Israel announces death of four captives in Gaza

The Israeli military has announced that it has verified the deaths of four Israeli hostages held by Hamas, based on newly acquired intelligence.

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. 

Chaim Peri, 79, Amiram Cooper, 84, Yoram Metzger, 80, and Nadav Popplewell, 51, were all believed to have been together in the Khan Younis area and died together several months ago.

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

The bodies of all four are being held by Hamas, the Israeli army said.

The total number of captives whose death has been confirmed now stands at 43.