In captivity, the Israeli military said four other Israelis had been abducted by Hamas on October 7 and that their bodies were being held by the Palestinian Islamist group.
Chaim Peri, 80, Yoram Metzger, 80, Amiram Cooper, 84, and Nadav Popplewell, 51 are the names of these four men.
They were all seen alive in hostage videos released by Hamas. In his video update last month Hamas stated that he died from injuries inflicted during an Israeli air strike on him.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari a military spokesperson confirmed their death as a result of new intelligence. According to Hagari’s statement aired through media outlet Israeli forces were operating in southern Gaza city of Khan Younis when the four met their death some “number of months” ago.
“The circumstances under which they died are being thoroughly investigated and every possibility is being explored. We will soon make available our findings to their families before releasing them to the public,” he added. “We will also be transparent as we always have been.”
According to official Israeli figures about 120 remain in Gaza out of over 250 who were kidnapped on October 7th. Many have been declared dead by Israel.
While hiding his wife behind a sofa at his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz Peri was present during the kidnapping attack initiated by Hamas gunmen; his son told Reuters later. Subsequently he surrendered himself to save his wife who remained concealed according to what his son said.
During brief November truce Cooper and Metzger from Nir Oz together with their wives were captured but later returned to Israel.
Captured with her mother from her home in Kibbutz Nirim according to a hostage support group Popplewell’s brother was killed during the attack while she herself was released during November truce.
