In a sombre announcement, the Israeli military has confirmed the deaths of four more hostages held by Hamas, including three older adults who had previously appeared in a video released by the militant group, pleading for their release.

The three men, identified as Amiram Cooper, Yoram Metzger, and Haim Peri, were all over the age of 80. Their poignant appearance in the December video titled “Don’t Let Us Grow Old Here” highlighted their desperate situation and drew international attention. The video, a chilling testament to their captivity, had spurred calls for their release from various international bodies and human rights organisations.

The fourth confirmed death is that of Dolev Yehud, a 35-year-old volunteer medic who was presumed to have been taken hostage during the violent attack by Hamas on October 7. Yehud’s body was discovered in the border village where he lived. Following extensive forensic examinations, the Israeli military confirmed his identity. Yehud was among the many residents of the Nir Oz kibbutz who were killed during the attack.

The tragic confirmation of Yehud’s death is particularly heartbreaking given the personal circumstances surrounding his family. His wife, Sigal, was nine months pregnant on the day of the attack and gave birth to their fourth child just nine days later. The story of the Yehud family has become a poignant symbol of the human cost of the ongoing conflict.

The October 7 attack by Hamas has left a profound impact on the community, with dozens of lives lost and many families torn apart. The deaths of Cooper, Metzger, Peri, and Yehud add to the mounting toll of the conflict, highlighting the dire situation for hostages and the urgent need for resolution and peace.