Israel has shared heartbreaking news: eight of the hostages expected to be released by Hamas in the first phase of a ceasefire agreement are dead. An Israeli government spokesperson revealed this update on Monday, after receiving a list from Hamas detailing the hostages’ status.

The ceasefire deal, which began on January 19, aims to free dozens of hostages taken during the October 7 attacks. Out of the 33 hostages planned for release in this phase, seven have already been returned to their families. Sadly, the remaining group includes eight who lost their lives.

Israeli authorities have contacted the families of all hostages, both alive and deceased, to share the news. Of the 26 hostages still awaiting release, 21 are men, three are women, and two are children, ranging in age from two to 86.

In exchange for these releases, Israel is set to free nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners as part of the agreement. The ceasefire has brought some relief to Gaza, which has endured over 15 months of intense conflict. Thousands of displaced Palestinians have begun returning to northern Gaza, even as they face the devastation left by relentless airstrikes and ground operations.

Meanwhile, the latest hostages freed from captivity—four young Israeli soldiers—are reported to be in stable condition. However, the situation remains tense as Israel pushes for the release of another civilian, Arbel Yehud, who was unexpectedly left out of the latest exchange. A new video of Yehud surfaced on Monday, hinting at her imminent release later this week.

As the process continues, the emotional and physical toll on the hostages is becoming clearer. Those released so far have shown signs of malnutrition and have faced significant mental health challenges. While some were reportedly treated better in the days before their release, concerns remain for the health and well-being of older captives still waiting to come home.

This is a developing story, and further updates are expected as more details emerge.