Best to act as if they are all Dead. But what can the Israelis do? They have limited options. If they go for a “Final Solution” in Gaza they will be seen by the world as monsters. If they pull out, they well be seen as weak and losers—that would give Mamas a victory. That would only set themselves up for another October 7th. down the line. The dream of Israel is dead. Some solutions do exist—two state means cut Israel in half and give half to palis, build a wall and have no communication between the two states? Would that work? I do not think so. Have all Jews move away back to Europe and USA and let the Palis turn it into a failed state? That may well be the final fate of the Jewish State.
There is just too many Palis and too few Jews. It is a complex problem made worse by bad actors like Iran pulling the strings.
The Israelis will eliminate Hamas when they think it’s the right moment. Right now there’s too much pressure from the US and others, but they are waiting: eliminating Hamas from Gaza is not just Netanyahu’s position but the whole government. If it becomes clear the remaining hostages are dead, there will be less pressure for the Israelis to wait.