Over one fifth of Israeli captives in Gaza are dead, internal probe finds

The Israeli military has concluded that over one fifth of Israeli captives still held in Gaza are dead, according to a report in the New York Times on Tuesday. 

At least 32 of 136 captives in the beseiged enclave have died since the war began on 7 October, the report stated, citing a confidential internal assessment by Israeli intelligence officers. 

The families of the 32 confirmed dead Israeli captives have been informed, according to several military sources who spoke to the New York Times. Officers are also reviewing unconfirmed intelligence reports that 20 others may also have been killed. 

Around half of 240 captives taken on 7 October were released as part of a prisoner exchange deal in November.

Several families of remaining captives have protested against Israel's war on Gaza, claiming that it has put the lives of their loved ones in danger. 

In December, Israeli soldiers shot and killed three Israeli captives in Gaza who at the time were shirtless and held white flags, an initial probe by the military found.