After confirming the death of four other hostages in the hands of the Hamas terrorist group, Israeli leaders believe that the death toll is higher. Israel refuses a ceasefire.
Israel believes that more than a third of the hostages held by terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip have died, as revealed this Tuesday by a Government count. In this framework, the United States insists with its proposal to end the war with Hamas.
According to the government’s count, 120 people remain captiveof the 250 that were captured during the October 7 cross-border attack that sparked the war.
Israeli officials believe that 43 of the hostages held in Gaza are dead based on various sources of information, such as data from intelligence services, videos from security cameras or bystanders and forensic analysis. Some even predict that the number of deaths could be higher.
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Israel declares four more hostages held by Hamas in Gaza dead
Israel declared four other hostages dead what were kidnapped on October 7, including three elderly adults who appeared in a Hamas video pleading for their release. The military identified the four men as Haim Perry, Yoram Metzger, Amiram Cooper and Nadav Popplewell.
Monday’s announcement increases pressure on the Israeli government to accede to the US government’s proposal for a cease fire that can guarantee the return of the hostages who remain captive in Gaza and end the war after eight months. Around 80 hostages are believed to be still alive in Gaza out of 120 captives.
The US seeks a ceasefire with Israel in Gaza
He US President Joe Bidenmade public last Friday an Israeli proposal to end the war, according to which some hostages would be released during a preliminary ceasefire.
Since the announcement of the ceasefire proposal, Israel has seen some of its largest protests demanding the government bring back the hostages.
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However, mediation efforts to close that deal have stalled, as Israeli leaders insist on continuing military operations against Hamas until the militant group has been destroyed and Gaza no longer poses a threat to the Jewish state. While the Palestinian Islamist group demands that the end of the war and the withdrawal of all invading forces be guaranteed.
Source: Ambito
