The six hostages, whose bodies were found in Gaza over the summer, were probably shot in February by their captors as an Israeli strike hit close to the tunnel where they were held, the military said.

The Israeli military said on Wednesday it had retrieved the body of Itay Svirsky, who was taken hostage on October 7, 2023, and then killed in Hamas captivity, according to a statement from the Israeli military.

The Israeli military announced on Wednesday that an Israeli strike was likely responsible for the deaths of six Israel

An apparent internal statement from Hamas includes an order to "neutralise" hostages if Israeli forces try to rescue them in action similar to the deadly Nuseirat camp operation.