Our bodies of three hostages – an IDF soldier and two civilians – recovered from Gaza

CNN
 — 

The our bodies of three hostages – an Israel Protection Forces (IDF) soldier and two civilians, all killed within the Hamas-led October 7 attacks – have been recovered from Gaza.

In a particular operation carried out by the Israel Safety Company (ISA) and the IDF, the our bodies of the civilians, Ofra Keidar and Yonatan Samerano, and soldier Shay Levinson had been recovered from the Gaza Strip on Saturday, the ISA and IDF mentioned in a joint assertion Sunday.

Ofra Keidar, from the kibbutz Be’eri group, was killed by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023. The 71-year-old’s physique was taken to Gaza, the place it had been held since. Keidar was a spouse and mom of three. Her husband was additionally killed in Hamas’ assault.

“On that darkish Saturday Ofra went, as typical, for a stroll within the fields she liked – and by no means returned,” her kibbutz mentioned in an announcement.

“Ofra was one of many ladies main Be’eri to be the flourished kibbutz it has develop into, and set an instance for different ladies whereas displaying energy and management expertise. She left three kids and 7 grandchildren.”

In keeping with the Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board, Keidar labored in a dairy farm for 30 years, caring for new child calves. Later, she moved to an area petting zoo, the place she labored for 15 years. “Anybody who visited her residence may see her biggest loves, except for her household – her canine, particularly poodles, and tending to her backyard and houseplants,” the discussion board mentioned.

Samerano, 21, from Tel Aviv, was killed by Hamas militants who took his physique after fleeing the Nova music festival.

He was a proficient DJ and at all times surrounded by associates, in accordance with the discussion board. “Even at his younger age, he was an entrepreneur at coronary heart and a savvy businessman who dreamed of growing his profession in occasion manufacturing,” the group mentioned.

Israeli authorities and Samerano’s household have claimed an worker of the United Nations’ essential company for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, was concerned within the abduction of Samerano’s physique.

A United Nations investigation final yr found that 9 UNRWA workers “might have” been concerned within the October 7 assault and not work on the company. The investigation was launched after Israel accused some UNRWA workers of taking part within the assault, which left 1,200 folks in Israel useless.

Levinson, a twin German-Israeli nationwide and tank commander, was killed in fight on October 7, the joint ISA-IDF assertion mentioned. The 19-year-old’s physique was then taken to Gaza.

In keeping with the discussion board, Levinson, from Givat Avni within the Decrease Galilee, was an “excellent participant” on a volleyball group “that serves as a mannequin for Jewish-Arab cooperation.”

“Shay selected to forgo the chance to obtain energetic athlete standing and as an alternative selected significant fight service within the IDF,” the discussion board mentioned. Levinson was a quiet and distinctive man, it added, in addition to bold and pushed.

General, the discussion board mentioned: “Alongside the grief and ache, the return of their our bodies gives some consolation to the households who’ve waited in agony, uncertainty, and doubt for 625 days.”

It additionally referred to as for the return of the remaining 50 hostages in Gaza to be a precedence as Israel continues its battle with Iran. “Significantly towards the backdrop of present navy developments and the numerous achievements in Iran, we need to emphasize that bringing again the remaining 50 hostages is the important thing to reaching full Israeli victory,” it mentioned.

In an announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supplied his “heartfelt condolences” to the households of Keidar, Samerano and Levinson and thanked Israeli troopers for a “profitable operation.”

Israel’s sustained navy marketing campaign in Gaza continues. Over the previous 24 hours, the battle has killed 51 folks in Gaza and injured 104 others, the Palestinian Ministry of Well being in Gaza mentioned in its each day replace Sunday.

The whole demise toll within the strip since Israel launched its navy offensive on October 7, 2023, has risen to 55,959 useless and 131,242 wounded, it mentioned.