Less than half of the 59 hostages held in Gaza are believed to be alive, according to the Israeli government. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the attack on Gaza was in response to Hamas rejecting the latest proposals by mediators, which included the release of the remaining captives. A recent analysis by the New York Times revealed that at least 41 hostages had died during their captivity. Israel and Hamas had previously agreed to a truce that would facilitate the exchange of hostages and prisoners, but the fate of the cease-fire is now uncertain after Israel resumed heavy strikes in Gaza.