Latest information on Israel and Gaza: – ABC News

Israeli forces confirmed the deaths of four more hostages: Haim Peri, Yoram Metzger, Amiram Cooper and Nadav Popplewell.

IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said the four hostages were “killed together” “a few months ago” when “IDF forces were operating in Khan Younis in the south of the Gaza Strip.” Hagari said Israeli forces were “investigating the circumstances” of their deaths.

Cooper, 85, was an economist and poet, as well as the father of four children and grandfather of 11 grandchildren, according to Kibbutz Nir Oz. His wife Nurit Cooper was also kidnapped and later released, the kibbutz said.

The 80-year-old Metzger was the father of three children and grandfather of seven grandchildren. His wife Tamar Metzger was also abducted to Gaza and later released, the kibbutz said.

Popplewell, 51, was kidnapped along with his mother, who has since been released, the Hostages Families Forum said.

Peri, 80, was kidnapped while protecting his wife, the Hostages Families Forum said. He leaves behind his wife, five children and 13 grandchildren.

Peri’s family said he “heroically survived for about four months in Hamas tunnels under inhumane conditions” and that he “survived in the hope and belief that the State of Israel will fulfill its moral duty and bring him home.”

“The Israeli government and its prime minister have no right to leave the hostages in captivity, thereby destroying Israel’s fundamental principle of mutual responsibility,” Peri’s family said. “We call on the Israeli government to seek an immediate settlement, to rescue those still alive and to give the deceased a proper burial.”

“The grief that accompanies this painful news should shock every citizen of the State of Israel and cause every politician to do a deep soul-searching,” the Hostages Families Forum said in a statement on Monday. “The Israeli government must send a negotiating delegation this evening and release all 124 hostages, both those alive and those murdered. … We repeat our demand to the Israeli government: Approve the Netanyahu deal immediately!”