Most of more than 250 hostages captured in the initial Hamas attack were freed in earlier ceasefires or confirmed dead, but 59 captives remain. Around 24 are still thought to be alive, including some U.S. citizens.

The Islamic group Hamas has rejected an Israeli proposal for a 45-day ceasefire in return for the release of 10 hostages. The proposal is believed to also include the disarmament of Hamas.