Pressure has intensified on Israel to negotiate the release of more than 200 people held by Palestinian militants in Gaza, with desperate families begging officials to help free their loved ones before an anticipated ground invasion.
An Israeli military spokesperson announced yesterday that more than 212 people were held in Gaza as officials worked to identify and locate those missing after a deadly incursion by Hamas on 7 October.
The pressure comes from inside and outside Israel. Many of the hostages were citizens or dual nationals of other countries , including Israel’s closest allies. Some of the 10 US citizens still unaccounted for after the 7 October attack are believed to be held in Gaza. There are also 17 Thais and eight Germans among the hostages. Seven British nationals and seven French citizens are still classified as missing, some of whom are believed to be hostages.
So far, two US citizens, Judith Raanan and her daughter Natalie, have been released after mediation by Qatari officials. Members of the International Committee of the Red Cross escorted the pair out of Gaza late on Friday before both joined hands with Gal Hirsch, Israel’s focal point for hostages and missing people. The pair were accompanied to an Israeli military base where they were reunited with their families.
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