On Monday, the Israeli army announced the deaths of four hostages held in the Gaza Strip by Hamas since the militants’ attack on October 7.
“Representatives have informed the families of Chaim Perry, Yoram Metzger, Amiram Cooper, and Nadav Popplewell, who were brutally abducted to the Gaza Strip on October 7, that they are no longer alive and that their bodies are held by the Hamas terrorist organization,” an army statement said.
Military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated in a video address, “We assess that the four of them were killed while together in the area of Khan Yunis during our operation there against Hamas.”
The kibbutz Nirim community confirmed the death of Popplewell, an Israeli-British national, who Hamas claimed last month had died from wounds sustained in Israeli air strikes.
In December, Hamas released a video showing Cooper, 84, Metzger, 80, and Perry, 80, alive. All three were from kibbutz Nir Oz.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum expressed deep sorrow and urged the Israeli government to negotiate for the return of all hostages, living and deceased.
Additionally, militants had abducted the wives of Cooper and Metzger, who were later released during a truce in late November.
Approximately 75 people were taken from Nir Oz during the October 7 attack. Earlier on Monday, the military found the body of Dolev Yehud, a 35-year-old paramedic from Nir Oz, who had been believed to be held hostage in Gaza but was killed on October 7.
