Senior Israeli official warns some hostages may not survive much longer in Hamas captivity

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“We know that some of the hostages will not survive much longer in the conditions in which they are being held, and in light of their physical and mental health,” a senior Israeli security official warned on Friday.

The official told Israel's Channel 12 news the assessment was based on credible intelligence and was published amid growing domestic and international pressure to urgently reach a hostage release and ceasefire agreement with the Hamas terrorist organization.

“The thought that they are being held in relatively good conditions, like Noa Argamani and the hostages released in the [special forces] operation, is incorrect,” the official stated, in a reference to "Operation Arnon," a bold rescue mission conducted by Israeli special forces in June. During this operation, four Israeli hostages were retrieved from Hamas terrorists in the Nuseirat neighborhood of central Gaza.

“And the argument that they are ‘suffering but not dying’ does not hold up to scrutiny,” the security official added, addressing a controversial remark made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last month.

Hamas terrorists kidnapped more than 250 Israelis and foreign nationals during the Oct. 7 invasion and terror attack in southern Israel, when at least 1,200 men, women and children, were brutally murdered.

As the current war, initiated by Hamas, passed the 10-month mark this week, 115 hostages remain in captivity in Gaza, with only 74 currently believed to be alive.

The State of Qatar, known for its close ties to Hamas, has reportedly been competing with Egypt as a supposedly neutral broker for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the remaining hostages who include U.S. citizens and dual nationals of other nations.

In addition, the United States has devoted significant effort and resources to secure the release of all hostages currently held in Gaza.

The United States, Egypt and Qatar recently jointly called for the release of the remaining hostages and for humanitarian relief for the civilian population Gaza.

“It is time to bring immediate relief both to the long-suffering people of Gaza, as well as the long-suffering hostages and their families. The time has come to conclude the ceasefire and hostages and detainees release deal,” the three countries urged in a joint statement published by Qatari state media.

“As mediators, if necessary, we are prepared to present a final bridging proposal that resolves the remaining implementation issues in a manner that meets the expectations of all parties,” the three countries stated in an official document that was signed by U.S. President Joe Biden, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The three nations urged Hamas and Israel to restart negotiations “without further delay,” either in Qatar's capital Doha or in Egypt's capital Cairo.

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office reportedly confirmed that Israel would dispatch its negotiating team next week to finalize an agreement.

“Following the proposal of the US and the mediators, Israel will send the negotiating delegation on Aug. 15 to the location decided upon in order to finalize the details for the implementation of the framework agreement.”

Hamas has previously demanded a complete end to the war. While Israel had indicated willingness to accept a temporary truce, Netanyahu's government has insisted the IDF will continue fighting until Hamas is defeated and dismantled.

“If you want to go for a partial deal, there is no problem to resume fighting with all strength after the 42 days of the first stage,” a senior security official reportedly told Israeli leaders. “The Israel public does not understand the size of the blow that Hamas took.”

The official assessed that Israel had already eliminated most top Hamas leaders, with the exception of Gaza's top Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar, who was chosen to replace Ismail Haniyeh as the political leader of Hamas organization.

Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran after attending an inauguration ceremony of the Iranian regime's new president, Masoud Pezeshkian.

“Besides [Yahya] Sinwar, almost all of the military leadership from [Muhammad] Deif to [Marwan] Issa, through the brigade and battalion commanders, no longer exists.”