1 of 14 Erez (L) and Sahar (R) are among the family members abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz Photo: IDOO DAN via BBC Brasil Erez (L) and Sahar (D) are among the family members abducted from the Kibbutz Nir Oz were kidnapped Photo: IDOO DAN via BBC Brasil
According to the Israeli military, 242 people are being held hostage by Hamas.
Four hostages have been released so far. Two elderly women, Nurit Cooper and Yocheved Lifschitz, were released on Monday (October 24). Days earlier, on October 20, two American hostages Judith Raanan and her daughter Natalie Raanan were also released.
Hamas claims to have hidden the hostages in “safe locations and tunnels” in the Gaza Strip. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had previously said that the hostages included around 20 children and between 10 and 20 people over the age of 60.
The IDF has informed some families that their loved ones are being held hostage, while other families whose family members remain missing believe they have been kidnapped.
These are stories about hostage takings in Israel on October 7th that were confirmed or credibly reported by the BBC.
This list is updated regularly and names may change as some of the kidnapping suspects may be confirmed to have been killed or released.
Last updated on Thursday (February 11).
2 of 14 The Israeli government confirmed that Nurit Cooper (left) and Yocheved Lifshitz were released this Monday Photo: Portal via BBC Brasil The Israeli government confirmed that Nurit Cooper (left) and Yocheved Lifshitz were released this Monday Photo : Portal via BBC Brazil
Doron, Raz and Aviv Asher were captured while staying with relatives near the Gaza border. Yoni, the husband, saw a video of his wife and daughters, ages 5 and 3, being put into a truck with other hostages. He also tracked her cell phone to Gaza.
3 of 14 Doron Asher and his daughters Aviv and Raz are among those abducted, according to videos seen by relatives. — Photo: Personal archive via BBC Brasil Doron Asher and his daughters Aviv and Raz are among those abducted, according to videos seen by relatives. — Photo: Personal archive via BBC Brasil
Amiram Cooper, 85 years oldHe was kidnapped with his wife Nurit Cooper from their home in Nir Oz, his daughterinlaw Noa told the BBC. The family spoke to the couple during the Oct. 7 attack and the elderly said they were in a safe room in the home. The family later tracked Amiram’s phone to Gaza. On Monday (23) Nurit was released by Hamas.
Oded Lifshitz, 83 years, and his wife Yocheved, 85, were taken hostage at Kibbutz Nir Oz. On Monday (October 23), Yocheved was one of two elderly women released. After hearing the news of her mother’s release, her daughter Sharone a Londonbased artist said: “While I cannot express the relief that she is now safe, I will continue to focus on that “To ensure the release of my father and all others around 200 innocent people who remain hostages in the Gaza Strip.”
Ohad MunderZichri, nine years old, his mother Keren Munder, 54, and his grandparents Ruthi and Avraham Munder, both 78, were kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz, Israeli authorities say. The Associated Press reported that a phone signal belonging to the family was traced in Gaza.
Clara Marman, 62 years old, her partner Louis Har, her brothers Fernando Simon Marman and Gabriela Leimberg, and Gabriela’s teenage daughter Mia Leimberg may have been kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak. According to Louis Har’s daughter, who texted him, the group of five IsraeliArgentine nationals were hiding in their safe room. The last message came at 11:04 a.m., the Times of Israel newspaper reported. According to Vatican News, Clara’s daughter Maayan SigalKoren said the Israeli army told her that her phones had been tracked in Gaza.
Sharon Alony Cunio, 34, her husband David Cunio, 33, and her threeyearold twin daughters, Emma and Julie; Sharon’s sister Daniele Alony Mevneh and her fiveyearold daughter Amelia MevnehThey were kidnapped from a kibbutz in southern Israel, Sharon and Daniele’s brother Moran told CNN. Moran said a witness told him the family sought refuge in a safe room, but Hamas set fire to the house they were taken hostage after escaping the flames.
Dafna Garcovich and her husband Ivan Illarramendi Saizar both have IsraeliChilean and Spanish citizenship, respectively — were kidnapped from their homes, Dafna’s father said. On October 19, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the couple was being held hostage in Gaza.
Margalit Mozes, 78 years oldHamas was seen taping her from her home in Nir Oz, a kibbutz in southern Israel near Gaza, her brother Chanon Cohen told CBS. She had health problems that required nearconstant medical care, her family said.
4 of 14 Dafna Garcovich and Ivan Illarramendi Saizar were taken away from home, according to family members Photo: Personal archive via BBC Brasil Dafna Garcovich and Ivan Illarramendi Saizar were taken away from home, according to family members Photo: Personal archive via BBC Brasil
Eitan Yahalomi, 12 years old, was abducted by Hamas from Kibbutz Nir Oz on a motorcycle, his mother BatSheva and two sisters on another. BatSheva, a French citizen, told a news conference that she managed to escape with her daughters but lost sight of Eitan when he was taken to Gaza. BatSheva’s husband Ohad was previously shot and injured while trying to defend his family in their home and is now missing.
Hagar Brodutch, 40, her daughter Ofri, 10, and sons Yuval, 8, and Oria, 4According to Avichai Brodutch, Hagar’s husband and father of the children, they were in Kfar Aza, a kibbutz near the Gaza border, when Hamas attacked. He told ABC News that he initially thought they were dead, but then received word from the kibbutz that they had been seen alive and taken away.
5 of 14 Yair Yaakov was photographed being held captive by an armed man in a video shared online Photo: Reproduction via BBC Brasil Yair Yaakov was photographed being held captive by an armed man in a video shared online Photo : Reproduced via BBC Brazil
Meirav Tal, her partner Yair Yaakov and his sons Yagil (12) and Or (16)., are listed among the hostages. The children’s mother, Ranana, was on the phone with them when Hamas arrived and heard her youngest son shouting: “Don’t take me with you, I’m too young!” A video also appears to show Yair and Meirav with their kidnappers.
Amit Shani, 16 years oldwas forced into a car by Hamas gunmen after they broke into the family’s safe room at Kibbutz Be’eri, his mother told the New York Times.
Tsachi Idan He was last seen by his wife Gali when he was abducted by Hamas gunmen. Her family was in a safe room a reinforced concrete room with airtight steel doors and windows designed to withstand rocket attacks on Kibbutz Nahal Oz. His capture was broadcast live by Hamas. Eldest son Maayan who had just turned 18 was shot, Gali told the BBC.
6 of 14 Tsachi Idan was the target of an ambush with his wife and children and was later kidnapped Photo: ARQUIVO STAFF via BBC Brasil Tsachi Idan was the target of an ambush with his wife and children and was later kidnapped Photo: ARQUIVO STAFF via BBC Brazil
Ron Scherman, a 19yearold Israeli soldierHe was kidnapped at a border crossing, his mother Maayan told the Israeli news channel i24. She later identified him in a video released by Hamas.
Judith Weinstein Haggai, 70, and her husband Gad, 73He also disappeared from Nir Oz after the Hamas attack. Ten days later, the Israeli military confirmed to the family that they had been taken hostage, CTV News in Canada reported.
Adina Moshe, 72 years old, was identified by her family in a video showing her being sandwiched between two Hamas fighters on a motorcycle and apparently being taken to Gaza. She was also kidnapped in Nir Oz, her relatives told CNN.
7 of 14 Amiram and Nurit Cooper, photographed with their granddaughter Gali Photo: ARQUIVO PERSONAL via BBC Brasil Amiram and Nurit Cooper, photographed with their granddaughter Gali Photo: ARQUIVO PERSONAL via BBC Brasil
Yossi and Margit SilbermanShiri’s parents are also missing and have probably been captured.
Daphna Elyakim, 15, and her sister Ella, 8They were seen on video being held at home in Kibbutz Nahal Oz, relatives said. The girls’ father, Noam Elyakim, Noam’s partner Dikla Arava and their 17yearold son Tomer were killed. Relatives said Ella and Daphna appeared in photos posted by Hamas.
Karina Ariev, a 19yearold soldierShe was serving at a military base near Gaza when she was kidnapped. Her sister Alexandra told the BBC she heard gunshots when Karina called her during the attack and later saw a video showing Karina being taken away in a vehicle.
Alex Danzig, 75 years old, a Holocaust scholar and historian, was at his home, also in Nir Oz, when the residence was attacked by Hamas on October 7. “We are sure he was kidnapped,” his son Mati told the BBC. Alex whose older sister Edith is a Holocaust survivor has worked for Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust memorial, for the past 30 years. His disappearance sparked a campaign for his release, both in Israel and in his native Poland.
8 of 14 Alex Danzig spent decades educating people about the Holocaust Photo: MATI DANZIG via BBC Brazil Alex Danzig spent decades educating people about the Holocaust Photo: MATI DANZIG via BBC Brazil
Shiri, Yarden, Ariel and Kfir Bibas They were reportedly kidnapped from the kibbutz in southern Israel where they lived and where Shiri worked as a kindergarten teacher. Shiri was photographed holding threeyearold Ariel and ninemonthold Kfir, surrounded by Hamas gunmen.
9 of 14 Shiri and her two children are kidnapped by members of Hamas Photo: Telegram via BBC Brasil Shiri and her two children are kidnapped by members of Hamas Photo: Telegram via BBC Brasil
Channah Peri, 79, and her son Nadav Popplewell, 51They were taken hostage by Hamas, said Channah’s daughter Ayelet Svatitzky, who was on the phone with them when the gunmen broke into their home. She said the kidnappers sent photos of her two relatives, both suffering from diabetes, with gunmen in the background.
10 of 14 Karina Ariev was at the Nahal Oz military base, which was one of the first to be attacked Photo: Personal archive via BBC Brasil Karina Ariev was at the Nahal Oz military base, which was one of the first to be attacked Photo: Personal archive via BBC Brasil
Omri Miran, 46 years old, was kidnapped after his family opened the door to their safe haven to an Israeli child who said he would be killed otherwise. Omri’s wife, Lishay Lavi, said she saw him being led away in handcuffs along with three other hostages from Kibbutz Nahal Oz.
Ofer, Erez and Sahar Kalderon were captured in Kibbutz Nir Oz. A video on social media appeared to show 12yearold Erez being taken towards Gaza by gunmen, his relative Ido Dan told the BBC. It was initially believed that two other family members, Carmela Dan, 80, and her granddaughter Noya, 12, had also been kidnapped, but Israeli authorities later announced that they had been found dead.
Liri Elbag, 18 years oldHe had just begun military training as an army guard near the Gaza border when Hamas attacked, his father Eli told the Associated Press. Eli said he saw them in a video later released by Hamas, along with others in the back of a military truck that was seized by the gunmen.
Aviv Atzili and her husband Liat Beinin Atzili, both 49 years oldThey disappeared from their home on Kibbutz Nir Oz on the day of the attack. Their house was set on fire, but there were no signs of struggle or blood, and according to The Times of Israel, Aviv’s phone was geolocated to Gaza a day later.
Mia Shem, 21 years old, by Shoham, appeared in the first hostage video released by Hamas, which said she was kidnapped at a party. Israel Defense Forces confirmed that she had been taken hostage and said they were in contact with her family, who agreed to show the video footage.
11 of 14 Mia Shem begged for her release in the first hostage video released by Hamas’s armed wing, the alQassam Brigades Photo: Reproduction via BBC Brasil Mia Shem begged for her release from Hamas in the first hostage video released by Hamas’s armed wing , the AlQassam Brigades Photo: Reproduction via BBC Brasil
Many people may have been kidnapped from the Supernova music festival in southern Israel. Between them:
Moran Stela Yanai, 40 years old, a jewelry designer who was selling her work at the festival at the time of the attack. She was later seen on video sitting on the floor surrounded by derogatory Arabic texts about Jews, her brother told the Associated Press.
Almog Meir Jan, 21 years oldHe tried to escape the party. He and a friend reached his friend’s car but were only able to travel a short distance before being forced to stop. Almog’s family claims to have seen a hostage video in which he appears.
12 of 14 Lishay Lavi said she saw her husband Omri Miran being led away in handcuffs by Hamas Photo: Personal Archive Lishay Lavi said she saw her husband Omri Miran being taken away in handcuffs by Hamas Photo : Personal archive
Inbar Heiman, a 21yearold student, was seen by two young Israelis being picked up from the festival on a motorcycle. Hamas released a video in which Inbar can briefly be seen.
Hersh GoldbergPolin, 23 years oldThe California native was seen by witnesses being loaded into a truck, his family told the Los Angeles Times. He was seriously injured and unconscious, witnesses said, and the last known location of his cellphone showed him at the Gaza border.
Maya Regev, 21, and her brother Itay, 18, from Herzliya, would also have been taken. On the morning of the attack, Maya’s father received a call from his daughter, who screamed: “Dad, they’re shooting at me, I’m dead.” The family said they later saw Itay handcuffed in the back seat of a car in a video released by Hamas vehicle seen. Almost two days later, the Israeli army informed the family that Maya and Itay had been kidnapped.
13 of 14 Itay and Maya Regev (front row) in a photo with their mother and younger brother Photo: PERSONAL ARCHIVE via BBC Brasil Itay and Maya Regev (front row) in a photo with their mother and younger brother Photo: PERSONAL ARCHIVE via BBC Brasil
Noa Argamani, a Chineseborn Israeli citizen, was also kidnapped at the festival. Video footage confirmed by her father Yaakov Argamani on Israel’s Channel 12 shows the 25yearold being taken away on the back of a motorcycle, screaming: “Don’t kill me!”
Bar Kuperstein, 21 years oldHe spoke to his family for the last time on the morning of October 7, when the attack unfolded. Later the same day, his family claimed to have identified him in a video of Israeli prisoners released by Hamas. Since then, they say they have not received any further information.
Eliya Cohen, 26 years oldEliya’s mother told the #BringThemHomeNow video initiative that he was hiding from the attack with his girlfriend Ziv when Ziv felt himself being pulled out by the gunmen and thrown out. The family then found a photo of Eliya in Gaza, the Times of Israel reported.
Amit Buskila, 28 years old, from Ashdod, was last heard calling her Uncle Shimon when Hamas stormed the festival. Her family says they have been informed by the government that she is being held in Gaza.
Evyatar David, 23 years oldHis brother says he was at the festival and said on the morning of the attacks that he had fled the shots before he lost contact with the outside world. According to her family, Evyatar’s sister later posted information about her whereabouts on Instagram. She then received a message from an unknown number containing video footage of Evyatar handcuffed on the floor of a dark room. According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, he is being held captive by Hamas in Gaza.
14 of 14 Evyatar David’s family says they received a video of him in captivity Photo: PERSONAL ARCHIVE via BBC Brasil Evyatar David’s family says they received a video of him in captivity Photo: PERSONAL ARCHIVE via BBC Brasil