Israel confirms that 8 out of 33 hostages will be released in the first phase of the Gaza deal, but sadly, they are deceased.
The information provided by the Israeli Prime Minister’s office confirms that Hamas has reported that 8 out of 33 hostages slated for release during the initial phase of the Gaza cease-fire are deceased.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s spokesperson verified the information received from Hamas, stating that it aligns with Israel’s intelligence.
During a virtual press conference on Jan. 27, spokesperson David Mencer disclosed, “25 of our hostages are alive, and eight have been killed by Hamas.” Families of the hostages have been informed of their loved ones’ status.
However, Mencer did not address whether Hamas had disclosed the identities of the deceased hostages.
“These are significant issues,” he emphasized. “A terrorist group has held our people for close to 500 days now, without informing families for over 16 months.”
Related Stories
He continued, “Hamas has not permitted any inspection or visits by the Red Cross. I urge you to consider the families’ emotions.”
Notably, Hamas has previously declared hostages dead, only for them to later be found alive. Per the negotiation terms, living hostages will be prioritized for release.
Mencer provided detailed information on the hostages, revealing that 7 have already been released within the first week of the cease-fire. Currently, there are 90 hostages in total, comprising both living and deceased individuals. Of these, 87 were taken hostage on Oct. 7, 2023, with the remaining 3 held by Hamas since 2014.
Israel estimates that 35 of the hostages are deceased, and their bodies are retained in Gaza.
One of the deceased hostages, IDF Lt. Hadar Goldin, was abducted and killed by Hamas in 2014 shortly after agreeing to a cease-fire, as reported by the Hadar Goldin Foundation—a nonprofit established by his family in New York to facilitate the return of his body to Israel.
Among the hostages taken on Oct. 7, 2023, Mencer disclosed that 81 were male, while 6 were female, including two young children, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, held by Hamas.
In terms of nationality, the majority—77 out of the 90—are Israeli citizens, with some holding dual citizenships. The remaining 10 hostages consist of 8 Thai nationals, 1 Nepalese, and 1 Tanzanian.
One of the Israeli hostages exits a vehicle to be handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) during the hostage-prisoner exchange operation in Saraya Square in western Gaza City on Jan. 19, 2025. AFP via Getty Images
As of now, 165 hostages have been rescued, out of which 124 are alive—most being freed during a brief cease-fire exchange in November 2023—while 41 have tragically lost their lives at the hands of Hamas.
Mencer acknowledged the high cost of the agreement, stating, “Israel is releasing convicted terrorists, but it is our moral duty to make every effort to bring back all hostages, whether living or deceased.
“We will continue our efforts until every single hostage is safely returned home.”
According to The Times of Israel, families who communicated with the government’s hostage liaison, Gal Hirsh, were informed that Hamas had provided numbers rather than names in the list.
Notably, Hamas was obligated to disclose information regarding the hostages’ status as part of the agreement with Israel signed earlier in the month.
Hostage families expressed concern upon learning that the information corresponded with Israeli intelligence evaluations, raising suspicions of their loved ones’ demise.
Yizhar Lifshitz, whose father Oded Lifshitz is among the hostages, shared, “There is great apprehension for his safety following this recent disclosure. We last heard from him on Day 25.”
Yizhar Lifshitz mentioned that his father was held in the same location as someone from their kibbutz but had since disappeared after feeling unwell and being taken away. This development has left the family deeply worried.
On Jan. 26, IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari expressed “grave concerns” for the Bibas children and their mother, Shiri Bibas, highlighting expectations for further updates on their situation.
During the first 42-day phase of the cease-fire, the 33 individuals marked for release are considered “humanitarian hostages,” comprising women, children, the elderly, and the ill. In return, Israel will release 1,904 Palestinian security detainees, including over a hundred serving life sentences for terrorist activities.
This report includes contributions from The Associated Press and Reuters.
