On October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led Palestinian fighters attacked southern Israel and took around 250 people captive, it sparked a crucial issue that immediately became significant to Israeli society.
The captives quickly became a symbol for Israelis, used to justify Israel’s harsh war on Gaza, resulting in the deaths of over 46,800 Palestinians. This topic has also divided Israelis, with many, especially those supporting the opposition to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claiming the government has not done enough to secure a release deal.
With a ceasefire agreement now in place, the nightmare of captivity may soon come to an end for those held in Gaza.
How many captives will be released from Gaza?
Approximately 100 Israeli captives remain in Gaza, all expected to be released if the deal between Israel and Hamas is fully implemented. The release will occur gradually, starting with 33 captives in the first six-week phase of the deal, including those who are ill, wounded, women soldiers, and men over 50.
In exchange for these captives, Egypt has stated that 1,890 Palestinian prisoners will be released. Israel plans to release 95 Palestinians, mainly women and children, on the first day of the ceasefire.
The remaining captives, believed to be male soldiers, will be released in subsequent phases of the ceasefire deal, exchanged for an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners.
What do we know about the identities of the captives being released?
While no official list of Israeli captives to be released in the first phase has been published, the identities of the remaining captives in Gaza are known, although their status is uncertain. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the ceasefire would not commence until Israel received the release list.
Hamas has reported the deaths of some Israeli captives in Israeli attacks, but videos have surfaced with messages from certain captives. Some captives have dual-nationalities, including from the US, Argentina, and Germany.
Among the captives, five are female soldiers captured in raids on October 7. Two captives expected to be released in the initial phase have been held in Gaza for years prior to October 7.
What will the handover process be like?
While several captives were freed in previous military operations, more than 100 were released in a temporary ceasefire in November 2023. During this exchange, captives were transferred to the Red Cross by Palestinian fighters and handed over to Israeli forces.
Israel has prepared medical teams to receive the captives, expecting cardiovascular and respiratory issues due to their long confinement in tunnels underground.
How important has their captivity been in Israel?
The issue of the captives has been central in Israel and among pro-Israel groups since the war’s onset. The release of the captives has been a primary goal for Israel, conflicting with the goal of defeating Hamas.
Hamas had offered to release captives for a ceasefire deal, a demand refused by the Israeli prime minister until recently. The return of captives remains a top demand for many Israelis, with advocacy groups and family members pushing for their release.
