Israeli army says bodies of three captives recovered in Gaza - War on Gaza
The Israeli military said Sunday that it had recovered the bodies of three captives in Gaza more than 20 months after they were abducted by Hamas militants.
"In a special operation... the bodies of the captives Ofra Keidar, Yonatan Samerano, and Staff Sergeant Shay Levinson were recovered from the Gaza Strip yesterday," the military said in a statement.
Samerano's father had announced earlier Sunday that his son's body, which was taken into Gaza after he was killed in a kibbutz in the territory on October 7, 2023, had been recovered by the Israeli army.
He paid tribute to "the brave soldiers of the Israeli military and the Shin Bet" security service in a message posted on Instagram.
The Israeli campaign group the Hostages and Missing Families Forum described Samerano as "a talented DJ who just wanted to make music, have fun, and travel".
Keidar, a 71-year-old mother of three, was a resident of Kibbutz Beeri, where over 100 people were killed.
Levinson, a 19-year-old tank commander, "engaged and fought terrorists on the morning of October 7 and fell in combat," a statement from the military said.
Following the news, the forum repeated their frequent calls for the release of the remaining captives in Gaza, writing on social media: "The hostages have no time. We must bring them ALL home, Now!".
Of the 251 hostages seized during Hamas' October 7 ofensive, 49 are still held in Gaza, including 27, the Israeli military says, are dead.
Released captives have reported that they were beaten and tortured by Hamas militants while held in isolation in tunnels snaking underneath Gaza.
Keith Siegel, a 66-year-old Israeli-American, told of experiencing and seeing various forms of abuse while in captivity during a recent interview with AFP.
One of the locations where Siegel was held was so far underground that he was "gasping for breath", he recalled.
Since 7 October 2023, Israel's genocidal war in Gaza has killed at least 55,908 people, most of them women and children, according to the Palestinian health ministry in the territory. The UN considers these figures reliable.
On Sunday, Israel's President Isaac Herzog called for the "urgent release" of the remaining captives after the United States carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
"This brave step serves the security and safety of the entire free world. I hope it will lead to a better future for the Middle East - and help advance the urgent release of our hostages held in captivity in Gaza," Herzog wrote on X.
* This story was edited by Ahram Online.
Follow us on:
Facebook
Instagram
Whatsapp
Short link:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
See - Sada Elbalad
an hour ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Panama Shuts Down Internet, Mobile Services amid Violent Protests in Bocas del Toro
Taarek Refaat Panama's president José Raúl Molinar declared a state of emergency on Friday, suspending the rights to assemble and move freely in the province of Bocas del Toro, after demonstrators set up roadblocks, damaged the local airport, and caused significant disruptions to businesses and offices. In a statement released on X, the National Public Services Authority confirmed that, under the emergency decree, "temporary suspension of mobile phone and home internet services will be implemented in the province of Bocas del Toro until June 25." The authority clarified that internet access will still be available for healthcare institutions, businesses, and government agencies. The unrest in Bocas del Toro, a key banana-producing region, erupted nearly two months ago in opposition to government pension reforms. The protests escalated into violence on Thursday in the town of Changuinola, where masked groups looted several stores and set part of a baseball field on fire while police officers were inside. According to authorities, the violence resulted in one fatality, more than 100 arrests, and dozens of injuries, including 13 police officers. The protests initially began in late April with workers from the American banana giant, Chiquita, striking against pension reforms they argued would force them to work longer before retiring. In response, Chiquita terminated thousands of workers, which led to further unrest. Although banana farmer unions called off their protest last week in an attempt to prevent more layoffs, other groups and unions have continued their blockades and sit-ins. President Molinar is facing growing discontent on multiple fronts. In addition to the pension reform protests, Panamanians have also taken to the streets in opposition to a controversial agreement signed between the Panamanian government and U.S. President Donald Trump in April, which allows U.S. forces to deploy at U.S. military bases along the Panama Canal. In response to the increasing instability, the U.S. Embassy in Panama issued a security warning on Friday, advising American government employees against traveling to the protest epicenter in Bocas del Toro "until further notice." read more CBE: Deposits in Local Currency Hit EGP 5.25 Trillion Morocco Plans to Spend $1 Billion to Mitigate Drought Effect Gov't Approves Final Version of State Ownership Policy Document Egypt's Economy Expected to Grow 5% by the end of 2022/23- Minister Qatar Agrees to Supply Germany with LNG for 15 Years Business Oil Prices Descend amid Anticipation of Additional US Strategic Petroleum Reserves Business Suez Canal Records $704 Million, Historically Highest Monthly Revenue Business Egypt's Stock Exchange Earns EGP 4.9 Billion on Tuesday Business Wheat delivery season commences on April 15 News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
See - Sada Elbalad
2 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
FM Holds Phone Talks with Saudi, Bahraini Counterparts
Nada Mustafa Minister of Foreign Affairs and Migration, Badr Abdelatty, held two separate phone calls on Saturday with Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The calls were part of ongoing consultation and coordination in light of the rapidly escalating situation in the region, particularly the military confrontation between Israel and Iran and its serious implications for regional peace and security. The three ministers emphasized the urgent need to halt military escalation and establish a ceasefire, stressing that political and diplomatic solutions are the only viable paths out of the current crisis to preserve the region's security and stability. They also underlined the importance of avoiding a slide into further chaos and tension, and reiterated the need to respect the sovereignty of states, international law, and the principles of the United Nations Charter. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
Al-Ahram Weekly
3 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
UN Security Council condemns US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites but avoids naming Washington - Region
The United Nations Security Council has condemned US strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran, warning they pose a 'grave threat' to international peace and security and undermine the global nuclear safeguards regime – but stopped short of naming the United States. In a statement issued after an emergency session requested by Iran, the Council said it 'condemns in the strongest terms the attacks against peaceful nuclear sites and facilities under the IAEA safeguards in the Islamic Republic of Iran,' calling them a serious threat to the International Atomic Energy Agency's oversight system. The move follows US bombings of Iran's Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites amid rising regional tensions over the Israel–Iran war. It marks the Council's third meeting since Israel launched strikes on Iranian territory on 13 June. The Council cited Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. It also recalled Resolution 487, adopted in 1981 after Israel bombed Iraq's Osirak reactor, claiming the strike was a pre-emptive move to prevent Iraq from developing nuclear weapons. It called for an 'immediate and unconditional ceasefire' and urged all parties to avoid further escalation. The Council also stressed the need to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and reminded all sides of their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law. On the nuclear issue, it urged a diplomatic agreement 'acceptable to all parties' that guarantees the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of multilateral and unilateral sanctions. The UN secretary general has been asked to report back within seven days on implementation and developments on the ground. The Council said it would remain 'actively seized' of the matter. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
