‘Civilians, Kids, Grandmothers’: Here’s What We Know About the Israeli Citizens Held Hostage by Hamas – News18

Hamas fighters have captured dozens of innocent civilians, settlers, children and Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) personnel and have held them in locations across Gaza. This has complicated Israel’s plan to eliminate the terrorists with brute force in retaliation to Saturday’s attack.

Gaza is one of the most densely populated areas in the world and the Israeli forces are finding it hard to establish how many people have been taken hostage. The IDF in its tweets and press releases have also avoided giving out an approximate number of people taken hostage.

However, reports from several media outlets signalled that most hostages were taken from towns bordering the Gaza Strip, from a rave party in Negev desert and dozens of IDF soldiers were also taken hostage.

“It is unprecedented in our history that we have so many Israeli nationals in the hands of a terrorist organisation,” lieutenant colonel Jonathan Conricus, an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson, was quoted as saying by CNN.

Here’s what we know about the Israeli captives of Hamas:

Negev Rave Party

Hundreds of Israeli youngsters and young people from other nations who were attending a rave party in the Negev desert, near areas where Israel has set up settlements, were kidnapped by Hamas.

Police said they found over 260 bodies at the rave party site.

Videos released on social media showed party attendees running for safety as Hamas terrorists descended on them using paragliders and pickup trucks, near Urim, a community close to the Gaza Strip.

Some of the partygoers were killed while many were taken hostage.

Details of hostages from the attack are emerging as family members are recognizing their relatives from the clips circulating online. A video showed one Israeli woman and her boyfriend being kidnapped. News18 could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.

A German-Israeli national Shani Louk was also confirmed as being held hostage by Hamas by CNN.

Ofakim and Be’eri

Hamas terrorists are holding Israeli citizens from the border community Be’eri, and the town of Ofakim hostage. IDF spokesperson brigadier general Daniel Hagari said these two places are the “main focal points” of the unfolding crisis, while speaking to CNN.

He further added that fighting was ongoing in 22 locations. A report by the CNN said that Hamas militants in Be’eri were spotted taking multiple Israelis captive.

Israelis living there told local media outlets that assailants were going door-to-door trying to break into the homes of the Israelis. Hostage situations were also reported from Netiv HaAsara by news outlets. The Israeli government is yet to issue a public statement on the kidnappings.

Concerned residents are using viral videos to find out and identify their loved ones and ascertain if they are being held hostage.

One man recognised his wife in a viral video where a group of people are being loaded on the back of a truck flanked by Hamas militants chanting “Allahu Akbar”, the CNN said in a report.

“I don’t even know what the situation is regarding the hostages, and the situation is not looking good,” the man, Yoni Asher, told CNN. He confirmed that his wife was located in Gaza.

Soldiers

“We bring good news to our (Palestinian) prisoners and our people that the al Qassam Brigades have dozens of captured (Israeli) officers and soldiers in their hands,” Al Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, said on social media.

Injured soldiers were seen in viral videos being taken hostage by Hamas militants. A video, geolocated and authenticated by CNN shows soldiers being pulled out of a tank and being taken prisoners. The Hamas terrorists pulled out soldiers from a disabled tank and took them hostage. One soldier’s motionless body was being stomped on by Hamas terrorists.