Investigation finds ‘Israeli’ military actions led to majority of ‘Israeli’ hostage deaths in Gaza

• A CNN investigation found that 24 of the 40 hostages abducted alive on October 7 who later died in captivity were killed in circumstances linked to ‘Israeli’ military operations.
• 'Israeli’ negotiators said  leaders prioritized defeating Hamas over securing the hostages’ release, particularly during negotiations in July 2024.

A CNN investigation, drawing on interviews with dozens of hostage families and ‘Israeli’ military and government officials, found that military actions were linked to the deaths of 24 of the 40 hostages taken alive on Oct. 7 who subsequently died in captivity.

The hostages died in various circumstances, including ‘Israeli’ airstrikes and gunfire, as well as killings by their captors in response to ‘Israeli’ military operations. The ‘Israeli’ military acknowledged the connection in many of the cases, according to the report.

Oren Setter, a senior ‘Israeli’ negotiator, said military pressure helped bring Hamas to agree to ceasefire terms. However, he and other negotiators said leadership consistently placed greater emphasis on defeating Hamas than on securing the hostages’ release.

This was particularly evident in July 2024, when a deal between ‘Israel’ and Hamas appeared within reach. According to CNN, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu then introduced a new condition requiring ‘Israeli’ troops to remain along the Gaza-Egypt border. Setter and other negotiators warned that the demand could come at the cost of hostages’ lives.

The report has added to domestic and international political pressure on Netanyahu amid upcoming ‘Israeli’ elections, and his global isolation.