At least eight of the initial group of hostages due to be released by Hamas are dead, according to new reports Monday. The heartbreaking tally emerged as the terror group handed over a list overnight featuring the 33 scheduled to be released as part of the first phase of its cease-fire deal with Israel — showing only 25 as still being alive,

Some troops had been expected to withdraw to allow hundreds of thousands of displaced Gazans to go home. But Israel said the hostage exchange before that step had not gone as agreed. Hamas accused Israel of stalling.