8 Hostages Held by Hamas Slated for Release Under Ceasefire Deal Are Dead, Israel Says

Government spokesman David Mencer told reporters that Israel had received a list from the Palestinian armed group overnight that provided information on the status of the hostages. "The list from Hamas matches Israel's intelligence, so I can share with you that... eight have been killed by Hamas," he said, without naming them. "The families have been informed of the situation of their relatives." Seven women have already been freed alive in exchange for more than 290 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails since the ceasefire began on 19 January.

The confirmation of death comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secured the early release of additional hostages on Sunday, with six people set to be returned across Thursday and Saturday.

After the cease-fire and ensuing hostage releases started Jan. 19, Israeli officials reportedly began cautioning family members that there were “grave concerns” for some of their loved ones’ lives. A relative of one family taken hostage – Shiri and Yarden Bibas and their red-headed baby sons, Ariel and Kfir, who became symbols of Hamas’ brutality when they were all snatched Oct. 7, 2023 — told local media they had yet to receive any concrete information on their kin’s wellbeing.