Both men were killed several months ago, probably following Israeli military attacks on Khan Younis.
The Israeli military confirmed that two other prisoners held in Gaza died several months ago, adding that the possibility that they were killed by Israeli fire in southern Khan Younis is being investigated.
Alex Dancyg, 75, and Yagev Buchstav, 35, who were taken by Hamas fighters during the October 7 attacks on Israel from their homes near the Gaza fence, were pronounced dead on Monday after an examination by Israeli authorities including health experts.
The military said the two men died several months ago, but did not comment on Hamas’s previous statements or provide details on the circumstances of their deaths. Their bodies have not been found.
Hamas announced the deaths of the two prisoners in March, saying that Buchstav died from lack of food and medicine, and that Dancyg was killed by Israeli military attacks.
Buchshtav’s wife, Rimon Kirsht Buchshtav, was taken with him to the Gaza Strip by Palestinian fighters. She was among those released on November 28 in a swap deal with Hamas.
The two captives died in Khan Younis, in the southern part of the enclave, but the Israeli military said it was not linked to its latest planned ground invasion of the area, announced on Monday.
Air raids and artillery shelling on the area, which came shortly after a new order to flee was announced, have left at least 39 dead and dozens injured, according to Gaza health officials.
Of the approximately 250 people captured on October 7, a total of 116 captives are believed to still be in the besieged enclave, with more than 40 confirmed dead in Israeli military attacks.
On June 8, the Israeli army launched a daytime operation in the Nuseirat area of central Gaza, which resulted in the release of four prisoners held in the enclave. At least 271 Palestinians were killed during the assault, which was supported by numerous airstrikes in the area.
At least 39,006 Palestinians have been killed as a result of the Israeli army’s relentless bombardment of the Gaza Strip, and 89,818 have been injured by health authorities.
Israeli citizens continue to demonstrate in Tel Aviv and other areas to demand a ceasefire agreement to ensure the safe return of captives from Gaza.
At this week’s protests, they demanded that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prioritize reaching a captivity deal over a planned trip to the United States, where he will deliver a speech to Congress.
