**Tragic Confirmation: Elderly Hostage Killed in Gaza Attack, Says Israel**

The Israeli military has confirmed that Shlomo Mansour, an 86-year-old man who was taken hostage during the Hamas attack in southern Israel on October 7, was killed by gunmen. Mansour, originally from Baghdad, was abducted from Kibbutz Kissufim, where he lived with his wife, Mazal, who managed to escape. His death was verified through intelligence gathered over recent months, and this confirmation is part of a troubling unfolding situation regarding the hostages held by Hamas.

On the same day of Mansour's abduction, over 1,200 people were killed in a widespread assault from Hamas militants, while 251 individuals, including Mansour, were taken as hostages. As a part of a delicate ceasefire agreement, some hostages have been released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners; however, ongoing tensions have led Hamas to threaten delays in future releases over perceived Israeli violations.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his condolences to the Mansour family, vowing continued efforts to recover all hostages, both deceased and alive. The situation surrounding the remaining hostages is dire, with the family of another abductee reporting harsh captivity conditions. Amid continuing airstrikes in Gaza escalating from Israel's military response, more than 48,200 people are reported dead in the ongoing conflict, raising urgent calls for resolution and humanitarian considerations in the midst of this tragedy.