Israeli Military Confirms Deaths of 4 More Hostages Taken on October 7
The Israeli military confirmed on June 3 that four of its citizens who were taken hostage on October 7, 2023, in the Gaza Strip have passed away while in captivity.
Amiram Cooper, Haim Perry, Yoram Metzger, and Nadav Popplewell were abducted during attacks in southern Israel carried out by Hamas, a Palestinian terrorist group designated by the U.S. and Israel.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on June 3 their belief that these four Israeli men had died in recent months. The IDF stated that they concluded the men had died, even though their remains have not been located or identified by Israeli forces.
The IDF publicly reported the deaths of these four men after intelligence assessments and consultations with Israeli health and religious officials, as well as the chief rabbi of Israel.
Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, IDF spokesman, stated that the four men likely died while being held in Khan Yunis, a city in southern Gaza where Israeli forces have been engaged in combat to eliminate Hamas and rescue captives since the October 7, 2023, attacks.
Rear Adm. Hagari did not specify the cause of death for the captives but mentioned that the IDF is investigating all possibilities and has many unanswered questions.
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Messrs. Cooper, Metzger, and Perry were all over 80 years old. They appeared in a video released by Hamas-affiliated media in December 2023. Mr. Perry, in the video, appealed for their release.
Al Aqsa TV, a Hamas-affiliated media outlet, claimed on March 1 via social media that Messrs. Cooper, Metzger, and Perry were killed in an Israeli airstrike.
Other Hostages
The IDF concluded that Dolev Yehud, a 34-year-old father of four who was working as a paramedic at Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, died during the attacks and his body was taken to Gaza by Hamas fighters.
Messrs. Cooper, Metzger, Perry, and Yehud are part of the group of approximately 250 people missing or taken captive after the October 7, 2023, incident.
Hamas released 105 captives in November 2023 as part of a temporary cease-fire agreement. Additionally, Israeli forces rescued two captives in February.
Unfortunately, three hostages were mistakenly shot and killed by Israeli troops in Gaza in December 2023 while attempting to signal for help.
Hamas has alleged that Israeli actions have resulted in the deaths of more hostages during the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Israeli leaders aim to eliminate Hamas and secure the release of all remaining hostages.
President Joe Biden announced a proposed Gaza cease-fire deal on May 31 in exchange for the release of the captives still held in Gaza since October 2023, but the specifics of the plan remain contentious.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed on June 1 that Israel’s objectives in the conflict remain unchanged and that efforts will continue to dismantle Hamas’s military and government infrastructure.
