Israel says eight of the remaining 26 hostages because of be launched by Hamas through the first section of the Gaza ceasefire deal are lifeless.
Authorities spokesman David Mencer informed reporters that Israel had acquired an inventory from the Palestinian armed group in a single day that supplied info on the standing of the hostages.
“The checklist from Hamas matches Israel’s intelligence, so I can share with you that… eight have been killed by Hamas,” he stated, with out naming them. “The households have been knowledgeable of the state of affairs of their kinfolk.”
Seven ladies have already been freed alive in alternate for greater than 290 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails for the reason that ceasefire started on 19 January.
On Sunday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s workplace introduced Hamas had agreed to launch feminine civilian Arbel Yehud, feminine soldier Agam Berger and one different hostage on Thursday.
Three extra hostages can be launched by the group on Saturday, he stated.
The Israeli navy launched a marketing campaign to destroy Hamas in response to an unprecedented cross-border assault on 7 October 2023, wherein about 1,200 folks have been killed and 251 have been taken hostage.
Greater than 47,310 folks have been killed in Gaza since then, in line with the territory’s Hamas-run well being ministry.
Israel says 87 of the hostages stay in captivity, 34 of whom are presumed lifeless. As well as, there are three Israelis who have been kidnapped earlier than the struggle, one in all whom is lifeless.
One of many hostages who Israel says needs to be launched within the first section is Or Levy, 34, who was attending the Nova music pageant along with his spouse Eynav on 7 October 2023.
The couple, whose son Almog is now three years outdated, fled to a roadside bomb shelter after Hamas gunmen attacked. Eynav was killed contained in the shelter whereas Or was kidnapped and brought again to Gaza.
Over the weekend in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Sq., Or’s brother Michael informed the BBC that ready to listen to in regards to the statuses of the remaining 26 hostages was like being plunged into “a actuality the satan himself invented and a part of an evil actuality present that Hamas is having fun with”.
He additionally stated he had acquired no indication about when Or can be freed and there can be what he described as “an finish date to this nightmare”.
Michael additionally stated he feared that Hamas may but delay his brother’s launch.
“We can’t simply be calm and hope for the most effective. Now we have to maintain going. And till he is right here, I will not consider it truly occurred.”
On Saturday, following the discharge of 4 feminine Israeli troopers within the second alternate of the ceasefire, the Israeli navy’s spokesman stated it was “extraordinarily involved” in regards to the welfare of three hostages – Shiri Bibas, 33, and her two younger sons, Kfir, two, and Ariel, 5.
Hamas claimed in November 2023 that that they had been killed in an Israeli air strike. Nevertheless, the Israeli navy has not confirmed their deaths and the Israeli authorities has insisted they’re among the many 33 hostages handed over within the first section.
Negotiations for the second section – which ought to see the remaining hostages launched in alternate for extra prisoners, a full Israeli troop withdrawal and “the restoration of sustainable calm” – are because of begin on 4 February.
The third and closing stage will contain the reconstruction of Gaza, which may take years, and the return of any remaining hostages’ our bodies.
The Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board is demanding that the Israeli authorities implement all three phases and make sure the return of each hostage.
“We’re not complete with out all of them. Our nation wants everybody at dwelling, collectively. Till the final hostage,” it stated.
In the meantime, the deputy chief of the Israeli navy’s medical corps stated a few of seven newly launched hostages had spent “the complete time in tunnels underground” in latest months.
“A few of them have been alone via the complete time they have been there,” Col Dr Avi Banov stated, in line with Reuters information company. “Those that stated they have been collectively have been in higher form.”
The hostages had stated their therapy improved within the days main as much as their launch, once they have been allowed to bathe, change their garments and acquired higher meals, he added.
