Overview

• Eight American hostages are still held captive in Gaza following the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in Israel, with families launching a national television ad campaign to press for their release.
• The ad, funded by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, will air on cable networks and Sunday news programs in the U.S. for several weeks.
• Over 1,200 people were killed and about 240 were abducted during the Oct. 7 attacks; 105 people, mostly women and children, were released in late November, leaving about 130 hostages, including the eight Americans.
• The families of the hostages believe the ad could help keep pressure on the U.S. and Israeli governments to secure the captives' freedom.
• Concerns have been raised about the hostages being subjected to inhumane conditions, including potential torture and sexual assault.