Eight of 33 Israelis to be freed are already dead: Israel

Eight of the hostages to be freed in the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal are dead.

Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer told the press on Monday that Hamas said the rest of the 26 yet to be released are alive.

Seven captives have been released so far with the next release of captives set to take place on Thursday, followed by another one on Saturday.

Approximately 90 hostages are believed to be held by Hamas still.

Under the first phase of the ceasefire deal, 33 hostages in total are to be let go in exchange for more than 19-hundred Palestinian prisoners.