Reuters. Israeli said on Thursday (November 2) the number of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza had risen to 242 in the most recent calculations, up from 240.
Army spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari made the announcement, adding that the offensive into the enclave was going "according to plan."
The war is closing in on the Gaza Strip's main population centre in the north, where the Islamist group is based and where Israel has been telling people to leave as it vows to annihilate Hamas once and for all.
On its northern border with Lebanon, Hagari said troops remained on high alert to tackle any threat coming across the border.
