How many hostages are still in Gaza after the Hamas and Israel ceasefire?

Families of dozens of hostages trapped under Israel’s bombardments in Gaza are clinging to hope for their return amid a deal meant to end the war.

For them, a ceasefire is not just a political milestone – after the 15-month massacre that has left more than 66,000 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis killed, and inflamed the Middle East – it is a lifeline.

Those held captive often experience the same catastrophic conditions as hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in the besieged territory, whether it be food scarcity, or the dangers from Israeli airplanes and tanks .

As the US and Qatari mediators confirm an agreement between Israel and Hamas, the fate of many still remains unknown.

How many hostages are still in Gaza?

During its October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, Hamas killed 1,200 people and kidnapped about 250.

More than 100 of them were freed in a brief ceasefire in the early weeks of the war.

Hamas still hold 97 people, with at least 35 of them believed to be dead, according to the Israeli prime minister’s office.

Of these, 84 are men and 13 women, including two children under the age of five.

Those killed include one Tanzanian national and two Thai nationals. At least three hostages were killed by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) during attacks on Gaza.

Hostages are all scattered across the Palestinian territory. They have been held in apartments or in Hamas’ underground tunnels, which are cramped, damp and stifling, according to testimony from freed hostages.

Many families have no idea what conditions their loved ones face, which only heightened their concern in the past 15 months.

Sharone Lifschitz, whose father Oded is being held in Gaza, said she was stunned and grateful but will not believe it until she sees all the hostages come home.

‘I’m so desperate to see them if by some miracle my father has survived,’ she said.

In a statement, the Families of American Hostages group thanked US president Biden, president-elect Trump and their teams for their efforts.

It said: ‘The tireless collaboration between Israel, Egypt, Qatar, the US, and other parties was critical in reaching this moment.’

The group said the coming days will be ‘just as painful for our families as the entirety of our loved ones’ horrific ordeals’.

They urge all parties to stick to the ceasefire agreement until everyone has been returned.

What happens to hostages amid Israel-Hamas ceasefire?

As part of the ceasefire deal, Hamas will release 33 Israeli hostages, including all women (soldiers and civilians), children, and men over 50.

In press briefings this evening, the Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and US President Joe Biden outlined the plan for the ceasefire, which is set to take place over a number of weeks.

They said phase one of the ceasefire, which will begin on Sunday, January 19, will last for six weeks.

It includes a ‘full and complete’ ceasefire, withdrawal of all Israeli forces from all the populated areas of Gaza and the release of a number of hostages, including women, elderly people and wounded people.

Women and those under the age of 19 will be freed first, followed by men over 50. At least three hostages freed each week and the remainder of the 33 before the end of the period.

All survivors will be released first, followed by remains of dead captives.

The implementation of the agreement will be guaranteed by Qatar, Egypt and the US.

Israel will then release Palestinian prisoners, and Palestinians will be able to return to their homes. If the negotiations take longer than six weeks, the ceasefire will remain until the final details are completed by the two sides.

Phase two marks a permanent end of the war, and it includes the release of the remaining living hostages, including male soldiers, and all Israeli forces will be withdrawn from Gaza. Phase 2 also marks the permanent ceasefire.

Phase three, final remains of hostages who have been killed will be returned to their families and the reconstruction for Gaza will begin.

How have the families of hostages reacted to the news?

The sister of two British citizens murdered in the Israel-Hamas conflict said ‘there will never be any closure’ until all Israeli hostages are returned.

Ayelet Svatitzky, 47, said the news of the ceasefire was a ‘relief’ after her brothers Roi and Nadav Popplewell both died and her mother Channah Peri was previously taken as a hostage.

Speaking from Israel, she told the PA news agency: ‘We’ve been praying for a deal to be signed, and every hostage [being] released is a relief for them, for the families and for us.

‘Of course, it’s too late for my brother, we will never be able to save them. We were able to bring him for burial, and so we know how crucial it is for for a deal to be complete and for all hostages to be brought back, for the live hostages to be released to their families and to start the healing and rehabilitating.’

Asked if the ceasefire would bring her family closure, Ms Svatitzky said: ‘There will never be any closure for us until all the hostages are back.

‘We’ll be worried and we’re not able to move on until the last hostage is home.’

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