4 hostages, including British-Israeli man, murdered in Hamas captivity in Gaza, Israel says

Four hostages including a British-Israeli citizen have been murdered in Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip, according to the Israeli military.

Nadav Popplewell, 51, who was taken from the Kibbutz Nirim, was confirmed dead by Israeli officials on Monday — along with Israelis Chaim Peri, 79, Yoram Metsger, 80, and Amiram Cooper, 84, who were taken from the Kibbutz Nir Oz,  the Times of Israel reports.

Hamas previously claimed that all four were killed in Israeli airstrikes. The circumestances of their deaths was not immediately clear.

Their bodies remain in the Gaza Strip.

Popplewell was last seen alive in a Hamas propaganda video released in early May, with the short, 10 second showing Popplewell with a blackeye. 

Popplewell was described as a family man who loved playing card games with friends and reading science fiction, according to Bring Them Home Now, an Israeli organization set up by the hostages’ families.

Members of the Kibbutz Nirim shared the news of Popplewell’s death, with the community expressing its condolences to his family.”  

“It is with deep sadness that we have now been informed of the death of our friend Nadav Popplewell in the captivity of Hamas in Gaza,” the kibbutz statement said. “We mourn and are hurt by the death of Nadav and share in the deep mourning of Channah, Ayelet, and the family and embrace them.” 

Popplewell’s brother was killed in the Oct. 7 terrorist attack, and Peri was among the 24 hostages freed on Nov. 24 as part of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.