Israel military confirms 199 hostages abducted by Hamas
The cousin of Shani Nicole Louk, one of the Israeli hostages snatched by the Palestinian militant group Hamas last week in a surprise attack on Israel, speaks to journalists after a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the army base in Ramla on Oct. 15. AFP-Yonhap
The Israeli military on Monday raised the figure to 199 people confirmed to have been abduced by Hamas to the Gaza Strip in the militants' cross-border attacks which sparked a devastating war.
"We have updated the families of 199 hostages," military spokesman Daniel Hagari told a media briefing, revising up an earlier figure of 155 captives.
Israelis and foreigners are among those abducted in the Hamas assault on Oct. 7.
"The efforts on the hostages are a top national priority," Hagari said.
"The army and Israel are working around the clock to bring them back."
At least 1,400 people have been killed in Israel and 2,750 in retaliatory strikes on Gaza, according to tolls from officials on both sides.
The Israeli military has said the bodies of some 1,500 militants were located in the wake of the attacks. (AFP)