[Eight of the 33 hostages being released in the first phase of a ceasefire agreement with Israel have been found dead, according to an Israeli government spokesperson. The hostages, taken captive in the October 7 attacks, are being released by Hamas and other armed groups.
Of the 26 hostages still to be released, 21 are men, three are women, and two are children, ranging in age from two years old to 86 years old. Israel will also release almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in the first part of the agreement.
The ceasefire has brought a reprieve to the people of Gaza, after over 15 months of Israeli bombing following the October 7 attacks. Tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians are beginning to return home to northern Gaza.
Four female Israeli soldiers were recently released and are in stable condition. The video of one of the remaining hostages, Arbel Yehud, was released by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, sparking intense Israeli pressure on Hamas to release her.
The released hostages who have been returned so far show symptoms of mild starvation and low vitamin levels, and their mental health is a complex issue. The Israeli military officer in charge of their care says that Hamas fed them better and allowed them to wash and change clothes in the days before their release, likely for propaganda purposes. The younger hostages are in better shape, but those who have been held captive for over a year will likely be in worse condition.
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