Israel Declares Some Hostages Dead As Talks With Hamas Continue

4-12-2023 (JERUSALEM) In an effort to provide closure to anxious families, Israel has taken the unusual step of declaring some hostages, who were part of the Oct 7 rampage by Hamas-led Palestinian gunmen in southern Israel, as dead in captivity. This measure comes amidst indirect talks with Hamas and ongoing army operations in the Gaza Strip.

A three-person medical committee, formed in response to the three-month-long crisis, has been meticulously analyzing videos from the October incident, looking for signs of lethal injuries among those abducted. The committee cross-references this information with testimonies from hostages who were freed during a week-long Gaza truce that concluded on Friday (Dec 1).

Hagar Mizrahi, a Health Ministry official who heads the panel, explained that determining death without a formal pronouncement from a doctor is challenging but addresses the families’ desire for information. The committee comprises a forensic pathologist, a physical trauma clinician, and a religious expert to navigate Jewish laws related to bereavement.

Since the truce ended, Israeli authorities have declared six civilians and an army colonel dead in captivity, though this has not been confirmed by Hamas. The militant group has previously claimed that hostages were killed in Israeli airstrikes and has threatened to execute hostages itself.

The panel, reviewing footage captured by Hamas attackers and Palestinian spectators, is focused on identifying life-threatening wounds and signs of life cessation. Mizrahi stressed that every determination of death is a unanimous decision.

Despite Israel’s calls on the Red Cross to arrange visits and verify the well-being of hostages, they remain incommunicado. The risk of error in designating death was exemplified in the case of Emily Hand, initially reported as killed but later found to be taken hostage and freed in the truce.

The psychological impact of being denied a proper burial adds another layer of complexity to this crisis. As talks with Hamas continue, and rescue operations unfold, the situation remains delicate, emphasizing the challenges of navigating through such sensitive circumstances.