Israel says eight hostages to be freed in Gaza deal's first phase are dead

Israeli officials stated that among the remaining 26 hostages originally scheduled to be released by Hamas in the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, eight have died. Government spokesperson David Mencer revealed to reporters that Israel had received a list from the Palestinian armed group overnight, providing information about the hostages' conditions. This list, consistent with Israeli intelligence, confirmed that eight hostages had been killed by Hamas. The Israeli government has notified the families of the deceased, but has not released their names.

Since the ceasefire agreement took effect on January 19, seven female hostages have been released in exchange for Israel releasing over 290 detained Palestinian prisoners. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced on Sunday evening that Hamas had agreed to release female civilians Abel Yehud, female soldier Agam Berger, and another hostage on Thursday. Additionally, Hamas will release three more hostages on Saturday.

The Israeli military launched a military operation to destroy Hamas after suffering an unprecedented cross-border attack on October 7, 2023. In that attack, approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage. According to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, over 47,310 people have died in Gaza since then. Israel states that 87 hostages remain in captivity, with 34 presumed dead. Additionally, three Israelis were kidnapped before the war, one of whom has died.

Among the hostages who were supposed to be released in the first phase was Or Levy, 34, who attended the Nova music festival with his wife Eynav on October 7, 2023. After Hamas militants launched their attack, the couple fled to a roadside bomb shelter. Eynav was killed in the shelter, while Or was kidnapped and taken back to Gaza. Or’s brother, Michael, told the BBC at the hostages’ square in Tel Aviv that waiting for news of the remaining 26 hostages was like being in "a reality invented by the devil, and a wicked reality show that Hamas is enjoying." He stated that he had not received any information about when Or would be released, nor when this "nightmare" would end. He also worried that Hamas might delay his brother's release.

Michael said, "We can't just stay calm and expect the best. We must keep trying. Until he is back here, I won't believe it's really happening." On Saturday, after four Israeli female soldiers were released in the second exchange of the ceasefire agreement, an Israeli military spokesperson said they were "extremely concerned" about the safety of three hostages: 33-year-old Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, two-year-old Kfir and five-year-old Ariel. Hamas claimed in November 2023 that they had died in an Israeli airstrike. However, the Israeli military has not confirmed their deaths, and the Israeli government insists they are among the 33 hostages for the first phase handover.

The second phase of negotiations—expected to release the remaining hostages in exchange for more prisoners, a full withdrawal of Israeli troops, and a “restoration of sustainable calm”—will begin on February 4. The third and final phase will involve the reconstruction of Gaza, which could take years, as well as the return of the remains of any remaining hostages. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has called on the Israeli government to implement all three phases and ensure the return of every hostage. "Without them, we are incomplete. Our country needs everyone home, together. Until the last hostage," the forum stated.

Meanwhile, the deputy head of the Israeli military medical corps said that some of the seven newly released hostages had "been in underground tunnels for months." According to Reuters, Colonel Avi Banov said, "Some of them were alone during their entire captivity. Those who said they were together were in better condition." The hostages stated that in the days before their release, their treatment had improved, and they were allowed to shower, change clothes, and received better food.