Hostage

A hostage is a person or entity which is held by one of two belligerent parties to the other or seized as security for the carrying out of an agreement, or as a preventive measure against war. However, in contemporary usage, it means someone who is seized by a criminal abductor in order to compel another party such as a relative, employer, law enforcement, or government to act, or refrain from acting, in a particular way, often under threat of serious physical harm to the hostage(s) after expiration of an ultimatum.

A person who seizes one or more hostages is known as a hostage-taker; if the hostages are present voluntarily, then the receiver is known as a host.

Historical hostage practices

The English word "hostage" derives from French ostage, modern otage, from Late Latin obsidaticum (Medieval Latin ostaticum, ostagium), the state of being an obses (plural obsides), "hostage", from Latin obsideō ("I haunt / frequent / blockade / besiege"), but an etymological connection was later supposed with Latin hostis ("stranger," later "enemy"). This long history of political and military use indicates that political authorities or generals would legally agree to hand over one or usually several hostages in the custody of the other side, as guarantee of good faith in the observance of obligations. These obligations would be in the form of signing of a peace treaty, in the hands of the victor, or even exchange hostages as mutual assurance in cases such as an armistice. Major powers, such as Ancient Rome and the British who had colonial vassals, would especially receive many such political hostages, often offspring of the elite, even princes or princesses who were generally treated according to their rank and put to a subtle long-term use where they would be given an elitist education or possibly even a religious conversion. This would eventually influence them culturally and open the way for an amicable political line if they ascended to power after release.

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Latest News for: hostage crises

Renewed attacks kill hundreds

China Daily 19 Mar 2025
Hamas warned that Israel's move has put the fate of Israeli hostages in jeopardy ... Meanwhile, the main group representing hostages' families accused the government of backing out of the truce, saying it chose to give up on them.

MQM-P asks political parties to unite against terrorism

Dawn 14 Mar 2025
He mentioned that the country was being targeted under a conspiracy at a time when it had started showing signs of improvement in economic indicators and begun to recover from various crises.

Pakistan links train hijacking to ‘Afghan handlers’ and Indian mastermind

Al Jazeera 14 Mar 2025
list 4 of 4Pakistan says 346 hostages rescued from hijacked train, operation over ... the hostages ... “It is a highly trained unit uniquely equipped for counterterrorism situations, including hostage crises.

Eyal Zamir sworn in as IDF's new chief of staff

Ynet 05 Mar 2025
... wide range of crises and challenges.

Eyal Zamir sworn in as IDF’s new chief of staff

Virtual Jerusalem 05 Mar 2025
The former tank officer comes into office with wide range of crises and challenges. Threat of renewed fighting in Gaza, hostage deal and U.S. coordination over possible strike in Iran|�Read More�ynet – News ....

New IDF chief Zamir: ‘Hamas has not yet been defeated’

Virtual Jerusalem 05 Mar 2025
The former tank officer comes into office with wide range of crises and challenges. Threat of renewed fighting in Gaza, hostage deal and U.S. coordination over possible strike in Iran|�Read More�ynet – News ....
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