Israel war: IDF says Hamas is holding 212 people hostage

October 22, 2023 10:00 AM

The number of hostages being held by Hamas has risen to 212, according to estimates by an Israel Defense Forces spokesman.

IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said Sunday morning that 212 people were taken by Hamas fighters on Oct. 7, according to a press conference reported on by multiple news outlets. The number marks a slight rise from the previous estimate of 203 people being held hostage by Hamas just days after the group released two United States residents who were being held captive.

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Israel has been fighting against Hamas, a militant group that the U.S. and other countries have designated a terrorist organization, since the Oct. 7 surprise attack by the group that resulted in more than 1,400 Israelis being killed.

The Gaza Strip, which is under Hamas rule, has since been bombarded by Israeli air strikes. Hamas’ attack on Israel and the retaliation has claimed nearly 5,800 lives so far, according to United Nations estimates.

Israel Palestinians Battered Kibbutz — Parts of statues lie among debris in a home that came under attack during a massive Hamas invasion into Kibbutz Nir Oz, Israel, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023. Nir Oz is one of more than 20 towns and villages in southern Israel that were ambushed in the sweeping assault by Hamas on Oct. 7. About 100 of Nir Oz’s 400 people are dead or missing. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

President Joe Biden has indicated that efforts to secure other U.S. hostages are underway after Hamas released Judith Raanan and her daughter, Natali Raanan, with assistance from Qatar.

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U.S. officials “have been working around the clock to free American citizens who were taken hostage by Hamas, and we have not ceased our efforts to secure the release of those who are still being held,” Biden said Friday.

Meanwhile, the IDF is preparing to intensify more airstrikes to prepare for an all-out ground offensive in Gaza. Hagari has said the bombardment in Gaza will be intensified to minimize risks to troops when they enter the Strip, according to AFP.