Israel says eight hostages who were supposed to be freed in the first phase of the Gaza deal have died

Israel says 8 of the remaining 26 hostages who were supposed to be released by Hamas during the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement have died.

Government spokesman David Mencer told reporters that Israel had received a list from a Palestinian armed group overnight that provided information on the hostages’ status.

“The list from Hamas is consistent with Israeli intelligence, so I can tell you that… eight were killed by Hamas,” he said, without naming names. “Families have been informed of the condition of their relatives.”

Seven women have been released alive in exchange for more than 290 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails since the ceasefire began on 19 January.

On Sunday night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that Hamas had agreed to release civilian Arbel Yehud, female soldier Agam Berger and another hostage on Thursday.

The other three hostages will be released by the group on Saturday, he said.

The Israeli army launched an operation to destroy Hamas due to an unprecedented attack on the border on October 7, 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 were captured.

More than 47,310 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the health ministry run by Hamas in the area.

Israel says 87 of the hostages are still in custody, 34 of whom are presumed dead. In addition, there are three Israelis who were captured before the war, one of whom is now dead.

One of the hostages Israel says should be released in the first stage is Or Levy, 34, who attended the Nova music event with his wife Eynav on October 7, 2023.

The couple, whose son Almog is now three years old, fled to a bomb shelter after being attacked by Hamas gunmen. Eynav was killed inside the shelter when Or was kidnapped and taken back to Gaza.

Over the weekend in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square, Or’s brother Michael told the BBC that waiting to hear about the conditions of the remaining 26 hostages is like being thrown “in reality Satan himself invented and part of the ugly truth shows that Hamas enjoys.”.

He also said that there is no indication of when he will be released and there will be what he described as the end of this nightmare.

Michael also said he is afraid that Hamas may delay his brother’s release.

“We can’t sit back and hope for the best. We have to keep going. And until he comes, I won’t believe it happened.”

On Saturday, following the release of four female Israeli soldiers in a second ceasefire agreement, an Israeli army spokesman said it was “deeply concerned” for the welfare of the three hostages – Shiri Bibas, 33, and her two young sons, Kfir, two, and Ariel, five.

Hamas said in November 2023 they were killed in an Israeli air strike. However, the Israeli army has not confirmed their deaths and the Israeli government has confirmed that they are among the 33 hostages given in the first phase.

The second phase of talks – which should see the remaining hostages released in exchange for more prisoners, the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops and the “restoration of sustainable calm” – will begin on February 4.

The third and final phase will involve the reconstruction of Gaza, which could take years, and the return of any remaining bodies of hostages.

The forum for abductees and families of the missing demands that the Israeli government implement all three categories and ensure the return of all abductees.

“We are not complete without all of them. Our nation needs everyone at home, together. Until the end of captivity,” he said.

Meanwhile, Israel’s deputy army chief said some of the seven recently freed hostages had spent “the entire time in an underground tunnel” in recent months.

“Some of them were alone the whole time they were there,” said Col Dr Avi Banov, according to Reuters news agency. “Those who say they are together are in a better situation.”

The captors said their treatment improved in the days before their release, when they were allowed to shower, change their clothes and get better food, he added.