Hostages now civilian bargaining chips in Israel-Hamas war
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00:00 The exact number of hostages held in Gaza is unclear as the desperate search for the missing
00:05 continues. These are civilian bargaining chips in the Israel-Hamas war.
00:09 "We've informed the families of 199 hostages
00:16 and we are focused on this effort as a top national priority."
00:26 Hamas say they are holding between 200 and 250 hostages.
00:30 They claim that 22 have been killed by Israeli strikes.
00:34 Israeli military said that the bodies of some of those who'd been abducted
00:39 had been found during rapid incursions into the enclave over the weekend.
00:43 Many foreigners are among the missing, thought abducted, including 17 Thais,
00:48 16 Russians, 15 Argentinians and an untold number of US citizens.
00:54 A video released of the 21-year-old Franco-Israeli hostage Mia Shem
00:58 shows her dazed and pale, receiving medical care.
01:02 She introduces herself as the sound of bombs reverberate in the background.
01:06 She is one of the 13 French nationals amongst the missing, thought to be held by Hamas in Gaza.
01:12 The group's armed wing described the non-Israelis kidnapped as guests,
01:17 saying they would be released when circumstances allow.
01:20 With the threat of a ground incursion, some fear these hostages could be used as human shields.
01:26 Hamas says they now have what they need to negotiate the release
01:30 of thousands of Palestinians from Israel's jails.
01:33 In 2011, Israel swapped hundreds of Palestinian prisoners
01:38 to achieve the release of one Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, who was held for five years.