Israeli army: 136 Israeli hostages still held in the Gaza Strip

Hagari stated in a press conference that there are still 136 Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip, noting that 3 of them are civilians previously listed as "missing" who have since been identified as being among those held in Gaza.

The Israeli Army Spokesperson stated that all intelligence and operational efforts are continuing in order to create the necessary conditions for the rescue and return of the hostages to the country.

In statements made by Israeli officials and recent statistics published in the media, it had been stated that there were 129 Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip.

Israel's "Walla News" website reported on January 2, citing unnamed Israeli officials, that Hamas had proposed a new hostage exchange agreement to Israel through Qatari and Egyptian mediators, but that the Tel Aviv administration had rejected this offer.

ISRAELI HOSTAGES IN GAZA

Hamas's military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, launched a comprehensive attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, citing "responses to continuous violations against Palestinians and sacred values, especially the Al-Aqsa Mosque," during which a large number of Israelis were taken hostage.

During the "humanitarian pause" in the Gaza conflict, which began on November 24 for 4 days and was later extended for 3 days, 81 Israeli and 240 Palestinian prisoners were released in a mutual exchange.

News Source: AA