Eight of the remaining hostages set to be released by Hamas in the first phase of a ceasefire agreement with Israel are dead, according to an Israeli government spokesperson.

Israel says eight of the remaining 26 hostages due to be released by Hamas during the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal are dead. Government spokesman David Mencer told reporters that Israel had received a list from the Palestinian armed group overnight that provided information on the status of the hostages.

The brother of one of the Israeli hostages set to be freed in the first phase of the cease-fire deal told the Knesset that his loved one is likely already dead. Speaking before the Knesset House Committee on Tuesday,

Tens of thousands of Palestinians streamed into the most heavily destroyed part of the Gaza Strip on Monday as Israel lifted its closure.

Israel has said the next release of hostages will take place on Thursday, followed by another on Saturday. The ceasefire is aimed at winding down the deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and Hamas and securing the release of dozens of hostages captured in the militants’ Oct.

The family of the youngest hostages held in Gaza have said they are “holding on to hope” they are still alive after Hamas told Israel that eight of the 26 remaining hostages due to be released were dead.