The recently concluded week-long cease-fire, aimed at exchanging hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody, has given way to renewed hostilities between Israel and Hamas. Amidst efforts by mediators to broker another swap, concerns arise about the remaining captives in the besieged enclave.
In the deadly October 7 attack by Hamas and other militants on southern Israel, approximately 247 hostages were seized, resulting in over 1,200 casualties. In retaliation, Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip, claiming the lives of at least 13,300 individuals, with two-thirds being women and children, as reported by health authorities in the Hamas-ruled territory.
Examining the current status of hostages, Israel stated on Friday that 136 individuals remain captive in Gaza, comprising 119 men and 17 women and children. Notably, around 10 hostages are aged 75 and older. Among the captives, 11 are foreign nationals, including eight from Thailand, one each from Nepal and Tanzania, and one with French-Mexican citizenship.
Highlighting the plight of those still in captivity, families anxiously await the return of their loved ones, expressing concerns about the challenging conditions and inadequate access to food, water, and medicine. The uncertainty surrounding the fate of hostages, such as 10-month-old Kfir Bibas and his family, adds to the anguish of their relatives.
Despite the cease-fire, reports indicate that four hostages, including the oldest captive, have died in captivity. The military confirmed the deaths of Maya Goren (56), Arye Zalmanovich (86), Ronan Engel (54), and Eliyahu Margalit (75). Kibbutz Nir Oz, home to these individuals, suffered significant losses during the attack, with a quarter of its population killed or kidnapped.
Little information has been provided about the circumstances of the hostages’ deaths, but the military claims to have gained valuable insights from returned hostages. The grieving families mourn the loss of their loved ones, with the death of Arye Zalmanovich, a founding member of Kibbutz Nir Oz, and Maya Goren, a mother of four and kindergarten teacher, being particularly poignant.
Despite the grim news, there were moments of relief during the cease-fire, as 110 hostages held by Hamas were released. These included 86 Israeli citizens and 24 foreign nationals, primarily Thais. While the returnees generally appeared in stable health, some experienced weight loss, and one 84-year-old hostage returned in critical condition due to inadequate medical care during captivity.
Families celebrated the return of their loved ones, yet doctors emphasized the psychological toll of captivity, cautioning that recovery would be a lengthy process. The government, meanwhile, urged those released to refrain from disclosing details of their time as prisoners to ensure the safety of those still held captive. The lack of in-depth narratives about the hostages’ ordeals reflects this cautious approach.
