Israeli Military Confirms Deaths of 4 Hostages, Including 3 Seen in Hamas Video

Israel's military has confirmed the deaths of four more hostages held by Hamas, adding to the growing list of captives who have perished in captivity. The tragic news includes the deaths of three older men who were featured in a distressing Hamas video, pleading for their release.

Identification of Victims

The confirmed victims include three men, namely Amiram Cooper, Yoram Metzger, and Haim Peri, all of whom were aged 80 or older. Additionally, the fourth hostage was identified as Nadav Popplewell.

These men appeared in a heart-wrenching video released by Hamas in December, titled "Don't let us grow old here." The video depicted the elderly hostages looking frail and anxious as they begged for their freedom.

The four men tragically passed away together in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis during an operation conducted by Israel. The cause of their deaths has not been immediately ascertained.

Official Statements

Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, Israel's military spokesman, stated, "We are checking all of the options. There are a lot of questions." Additionally, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum disclosed that Cooper was 84, while Metzger and Peri were 80 years old. In contrast, Popplewell was 51 at the time of his death.

Previous Hostage Incidents

The confirmation of these deaths comes shortly after three hostages were killed on October 7 and their bodies were recovered. The hostages include Hanan Yablonka, Michel Nisenbaum, and Orion Hernandez Radoux, who are believed to have been killed at the Mefalsim intersection, with their bodies subsequently taken into Gaza.

Present Situation and Pleas for Resolution

The families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas have urged all parties to immediately accept a three-phase deal proposed by President Biden to end the lengthy conflict and bring their relatives home. However, there are apparent challenges as Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has referred to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza as a "nonstarter" until long-standing conditions for ending the war are met, potentially undermining the proposed deal.