What's happened
As of December 2024, over 100 hostages remain in Gaza following the October 2023 Hamas attack. Recent developments include threats from Hamas regarding potential Israeli rescue operations and the retrieval of bodies of hostages presumed dead. Negotiations for a ceasefire have resumed, raising hopes for their return.
Why it matters
What the papers say
The Independent reports on the emotional toll of the hostage crisis, highlighting the ongoing grief of families and the uncertainty surrounding the fate of their loved ones. In contrast, SBS details Hamas's internal communications, revealing their threats against hostages in response to potential Israeli rescue operations. The New York Times adds to the narrative by discussing the implications of military actions on hostages, emphasizing the debate within Israel regarding the effectiveness and morality of their military strategy. Together, these sources illustrate the complex dynamics at play in the ongoing conflict and the dire situation of hostages in Gaza.
How we got here
The hostage situation began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked Israeli communities, killing 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages. Since then, military operations have intensified, leading to significant casualties on both sides.
More on these topics
-
Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
-
Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.
-
Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
-
Gaza may refer to: