Overview

• Sahar Baruch, a 25-year-old Israeli hostage, was killed during a failed rescue attempt by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Gaza in early December.
• It remains unclear whether Baruch was killed by Hamas or accidentally by Israeli forces during the rescue attempt.
• Baruch's body is still being held in Gaza, and two Israeli soldiers were severely injured during the failed rescue attempt.
• Hamas kidnapped 240 people and killed approximately 1,140 in attacks on October 7, 2024, with around 130 believed to still be in captivity.
• Negotiations for a potential second wave of hostage exchanges between Israel, the U.S., Qatar, Egypt, and Hamas are ongoing, but little progress has been made.