(PatriotsUnited.org) – The Israeli military has confirmed that British-Israeli hostage Nadav Popplewell has been killed in Hamas captivity. This confirmation comes weeks after the Palestinian terror group taunted his family with a harrowing ten-second video of him.
Popplewell, 51, was taken hostage along with his mother, Channah Peri, 79, from their home in Kibbutz Nirim during Hamas’ deadly October 7 attacks on Israel. The two were reportedly kept together in a tunnel under Gaza throughout their captivity. While Channah was released on November 24 as part of a temporary ceasefire, Nadav’s fate remained uncertain until now.
The Israeli community Popplewell lived in confirmed his death, following Hamas’ claim that he had died in an airstrike last month. “Kibbutz Nirim announces with deep sorrow the death of abductee Nadav Popplewell in the captivity of Hamas in Gaza,” read a statement from the community. Popplewell’s body remains in Gaza.
Three other Israeli hostages—Chaim Peri, 79, Yoram Metsger, 80, and Amiram Cooper, 84—were also confirmed dead by the Israeli military on Monday. All four hostages had been shown alive in videos posted by Hamas.
A military spokesperson indicated that new intelligence had led to the confirmation of their deaths. He explained that the four hostages were believed to have been killed together in Khan Younis, a southern city in Gaza, during Israeli military operations several months ago. “We are thoroughly examining the circumstances of their deaths and checking all possibilities,” he stated, adding that findings would be presented first to the families and then to the public with full transparency.
This tragic news is part of a larger crisis that began on October 7, when over 250 individuals were abducted by Hamas. As of now, about 120 of these hostages remain in Gaza, with many declared dead by Israeli authorities.
The announcement of Popplewell’s death coincides with heightened global tension and criticism surrounding the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently dismissed U.S. President Joe Biden’s calls for a ceasefire, describing them as a “nonstarter.” The conflict has seen significant escalations, including Israel’s control of the Rafah border crossing and vows to invade the refugee area to eliminate Hamas operatives.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with Israeli airstrikes targeting alleged terrorist positions but also causing civilian casualties. A particularly deadly strike on May 26 in Tel al Sultan, a designated safe area for Gazans, resulted in numerous deaths and injuries, prompting fierce international criticism. The Israeli government later attributed the strike to Hamas ammunition in the vicinity, but the incident has further strained Israel’s relations with the international community.
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