Anticipation is swirling around the next steps for the hostages still held by militant groups in Gaza, after Israel and Hamas signaled readiness to move forward with President Trump’s plan for their release them.
On Friday, Hamas announced its openness to release “all occupation prisoners,” both living and dead, according to the “exchange formula” of President Trump’s proposal. About 20 hostages are believed to be alive.
On Saturday, the Israeli government said it was preparing for the “immediate implementation” of the “release of all hostages.”
In the Hamas-led assault on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, militants killed about 1,200 people and abducted about 250 others — Israelis and people from other countries, including children — and took them across the border into Gaza. Militants from Palestinian Islamic Jihad joined in the abductions.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a group representing many families of the hostages, expressed support for Mr. Trump’s plan, calling on the Israeli government to seize the moment to “do everything possible” to bring them home.
Here is what to know about the hostages in Gaza and the next steps in Mr. Trump’s plan.
How many hostages are in Gaza?
Israel believes that at least 20 living hostages are still in Gaza, along with the bodies of around 25 others. Videos released on July 31 and Aug. 1 showed two living captives looking emaciated and frail, shocking many Israelis and raising questions about how much longer the men could survive. Last month, Hamas released a photograph of 48 hostages still held in Gaza, telling the world to say “farewell.”
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