Military informs loved ones of 4 kidnapped Israelis in Gaza: "they're deceased"
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) informed the families of Haim Perry, Yoram Metzger, Amiram Cooper, and Nadav Popplewell that the four hostages, brutally taken to the Gaza Strip on October 7th, are now deceased. Their bodies are currently being held by the terrorist organization Hamas.
The IDF based this decision on intelligence and confirmed it with the help of a Ministry of Health expert committee, the Ministry of Religious Services, and the Chief Rabbi of Israel.
The manner in which these hostages lost their lives while in Hamas captivity is still being investigated by the IDF.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the Chief Spokesperson for the IDF, confirmed that the families of these hostages lost their loved ones several months ago while undergoing captivity in Gaza. He also mentioned that Hamas still holds their bodies. Hagari assesses that the four hostages were killed while together in the Khan Younis area during an opposition to Hamas operation.
In May, Hamas claimed that Popplewell, an Israeli-British citizen, passed away from injuries sustained after an Israeli fighter jet airstrike on his detention center over a month ago. However, CNN is unable to verify this claim made by Hamas.
The IDF stated that it utilizes numerous methods to collect information on the hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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The international community expresses concern over the situation, urging for the safe return of the hostages and an end to the violence in the Middle East.
The tragic deaths of the Israeli hostages have sparked global discussions about the role of the international community in conflict zones, particularly in the Middle East, and their ability to influence peace and security.
