Main content

The Israeli hostages

On 7 October Hamas invaded Israel killing 1,200 people and taking 240 hostages. This is the story of how events unfolded, according to those who were there and survived.

Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, killing more than 1,200 people and taking around 240 hostages, including children and babies, women, and elderly people. The exact numbers are still changing. Some of the hostages have been released under a deal brokered by Qatar, but many remain in captivity inside Gaza.

Anna Foster talks to people who were there when the attacks happened at the kibbutzim and the Nova music festival. They share the pain of hiding and trying to escape, as their loved ones were killed or taken away from them.

This is their story.

Presenter: Anna Foster
Producer: Louise Clarke
Editor: Clare Fordham
Technical producer: Richard Hannaford

(Photo: Israel-Palestinian conflict hostages. Credit: John MacDougall/AFP)

Available now

27 minutes

Last on

Sun 4 Feb 202423:32GMT
BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

More episodes

Previous

Reducing risks in a risky world

Next

Cairo in comics

See all episodes from The Documentary

Broadcasts

  • Tue 30 Jan 202402:32GMT
    BBC World Service
  • Tue 30 Jan 202409:32GMT
    BBC World Service
  • Tue 30 Jan 202413:32GMT
    BBC World Service South Asia & East Asia only
  • Tue 30 Jan 202420:06GMT
    BBC World Service Online, Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview & Europe and the Middle East only & BBC Afghan Radio
  • Tue 30 Jan 202421:06GMT
    BBC World Service except Online, Americas and the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East & UK DAB/Freeview
  • Sat 3 Feb 202417:32GMT
    BBC World Service News Internet
  • Sun 4 Feb 202405:32GMT
    BBC World Service except Australasia & East and Southern Africa
  • Sun 4 Feb 202414:06GMT
    BBC World Service News Internet
  • Sun 4 Feb 202423:32GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa