The Israeli military announced on Tuesday that it had recovered the bodies of six hostages who were taken during Hamas’ attack on October 7, which sparked the conflict in Gaza. U.S. and Arab mediators are working to finalize an agreement to stop the fighting and free many other captives held by militants.
The military stated that the bodies were retrieved in a nighttime operation in southern Gaza, but did not provide details on how or when the six individuals died. A group representing the families of the hostages claimed that they were taken alive. Hamas has reported that some captives were injured or killed in Israeli airstrikes.
On Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike resulted in the deaths of at least 10 people at a school shelter in Gaza City, targeting what the military described as a Hamas command center. Another strike in central Gaza killed a mother and her five children.
The discovery of the remains is a setback for Hamas, which aims to exchange hostages for Palestinian prisoners, Israeli withdrawal, and a lasting ceasefire. The incident is also likely to increase pressure on the Israeli government to negotiate a deal to free the remaining hostages who are believed to still be alive.
The military confirmed the identities of the deceased hostages as Chaim Perry, 80; Yoram Metzger, 80; Avraham Munder, 79; Alexander Dancyg, 76; Nadav Popplewell, 51; and Yagev Buchshtav, 35. Metzger, Munder, Popplewell, and Buchshtav had family members who were also abducted but later released during a previous ceasefire.
Munder’s death was acknowledged by Kibbutz Nir Oz, where he was among the residents who were taken captive. The kibbutz stated that he died after enduring months of torture. The Israeli authorities had already confirmed the deaths of the other five hostages.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commended the recovery operation and expressed sorrow for the loss. He affirmed that Israel would continue its efforts to bring back all hostages, whether alive or deceased.
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Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also praised the operation, which was conducted within Hamas’ tunnel network. There were no reports of casualties among Israelis or Palestinians during the recovery mission.
Hamas is believed to still be holding approximately 110 hostages from the October 7 attack, with Israeli authorities estimating that a third of them have died.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is visiting the region for the ninth time since the conflict began, stated on Monday that Netanyahu had accepted a proposal to bridge the cease-fire negotiations’ gaps and urged Hamas to do the same.
Hamas has accused the U.S. of siding with Israel and attempting to impose Israeli demands on the militant group. Significant differences persist between the two parties, including Israel’s demand for control over strategic corridors in Gaza, which Hamas rejects.
Militants associated with Hamas breached Israel’s defenses on October 7, resulting in widespread casualties and hostage-taking. In retaliation, Israel launched an offensive that has claimed numerous Palestinian lives and displaced thousands of Gaza residents.
The recovery effort continues, with mediators working to finalize a proposal for the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a lasting truce.
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