire in late November 2023, and another four were released beforehand.
Israeli security forces have rescued eight hostages alive, and the remains of 41 individuals have been recovered. Among them were three hostages who were accidentally killed by Israeli troops while attempting to escape captivity, along with a soldier killed during the 2014 war.
On March 1, shortly after the expiration of the first phase, Netanyahu’s office approved a proposal to extend the ceasefire with Hamas until April 19. This would allow for the release of all 59 hostages by the following month, but Hamas has rejected this plan.
The 24 remaining hostages believed to be alive are shown in the image above. They are listed from top to bottom: Top row, from left to right: Elkana Bohbot, Matan Angrest, Edan Alexander, Avinatan Or, Yosef-Haim Ohana, Alon Ohel. Second row, from left to right: Evyatar David, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Bipin Joshi, Rom Braslavski, Ziv Berman, Gali Berman. Third row, from left to right: Omri Miran, Eitan Mor, Segev Kalfon, Nimrod Cohen, Maxim Herkin, Eitan Horn. Bottom row, from left to right: Matan Zangauker, Bar Kupershtein, David Cunio, Ariel Cunio, Tamir Nimrodi, Pinta Nattapong.
{Matzav.com}