Jerusalem | The Israeli army announced on Monday the killing of four Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza since October 7, including Nadav Popplewill, whose death was announced earlier by Kibbutz Nirim.
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The army “informed the families of Haim Peri, Yoram Metzger, Amiram Cooper, and Nadav Popplewell” of the deaths of these four hostages who were kidnapped during a Hamas attack in southern Israel and transported to the neighboring Gaza Strip, an army press release said, specifying that their bodies were still in the hands of Palestinian Islamic Movement.
“We think four [otages] They were killed while they were together in the area [la ville de] Admiral Daniel Hagari, spokesman for the Israeli army, said in a press conference: “In Khan Yunis during our operation there against Hamas.”
Three of these hostages, Amiram Cooper (84 years old), Yoram Metzger (80 years old), and Haim Peri (80 years old), were from Kibbutz Nir Oz, where they were kidnapped on October 7.
Nadav Popplewell, a British-Israeli citizen, was kidnapped on Kibbutz Nirim.
“The enormous pain that accompanies this traumatic news should shake every citizen of the State of Israel and lead every leader to deep reflection,” the Hostage Families Forum wrote in a statement.
The forum continues: “They should have returned alive to their country and to their families,” as pressure intensifies on Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to reach an agreement to release the hostages.
The families of these hostages called on the Israeli government to “send a delegation of negotiators this evening,” demanding the return of their loved ones “living and dead.”
US President Joe Biden announced on Friday that Israel has proposed a phased plan for a complete ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, including the gradual release of hostages still in Hamas hands.
