Israel Says Eight Hostages Due To Be Freed Are Dead

ISRAEl – 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.

On Saturday, following the release of four female Israeli soldiers in the second exchange of the ceasefire, the Israeli military’s spokesman said it was “extremely concerned” about the welfare of three hostages – Shiri Bibas, 33, and her two young sons, Kfir, two, and Ariel, five.

Hamas claimed in November 2023 that they had been killed in an Israeli air strike. However, the Israeli military has not confirmed their deaths and the Israeli government has insisted they are among the 33 hostages handed over in the first phase.

Negotiations for the second phase – which should see the remaining hostages released in exchange for more prisoners, a full Israeli troop withdrawal and “the restoration of sustainable calm” – are due to start on 4 February.

The third and final stage will involve the reconstruction of Gaza, which could take years, and the return of any remaining hostages’ bodies.