Eight of the captives due for release in the first phase of a truce deal between “Israel” and Hamas are dead, “Israeli” government spokesperson David Mencer said Monday.

 

"The families have been informed of the situation of their relatives," Mencer told reporters.

 

According to “Israeli” statements, that means of the 26 captives yet to be freed under the first phase of the agreement, only 18 are still alive.