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Israel says eight of the remaining 26 hostages to be released by Hamas during the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire agreement have died.
Government spokesman David Mencer told reporters that Israel had received a list from a Palestinian militant group overnight that provided information about the hostages’ condition.
“The list from Hamas matches Israeli intelligence, so I can inform you that… eight have been killed by Hamas,” he said, without naming them. “The families have been informed about the condition of their relatives.”
Seven women have already been released alive in an exchange for more than 290 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails since the ceasefire began on January 19.
On Sunday night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that Hamas had agreed to release civilian woman Arbel Yehud, female soldier Agam Berger and one other hostage on Thursday.
Three other 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 October 7, 2023, in which approximately 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 kidnapped before the war, one of whom has died.
By: BBC
