Israeli forces disclosed on Tuesday that they had recovered the bodies of six hostages taken during Hamas’ October 7 assault, which triggered the ongoing war in Gaza. At the same time, U.S. and Arab mediators are working to broker a ceasefire and secure the release of other captives still held by militants.
Israeli forces announced that they had recovered six hostages’ bodies during an overnight raid in southern Gaza.
The military did not clarify when or how the hostages were killed. The families of the victims assert that they were alive when taken by Hamas.
While Hamas has previously claimed that some captives died or were injured in Israeli airstrikes, the discovery of these bodies weakens Hamas’ leverage for negotiating prisoner exchanges, Israeli withdrawal, and a ceasefire.
The development is likely to put additional pressure on Israel to finalize deals for the release of other surviving hostages.
Israeli authorities confirmed the identification of the remains of six hostages: Chaim Perry, 80; Yoram Metzger, 80; Avraham Munder, 79; Alexander Dancyg, 76; Nadav Popplewell, 51; and Yagev Buchshtav, 35. Among them, Metzger, Munder, Popplewell, and Buchshtav had family members who were also kidnapped but were released during a cease-fire in November.
Kibbutz Nir Oz confirmed Munder’s death on Tuesday, revealing that he had succumbed after enduring months of physical and mental abuse. Previously, Israeli authorities had confirmed the deaths of the five other hostages.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed sorrow over the loss, praising the recovery effort and reaffirming Israel’s commitment to bringing home all hostages, whether alive or deceased.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also commended the operation, noting that it took place within Hamas’ tunnel network, with no casualties reported on either side.
Hamas is thought to still be holding about 110 hostages from the October 7 attack, with Israeli officials estimating that nearly a third have already perished.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, now on his ninth trip to the region since the conflict started, stated that Netanyahu has agreed to a plan intended to address the deadlock in cease-fire negotiations and urged Hamas to do the same.
Hamas, however, accuses the U.S. of siding with Israel’s conditions. Significant disagreements persist, such as Israel’s demand to maintain control over two key corridors in Gaza, which Hamas strongly opposes.
On October 7, Hamas-led militants breached Israeli defenses and carried out a brutal assault in the southern region, killing around 1,200 civilians and taking roughly 250 hostages.
More than 100 hostages were freed during a week-long cease-fire last year, exchanged for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
In response, Israel launched a massive offensive, with Gaza’s Health Ministry reporting over 40,000 Palestinians killed, though it has not clarified how many were militants.
Air and ground assaults have devastated much of Gaza, displacing most of its 2.3 million residents. Aid organizations are now concerned about potential disease outbreaks, including polio.
Five children and their mother were killed in an Israeli airstrike on central Gaza early Tuesday, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, where an Associated Press journalist confirmed the deaths.
The hospital revealed that the father, Alaa Abu Zeid, a teacher, had been in Israeli custody for nine months.
Meanwhile, mediators are working on a proposal for a phased plan, involving the release of all hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, an Israeli withdrawal, and a long-term ceasefire.
U.S. Secretary of State Blinken travelled to Egypt on Tuesday and plans to meet with officials in Qatar.
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