Incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz said only 25 Israeli hostages out of the 33 to be released as a part of the first step in the ceasefire deal are still alive.
In an appearance on Fox and Friends, Waltz expressed optimism that the ceasefire deal would go through, despite a last-minute delay from the Israeli government. He gave some insight as to the conditions of the 33 hostages scheduled to be released as part of the agreement, revealing that the United States estimates eight of them are dead.
"These people are in horrific, terrible conditions, being abused right now as we speak, so we're talking 25 alive and a number of remains," Waltz said.
"This is a group that holds people’s dead bodies as bargaining chips," he added. "It is sick and horrific."
The conditions of the 33 hostages scheduled to be released were previously unknown.
The ceasefire deal, announced Wednesday, will pause fighting for six weeks and open negotiations to end the war altogether. Over those six weeks, 33 hostages will be exchanged for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Displaced Palestinians will be able to return to what’s left of their homes, and humanitarian aid will flow freely.
However, on Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a delay in the Israeli Cabinet's vote on approving the new ceasefire, arguing that Hamas reneged on parts of the deal.
Waltz expressed optimism that the delay would not derail the agreement.
"One of the final pieces in the arrangement, Prime Minister Netanyahu and his key team basically have to run this through their government and get the votes for this deal," he said. "There is some last-minute maneuvering, there's some last-minute shifting.
"We’re still optimistic," Waltz added. "Everybody wants this deal to happen."
According to a Washington Post tracker, Israel believes around 60 out of the 98 remaining hostages are still alive. However, the Wall Street Journal reported that privately, Israeli and American officials believe the true number of dead is much higher.
Of the seven remaining American hostages, only three are believed to be alive, according to State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.
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Of the 251 hostages taken on Oct. 7, 2023, 117 have been freed or rescued, and 74 have been confirmed killed. The rest, dead or alive, are still in captivity.
At least two Americans, Keith Siegel and Sagui Dekel-Chen, are expected to be released during the first phase of the ceasefire, according to a senior administration official.