The Israeli military has reported the deaths of four additional hostages abducted by Hamas on October 7, which has heightened the pressure on the government to consider a US ceasefire proposal.
This proposal aims to secure the release of the remaining hostages and end the conflict.
The military stated that the four were killed together during an Israeli operation in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, and their bodies remain with Hamas.
The deceased were identified as British-Israeli Nadav Popplewell, 51, Chaim Peri, 79, Yoram Metzger, 80, and Amiram Cooper, 85, who were all abducted from kibbutzes near the Gaza Strip on October 7.
Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said, “We assess that the four of them were killed while together in the area of Khan Younis during our operation there against Hamas.”
Hamas had previously claimed that Nadav Popplewell was killed in an Israeli strike in April.
The UK Foreign Office had been investigating, but his death was only recently confirmed.
UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron expressed his sorrow over Popplewell’s death, extending his condolences to his loved ones.
During the attacks on southern Israel, Hamas killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, according to Israeli authorities.
Over 100 civilians were released during a week-long truce in November.
Israel’s ongoing offensive has resulted in at least 36,379 Palestinian deaths, with the latest casualties reported in the Gaza Strip, according to the Health Ministry there.
Approximately 120 hostages are still unaccounted for, with many presumed dead, according to Israeli officials.
