The Israeli military has confirmed the deaths of four more hostages abducted by Hamas on October 7, increasing the pressure on the government to accept a US ceasefire proposal that could secure the return of the remaining hostages and end the conflict.
It says all four were killed together during an Israeli operation in Khan Younis in southern Gaza. It added that their bodies were still in the custody of Hamas
The men were named as British-Israeli Nadav Popplewell, 51, Chaim Peri, 79, Yoram Metzger, 80, and Amiram Cooper, 85. All four hostages were kidnapped 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 claimed last month, that Nadav Popplewell had died in an Israeli strike in April.
The UK Foreign Office said it was investigating, but there was no confirmation of his death until now. UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron said in a social media post that he was “greatly saddened” to hear about Nadav Popplewell’s death. “My thoughts are with his loved ones at this terrible time for them,” he added.
Hamas killed about 1,200 people and took 251 others hostage during its attacks on southern Israel, according to Israeli authorities. It, however, released over 100 civilians during a week-long truce in November.
Israel’s ongoing offensive has killed at least 36,379 Palestinians, with the latest deaths recorded in the Gaza Strip, the Health Ministry in the besieged enclave said on Saturday.
About 120 hostages remain unaccounted for. Israeli officials have said many are presumed dead.