Tragic Deaths: Israel Confirms Two More Hostages Killed in Gaza

Israel confirmed the deaths of two more hostages in Gaza, as ceasefire talks aimed at securing the release of around 120 captives are set to commence. The two victims, Yagev Buchshtab and Alex Dancyg, were kidnapped during a Hamas attack. Israeli authorities continue to negotiate amid mounting losses.

Israel declared on Monday that two more of its hostages held in Gaza had been confirmed dead, just as talks to negotiate a ceasefire deal—potentially leading to the release of around 120 captives—are set to resume later this week. The Israeli military is investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Yagev Buchshtab, a 35-year-old sound technician, and Alex Dancyg, a 76-year-old historian. Both were abducted from kibbutzim near Gaza during Hamas' attack on southern Israel on October 7.

An Israeli negotiation team is scheduled to travel to mediated ceasefire talks in Gaza on Thursday, discussing the issue of the hostages' release in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. 'Yagev and Alex were taken alive and should have returned alive to their families and to their country,' the Hostage Families Forum stated in a statement. 'Their deaths in captivity are a tragic consequence of prolonged negotiations.'

So far, Israeli authorities have declared about a third of the hostages now held in Gaza dead in absentia.

(With inputs from agencies.)