‘The releases gave us hope’: relatives of Hamas hostages pray more can be freed

When Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October it took 220 people captive, leaving family and friends clinging agonisingly to the hope others will be released

On 7 October, Shira Havron was on a short holiday in London when she woke up to a thousand messages" and horrific news on the television.

Eleven members of her extended family were at kibbutz Be'eri, where some lived and some were visiting. My mum told me they were hiding in safe rooms. Then at 10.30am, we lost contact with all of them."