Israel Announces Death of Two Hostages Amid Gaza Ceasefire Negotiations

Israel declared the deaths of two hostages, Yagev Buchshtab and Alex Dancyg, amid ongoing Gaza ceasefire negotiations. The Israeli military is investigating the circumstances, while talks continue for the release of 120 captives. Poland demands the release of Dancyg, who also held Polish citizenship.

Israel announced on Monday the deaths of two more of its hostages held in Gaza, as negotiations to secure a ceasefire deal, which would include the release of approximately 120 captives, are set to resume later this week.

The Israeli military is currently investigating the deaths of Yagev Buchshtab, a 35-year-old sound technician, and Alex Dancyg, a 76-year-old historian, who were abducted from their homes near Gaza during Hamas' attack on southern Israel on October 7. An Israeli negotiation team is scheduled to head to Gaza on Thursday to discuss a ceasefire, which would involve the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners.

The Hostage Families Forum stated, "Yagev and Alex were taken alive and should have returned alive to their families and country. Their death in captivity is a tragic reflection of the consequences of delayed negotiations." Poland, saddened by Dancyg's death, reiterated its demand for the unconditional release of all abductees from Gaza. Thus far, Israeli authorities have pronounced a third of the remaining hostages in Gaza as dead in absentia.

(With inputs from agencies.)