Hamas took hostages primarily for multiple strategic reasons: to use them as human shields in the face of an anticipated Israeli counterattack; as bargaining chips to negotiate the release of Palestinian prisoners; to create media opportunities and control the narrative; to draw international attention and involve other countries; and to generate terror and psychological impact on Israeli society. These tactics also serve as part of a broader cognitive warfare strategy aimed at paralyzing Israeli leadership and fracturing public unity through emotional manipulation. The hostages include Israelis as well as nationals from other countries, amplifying the geopolitical aspect. Hamas’s hostage-taking is a calculated psychological and political tool beyond just immediate military objectives.

Recent events show that Hamas's hostage-taking and subsequent partial release of hostages coincide with ongoing negotiations and ceasefire efforts, reflecting its use of hostages as leverage in conflict resolution talks.