The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that US officials believed only 50 out of the 120 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza remain alive. After rescuing four Israeli hostages, many others were returned to Israel deceased, according to the report, raising concerns about the fate of the remaining captives and the Israeli government’s goal to eliminate Hamas in Gaza.
Initially, families hoped for news from the Israel Defense Forces about their loved ones’ safe return. However, Gili Roman, whose sister Yarden Roman Gat was released from captivity, expressed that families now fear receiving calls about the death of their relatives. Another relative of Roman’s, Carmel Gat, remains a hostage in Gaza.
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Out of the approximately 250 people taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, around 120 are still held in Gaza, with some having died during their captivity. US officials and mediators involved in the negotiations estimate that only up to 50 hostages might still be alive.
Both US officials and the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have declined to comment. Hamas has also refrained from commenting but indicated to mediators that they are uncertain about the number of hostages still alive.
In an interview with Brig. Gen. Amir Avivi [4], chairman of the Israel Defense and Security Forum, published on May 8, The Media Line asked if he could confirm reports that approximately 40 hostages were still alive in Gaza. He suggested the actual number of survivors might be higher, stating, “I think that at least half of the hostages are alive” but cautioned that each passing day increases the danger they face.