Hamas has told international mediators it can't identify 40 living hostages who meet the requirements for a U.S.-backed ceasefire deal as American and Israeli officials increasingly fear most of the people still held captive may already be dead.
The proposal for a six-week ceasefire consisted of Hamas releasing 40 hostages, including women, children, elderly men and those in poor health, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. The terrorist group, however, told international mediators that it does not have 40 living hostages who meet that criteria.
Officials familiar with negotiations told The Wall Street Journal this week that estimates from the U.S. indicate most of the hostages are already dead. However, the U.S. has limited information on the hostages and is dependent on Israeli intelligence.
Both Israeli and American officials estimate that the number of deceased hostages is higher than they previously believed.
U.S. officials told the outlet that the hostages may have died due to health reasons, including injuries they sustained when they were taken captive. Some U.S. officials said that a few hostages could have been killed during Israeli strikes on Gaza.
A Hamas official has reportedly said the terror group won't commit to releasing 40 living hostages but could commit to 40 hostages total, which would suggest some would be dead. The Israeli military and the prime minister's office wouldn't state publicly their estimates on how many hostages remain alive.
There are believed to be 130 hostages remaining in Gaza. In February, an Israeli intelligence report confirmed the deaths of 34 of the hostages taken by Hamas. According to The New York Times, the report stated that some of the captives were killed on Oct. 7, the day the terrorist group launched its assault against Israel.
After Hamas militants broke through the border on Oct. 7, the terrorists slaughtered at least 1,200 people, primarily civilians, and they abducted over 240 others.
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