Commentators on social media have purported that "not a single woman" survived captivity following the release of the last remaining hostages kidnapped by Hamas on 7 October 2023. These claims are misleading.

Recent claims circulating among commentators and on social media suggest that no female hostages survived captivity in Gaza or were released as part of the latest hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas. However, while it is accurate that only men were released in the most recent deal, this does not reflect the broader context of previous exchanges.

Official records indicate that women, children, and civilians were prioritized and released in earlier hostage deals. Statements from Israeli officials and confirmations from the Israeli government and military support that female hostages were indeed freed before the final group of male hostages. The body of the last female hostage was also returned to Israel following identification by forensic experts.

Fact-checking claims that no female hostages made it out of Gaza

Did female hostages make it out of Gaza? A total of 20 individuals were freed as part of the fragile ceasefire deal brokered between Israel and Hamas in early October, which was hailed by European leaders. In exchange, Israel freed nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Following these major events, a number of European journalists, commentators and social media users have alleged that not a single woman survived the horrors of captivity in Gaza. Although it is true that only men were released during the last hostage deal, these claims do not take into account the wider context. On 7 October 2023, Hamas took 251 hostages from Israel into Gaza. 51 of them were women, 200 were male, while 37 were children. More than two years on, the last remaining living hostages returned to Israel on 13 October. The full list of these 20 living hostages is publicly available and includes only men. However, there is a reason for this. Women, civilians and children were released first during the successive hostage deals brokered between Israel and Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented on this in November 2023, referring to tough decisions in the context of Israel negotiating the release of infants and children, mothers and women. Additionally, media reports as well as official communications from the IDF and Israeli government confirm that female hostages have been freed during prior deals. On 15 October, the body of the last female hostage was returned to Israel, following identification carried out by forensic experts. So although there were no female hostages released as part of the last deal brokered between Israel and Hamas, many had been freed previously.

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Washington

U.S. military strikes suspected drug vessels in the eastern Pacific

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Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

U.S. VP Vance meets Israeli PM Netanyahu in Jerusalem

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Paris

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Springfield

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The Hague

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Ukraine Invasion

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Kharkiv

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Tel Aviv-Yafo

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Moscow

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London

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Tokyo

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Portland

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Washington County

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La Paz

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Beirut

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Kowloon

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Breakdown