Some eight months after the Hamas Oct. 7 atrocities, another four hostages were announced dead Monday evening: Nadav Popplewell, 51; Yoram Metzger, 80; Amiram Cooper, 85; and Chaim Peri, 79. Their bodies remain in Hama's captivity.
Video: IDF spokesperson speaks about 4 captives who were declared dead / Credit: IDF
The announcement comes just hours after the IDF announced that a resident of Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak, Dolev Yehoud, was confirmed to have been murdered on Oct. 7 after remains were found near his place of residence. Yehoud, a medic, had rushed to help the injured that day but was then brutally murdered by the terrorists who had invaded his kibbutz. On October 7, Hamas launched an unprecedented assault on Israel, with hundreds of terrorists infiltrating communities near the Gaza Strip. During this attack, more than 250 people were taken hostage by Hamas, and another 1200 were brutally murdered – some burned alive and raped as well.
In response, the IDF launched a war and has retaken the Gaza Strip, all but obliterating Hamas' major forces. Its last stronghold, in Rafah, has also recently been targeted by Israeli forces, who have recently retaken the town's border with Egpyt – where the terrorist organization had conducted its smuggling operations in the past 20 years through underground tunnels. In a recent raid on the northern part of the Gaza Strip, the IDF successfully dismantled and destroyed a network of terror tunnels in the town of Jabalia where hostages were held. Just days ago, President Joe Biden announced that Israel had submitted a new plan aimed at returning all the captives. However, this so far has not been met with a definite response from Hamas.
Several weeks ago, Hamas released a propaganda video showing British-Israeli hostage Popplewell. Popplewell, 51, was taken hostage with his mother, Channah Peri, 79, from their home in Kibbutz Nirim during the Hamas onslaught on Oct. 7. His brother, Roi Popplewell, 54, was killed by terrorists near his home in the kibbutz. In the 10-second video, Popplewell, who appears to be suffering from an eye injury, just about manages to introduce himself. It is unclear when the footage was filmed.
