The captives that may have been killed by Israel's offensive

Since the 7 October Hamas-led attack, Israel's government and army have been adamant that the best method to free the Israelis taken captive by Palestinian fighters is intense military pressure.

Around 240 people were taken to Gaza during the raids on southern Israeli communities. An exchange deal with Hamas saw 100 of those freed in November. 

But despite a number of high-profile Israeli raids to free the captives, many of them have died, with every confirmed death piling pressure from their relatives on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and ratcheting up calls for an immediate ceasefire deal. 

About 50 captives have been confirmed dead in nine months of war. Israel has said the majority were killed by their captors, or in the case of five captives announced dead on Wednesday, slain in the fighting on 7 October. 

Read more: The captives that may have been killed by Israel's offensive