The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the confirmation of the deaths of four Israeli hostages held by Hamas: Chaim Peri, 80, Amiram Cooper, 84, Yoram Metzger, 80, and Nadav Popplewell, 51. IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said that while the exact circumstances surrounding their deaths remain unknown, a thorough investigation will be conducted. Experts believe the hostages were killed several months ago in the Khan Younis area during IDF operations.
The Hostage Families Forum released a statement expressing profound heartbreak over the news, emphasizing the need for national reflection and leadership accountability. They highlighted that the hostages were alive when abducted and should have been returned safely to their families. The forum called on the government to promptly finalize a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.
Throughout their captivity, the four hostages appeared in Hamas propaganda videos, with Hamas later claiming their deaths were due to Israeli strikes. In December, a video showed Peri, Cooper, and Metzger alive, while in May, a coerced clip of Popplewell was released. The deaths of these hostages underscore the ongoing crisis, as Hamas continues to hold additional Israeli hostages and the bodies of fallen IDF soldiers.
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