Four Israelis were captured by Hamas on October 7, and a paramedic was killed while trying to help people. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed on Monday that the hostages Nadav Popplewell, Yoram Metzger, Amiram Cooper, and Haim Perry are dead. The families were told that Hamas has their bodies.
IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari expressed sympathy for the families and apologized for not rescuing them in time. They also announced the death of paramedic Dolev Yehud, who was killed on the same day while helping others. Yehud leaves behind a pregnant wife and three children.
These deaths come as a ceasefire proposal supported by President Joe Biden faces opposition from right-wing ministers in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Netanyahu is pressured from both sides – some ministers oppose any deal with Hamas, while the families of remaining hostages want their loved ones returned.
Currently, around 120 Israeli hostages are still held captive, with 43 declared dead. The IDF believes that the four hostages were killed months ago while being held by Hamas in the Khan Yunis area. Although it’s unclear how they died, Hamas previously claimed that three of them were killed in an Israeli airstrike.
Last month, one of the hostages, Nadav Popplewell, appeared in a propaganda video released by Hamas.