How Many Hostages Has Hamas Killed? Latest Figures After Final Release Deal

Hamas has killed at least 26 Israeli hostages since the conflict began in October 2023, according to Israeli officials, as the militant group freed the final surviving captives on Monday under a ceasefire agreement. The release marks a significant milestone in ending the two-year Gaza war, with U.S. President Donald Trump declaring the conflict “a long nightmare” that is finally over.

The Israeli military confirmed that it had received all hostages still alive following their transfer by the Red Cross. Bodies of 26 hostages confirmed dead, and two others whose fate had remained unknown, are also being returned as part of the agreement. This brings closure to one of the war’s most painful chapters, which began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023 cross-border assault that killed 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage — the deadliest single day for Jews since the Holocaust.

Hostage Killings and Final Exchange Details

Israel says that Hamas executed or allowed the deaths of at least 26 hostages during captivity. Some were killed in the early days following their abduction, while others died during Israeli airstrikes or ground operations. Their remains are being returned under the final terms of the ceasefire, alongside surviving captives who are now in Israeli hospitals.

The exchange deal also includes the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, among them 250 individuals convicted of deadly attacks. Celebrations erupted in both Gaza and the West Bank as freed prisoners returned home, while Israeli families embraced their loved ones after months of anguish and uncertainty.

“The skies are calm, the guns are silent, and the sirens are still,” Trump told Israel’s Knesset, describing the ceasefire as a chance to turn battlefield victories into “peace and prosperity for the entire Middle East.” He also floated the idea of a peace agreement between Israel and Iran, saying, “Wouldn’t it be nice?”

From War to Fragile Peace

The ceasefire and hostage exchange form the first phase of a broader Gaza peace accord signed last week in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. More than 20 world leaders will attend a summit there to discuss the next steps, guided by Trump’s 20-point plan for ending the war and stabilizing the region.

Yet formidable challenges remain. Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, has not committed to disarmament — a key demand in the peace blueprint. Questions over Gaza’s future governance, Israel’s complete withdrawal, and the establishment of a Palestinian state all remain unresolved. A Hamas crackdown in Gaza City following Israel’s pullback, which killed 32 members of a rival faction, highlighted the volatility on the ground.

The war’s toll has been catastrophic. More than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed, Gaza’s health ministry reports, and most of the enclave’s 2.2 million residents are homeless. A global hunger monitor warns of famine conditions in Gaza City, where over half a million people are affected. Trump’s plan calls for a surge in humanitarian aid, with U.N. officials urging rapid delivery of food, fuel, and medicine.

Aftermath and Outlook

The end of active fighting could reshape Middle East dynamics. The war has already spilled beyond Gaza, drawing in Iran, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Yemen’s Houthi movement. Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace,” an international body to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction and political transition, is expected to play a central role in the coming months.

For now, the release of hostages — both alive and dead — offers a measure of closure to families on both sides. “I am full of happiness. It’s hard to imagine how I feel at this moment,” said Viki Cohen, mother of freed hostage Nimrod Cohen. Palestinian families, too, greeted returning detainees with tears and celebration, even as they mourned the war’s heavy toll.

At least 26 hostages have been confirmed killed by Hamas during the conflict. As the guns fall silent, the focus now turns to whether fragile ceasefire gains can evolve into lasting peace.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: How many hostages has Hamas killed during the Gaza war?

At least 26 hostages have been confirmed killed, according to Israeli officials. Their remains are being returned under the ceasefire deal.

Q2: How many people were taken hostage on October 7, 2023?

Hamas abducted 251 people during its cross-border assault on Israel, which killed 1,200 people in a single day.

Q3: How many Palestinian prisoners has Israel released?

Nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners have been freed as part of the ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement.

Q4: What is included in Trump’s Gaza peace plan?

It is a 20-point blueprint that includes ceasefire terms, humanitarian aid expansion, governance plans, and the disarmament of Hamas.

Q5: What are the major challenges ahead?

Key issues include Hamas’s disarmament, Gaza’s post-war governance, Israel’s withdrawal, and the creation of a Palestinian state.

References

Reuters. (2025). Hamas swaps last Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, Trump says Gaza war over. October 13, 2025.

Associated Press. (2025). Hostage release marks major step toward Gaza ceasefire. October 13, 2025.

BBC News. (2025). Gaza ceasefire deal frees final hostages and prisoners amid fragile peace hopes. October 13, 2025.