israel-claims-four-more-hostages-dead-in-gaza

The Israeli military claimed four additional hostages taken on October 7 were dead, including three senior males seen in a Hamas video appealing for their release. 

On Monday, the deaths of the Israeli hostages led to protests against the Netanyahu government intensifying further. There are approximately 80 hostages in Gaza who are reported to be alive, along with the corpses of 43 more. 

Since President Joe Biden revealed the cease-fire plan on Friday, Israel has seen its people demanding that the government bring back hostages. 

According to the Hostages Forum, a grassroots group representing the hostages' relatives, all four of the men proclaimed deceased Monday night — Nadav Popplewell, Amiram Cooper, Yoram Metzger, and Haim Peri — were kidnapped and carried into Gaza while still alive.

"It is time to end this cycle of sacrifice and neglect," the organisation stated after the announcement. "Their deaths in captivity is a mark of disgrace and a sad reflection on the significance of delaying previous deals."

The organisation urged the government to accept the new cease-fire deal right away.

Hundreds of protesters, including families of the hostages, gathered outside Israel's Defence Ministry and military headquarters in downtown Tel Aviv late Monday to demand a deal. Smaller protests occurred around the country.

Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, Israel's military spokesperson, said the four captives were executed together during the army's operation in Khan Younis, southern Gaza.

In May, Hamas claimed that the other captive person proclaimed dead, Nadav Popplewell, died after being injured in an Israeli attack but gave no proof. Popplewell was above 50.

"We are reviewing all of the alternatives. “There are many questions," Hagari stated.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, Israeli bombardments and ground operations have killed over 36,000 Palestinians, with no distinction made between militants and civilians.

Israel has been escalating its onslaught in Rafah, the former heart of humanitarian relief operations. The Israeli invasion of Rafah has significantly cut off the supply of food, medicine, and other supplies to Palestinians facing severe famine.