Israel: "Number of Hostages Held by Hamas Increasing... Ceasefire Reports Not True"

Kidnapped in Gaza Strip Increases from 155 to 199
Prime Minister's Office "No Ceasefire Agreement Exists"

The Israeli military announced on the 16th (local time) that the number of hostages abducted to the Gaza Strip by the Palestinian armed faction Hamas is 199. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office denied reports of a temporary ceasefire agreement.

According to major media outlets, Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the Israeli military, said at a press briefing that day, "Upon further confirmation, the number of hostages has increased to 199," and that the families of these hostages have been notified.

On the 15th (local time), the Israeli military was maintaining equipment in Ashkelon, Israel, near the Gaza Strip. On the same day, the United Nations reported that more than one million people were displaced in the Gaza Strip due to Israel's retaliatory attacks. 2023.10.16 [Image source=Yonhap News]

This is a significant increase from the previously announced 155 hostages by the Israeli military. It was not explained whether foreign nationals are included among the 199.

The number of hostages is likely to increase further. Spokesperson Hagari added that day, "The return of the hostages is the nation's top priority," and "We are continuously making efforts toward this."

Additionally, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office denied reports that a temporary ceasefire had been agreed upon to allow the evacuation of foreigners and the entry of humanitarian aid through the Rafah crossing in southern Gaza. In a statement that day, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said, "There is currently no agreed ceasefire for the evacuation of foreigners and humanitarian support in the Gaza Strip."

Earlier, major foreign media outlets reported, citing Egyptian sources, that Egypt, Israel, and the United States had agreed to temporarily reopen the Rafah border crossing connecting the Palestinian Gaza Strip and Egypt from 9 a.m. (3 p.m. Korean time).

However, Hamas, the Palestinian armed faction engaged in hostilities with Israel, also claimed that reports about crossing the Rafah border or a temporary ceasefire were not true. There were also reports that tanker trucks entered the Gaza Strip from Egypt through the Rafah crossing.