A more complete picture of the devastation in Israel near the Gaza Strip is emerging after an unprecedented attack by Hamas on Saturday (October 7). The Israel-Hamas war death toll has topped 1,500 and more than 100 people have been kidnapped by the Palestinian militant group.
Approximately a third of those kidnapped are from Latin America. Three are Mexican nationals. Mexico’s Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena announced two of those kidnappings on social media on Sunday (October 8).
“A Mexican woman and a Mexican man have been allegedly taken hostage by the Hamas group, in Gaza, this Saturday,” Barcena wrote. “We are in contact with authorities in Israel and family members to provide follow-up, support and care.”
On Monday (October 9), Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador revised the number to three. “There are reports of three missing Mexicans,” López Obrador said. “There is already communication with their relatives, a complete search effort is being done, our diplomats are acting to protect Mexicans.”
It’s been reported that at least seven Argentinian nationals are dead and 15 are missing after the Hamas attacks.
It was believed a Panamanian woman, Daryelis Denise Sáez Batista, was kidnapped during the attack. But, according to Israeli ambassador in Panama, Itai Bardov, she was found alive on Monday (October 9) after taking refuge in an anti-bombing shelter. “I am very happy to announce that Daryelis has been found along with her husband,” Bardov wrote on social media.
Al Jazeera says that other Latin American countries reporting missing or abducted nationals include 3 from Brazil, 2 from Chile, 2 from Paraguay, 2 from Colombia, and 4 from Peru. The Brazilians and Colombians were allegedly kidnapped by Hamas during a music festival.