Israel recovers bodies of three hostages from Gaza
The remains of Ofra Keidar, Jonathan Samerano and Shay Levinson were brought back to Israel following a military operation overnight on Saturday.
The hostages families' group welcomed their return and renewed calls for the government to strike a deal with Hamas for the 50 remaining hostages, of whom 20 are thought to be alive.
Ms Keidar, 71, was murdered by terrorists while taking an early morning walk near her home in the kibbutz of Be'eri on Oct 7.
Her body was taken into Gaza as part of what is believed to have been a deliberate strategy by Hamas to maximise leverage over Israel in the ensuing conflict.
Ms Keidar's husband, who suffered from Parkinson's disease, was killed by Hamas on the sofa in his home. Their son, Elad Keidar, said: 'There is comfort – we will finally have a proper grave to visit. This is good news.'
'You have returned to us'
Mr Samerano, 21, was at the Nova music festival when the terror attack began and fled towards Be'eri with two friends, but were killed.
His death was confirmed in December 2023 following footage from a kibbutz security camera showing terrorists loading him into a jeep. His body was recovered on what would have been his 23rd birthday.
Kobi Samerano, his father, wrote on social media: 'Yonati [Jonathan], we were blessed to live by your side for 21 and a half years of light,' he said. 'You have returned to us, beloved son, wrapped in the light of heroism, of faith, of a nation united.'
The IDF claim that one of his captors was an employee of UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.
Mr Levinson was a 19-year-old tank commander based on the Gaza border. He was killed while fighting the invading terrorists near the Nova festival.
The soldier was a dual German-Israeli citizen. On Sunday, Steffen Seibert, Germany's ambassador, expressed his condolences to the family.
Writing on X, he said: 'I just spoke to his father; our hearts are with his family and all others waiting for their loved-ones' return. There must be a deal to get them out and end this war.'
The IDF continues to suffer casualties as it battles Hamas in Gaza.
NGOs believe large numbers of people are now facing starvation, as Israel's controversial new aid distribution system struggles to make up for the previously allowed hundreds of aid trucks a day, which the government said were often seized by Hamas.
With the eyes of the world diverted by the new conflict with Iran, mass killings of civilians near the aid sites have continued, with witnesses accusing Israeli troops of opening fire.
The IDF said it investigates reports of such killings, while Israeli sources also point to Hamas's campaign of intimidation against civilians.
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