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According to the Israeli military, a significant number of Israeli civilians and soldiers are being held hostage by the Palestinian militant group, Hamas, in the Gaza Strip. Some are confirmed to be alive while others are believed to be dead. Lt Col Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesperson, stated that among those taken hostage are children, women, the elderly, and the disabled. He further added that these numbers are unprecedented and will greatly impact the ongoing conflict. In response, Hamas claims that the number of captured Israelis is much larger than reported, and they have been dispersed throughout various locations in Gaza. Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, holds Hamas responsible for the wellbeing of the hostages and vows to retaliate against anyone who harms them. Several videos circulating online allegedly show Israelis in the custody of Hamas fighters. One verified video shows a truck driving through crowds in Gaza, supposedly carrying Israeli hostages. Another video, located in Gaza, portrays a woman with bound hands, forcibly pulled out of a truck with visible injuries. Reports suggest that some hostages were taken from an outdoor gathering in Kibbutz Re'im, a suburb near Gaza. Witnesses recall armed attackers on motorcycles opening fire on the attendees, leading to the disappearance of many individuals. Unverified videos on social media appear to show a woman from the event being kidnapped and held by two militants on a motorcycle. The woman has been identified as Noa Argamani by her partner's brother, who reported her missing. His fears were confirmed after seeing the videos showing her in distress. A subsequent unverified video shows her drinking water in a room within Gaza. News has also emerged that Israeli military forces successfully rescued hostages held in two locations in southern Israel. One rescue operation took place in Kibbutz Be'eri, where hostages were freed from a dining room after an 18-hour ordeal. In Kibbutz Urim, another suburb of Ofakim, two Israelis were rescued after being held hostage in a house for several hours. The militants responsible for the hostage situations were reportedly killed by Israeli forces during the rescue operation. Three Israeli soldiers were wounded, with varying degrees of severity, during the rescue mission. These events highlight the dire situation faced by both Israelis and Palestinians as tensions escalate between the Israeli military and Hamas militants. The safety and wellbeing of the hostages remain a top concern for Israeli authorities as they seek to resolve the ongoing conflict.