What we know about the Hamas hostages in Gaza

The Israeli and U.S. response to the unprecedented weekend attack by Hamas that left more than 1,200 Israelis dead has been greatly complicated by the abduction of as many as 150 hostages by the militant group. 

Hostage-taking has long been a part of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but never in terms of the numbers seen Saturday, when militants from the group — designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. — streamed over the border in attacks on Israeli towns and military outposts. 

Here’s what we know about the hostage situation:

How many hostages were taken?

It is unknown exactly how many people were taken hostage by Hamas on Saturday, though it has been estimated to be between 100-150 people, Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan told CNN on Monday. He called it an “unprecedented number.” 

Previous hostage-taking operations from Hamas have targeted a few Israelis at a time, usually members of the military. In 2006, the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was negotiated in exchange for more than 1,000 Palestinians held in Israeli custody. 

How many hostages are American? 

The exact number of American hostages in Gaza is also unclear, though the White House said Wednesday it is a “very small” number. 

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said 17 Americans were unaccounted for in Israel on Wednesday, though it is unclear what number are believed to be held hostage. The administration later said that 22 Americans have been killed in the conflict. 

“Of the 17 that … we know are missing, right now — and again, this is going to change — right now, we think the number that we know, or we believe are held hostage, is very small, very small, like less than a handful. But that could change over time,” Kirby said. 

“We just don’t have a lot of granularity on where the people are or what condition they might be in or whether they’re being moved,” he added. “So, I truly wish I had more that I could provide, because there are a lot of families out there really, really worried.” 

What have the U.S. and Israel said? 

The taking of hostages has outraged the Israeli public and government, which has vowed to completely take out Hamas. 

Israeli Energy Secretary Israel Katz said Thursday that the country will not lift its controversial blockade of Gaza until the hostages are released. 

“Humanitarian aid to Gaza? No electrical switch will be turned on, no water hydrant will be opened and no fuel truck will enter until the Israeli abductees are returned home,” Katz said on X, formerly Twitter. “Humanitarian for humanitarian. And no one will preach us morals.” 

That blockade has garnered criticism from the international aid community, as hundreds of thousands in Gaza deal with dwindling water supplies, a lack of energy and quickly vanishing medical supplies. 

The U.S. and other Western allies, which have fully backed Israel in the conflict, have also called on Hamas to release the hostages, as have humanitarian organizations and the United Nations. 

Are the hostages in danger? 

Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida threatened Monday that the group could kill hostages if Israel continues airstrikes on Gaza “without prior warning.” 

“From this hour on, we announce that any targeting of civilian homes without advanced warning will be met regrettably with the execution of one of the enemy civilian hostages we hold, and we will be forced to broadcast this,” Obaida said in a statement broadcast on Arab news channels. 

The Israeli military has reportedly continued to warn Gazan civilians before airstrikes, and there have been no reports of hostage executions since Obeida’s threat. 

The hostages have been among the chief concerns of Israeli military and government officials when considering a ground invasion of Gaza this week. The exact location of the hostages is unknown and may be changing, which means a ground invasion could put the hostages in harm’s way. 

What are the options for releasing hostages? 

Hamas said it is seeking the release of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons in exchange for the captives. Israel is holding about 5,200 Palestinians in custody, including 170 children, Al Jazeera reported. 

There have been few public signs of progressing negotiations over the hostages from either Hamas or the Israeli government. 

A Turkish official said Thursday that Turkish diplomats are leading attempts to negotiate for the hostages’ release, The Associated Press reported. 

A Biden administration adviser said Thursday that the White House is “not contemplating” using U.S. military forces on the ground in the region to free American hostages. 

“At this point, we are not contemplating U.S. boots on the ground involved in that mission,” deputy national security adviser Jon Finer said. “What we have done is sent experts from across our government to the region to consult and advise with their Israeli counterparts to make sure they find the best way to go about getting these people home.”