Negotiators in the deal for the release of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, as well as a senior official in the U.S. who is privy to the details of American intelligence, told the Wall Street Journal newspaper that the number of hostages still alive may be as low as 50.
The meaning of the estimate, which according to the report is based in part on Israeli intelligence, base is that 66 of those still held hostage could be dead, 25 more than Israel has publicly acknowledged.
Hamas previously told the mediators that it does not know the exact number of hostages that are alive and dead