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

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.

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.

 

Trump sets 50% tariff rate for Brazil, blasting treatment of former far-right president

President Trump defended former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is accused of plotting an attempted coup following his loss in the 2022 election.

Former White House doctor declines to testify in GOP probe of Biden’s mental acuity

Kevin O'Connor cited doctor-patient confidentiality and his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination in deciding not to answer questions from Republicans on the House Oversight Committee.

Celine Song had too much fun as a matchmaker

Filmmaker Celine Song isn't religious, but that doesn't stop her from seeing certain dead insects as signs in her life and treating a good meal like prayer.

Diocese of San Bernardino issues dispensation saying Catholics who fear ICE don’t have to attend Mass

The diocese is the first in the U.S. to issue a special dispensation because of fears over immigration detentions.

Supreme Court blocks part of Florida’s immigration law

Immigrant rights organizations sued the state arguing that its new law conflicts with federal immigration law, and under longstanding Supreme Court precedent, states must bow to federal law in the event of such conflicts.

Clinging to a tree, and praying: how a family survived the Texas flash floods

"I thought my mom was going to die in front of me," said Taylor Bergmann, a 19-year-old who fought to save the people in his family after the Guadalupe River smashed through their home.

More Front Page Coverage