Eight hostages expected to be released by Hamas as part of a ceasefire deal with Israel have been confirmed dead, according to an Israeli government spokesperson.
David Mencer stated in a Monday briefing that the eight were killed by Hamas, though the Palestinian militant group has not commented on the circumstances of their deaths.
The remaining 33 hostages initially listed for release in this phase are alive, Mencer said. Seven of them have already been reunited with their families, and Israeli officials were notified of the hostages’ conditions after receiving a list from Hamas.
This marks the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release agreement, initiated on January 19.
The deal includes the release of dozens of hostages captured during the October 7 attacks by Hamas and other armed groups.
Families of those to be freed, whether alive or deceased, were informed Sunday evening, according to the Hostage and Missing Families Forum.
Among the 26 hostages yet to be released in this phase are 21 men, three women, and two children, aged between two and 86, as confirmed by Israeli authorities and the forum.
In exchange, Israel will free nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners as part of the agreement.
The ceasefire has brought temporary relief to Gaza’s population following over 15 months of Israeli airstrikes and ground operations.
On Monday, thousands of displaced Palestinians began returning to northern Gaza, much of which has been devastated by the prolonged conflict.
The most recent group of hostages freed included four Israeli female soldiers—Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, and Naama Levy, all 20 years old, and Liri Albag, 19.
They are reportedly in stable condition, the director of the hospital where they are being treated told CNN.
However, a delay in the release of civilian Arbel Yehud caused Israel to postpone opening a corridor to northern Gaza. A recent video of Yehud, published by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad armed wing, indicates her captivity continues.
The video shows her referencing recent releases, suggesting it was filmed recently.
According to Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office, Hamas has committed to releasing her on Thursday.
Yehud’s family has requested that the media refrain from sharing the video.
A senior Israeli military official disclosed that several of the seven hostages freed in the past week had been held in tunnels for over eight months.
Deputy chief of the Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Avi Benov, reported that the released women exhibited mild starvation symptoms and low vitamin levels, with their mental health requiring complex care.
After their release, the hostages were treated at Israel’s Re’im military base, given vitamins, and offered small portions of food. They were allowed to shower and change before reuniting with their families, the officer added.
Benov also noted that Hamas improved the hostages’ treatment in the days before their release, possibly for propaganda purposes.
While younger captives were in better health, Benov warned that older hostages could return in worse condition due to their prolonged captivity.
He declined to comment on whether signs of physical torture were observed, stating, “They will tell their own stories.”
