The BBC writes that Israeli government spokesman David Mentzer confirmed earlier local media reports that only 25 of the 33 Israelis kidnapped by Hamas are alive.
"The list received from Hamas coincides with Israeli intelligence data. Therefore, I can inform you that 25 of our hostages are alive, and Hamas militants killed 8," Mentzer said.
According to him, the families of all eight victims have already been informed about what happened to their relatives. The bodies of the 8 Palestinians who died will also be handed over to their relatives shortly.
Recall that the agreement reached between the parties on the ceasefire in Gaza provides for the return of 33 Israelis in exchange for about 1,900 Palestinians in the first phase of the deal.
At the moment, seven of the hostages subject to the exchange have been released, all of them women.
Hamas militants are to release the captives in the coming weeks as part of the agreement reached between the parties on the ceasefire.
