JERUSALEM. Israel announced on Monday that two more hostages held by Hamas in Gaza have been declared dead, as efforts to secure a ceasefire deal and negotiate the release of approximately 120 captives are set to resume later this week.
The Israeli military is continuing to investigate the deaths of Yagev Buchshtab, a 35-year-old sound technician, and Alex Dancyg, a 76-year-old historian. Both were abducted from their homes in kibbutzim near the Gaza border during Hamas’ October 7 attack on southern Israel.
In a statement, the Hostage Families Forum expressed their anguish: “Yagev and Alex were taken alive and should have returned alive to their families and to their country. Their death in captivity is a tragic reflection of the consequences of foot-dragging in negotiations.”
Dancyg, who also held Polish citizenship, has drawn a reaction from Poland’s foreign ministry, which expressed sorrow over his death and reiterated its demand for the unconditional release of all abductees from Gaza.
Israeli authorities have now pronounced about a third of the hostages still held in Gaza as deceased. Negotiations are expected to continue later this week, with an Israeli team scheduled to mediate discussions aimed at achieving a ceasefire and addressing the issue of hostage releases in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
