The Israel Defense Forces confirmed the death of four more hostages on Monday.
The IDF reported that the four hostages were killed during an Israeli operation in Khan Younis, located in southern Gaza. The victims included British-Israeli Nadav Popplewell, 51, Chaim Peri, 79, Yoram Metzger, 80, and Amiram Cooper, 85, who were all kidnapped from kibbutzes on Oct. 7.
“We assess that the four of them were killed while together in the area of Khan Younis during our operation there against Hamas,” IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari stated, without providing additional details.
Last month, Hamas claimed Popplewell had been killed, though it was unverified until now. In December, Hamas released a video featuring the other three men, which Israel denounced as a “criminal terror video.”
“Chaim, Yoram, Amiram, and Nadav were kidnapped alive, some of them were with other hostages who returned in the previous deal — and they should have returned alive to their country and their families,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum declared in a statement.
The forum emphasized that the hostages’ deaths should “lead every leader to profound soul-searching.”
This announcement follows President Joe Biden’s recent unveiling of Israel’s three-part proposal for “an enduring ceasefire” with Hamas.
Under the proposal, female and child hostages would be freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, and the IDF would exit “populated areas of Gaza.” Subsequently, all living hostages would be exchanged, including male soldiers. The final phase would implement “a major reconstruction plan for Gaza,” with “any final remains of hostages who’ve been killed” being “returned to their families,” as stated by Biden.
Approximately 120 hostages are still unaccounted for, with Israeli officials previously indicating that many are presumed dead. Eighty are believed to still be alive.
