Many people were taken hostage during the October 7, 2023 attack, when Hamas militants crossed into Israel. Since then, some of those tried to be freed, some were released, and some still remain in Gaza. Here is what we know so far in simple language.

How Many and Who?

Israeli officials say 48 hostages are still held in Gaza.
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Among these, about 20 are believed to be alive and the rest are thought to have died or their fate is unknown.
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Some were civilians; others were soldiers.
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Many were taken from places like the Nova music festival and from border communities near Gaza.
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Names and Stories We Know

We don’t know all the names. But some have been reported in news:

Matan Angrest

Gali and Ziv Berman (twin brothers)

Eitan Mor

Rom Braslavski
These people were among festivalgoers or attacked communities.
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Omri Miran, Avinatan Or, Ariel Cunio also appear in lists of hostages Israel says may still live.
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There were also foreign nationals among the hostages, like Bipin Joshi from Nepal.
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Because the situation is secretive and dangerous, many names are withheld to protect lives and negotiations.

What Has Happened So Far

Over time, some hostages were freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
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Also, some hostages died while in captivity, and their bodies are still held.
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Recently, a ceasefire deal was reached that aims to free the remaining hostages in the next few days.
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Why It Is Hard to Know More

Gaza and areas held by militants are dangerous and many roads are destroyed. So rescue or help is difficult.
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Some captors do not share full lists of names.
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Even for those believed alive, their condition is unknown. They may be sick, injured, or held in tunnels or hidden places.
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Why It Matters

These hostages are human beings — mothers, fathers, sons, daughters. Their release is a deep wish for many families in Israel and for peace efforts everywhere. The deal to free them could also be a step toward reducing violence and helping more aid reach Gaza.

If you like, I can also give you a list of names of the known hostages and more recent updates. Would you like me to do that?