Israel confirms deaths of four more hostages in Gaza

The Israeli military has confirmed the deaths of four more individuals abducted by Hamas on October 7.

Chaim Peri and Nadav Popplewell

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According to the military, the four were killed together during an Israeli operation in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, and their bodies are still held by the militants. The victims were 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 recent intelligence had led to this conclusion. "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 providing further details.

Last month, Hamas claimed Nadav Popplewell had died in an Israeli strike in April. The UK Foreign Office investigated, but confirmation of his death came only now.

All four hostages were kidnapped from kibbutzim near the Gaza Strip on October 7. In a statement from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, relatives expressed that the news of the men's deaths should prompt profound reflection from leaders. They added that Chaim, Yoram, Amiram, and Nadav were taken alive and should have been returned alive.

Yoram Metzger and Amiram Cooper

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UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron expressed his sorrow over Nadav Popplewell's death in a post on X, extending his condolences to Popplewell's loved ones.

Nadav Popplewell was abducted along with his mother, who was later released. His brother Roy was killed in the attack.

During its attacks on southern Israel, Hamas killed about 1,200 people and took 251 others hostage, according to Israeli authorities. The group released 105 civilians during a week-long truce in November. Around 120 hostages remain unaccounted for, with many presumed dead by Israeli officials.

Israel launched a military campaign against Hamas in response to the cross-border attack. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, at least 36,470 people have been killed in Gaza in nearly eight months of fighting.

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