Israel military confirms 199 hostages abducted by Hamas
- 16 Oct 2023
Images of some Israeli hostages kidnapped by the Palestinian group Hamas in a surprise attack on Israel. AFP
The Israeli military on Monday raised the figure to 199 people confirmed to have been abducted by Hamas to the Gaza Strip in the cross-border attacks which sparked a devastating war.
"We have updated the families of 199 hostages," military spokesman Daniel Hagari told a media briefing, revising up an earlier figure of 155 captives.
"The efforts on the hostages are a top national priority," Hagari said. "The army and Israel are working around the clock to bring them back."
At least 1,400 people have been killed in Israel and 2,750 in retaliatory strikes on Gaza, according to tolls from officials on both sides.
Agence France-Presse