NEWSMAX | Published January 8, 2025
Multiple intelligence and security sources at the highest levels of the U.S. and Israel confirm that authorities believe only about 20 of the 251 hostages taken alive by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, remain alive.
One U.S. government source said that 20 is the “working number” of those believed to be alive in ongoing negotiations underway in Qatar between Israel and Hamas.
The figure of 20 is approximate and includes only civilians and female Israeli soldiers taken prisoner.
“If the number included Israeli male soldiers, it could go higher,” one senior Israeli source told Newsmax, but suggested it would not be a large increase.
Some public assessments, however, say the number of remaining hostages could be closer to 40.
Neither Israel’s embassy in Washington nor the Israel Defense Forces would confirm the accuracy of the numbers.
“We have no information to share on this matter at the moment,” said Einav Hadari, spokeswoman for the Embassy of Israel.
Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, spokesman for the IDF, similarly refused to confirm or deny the number of hostages believed to be alive.
President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team has also been informed of the known survivor count, and the matter has already become a high focus for his national security team. Trump has spoken to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at least three times in the past several weeks, according to a transition source.
Trump has vowed serious and deadly consequences unless the American hostages are released.
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SOURCE: www.newsmax.com
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Hamas terrorists handing over hostages to the Red Cross. Photo: Hamas propaganda
YESHIVA WORLD NEWS | Published January 8, 2025
In a harrowing revelation, intelligence and security sources from both the U.S. and Israel revealed that authorities now believe only around 20 of the hostages still in Gaza who were abducted alive on Oct. 7 are still among the living.
The grim figure—described as a “working number” by one U.S. official—comes as negotiations for the hostages’ release continue in Qatar. The 20 survivors are believed to be civilians and female Israeli soldiers. Should the count include Israeli male soldiers, the number might rise slightly, though not by much, a senior Israeli source revealed.
Despite public hope that as many as 40 hostages could still be alive, Israeli and U.S. officials have refrained from confirming any numbers.
“We have no information to share on this matter at the moment,” said Einav Hadari, spokeswoman for the Embassy of Israel. The IDF has also remained silent on the exact number.
The weight of these revelations presses down on a nation already bearing immense grief. Of the 251 individuals—Israelis, foreigners, and soldiers—dragged into Gaza by Hamas during the massacre, over 100 were returned in a ceasefire agreement that ended in December 2023. Officially, Israel maintains that 100 hostages remain unaccounted for, with 36 presumed dead. Yet, behind closed doors, the reality appears far bleaker.
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SOURCE: www.yeshivaworldnews.com
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