US officials fear that most of the remaining hostages in Gaza are dead, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal on Thursday.

The report quotes US officials as saying that some of the hostages were likely killed during Israeli strikes, while others have died from health issues, including injuries sustained during their initial capture on October 7.

It is believed that 129 hostages remain in Hamas captivity in Gaza. The IDF has confirmed the deaths of 34 of those still held hostage, according to intelligence reports and findings by troops operating in Gaza, but the WSJ report said that “Israeli and American officials estimate privately that the number of deaths could be much higher.”

Talks to secure a hostage release deal with Hamas have indicated that the terror group is unable to provide 40 living hostages from the elderly, women and female soldiers that Israel is demanding as part of the negotiations.

The report stressed, however, that US information on the hostages remains limited at this time and depends in large part on Israeli intelligence.