When Hamas terrorists invaded Israel on October 7, slaughtering more than 1,200 people and kidnapping 251 others, the lives of thousands of people were forever changed and turned upside down.
The hostages, kidnapped and dragged into Gaza by Hamas as human shields and bargaining chips, quickly became a rallying cry.
Israelis and supporters of Israel around the world pasted their images onto posters so that no one would forget their names and faces.
A year after the war in Gaza began, 97 hostages are still being held by Hamas.
Sixty-four hostages are believed to be still alive. 33 people were confirmed dead and their bodies are being kept by the terrorists.
Those held include parents and grandparents, sons and daughters, teachers, farmers, students, young soldiers and even those who advocated peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
Seven Americans were among them, three of whom died.
These are all 97 hostages still being held in Gaza after being dragged out of Israel by Hamas terrorists.
Note: One of the hostages, Sathyan Suvarnakkam of Thailand, is not pictured.
Edan Alexander, 20, Israeli-American: Alexander graduated from high school in New Jersey and joined the Israel Defense Forces, serving as a member of the 51st Battalion of the Golani Brigade, stationed near Kibbutz Kisfim.
Ohad Ben Ami, 55 years old: Ohad, an Israeli and German national, was kidnapped along with his wife from Kibbutz Beli and released during the first hostage exchange last November.
Itai Chen, 19 years old: Itai, the son of a Brooklyn resident, was killed during a Hamas attack on a military outpost and his body was taken to Gaza. He was confirmed dead.
Sagui Dekel Chen, 36 years old: Sagui, an Israeli-American, was among those who witnessed Hamas approaching Kibbutz Nir Oz and rushed to help secure the village. He was captured while fighting to defend his home.
Eitan Horn, 38 years old: Eitan, an Argentine-Israeli man who previously served as a special envoy in Peru, was visiting his brother when Hamas attacked his family home.
Judy Weinstein Hagai, 70, an English teacher from New York who immigrated to Israel 30 years ago, was kidnapped along with her husband, Gad. She was confirmed dead.
Yair Horn, 46 years old: Yair, an Argentine-Israeli, took in his younger brother when his family was attacked by Hamas in Kibbutz Nir Oz.
Bipin Joshi, 23 years old: Bipin, a Nepali-born agricultural student, was working in an orchard in Israel when Hamas attacked.
Gad Hagai (73 years old): Gad, an Israeli-American, was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists while out for a walk with his wife Judy. He was confirmed dead.
Ofer Calderon, 53 years old: Ofer, a French-Israeli national, was kidnapped near his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz along with his two children, who were released last year.
Omer Neutra, 22 years old: Omar, a resident of Plainview, New York, joined the IDF after deferring admission to the State University of New York at Binghamton. He was captured near an Israeli base on October 7, just a week before his birthday.
Joshua Loitu Morrell, 21 years old: Joshua, an agricultural intern from Tanzania, was killed on October 7 and taken back to Gaza.
Hostage/Missing Families Forum
Lior Rudaev, 61 years old: An Israeli-Argentine ambulance driver and volunteer medic was reportedly killed and his body taken to Gaza after leaving in a hurry to respond to a terrorist attack.
Keith Samuel Siegel, 65 years old: Keith is Israeli-American. He and his wife Aviva were abducted from their home in Kibbutz Kfar Azha. According to family members, the couple entered Gaza in their own car. Aviva was later released as well.
Ohad Yahalomi, 50 years old: Ohad, a French-Israeli man, was abducted by Hamas after a gunfight with one of the terrorists who invaded his home. Ohad was shot in the leg and then taken to Gaza.
Emily Damali, 28: Emily is the only British hostage still held. She was abducted from Kibbutz Kfar Azha and her car was seen driving towards Gaza.
