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Commemorations took place in Israel this week to mark 7 October, 2023, when 1,200 people were killed by Hamas gunmen and 251 were taken hostage into neighbouring Gaza. Twelve months later, the bloodshed in the region has also spread to Gaza and Lebanon and Iran has been drawn into the conflict.

As the fighting continues, for the families of the 97 hostages still in captivity, time has stood still. Eylon鈥檚 cousin, his cousin鈥檚 wife and their two young children were taken hostage and remain missing 鈥� something that was brought home to him during Iran鈥檚 recent missile attack on Israel. 鈥淭he whole house shook like never before,鈥� says Eylon, in Tel Aviv. 鈥淚 just lay on the ground and prayed that I鈥檓 going to survive this. It was very, very scary. It made me realise that the way I felt for 40 minutes is how my family must be feeling for about a year".

Eylon joins a conversation with Adam, in England, who is also hoping for news of his cousin. Both men say they are frustrated that the plight of the hostages can sometimes appear to be forgotten, especially on the global stage.

Host Luke Jones also hears what life is like for three young Israelis in their 20s and the anxiety of daily rocket strikes, explosions and gunfire. One, a new mum, shares that she is too afraid to take her baby outside.

A Boffin Media production in partnership with the 大象传媒 OS team.

(Photo: Posters of the Bibas family, Yarden, Shiri, Ariel and Kfir who are being held hostage in Gaza, are displayed on a door at the home of the Bibas family in Kibbutz Nir Oz, southern Israel, September 30, 2024. Credit: Amir Cohen/Reuters)