In a somber update, Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer confirmed that eight of the 33 Israeli hostages Hamas has agreed to release as part of a ceasefire deal are dead. The remaining 25 hostages, according to a list provided by Hamas, are reported to still be alive.
The hostages are part of the initial phase of the ceasefire deal, which was brokered to bring an end to the 15-month war ignited by Hamas’ October 2023 attack. This first phase also includes the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Despite the tragic news, Israel has announced that the next round of hostage releases will take place on Thursday, with another planned for Saturday.
The fate of hostages has remained a central and emotional issue for the families, with many fearing that time is running out. Currently, around 90 hostages are still being held, with Israel estimating that a significant number—potentially half—may have perished either during the initial attack or in captivity.
The ceasefire, which is set to run until early March, is seen as a fragile first step in the peace process. The next phase, which will deal with further hostage releases and the governance of Gaza, is still under negotiation. While Hamas has insisted that further hostages will not be released without an end to the war, Israel has threatened to resume military operations if Hamas remains in power.
As negotiations for phase two of the ceasefire continue, both sides face significant challenges, with ongoing discussions on the future governance of Gaza remaining unresolved.
People Converge to Make Peace Sign Image by Pixabay
