Israel says 126 hostages ‘confirmed’ in Hamas hands

WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 13: People gather for a ‘Stand With Israel Rally’ in Freedom Plaza on October 13, 2023 in Washington, DC. Organized by the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington, people gathered to show their support for Israel following the October 8 surprise assault by Hamas that killed at least 1,300 people and resulted in the kidnapping of 150 hostages that were taken to Gaza.   (Getty Images via AFP)

JERUSALEM – The Israeli military said Sunday it had confirmed 126 people held as hostages by Hamas since the Palestinian militant group staged their deadly attack eight days earlier.

Authorities had initially estimated about 150 Israeli and foreign captives after Hamas launched its October 7 attack that killed at least 1,300 in Israel.

Heavy Israeli bombardment since has killed over 2,300 in the Palestinian enclave and tens of thousands of troops have massed along Gaza’s border in readiness for an invasion.

Military spokesman Richard Hecht also said that 286 Israeli soldiers had now been killed in military operations launched in response to the unprecedented Hamas attacks.

Israeli officials say the number of known hostages had been revised down as bodies from the Hamas attack sites in southern Israel have been found and identified.

Hecht told a briefing that 126 hostages had been “confirmed”.

The figure was up from 120 reported on Saturday, and officials cautioned the number was likely to keep changing in coming days.

The military has also said its forces had found the bodies of some of the hostages in raids into Gaza, without providing a number.

Hamas has claimed that 22 hostages were killed in Israeli strikes, without providing evidence.

It has warned it will kill hostages in response to unannounced Israeli strikes on civilians targets.

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