Two years after the harrowing events of October 7, 2023, the scars of that day are still raw for many in Israel and around the region. The brutal attacks, which resulted in hundreds killed and wounded and more than 250 people taken hostage, have left families in a state of perpetual uncertainty and pain. As of today, October 7, 2025, forty-eight hostages remain in captivity, held in life-threatening conditions, and the relentless ache of separation continues to haunt the loved ones left behind.
According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the impact of the attacks is far from over. The ICRC has been at the forefront of efforts to support those affected, working alongside organizations such as Magen David Adom in Israel to provide both physical and mental rehabilitation. "Two years ago, the lives of Israelis were changed forever. The brutality of the attacks of the 7 October 2023 is undeniable. Hundreds were killed and wounded, and more than 250 people were taken hostage and were - and still are - held in life-threatening conditions. Forty-eight people are still held captive. Many families live each day with the relentless pain of not knowing where or how their loved ones are," the ICRC shared in a recent statement.
The pain of uncertainty is a daily reality for the families of the hostages. The ICRC continues to meet with these families, listening to their concerns and offering support. The organization has facilitated the release of 148 hostages so far, though eight of those released were already deceased. For those who have returned, the road to recovery is long, but the relief of reunion—no matter how bittersweet—marks an essential first step. The ICRC remains committed to working every day to reunite families with their loved ones or, when that is not possible, to provide the closure of a dignified burial.
"We continue requesting access to those being held hostage, to assess their condition, provide medical attention, and facilitate family contact. We have not and we will not stop working for this. Lives can be saved, but the hostages cannot afford to wait. The hostages must be immediately and unconditionally released in full respect of their security and dignity," the ICRC emphasized. The organization has urged both sides to reach an agreement that would enable it to carry out its humanitarian mission, expressing hope that such a day is not far off.
The suffering in the region is not limited to those taken hostage. The ongoing hostilities and the pain of loss continue to affect countless families in Israel. The trauma of separation, the uncertainty of the fate of loved ones, and the struggle to heal from physical and emotional wounds are daily challenges. Humanitarian organizations have stepped in to offer support, but the process of recovery is slow and fraught with obstacles.
Meanwhile, the situation around Gaza remains tense and deeply contentious. On October 1, 2025, the Global Sumud Flotilla—a convoy of 42 vessels carrying hundreds of international activists—attempted to break Israel’s naval blockade and deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The flotilla, representing the largest collective effort to date to bring assistance to Gaza’s population, was intercepted by Israeli military forces in international waters. The convoy was seized, and hundreds of activists were detained and transported to Ketziot Prison in southern Israel.
Among those detained were fifteen Turkish activists, who, after a period of detention, were released and arrived in Istanbul on the evening of October 7, 2025. Their journey home was marked by a Turkish Airlines flight from Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan, which departed at 4:35 p.m. local time and landed at Istanbul Airport at 6:50 p.m. Relatives, officials, and numerous citizens gathered at the airport’s VIP lounge to greet them, turning the reunion into a moment of relief and celebration amid ongoing regional turmoil.
The Turkish activists were part of a larger group of 131 individuals who crossed from the occupied West Bank into Jordan earlier that same day, following what Turkish officials described as their unlawful detention by Israeli forces. The return of these activists was publicly acknowledged by Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus, who stated, "Fourteen more of our citizens who were detained by Zionist Israel for taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla have safely reached Türkiye. We thank each hero of the humanity front fighting for Gaza and justice."
The Global Sumud Flotilla’s mission—and its interception—has reignited debate over Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza. Israel maintains that the blockade is necessary for security reasons, a stance it has held for years in the face of repeated challenges by international aid groups. These organizations argue that the blockade severely restricts the flow of essential supplies to Gaza’s population, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. The flotilla’s attempt to breach the blockade was the latest in a series of efforts by activists and aid groups to draw attention to Gaza’s plight and to press for greater access for humanitarian assistance.
The events of the past week highlight the enduring complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the deeply human toll it continues to exact. For the families of hostages still in captivity, the return of activists to their loved ones in Turkey is a bittersweet reminder of their own ongoing ordeal. The ICRC’s continued calls for immediate and unconditional release of all hostages underscore the urgency of the situation. At the same time, the efforts of humanitarian organizations and activists to deliver aid to Gaza reflect the broader struggle to alleviate suffering and uphold human dignity in the midst of conflict.
The story of the Global Sumud Flotilla and the hostages still held in Israel are intertwined threads in the tapestry of a region marked by pain, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of justice and healing. As humanitarian groups, governments, and families navigate the challenges ahead, the hope for resolution—and for the safe return of all those still missing—remains a powerful, if elusive, beacon.
In the face of so much loss and uncertainty, the calls for compassion, action, and accountability grow ever louder. Whether through diplomatic agreements, humanitarian interventions, or grassroots activism, the region’s future will be shaped by the choices made in these critical moments. For now, the world watches, waits, and hopes alongside the families whose lives were forever changed two years ago.
