The Israeli military claims to have confirmed the demise of four further hostages taken on October 7 by Hamas.
The four were slain together during an Israeli operation in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza region, it adds, adding that the terrorists were still holding their bodies.
The males were identified as British-Israeli Amiram Cooper, 85, Yoram Metzger, 80, Chaim Peri, 79, and Nadav Popplewell, 51.
The evaluation was based on intelligence that was obtained in the last several weeks, according to IDF spokesman Rear Adm Daniel Hagari.
“We assess that the four of them were killed while together in the area of Khan Younis during our operation there against Hamas,” he said, without giving further details.
Hamas declared last month that Nadav Popplewell had perished in an April Israeli strike. His death was not officially confirmed until recently, although the UK Foreign Office stated that it was looking into it.
In December, Hamas published a film featuring the other three guys.
On October 7, all four captives were taken from kibbutzes close to the Gaza Strip.
Family members stated that hearing of the men’s deaths should “lead every leader to profound soul-searching” in a statement released through the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
The statement added: “Chaim, Yoram, Amiram, and Nadav were kidnapped alive, some of them were with other hostages who returned in the previous deal – and they should have returned alive to their country and their families.”
“Greatly saddened” to learn of Nadav Popplewell’s passing, UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron wrote in a post on X. “My thoughts are with his loved ones at this terrible time for them,” he said.
Along with his mother, Nadav Popplewell was abducted from his home; however, his mother was later set free. Roy, his brother, lost his life in the assault.
Israeli authorities claim that during Hamas’ operations on southern Israel, over 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken captive.
In November, the group held a week-long truce during which it released 105 civilians.
Approximately 120 hostages are still missing. According to Israeli sources, several are thought to be dead.
In reaction to the cross-border incident, Israel began a military effort to destroy Hamas.
The health ministry, which is managed by Hamas, claims that in over eight months of fighting, at least 36,470 people have died in Gaza.
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