how many hostages were taken on october 7

On October 7, 2023, Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups abducted approximately 251 people from Israel to the Gaza Strip during coordinated attacks. This group of hostages included civilians, soldiers, children, women, and elderly people. Among these hostages, almost half were foreign nationals or held multiple citizenships, and some were Negev Bedouins. The hostages were taken as captives in various attacks across Israeli communities near the Gaza border.