Home World As Israel recovers the bodies of three more hostages, how many are...

As Israel recovers the bodies of three more hostages, how many are still in Gaza?

Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza display photos of the captives during a protest demanding their release. in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Saturday, June 21, 2025.

Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza display photos of the captives during a protest demanding their release. in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Ohad Zwigenberg/AP hide caption

toggle caption

Ohad Zwigenberg/AP

Israel said Sunday that it has recovered the bodies of three more hostages taken in Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack that ignited the ongoing 20-month war in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli military identified them as Yonatan Samerano, 21; Ofra Keidar, 70; and Shay Levinson, 19. All three were killed during the initial attack and their bodies were taken into Gaza. Kobi Samerano said in a Facebook post that his son’s remains were returned on what would have been Yonatan’s 23rd birthday.

The military did not provide details about the operation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is committed to returning the remaining hostages even as it wages a new military campaign against Iran.

Sponsor Message

Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 hostages in the Oct. 7 attack. More than 55,000 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly women and children, have been killed in the ensuing conflict, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The ministry doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants.

Here are details on the hostages:

Total hostages captured on Oct. 7, 2023: 251

Hostages taken before the Oct. 7 attack: 4, including 2 who entered Gaza in 2014 and 2015 and the bodies of 2 soldiers killed in the 2014 war

Hostages released in exchanges or other deals: 148, of whom 8 were dead

Bodies of hostages retrieved by Israeli forces: 49

Hostages rescued alive: 8

Hostages still in captivity: 50, of whom Israel believes 27 are dead. Netanyahu has said there are “doubts” about the fate of several more.

The hostages in captivity include four non-Israelis: 2 Thais and 1 Tanzanian who have been confirmed dead, and a Nepalese captive.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Must Read

Are you a new grandparent? NPR wants to hear from you for National Grandparent’s Day

Eileen and Doug Flockhart look at a chalkboard announcing the birth of their seventh grandchild on the porch of their home in Exeter, N.H., Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011. Elise Amendola/AP hide caption toggle caption Elise Amendola/AP Mothers and fathers have had their days. On Sep. 7, it's the grandma and grandpa's turn. In 1978, President

U.S. tariffs take effect on India, threatening $48.2B in exports

Workers at a manufacturing unit make leather footwear in Agra, India, on Monday. Manish Swarup/AP hide caption toggle caption Manish Swarup/AP NEW DELHI — Steep U.S. tariffs on a range of Indian products took effect Wednesday, threatening a steep blow to India's overseas trade in its largest export market. World, reordering India reels from Trump

If Abrego Garcia is deported to Uganda, here’s how it might happen

A member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus holds a picture of Kilmar Abrego Garcia during a news conference to discuss his arrest and deportation on April 9 in Washington, D.C. The Trump administration wants to deport him to Uganda. Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Alex Wong/Getty Images The Trump administration says it intends

Protesters occupy Microsoft office as company reviews its work with Israel’s military

A Microsoft sign and logo are pictured at the company's headquarters, Friday, April 4, 2025, in Redmond, Wash. Jason Redmond/FR74394 AP hide caption toggle caption Jason Redmond/FR74394 AP REDMOND, Wash. — Police arrested seven people Tuesday after they occupied the office of Microsoft President Brad Smith as part of continued protests over the company's ties

Where do Peace Talks Between Russia and Ukraine Stand?

President Donald Trump greets Russia's President Vladimir Putin Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP hide caption toggle caption Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP President Trump has made clear he’s interested in ending the war Russia has waged on Ukraine. After a flurry of diplomatic meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian