In a somber update on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, Israel has revealed that eight of the 26 hostages slated for release in the initial phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement are no longer alive. This news was communicated by government spokesman David Mencer, who confirmed that the list provided by Hamas aligns with Israeli intelligence, indicating that these hostages were killed by the militant group.
Seven women have already been released alive as part of this first phase, which began on January 19, in exchange for over 290 Palestinian prisoners. However, the tragic news of the deceased hostages was announced after Hamas handed over a status update on the captives. Mencer noted that the families of the deceased have been notified, though he did not disclose their identities.
The ceasefire deal, aimed at de-escalating the violence that erupted after Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, includes plans for further releases. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that Hamas agreed to free female civilian Arbel Yehud, female soldier Agam Berger, and another hostage on Thursday, with three more to follow on Saturday.
The October 7 assault by Hamas resulted in about 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 251 people, prompting Israel’s retaliatory campaign against Hamas. Since then, over 47,310 fatalities have been reported in Gaza by the local health ministry controlled by Hamas. Israel estimates that 87 hostages are still held, with 34 presumed dead, including three who were abducted before the current conflict.
Among those expected to be released is Or Levy, kidnapped during the attack at the Nova music festival where his wife, Eynav, was killed. The emotional toll on families was poignantly expressed by Michael Levy, Or’s brother, who described the ordeal as a “reality show” orchestrated by Hamas, expressing deep frustration and fear over potential delays in his brother’s release.
The situation remains tense, with negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire, which would involve the release of the remaining hostages, further prisoner exchanges, and a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops, scheduled to begin on February 4. The ultimate goal includes the reconstruction of Gaza and the repatriation of any deceased hostages’ remains.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has called for the complete implementation of all three phases of the agreement, emphasizing the need for all hostages to return home. Meanwhile, medical assessments of recently freed hostages reveal they endured harsh conditions, with some spending months in underground tunnels, highlighting the dire circumstances of their captivity.