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Bodies of Six Hostages Found in Gaza During Israeli Military Operation

six hostages

Image: Telegram "rtnews"

The Israeli military has discovered the bodies of six hostages in Gaza during an overnight operation, according to an official statement. The hostages, who were taken by Hamas during the October 7 attack in southern Gaza, have been identified as Haim Perry, Avraham Munder, Yoram Metzger, Nadav Popplewell, Alexander Dancyg, and Yagev Buchshtab.

Although the military did not specify when or how the hostages died, it noted that three of them had family members who were freed during a week-long ceasefire in November. Five of the six hostages were over fifty years old at the time of their capture.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his sorrow over the tragic loss, stating, “Our hearts ache for the terrible loss.” He also reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to recovering all hostages, both alive and dead.

The recovery of the bodies occurred amid ongoing efforts by the US, Egypt, and Qatar to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The goal is to secure the release of numerous hostages still being held by the terrorist group. Israeli authorities estimate that approximately 110 hostages remain in Hamas’s custody, with about one-third presumed dead.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, currently on his ninth trip to the region since the war began, announced on Monday that Prime Minister Netanyahu had agreed to a proposal aimed at bridging gaps in the ceasefire negotiations. Blinken urged Hamas to follow suit, though the group has yet to do so.

The October 7 attack, led by Hamas militants, saw them breach Israel’s defenses, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the kidnapping of around 250 others. In a previous ceasefire last year, over 100 hostages were freed in exchange for Palestinians detained in Israel. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s retaliatory offensive, though it does not specify how many were militants.

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