Three missing Israeli citizens confirmed held by Hamas since October 7 attack

Three Israelis who were considered missing since the October 7 attacks by Hamas are being held hostage in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli army announced Thursday.

“Three citizens who were considered missing are now recognised as hostages and their families have been informed,” military spokesman Daniel Hagari told reporters.

This brings to 132 the number of people held hostage by militants in the Gaza Strip since the October 7 attacks, according to figures provided by Israeli officials.

On October 7 Hamas militants carried out a wave of deadly attacks on southern Israel that resulted in the deaths of around 1,140 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on the latest official Israeli figures.

Some 250 people were also taken hostage during the attack, 100 of whom have since been freed.