The Israeli military announced on Tuesday that it had recovered the bodies of six hostages taken in Hamas’ attack on October 7, which sparked the conflict in Gaza. Meanwhile, U.S. and Arab mediators were working to reach an agreement to stop the fighting and secure the release of many other captives held by militants.
The military stated that the bodies were retrieved during an overnight operation in southern Gaza, but did not provide details on when or how the hostages died. Families of the hostages claimed they were taken alive. Hamas reported that some captives had been killed or injured in Israeli airstrikes.
On Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike targeted a school that had been turned into a shelter in Gaza City, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 people. The military justified the strike as a precise attack on a Hamas command center. Another airstrike in central Gaza killed a mother and her five children.
The recovery of the bodies dealt a blow to Hamas, which was hoping to exchange hostages for Palestinian prisoners, an Israeli withdrawal, and a lasting ceasefire. It also increased pressure on Israel to negotiate the release of dozens of hostages who are believed to still be alive.
The military identified the remains of six individuals, including Chaim Perry, Yoram Metzger, Avraham Munder, Alexander Dancyg, Nadav Popplewell, and Yagev Buchshtav. Metzger, Munder, Popplewell, and Buchshtav had family members who were also taken hostage but freed during a previous cease-fire in November.
Munder’s death was confirmed by Kibbutz Nir Oz, stating that he passed away after enduring months of torture. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed condolences for the loss and pledged to continue efforts to return all hostages, whether alive or deceased.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant commended the successful operation to recover the bodies, which was conducted within Hamas’ tunnel network. There were no reported casualties among Israelis or Palestinians during the operation.
Hamas is still holding approximately 110 hostages from the October 7 attack, with Israeli authorities estimating that around one-third of them have died. Efforts to reach a cease-fire agreement have been ongoing for months, with the United States urging both parties to bridge their differences.
Blinken, on his ninth visit to the region since the conflict began, noted that Netanyahu had accepted a proposal to facilitate the talks but called on Hamas to do the same. Hamas accused the U.S. of aligning with Israel’s demands, causing a stalemate in negotiations.
Militants breached Israel’s defenses in October, resulting in widespread casualties and hostage-taking. Israel’s retaliatory actions have caused significant destruction and displacement in Gaza, prompting concerns about outbreaks of diseases.
The mediating parties are working on a proposal involving the release of hostages, Palestinian prisoners, an Israeli withdrawal, and a lasting truce. Blinken’s visit to Egypt and Qatar underscores the integral role these countries play in negotiations with Hamas.
