Israeli forces recover bodies of two hostages in Gaza, PM says
Israeli security forces operating in Gaza have recovered the bodies of two Israeli hostages, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says.
He named one of them as Yair (Yaya) Yaakov, 59, who was killed inside his home at Kibbutz Nir Oz during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023.
His teenage sons, Or and Yagil, and his partner, Meirav Tal, were abducted alive and released in November 2023, as part of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
Netanyahu said the name of the other hostage had not yet been released, but that their family had been informed.
There are now 53 hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza, at least 20 of whom are believed to be alive.
News of the recovery of Yair Yaakov's body initially came from his sons.
"Dad, I love you," Yagil wrote in a post on Instagram on Wednesday evening, according to the Haaretz newspaper. "I don't know how to respond yet. I'm sad to say this. I'm waiting for your funeral, I love you and knew this day would come."
Yagil also thanked the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet internal security service and expressed hope that the remaining hostages "will be brought [back] in a deal that doesn't risk soldiers".
Later, Netanyahu issued a statement saying: "Together with all the citizens of Israel, my wife and I extend our deepest condolences to the families who have lost their most beloved."
"I thank the soldiers and commanders for another successful execution of the sacred mission to return our hostages."
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents many hostages' families, said in a statement that it "bows its head in sorrow over the murder of Yaya and shares in the profound grief of the Yaakov family".
"There are no words to express the depth of this pain," it added. "The hostages have no time. We must bring them all home, Now!"
The Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza in response to the 7 October attack, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.
At least 55,104 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.
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