Hostage Release Sparks Concerns for Two Missing Captives

The anticipated return of 20 living hostages to Israel on Monday has raised questions about the fate of two captives believed to be in grave danger.

Hamas's planned release has brought relief to some families, while highlighting the challenges faced by relatives of those whose status remains uncertain.

Hamas is expected to transfer all living hostages and the bodies of those they have located to Israel on Monday morning.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Hamas has informed Israel through Arab intermediaries that they have located all 20 surviving hostages and are ready to hand them over early.

A BBC report stated that Hamas has conditioned the hostages' early return on Israel agreeing to release at least two of seven chosen jailed terrorists.

The report has caused concern among relatives of two hostages listed by Israeli intelligence as being in mortal danger for months.

Of the 48 hostages still held in Gaza, 26 are believed dead, with 20 presumed alive.

The survival of the two remaining captives remains uncertain.

In May, Israel expressed serious concerns about the condition of three hostages. A month later, Israeli forces recovered the remains of one, Pinta “Nick” Nattapong.

Nattapong, a Thai farmer, was captured alive in Gaza on October 7, 2023. The IDF believes he was executed by Hamas after months in captivity.

Questions persist regarding Bipin Joshi, a Nepali exchange student, and Tamir Nimrodi, an Israeli Defense Ministry worker, both still officially listed as living.

Channel 12's Almog Boker reported that the families of Joshi and Nimrodi have received no new information, noting their names remain on Israel’s list of living hostages.

Last week, Tamir's mother, Herut Nimrodi, told the BBC she feared the worst but hoped he was still holding on after over two years in captivity.