Israel confirms eight hostages dead, initially marked freed
Israel has announced that eight of the 26 hostages due to be released by Hamas during the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement have been confirmed dead.
Government spokesperson David Mencer reported that Israel had received a list from Hamas overnight outlining the statuses of the hostages. According to Mencer, the information provided by Hamas aligned with Israel’s intelligence findings, confirming that eight hostages had been killed by Hamas. He also stated that the families of the deceased had been informed of their relatives’ deaths.
The ceasefire agreement, which began on January 19, has so far facilitated the release of seven women in exchange for more than 290 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that Hamas had agreed to release female civilian Arbel Yehud, female soldier Agam Berger, and one other hostage on Thursday, followed by the release of three additional hostages on Saturday.
The ongoing hostage crisis stems from Hamas’s unprecedented cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, during which approximately 1,200 Israelis were killed and 251 were abducted. Since the subsequent Israeli military campaign began, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reports over 47,310 deaths in the territory.
Israel estimates that 87 hostages remain in Hamas captivity, with 34 presumed dead. Among them are three Israelis abducted before the war, one of whom is confirmed dead.
Or Levy, 34, is among those listed for release in the first phase. Levy and his wife Eynav were attending the Nova music festival when Hamas gunmen attacked. While taking shelter, Eynav was killed, and Or was taken captive. Their son, Almog, now three years old, remains in Israel.
In Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square, Or’s brother Michael expressed the anguish of waiting for news about the hostages, describing it as an unimaginable and torturous ordeal. He voiced concerns over potential delays by Hamas, emphasizing that hope alone was not enough. Michael stressed that he would only believe in his brother Or’s release once it became a reality, reflecting the profound emotional strain on families.
The ceasefire’s second phase, set to begin on February 4, is expected to involve the release of more hostages in exchange for additional prisoners, an Israeli troop withdrawal, and efforts to establish lasting calm. The third stage will focus on Gaza’s reconstruction and recovering the bodies of remaining hostages.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has urged the Israeli government to secure the return of all hostages, emphasizing the importance of reuniting every individual with their loved ones. The organization stressed that the nation remains incomplete until every hostage is brought back home, reaffirming their commitment to ensuring no one is left behind.
Meanwhile, newly released hostages reported to Israeli medical authorities that they had been held in tunnels, with some spending months in solitary confinement. Dr. Avi Banov of the Israeli military medical corps stated that hostages’ conditions improved shortly before their release, with better food, clothing, and hygiene.
Negotiations for the remaining phases of the agreement remain critical as Israel and Hamas navigate the next steps in this fragile ceasefire.