In another incident on Monday, the Israeli military confirmed, based on intelligence information, that two more Israeli hostages had been killed.
According to the statement, the circumstances of the deaths of Polish nationals Yagew Buchstab, 35, and Alex Dancig, 76, are being investigated. Israeli media reports, citing military sources, said it was “highly likely” that at least one of the men was killed by Israeli gunfire.
“Yagev and Alex should have been taken alive and returned to their families and country alive,” the Hostage and Missing Families Forum said in a statement. “Their deaths while in captivity are a tragic reflection of the dragging-out of negotiations.”
The forum called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to immediately approve a ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas.
Netanyahu's office said Sunday that it had held in-depth discussions with Israeli negotiators and had instructed them to participate in the next round of indirect talks mediated by Qatar and Egypt later this week.
Israel says there are still 116 hostages being held in Gaza, 44 of whom are presumed dead. Four more hostages were taken before October 7, two of whom are presumed dead.
The Israeli military also said it was investigating reports that its troops opened fire on a UN convoy heading to Gaza City on Monday.
Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA), said an armoured vehicle was hit by at least five shots as it waited near an Israeli checkpoint south of the Wadi Gaza River valley on Sunday. The vehicle was badly damaged and UN personnel had to take cover, but there were no casualties.
Mr Lazzarini said the convoy's movements were coordinated with Israeli authorities and demanded that “those responsible must be held accountable”.
