On October 7, 2023, several Hamas terrorists infiltrated southern Israel and managed to take several hundred people back to Gaza as hostages, in addition to murdering over 1,200 people.
Their safety has been the subject of great concern to the Israeli public, who campaign for their release and safety as the IDF's war on Hamas continues. So far, several hostages have been released, most of them due to a ceasefire and prisoner exchange. Several hostages, including some who had been held captive by Hamas for several years prior to the war, were further released as part of the 2025 ceasefire and hostage release deal.
It is currently unknown exactly how many hostages are currently alive in Gaza.
Released hostage Ilana Gritzewsky opened up about her ongoing feelings of survivor guilt, knowing she made it out of Gaza alive while others remain captive.
"There is no deal yet," a US official said, while the Israeli official noted the proposal was "more an idea that isn't fully clear or fully developed."
The Jerusalem Post delves into the key issues shaping Israel’s current turmoil, presenting perspectives from both sides of the argument.
"This reality is too cruel to grasp. No one can truly understand it in 90 seconds—not even in 90 hours, and my friends are still in hell after more than 510 days," she said.
"The gates of hell might have opened on the Gazans, but for sure they have opened on the 59 hostages, and there is no savior."
The current strategic environment enables the return to war and is conducive to the ultimate defeat of Hamas.
Netanyahu and Zamir will have to explain to the nation why this is necessary and to shore up domestic legitimacy for a campaign that – yet again – will necessitate tremendous sacrifice.
Hundreds of Gazans march in rare anti-Hamas protest • Katz, Zamir meet to work in cooperation following public clash
Israel is on the last leg of a long marathon and stands on the precipice of a decisive victory over its adversaries
Shlomi Ziv's Hamas captor told him that Hamas provided financial support to CUAD and the Columbia AMP/NSJP Affiliates for the Encampment.
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