Israel says eight hostages due to be freed in first phase are dead
Israel says eight of the remaining 26 hostages due to be released by Hamas during the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal are dead.
Israel says eight hostages due to be freed in first phase are dead
Israel says eight of the remaining 26 hostages due to be released by Hamas during the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal are dead.
Government spokesman David Mencer told reporters that Israel had received a list from the Palestinian armed group overnight that provided information on the status of the hostages.
"The list from Hamas matches Israel's intelligence, so I can share with you that... eight have been killed by Hamas," he said, without naming them. "The families have been informed of the situation of their relatives."
Seven women have already been freed alive in exchange for more than 290 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails since the ceasefire began on 19 January.
Reuters Israelis carry signs bearing the names of the remaining hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, at a protest in Tel Aviv, Israel (25 January 2025). A sign on the ground at the front says "90 more to go, make it happen"Reuters
Israel says 90 hostages remain in captivity in Gaza, 35 of whom are presumed dead
Israel says eight of the remaining 26 hostages due to be released by Hamas during the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal are dead.
Government spokesman David Mencer told reporters that Israel had received a list from the Palestinian armed group overnight that provided information on the status of the hostages.
"The list from Hamas matches Israel's intelligence, so I can share with you that... eight have been killed by Hamas," he said, without naming them. "The families have been informed of the situation of their relatives."
Seven women have already been freed alive in exchange for more than 290 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails since the ceasefire began on 19 January.
On Sunday night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced Hamas had agreed to release female civilian Arbel Yehud, female soldier Agam Berger and one other hostage on Thursday.
Three additional hostages would be released by the group on Saturday, he said.
The Israeli military launched a campaign to destroy Hamas in response to an unprecedented cross-border attack on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage.
More than 47,310 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.
Israel says 87 of the hostages remain in captivity, 34 of whom are presumed dead. In addition, there are three Israelis who were abducted before the war, one of whom is dead.
