Israeli Army Spokesman Reports Increase in Hostage Numbers in Gaza to 210

Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the Israeli army, stated in a press conference on Saturday, October 21, that after an update, they now believe the number of hostages in Gaza to be 210. Previously, the number reported by Israeli army officials indicated the identification of 199 hostages, which has now increased according to the latest information. According to CNN, this news was released a day after two American hostages - Judith Tyre Renan and her 17-year-old daughter, Natalie Renan - were freed nearly two weeks after the deadly attack by the Hamas militant group on Israel. Following their release, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that his country would continue its efforts to bring back all hostages. In a statement published on social media on Friday, he said, "Two of our hostages have returned home. We will not lessen our efforts to bring back all those who have been abducted and those who are missing." The Israeli Prime Minister also emphasized that "at the same time, we will continue the battle until victory." The American mother and daughter who were freed had been taken hostage along with over 200 others and transferred to Gaza following the terrorist attacks by Hamas militants on October 7 while they were visiting relatives in southern Israel. According to the same report, 10 of their family members have also been taken hostage by Hamas militants. Joe Biden expressed his happiness over the release of the mother and daughter in a statement, saying, "I am glad about this event and reiterate that as President, I have no higher priority than the security of Americans taken hostage around the world." The U.S. President also stated that the freed hostages and their families would receive full support from the U.S. government, adding, "We are working around the clock to free American citizens taken hostage by Hamas, and we will not stop our efforts to free those still in captivity." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also welcomed the release of the two American citizens in a statement on Friday, October 20, saying that the U.S. government would continue to work for the release of other American hostages in Gaza. According to Reuters, Israeli public television reported on Thursday, October 19, citing military sources, that about 200 people, including 30 teenagers and young children and 20 elderly individuals over 60 years old, have been taken hostage in Gaza. Hamas claims to hold 200 hostages, and 50 others have been taken hostage by other armed groups in the area. This Iran-backed militant group also claimed that over 20 hostages have been killed in Israeli airstrikes, but did not provide further details.