Ilan Weiss: IDF recover bodies of two hostages held captive in Gaza
The IDF have recovered the body of Ilan Weiss, 55, from Gaza, alongside the remains of a second hostage who is yet to be identified.
Mr Weiss was killed on the morning of October 7, 2023.
The second body is currently undergoing an identification process at the Abu Kabir National Institute of Forensic Medicine, The Times of Israel reports.
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Mr Weiss’ body was held in Gaza for 693 days.
In a statement posted to X, the IDF said Mr Weiss had left his home on the morning of October 7, 2023, to join the kibbutz emergency response team.
“He was murdered and kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7 Massacre,” the IDF said.
“His wife Shiri, 54, and daughter Noga, 19, were taken hostage into Gaza and released during the ceasefire deal in November 2023.”
There are 48 hostages still being held in Gaza, and 20 are believed to be alive.
This comes after United Nations chief Antonio Guterres renewed an urgent call for a ceasefire in Gaza.
He described the need for a ceasefire as “vital” and said that all the hostages must be released unconditionally.
