Hostage Situation and Statements from Hamas
The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas militant group, have declared that there are between 200 to 250 Israeli hostages in Gaza, captured after the October 7 attack. In a televised address, Abu Obaida, the spokesperson for the Al-Qassam Brigades, stated that Hamas is holding 200 prisoners, while the rest are in the custody of other resistance factions within Gaza.
The exact number of hostages is difficult to determine due to continuous Israeli bombardment. Obaida emphasized that foreigners are not considered prisoners in Gaza and will be released when the opportunity arises on the ground, with the Al-Qassam committed to their protection. However, foreign nationals serving with the Israeli military will be regarded as direct enemies.
Former Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal has claimed that the militant group has “enough hostages,” including high-ranking officers from the Gaza division of the Israeli Defense Forces, to secure the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. Meshaal stated that one of the objectives of this conflict was to take Israeli soldiers and officers hostage to free Palestinian prisoners, and Hamas would apply international and humanitarian law to deal with civilians and foreign nationals in its custody.
