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.

Officials from Israel and Hamas say the militant group will release three Israelis, including two women and an 80-year-old man, and five Thai nationals in the next hostage release

Hamas plans to release three Israeli hostages on Thursday that include a dual American citizen and a civilian whose status last week threatened to disrupt the fragile ceasefire between the militant group and Israel.