I personally do try davening for non-frum hostages, as well as all Jews in Israel, as that seems to be in public opinion the right thing to do. But I do want to make sure I’m doing the right thing…Doesn’t sound like uncoditional love for anyone with Jewish blood. I assume the same applies to “lo saamoid al dam reiacha”.
Before coming to such a critical decision, I would speak to a rav moreh horaah, not rely on what people say on the internet.
can anyone give me a credible source that they’re still supposed to be in my hearts & prayers?
One is obligated to be mechalel Shabbos to save a Jewish life even in a case of safek (such as unsure if it’s a Yid or goy).
If a complete rasha is mekadesh a woman on condition that he is a complete tzaddik, it is kiddushin misafek because the person may have had a hirhur teshuva at that moment and become a tzaddik gomur.
How much more so regarding the hostages, which (a) how do you know what they believe in their hearts? And (b) how could a Jew not have a hirhur teshuvah when in such a miserable, critical situation?
So it is definitely much more than a safek.
Also, these people are תינוקות שנשבו לבין העכו”ם (literally and figuratively) whom are considered אונס according to the Rambam.
The Chazon Ish writes that the “non believers” of today are not considered real kofrim due to the hardships of their surroundings.
There are many more sources (and your entire premise about ואהבת לרעך is wrong according to many opinions), but either way, it is definitely better to err on the side of protecting and davening for another Jewish life than the opposite ch”v.
The very fact that this was a question shows on a very faulty chinuch, or a serious troll. (Or both.)