A total of 251 people were taken in the attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. 22 remain hostage in Gaza Most are believed to be alive, but Israel has not given the full basis for its estimates. Status of all 251 original hostages over time Oct. 7, 2023 Oct. 4, 2025 Remain hostage Freed Killed The largest hostage release happened in late November 2023 during cease-fire negotiations. Hamas has said that Israeli strikes also killed other hostages, although The Washington Post could not independently verify this. The bodies of two Israeli Americans killed during the Hamas-led attack on Israel remain in Gaza.