The Israel Defense Forces have announced the recovery of six bodies from the Gaza Strip, previously held hostage by Hamas.
The deceased include Yagev Buchshtab, Alexander Dancyg, Avraham Munder, Yoram Metzger, Haim Perry, and British-Israeli Nadav Popplewell.
These bodies were found in the Khan Younis area on Monday following a recovery operation conducted by the IDF and Shin Bet.
The hostages had been taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz and Kibbutz Nirim during Hamas attacks on southern Israel on October 7.
Israel had previously confirmed the deaths of Popplewell, Perry, and Metzger, and Buchshtab and Dancyg in July.
However, it was initially believed that Munder might still be alive.
The IDF noted that an investigation into the circumstances of the deaths suggested that Israeli fire might have been involved in some cases.
The Hostage Families Forum expressed that the retrieval of these bodies provided “necessary closure” for the families and stressed that the remaining hostages’ return would require a negotiated settlement.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant described the operation as “complex” and reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to “dismantling Hamas.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog extended condolences to the families, and the Hostage Families Forum urged the government to expedite negotiations for a deal.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is currently touring the Middle East to negotiate a ceasefire and hostage release, met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who described their discussion as “positive.”
In the ongoing conflict, Israeli airstrikes in Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah resulted in civilian casualties, with reports indicating at least five deaths from an airstrike on an internet distribution facility and additional casualties in Abasan.
Since the attacks on October 7, over 40,000 people have reportedly died in Gaza according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
