Israel’s primary objective in its war against Hamas is to secure the freedom of the hostages abducted to Gaza. However, it was shocking to learn that at least a fifth of the captives were already dead. This news is likely to intensify the debate over the government’s actions in Gaza, causing further division in Israel.
According to Israeli intelligence officers, at least 30 of the remaining 136 hostages captured by Hamas have died since the start of the war. The bodies of two other Israelis killed in a previous war have been held in the territory, bringing the total number of slain hostages inside Gaza to at least 32.
The Israeli government released a statement saying that only 31 had been confirmed dead, creating a discrepancy between the two numbers. Israeli intelligence officers are also assessing unconfirmed information that at least 20 other hostages may have been killed.
The deaths of some hostages occurred inside Israel on October 7, while others were injured during the Hamas-led assault and died of their injuries after being abducted to Gaza. At least three hostages were killed by the Israeli military during its ground operations, and another was killed during a failed rescue operation.
The figure of 32 deaths is higher than any previous number the Israeli authorities have publicly disclosed. This has led to protests and societal rifts in Israel, with some demanding greater action to secure the captives’ release, while others seek the militant group’s total destruction.
More than 240 hostages were captured by Hamas and its allies during the October 7 raid on southern Israel, prompting Israel to retaliate with massive airstrikes and a ground invasion. Roughly half of the hostages have been freed. For more information, you can visit The New York Times.