Jerusalem. The Israeli army has confirmed on Sunday that Hamas has taken 126 hostages since the Palestinian militant group launched a deadly attack eight days ago.
The Israeli authorities estimated that at least 1,300 people were killed and about 150 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in the attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7.
Since then, more than 2,300 people have been killed in the Israeli bombardment in the Palestinian territories, while tens of thousands of soldiers have gathered at the border of Gaza to prepare for the attack.
Army spokesman Richard Hecht also said that 286 Israeli soldiers were killed during military operations launched in response to a surprise attack by Hamas. Israeli officials said that the number of known hostages has been revised due to the discovery and identification of bodies from Hamas attack sites in southern Israel.
Hecht told a briefing that it was “confirmed” that 126 people had been taken hostage by Hamas.
The number was up from 120 on Saturday and officials have warned that the number will continue to change in the coming days.
The army also said it found the bodies of some hostages during raids in Gaza.
Hamas has been claiming that 22 hostages were killed in the Israeli attack. He has threatened to kill the hostages in response to an undeclared Israeli attack. (RASS/AFP