US OFFICIALS fear most of the remaining 95 Israeli hostages captured by Hamas on October 7 are dead.
The militant group reportedly said it cannot provide the 40 living hostages Israel is demanding as part of a US-backed truce deal.
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About 130 of a total 253 hostages who were dragged to Gaza last year remain in the besieged enclave today – 34 of whom have been confirmed dead by Israeli officials.
Israel and Hamas were this week considering a new US-backed ceasefire proposal under which 40 hostages, including women, children, elderly men, and others in poor health, would be set free.
The deal would also see hundreds of Palestinians released from Israeli prisons.
A Hamas official has now said the militant group cannot commit to releasing 40 living hostages, but it can commit to returning 40 hostages, The Wall Street Journal reports.
According to the newspaper, Israeli and American officials “estimate privately that the number of deaths could be much higher” than that confirmed by Israeli officials.
US and Israeli officials reportedly believe that some of the remaining hostages are being held by Hamas and used to shield terror chiefs.
Some US estimates indicate that most of the hostages are already dead, US officials familiar with the intelligence told The Wall Street Journal.
But the officials stressed that US visibility on the remaining hostages is limited and depends at least in part on Israeli intelligence.
They said some of the hostages were likely killed during Israeli strikes on Gaza while others may have died from health issues, including from injuries suffered during their initial capture.
Hamas claims Israeli strikes killed seven hostages last week – as well as others previously.
It comes after the body of Israeli hostage Elad Katzir was recovered from Gaza and returned to his family this week.
The Israel Defence Forces said he was “murdered in captivity” by Hamas terrorists.
Hostages held by Hamas have been subjected to rape and “sexualised torture”, a new United Nations probe revealed.
The militant group repeatedly denied that its gunmen sexually assaulted women when it unleashed terror on Israel last year.
Witnesses and survivors have since reported sex attacks occurring at a minimum of three locations, including the Nova music festival site.
The UN report said there was “clear and convincing information that sexual violence, including rape, sexualised torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment” had been committed against hostages.
Investigators added that they had “reasonable grounds to believe such violence may be ongoing”.
The ceasefire deal currently on the table follows one enacted in November which saw more than 100 hostages freed from the horrors of Hamas bondage.
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