Hamas Take Israeli Soldiers And Civilians Hostage In Escalating Conflict

Israeli military officials confirmed that Hamas militants have taken Israeli soldiers and civilians as hostages. This revelation has confirmed the fears of many Israelis since the assault began.

Reports from residents of Israeli border towns indicated that gunmen were going door to door in search of civilians. Both Hamas and Islamic Jihad, another militant faction in Gaza, have claimed to have Israeli captives, as reported by The New York Times.

Furthermore, video footage verified by the US newspaper shows several Israelis being taken hostage by Hamas militants in the Be'eri kibbutz, located just under 5 km southeast from the border with Gaza in southern Israel.

In the video, armed men on foot and on motorcycles are seen leading at least five individuals with their hands behind their backs along a road.

The exact location where the group of hostages ended up remains unclear. However, Israeli news outlets have reported that up to 50 hostages may be held in a dining hall in Be'eri.

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari mentioned that Be'eri is one of two locations within Israel where ongoing hostage situations are occurring.

The presence of Israeli civilian and military hostages inside the Gaza Strip has been confirmed by the United Nations.

Hamas' armed wing, through their spokesperson Abu Obeida, claimed to have hidden dozens of hostages in safe places and tunnels.

Taking Israelis captive is a highly sensitive and volatile issue in the country. In the past, the government has paid a high price to secure the return of its citizens or the remains of soldiers through prisoner exchange deals that were often uneven.

In 2006, an Israeli soldier named Gilad Shalit was seized by Gaza militants from the Israeli side of the border fence.

After being held captive for five years by Hamas, Shalit was eventually exchanged for over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, many of whom had been convicted of deadly terrorist attacks against Israelis.

Additionally, Hamas has been holding the remains of two Israeli soldiers who were killed in the 2014 war, while two Israeli citizens who crossed into Gaza are believed to be alive.