how many israeli hostages were taken

The total number of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attack and held in Gaza was approximately 251. Of these, as of October 2025, around 48 hostages remain in captivity in Gaza. Among these remaining hostages, about 20 are believed to be alive, while 26 have been declared dead, and the status of two others is uncertain. Over the course of the conflict, 148 hostages have been returned to Israel alive, some were released in ceasefire deals, rescued, or part of prisoner exchanges, and 51 bodies of hostages have been recovered. The hostages include civilians, military personnel, and foreign nationals.