Israel recovers bodies of three dead hostages from Gaza
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Israel recovers bodies of three hostages from Gaza – J-Wire
The bodies recovered in the overnight operation were identified as Ofra Kedar, Yonatan Samrano, and Staff Sergeant Shai Levinson. Israeli authorities said that a Hamas operative who was employed by United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) at the time was personally involved in Samrano’s abduction. At least 1,180 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 50 remaining hostages, around 30 are believed to be dead.
Israel recovers bodies of three hostages from Gaza
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The IDF recovered the bodies of three Israelis murdered on October 7 and taken to Gaza, Israel announced on Sunday.
The bodies recovered in the overnight operation were identified as Ofra Kedar, Yonatan Samrano, and Staff Sergeant Shai Levinson.
Ofra Kedar, 71, was abducted from her home in Kibbutz Be’eri, where she and her husband, Shmuel, were murdered by Hamas terrorists. A mother of three, Kedar was among the dozens of residents killed in the massacre that devastated the kibbutz on October 7.
Yonatan Samrano, 21, was kidnapped and murdered after fleeing the Nova Music Festival by Kibbutz Re’im. Israeli authorities said that a Hamas operative who was employed by United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) at the time was personally involved in Samrano’s abduction.
Staff Sergeant Shai Levinson, 19, served as a tank commander in the Oz Battalion. He fell in battle while defending the border on the morning of October 7 and was subsequently taken into Gaza by Hamas fighters.
“After an identification process conducted by the Israel Police and the Military Rabbinate, the fallen were confirmed and their families have been informed,” the IDF said in a joint statement with Shin Bet. “The IDF shares in the grief of the families and will continue to act by all means to return all abductees.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the forces for their efforts. “I thank our commanders and fighters for a successful operation, for their determination and courage,” he said. “We will not rest until we return all of our abductees home—both the living and the dead.”
The prime minister emphasised that the mission to retrieve hostages continues alongside ongoing military operations against Iranian threats.
“Together with all the citizens of Israel, my wife and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the dear families and share in their great sorrow,” Netanyahu said.
At least 1,180 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 50 remaining hostages, around 30 are believed to be dead.
Israel recovers bodies of three hostages held in Gaza
Israel recovers bodies of three hostages held in Gaza by Hamas. They were named as Ofra Keidar, Yonatan Samerano, and Staff Sgt Shay Levinson. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “We will not rest until we bring all our captives home – both the living and the dead” It comes as the US stunned the world by striking three Iranian nuclear facilities with a dozen “bunker buster bombs” US president Donald Trump authorised the bombings of the underground Fordow plant, one of the country’s key nuclear sites, and two other facilities in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Samerano (left), Keidar (centre) and Levinson (right). Picture: Israel’s UK embassy
By Jacob Paul
The bodies of three hostages held in Gaza have been recovered, Israel’s Defence Force (IDF) has said.
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The Israeli military announced that it has recovered the bodies of three hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza with the help of its the intelligence service.
They were named as Ofra Keidar, Yonatan Samerano, and Staff Sgt Shay Levinson.
Keidar, a mother-of-three, was from Kibbutz Be’eri, one of the locations attacked by Hamas on 7 October.
She was killed along with her husband in the initial attack, with her body being taken to Gaza.
Samerano, 21, escaped the Nova music festival when the Hamas first launchd its attack.
He was later killed in Kibbutz Be’eri and his body was brought to Gaza. It was recovered yesterday on what would have been his 23rd birthday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Picture: Alamy
Levinson, 19, was a tank commander in the IDF and died in combat on October attack 7. His body was also brought to Gaza.
Israeli Prime Mintier Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement: “Together with all the citizens of Israel, my wife and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the dear families, and share in their deep sorrow.
“I thank our commanders and fighters for a successful operation, for their determination and courage.
“The campaign to return the kidnapped continues continuously and is taking place in parallel with the campaign against Iran.
“We will not rest until we bring all our captives home – both the living and the dead.”
It comes as the US stunned the world on Saturday night by striking three Iranian nuclear facilities with a dozen “bunker buster bombs”.
US president Donald Trump authorised the bombings of the underground Fordow plant, one of the country’s key nuclear sites, and two other facilities in the early hours of Sunday morning, calling it a “successful attack”.
He surprised the world a little before 8 p.m. Saturday by announcing on Truth Social that he had given the go-ahead to attack Iran, using 12 massive 30,000-pound ‘bunker buster’ bombs and 30 Tomahawk missiles to destroy Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan.
In what is the most consequential decision of Mr Trump’s presidency so far, the assault signals a significant escalation in the conflict with Tehran.
Pressure had been mounting on the US to intervene in the escalating conflict in support of Israel, and to force Iran’s leaders to end its nuclear programme.
Israeli army says bodies of 3 hostages recovered in Gaza
Of the 251 hostages seized during the assault, 49 are still being held in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead. Ofra Keidar, a 71-year-old mother of three, was also killed in a kibbutz and had been abducted. Staff Sergeant Shay Levinson “engaged and fought terrorists on the morning of Oct 7 and fell in combat’
– The Israeli military said on June 22 that it had recovered the bodies of three hostages in Gaza, more than 20 months after they were abducted by Hamas militants.
“In a special operation… the bodies of the hostages Ofra Keidar, Yonatan Samerano and Staff Sergeant Shay Levinson were recovered from the Gaza Strip yesterday,” the military said in a statement.
Mr Samerano’s father had announced earlier on June 22 that his son’s body, which was taken into Gaza after he was murdered in a kibbutz by the territory on Oct 7, 2023, had been recovered by the Israeli army.
He paid tribute to “the brave soldiers of the IDF (Israeli military) and the Shin Bet” security service in a message posted on Instagram.
Ms Keidar, a 71-year-old mother of three, was also killed in a kibbutz and had been abducted, while 19-year-old tank commander Levinson “engaged and fought terrorists on the morning of Oct 7 and fell in combat”, a statement from the military said.
The attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel in October 2023 resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.
Of the 251 hostages seized during the assault, 49 are still being held in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead.
Israel’s retaliatory military campaign has killed at least 55,908 people, also mostly civilians, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run territory. The UN considers these figures reliable. AFP
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Israeli military recover remains of 3 hostages from Gaza
Yonatan Samerano, 21; Ofra Keidar, 70; and Shay Levinson, 19, were killed during Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack into Israel. The militant group is still holding 50 hostages, less than half of them believed to be alive.
All three were killed during Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack into Israel that ignited the ongoing war. The militant group is still holding 50 hostages, less than half of them believed to be alive.
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Kobi Samerano said in a Facebook post that his son’s remains were returned on what would have been Yonatan’s 23rd birthday.
“The campaign to return the hostages continues consistently and is happening alongside the campaign against Iran,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.
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Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted 251 people in the Oct. 7 attack. More than half the hostages have been returned in ceasefire agreements or other deals, eight have been rescued alive and Israeli forces have recovered dozens of bodies.
Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed over 55,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which has said that women and children make up more than half of the dead. It does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
Israel says the remains of 3 hostages have been recovered from Gaza
The Israeli military identified them as Yonatan Samerano, 21; Ofra Keidar, 70; and Shay Levinson, 19. All three were killed during the initial attack and their bodies were taken into Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is committed to returning the remaining hostages even as it wages a new military campaign against Iran. More than 55,000 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly women and children, have been killed in the ensuing conflict, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Netanyahu has said there are ‘doubts’ about the fate of several more hostages, including 2 Thais and 1 Tanzanian who have been confirmed dead, and a Nepalese captive. The hostages in captivity include four non-Israelis.
Israel said Sunday that it has recovered the bodies of three more hostages taken in Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack that ignited the ongoing 20-month war in the Gaza Strip.The Israeli military identified them as Yonatan Samerano, 21; Ofra Keidar, 70; and Shay Levinson, 19. All three were killed during the initial attack and their bodies were taken into Gaza. Kobi Samerano said in a Facebook post that his son’s remains were returned on what would have been Yonatan’s 23rd birthday.The military did not provide details about the operation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is committed to returning the remaining hostages even as it wages a new military campaign against Iran.Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 hostages in the Oct. 7 attack. More than 55,000 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly women and children, have been killed in the ensuing conflict, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The ministry doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants.Here are details on the hostages:Total hostages captured on Oct. 7, 2023: 251Hostages taken before the Oct. 7 attack: 4, including 2 who entered Gaza in 2014 and 2015 and the bodies of 2 soldiers killed in the 2014 warHostages released in exchanges or other deals: 148, of whom 8 were deadBodies of hostages retrieved by Israeli forces: 49Hostages rescued alive: 8Hostages still in captivity: 50, of whom Israel believes 27 are dead. Netanyahu has said there are “doubts” about the fate of several more.The hostages in captivity include four non-Israelis: 2 Thais and 1 Tanzanian who have been confirmed dead, and a Nepalese captive.
Israel said Sunday that it has recovered the bodies of three more hostages taken in Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack that ignited the ongoing 20-month war in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli military identified them as Yonatan Samerano, 21; Ofra Keidar, 70; and Shay Levinson, 19. All three were killed during the initial attack and their bodies were taken into Gaza. Kobi Samerano said in a Facebook post that his son’s remains were returned on what would have been Yonatan’s 23rd birthday.
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The military did not provide details about the operation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is committed to returning the remaining hostages even as it wages a new military campaign against Iran.
Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 hostages in the Oct. 7 attack. More than 55,000 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly women and children, have been killed in the ensuing conflict, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The ministry doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants.
Here are details on the hostages:
Total hostages captured on Oct. 7, 2023: 251
Hostages taken before the Oct. 7 attack: 4, including 2 who entered Gaza in 2014 and 2015 and the bodies of 2 soldiers killed in the 2014 war
Hostages released in exchanges or other deals: 148, of whom 8 were dead
Bodies of hostages retrieved by Israeli forces: 49
Hostages rescued alive: 8
Hostages still in captivity: 50, of whom Israel believes 27 are dead. Netanyahu has said there are “doubts” about the fate of several more.
The hostages in captivity include four non-Israelis: 2 Thais and 1 Tanzanian who have been confirmed dead, and a Nepalese captive.