Deaths of four captives a 'disgrace' for Israel, say families

Following the announcement of the deaths of four captives, the forum representing the families said "their murder in captivity is a disgrace" and a testament to the consequences of delaying hostage deals.

"The heartbreak with the painful news should shake every citizen in the State of Israel, and incite deep soul-searching for every leader. Chaim, Yoram, Amiram and Nadav were kidnapped alive – some of them were with other hostages who returned in the previous deal – and they should have returned alive".

According to the Israeli daily Haaretz, the Israeli army is checking whether or not they were killed by the group. All four captives were known to be alive when they entered Gaza. 

In December, Hamas published a video of the captives alive, and in March Hamas said that the three were killed by Israeli strikes.