List of Gaza war hostages

Prior to the Gaza war breaking out on October 7, 2023, there were four Israeli citizens held hostage in the Gaza Strip: two of whom were alive, and two were dead. During the October 7 attacks that started the Gaza war, 251 additional people were kidnapped and taken hostage to the Gaza Strip, most of whom were Israeli citizens. A total of 168 hostages were returned alive: eight were rescued, five were released outside of ceasefires, and the rest were released in ceasefires during the Gaza war.

The last twenty living hostages were released on October 13, 2025 as part of the Gaza peace plan. The body of the last remaining hostage held in Gaza, Ran Gvili, was recovered on January 26, 2026.

In addition to the hostages kidnapped to the Gaza Strip, there were two hostage standoff situations inside Israel during the October 7 attacks, with a third attempt at a standoff thwarted when the victims managed to escape to the roof, where they were rescued. Both hostage situations were resolved in less than 24 hours. Of the seventeen people who were held hostage inside Israel, only four survived.

Hostages held prior to the October 7 attacks

Four hostages were held in the Gaza Strip prior to the October 7 attacks: two IDF soldiers killed during the 2014 Gaza War, whose bodies were captured by Hamas; and two Israeli civilians abducted in 2014 and 2015 respectively, after wandering into the Gaza Strip. Israel wanted their inclusion in a unified hostage deal, along with the hostages taken in the October 7 attacks. The two civilians were released during the January 2025 Gaza war ceasefire, the body of one of the soldiers was recovered during a military operation a few hours before the ceasefire went into effect, and the body of the second soldier were returned by Hamas on 9 November 2025 as part of the Gaza peace plan.

Hostages kidnapped to the Gaza Strip

Hostages who survived

The following are hostages who were alive when released or rescued:

Hostages who did not survive

The following are hostages whose bodies were recovered by the IDF (48), returned by Hamas (34), or retrieved during a failed military operation (3):

Hostages held in Israel

There were two hostage standoff situations inside Israel on the day of the October 7 attacks: one in Ofakim at the home of Rachel Edry, and one in Be'eri at the home of Pessi Cohen. At a third scene, the Sderot police station, police officers and civilians escaped to the building's roof, where they were rescued without incident. The Hamas militants remained holed up in the station until neutralized.

The hostage takers at Pessi Cohen's home in Be'eri demanded safe passage to Gaza for themselves and their hostages.

Hostages who survived

Hostages who did not survive

See also

• Sexual and gender-based violence against Israeli hostages during the Gaza war

Notes

External links