The death of an Israeli held hostage in Gaza has been confirmed.
Dror Or, 49, was killed and his body had been held in Gaza since 7 October, Kibbutz Be'eri said.
It is one of the communities hardest hit in the Hamas assault.
His wife Yonat was killed in the initial attack, and two of their three children, Noam and Alma, aged 17 and 13, were kidnapped. They were released in November as part of a ceasefire and hostage-for-prisoner swap agreement.
"We are saddened to share that we have confirmed the death of Dror Or, who was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7. Noam, Alma, and their brother Yahli are now orphans," the Israeli government said in X.
Mediators Qatar, the United States and Egypt are awaiting a response from Hamas for a new ceasefire and the release of the hostages.
In late November, 105 hostages were released in exchange for 240 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
Israel estimates that 129 captives remain in Gaza. The military says 35 of them have died, including Orr.
According to the Hamas-ruled territory's health ministry, at least 34,596 people, mostly women and children, have died in Israel's retaliatory offensive in Gaza. / BGNES
