The resumption of heavy Israeli strikes in Gaza has raised concerns regarding the status of the remaining hostages held by Hamas and other groups, with the Israeli government estimating that fewer than half of the 59 hostages are still believed to be alive.
During the attacks on October 7, 2023, a total of 251 individuals were seized and taken into Gaza. Since then, over 130 hostages have been released, while the Israeli military has recovered the bodies of at least 40 others.
In January, Israel and Hamas reached a multi-stage truce aimed at facilitating the exchange of hostages captured by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The first phase of this cease-fire concluded in early March, during which Hamas released 30 Israeli and foreign hostages and returned eight bodies in exchange for the release of more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. Prior to the agreement, several hostages had already been rescued or released.
However, the future of the cease-fire remains uncertain following Israel's renewed military actions in Gaza on Tuesday, which were justified by the government's claim of Hamas's ongoing refusal to release the remaining hostages. Earlier this month, a warning was issued by President Trump to Hamas militants, demanding the immediate release of the hostages or facing severe consequences.
In response, Hamas accused Israel of violating the cease-fire agreement, stating that this action has put the prisoners in Gaza at risk of an uncertain fate.