The Israeli military has confirmed the deaths of four more individuals abducted by Hamas on 7 October.
The military reports that the four were killed together during an Israeli operation in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, and their bodies remain in the possession of the militants.
The men have been identified as British-Israeli Nadav Popplewell, 51, Chaim Peri, 79, Yoram Metzger, 80, and Amiram Cooper, 85.
IDF spokesman Rear Adm Daniel Hagari stated that the assessment was based on intelligence gathered in recent weeks.
“We assess that the four of them were killed while together in the area of Khan Younis during our operation there against Hamas,” he said, without giving further details.
Last month, Hamas claimed that Nadav Popplewell had died in an Israeli strike in April. The UK Foreign Office said it was investigating, but confirmation of his death has only now been received.
Hamas released a video showing the other three men in December.
All four hostages were kidnapped from kibbutzes near the Gaza Strip on October 7.
In a statement through the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, the relatives expressed that news of the men’s deaths should “lead every leader to profound soul-searching.”
The statement added: “Chaim, Yoram, Amiram, and Nadav were kidnapped alive, some of them were with other hostages who returned in the previous deal – and they should have returned alive to their country and their families.”
UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron said in a post on X that he was “greatly saddened” to hear about Nadav Popplewell’s death. “My thoughts are with his loved ones at this terrible time for them,” he added.
Nadav Popplewell was abducted from his home alongside his mother, who was eventually released. Tragically, his brother Roy was killed during the attack.
According to Israeli authorities, Hamas killed approximately 1,200 people and took 251 others hostage during its assaults on southern Israel.
During a week-long truce in November, the group released 105 civilians.
Currently, about 120 hostages are still missing. Israeli officials have stated that many are presumed dead.
In response to the cross-border attack, Israel initiated a military campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas.
According to the Hamas-run health ministry, nearly 36,470 individuals have lost their lives in Gaza during almost eight months of conflict.