Israel estimates that more than one-third of the hostages still held in Gaza are dead, according to a government report. Meanwhile, the United States is working on a plan to facilitate their rescue as part of a proposal to bring the conflict with Hamas to an end.
Out of the approximately 250 individuals who were taken into Gaza by Hamas-led Palestinian gunmen during the October 7 cross-border assault that initiated the conflict, many were released during a ceasefire in November. Others have been recovered, either alive or deceased, by Israeli forces.
The government report indicates that 120 hostages remain in captivity, with 43 declared dead in absentia by Israeli authorities. This determination is based on various sources, including intelligence reports, CCTV footage, bystander videos, and forensic evidence.
Some officials have suggested privately that the actual number of deceased hostages could be even higher.
Initially, Hamas threatened to execute hostages in retaliation for Israeli air strikes. They later claimed that such strikes had resulted in the deaths of some hostages. While Israel has acknowledged this possibility in certain cases, they have also reported that some of the recovered bodies bore signs of execution.
On Monday, four more names were added to Israel’s list of hostages confirmed dead.
{Matzav.com Israel}
