On Friday, the Israeli military announced the recovery of the remains of a citizen who had been held captive in the Gaza Strip for almost two years.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated, “The body of Ilan Weiss, who was held hostage for 693 days in Gaza, has been recovered in a joint Israel Defense Forces and Israeli Security Agency military operation.”
It further detailed that “Ilan was from Kibbutz Be’eri and left his home on the morning of October 7 to join the kibbutz emergency response team. He was murdered and kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7 Massacre.” The statement also noted, “His wife Shiri, 54, and daughter Noga, 19, were taken hostage into Gaza and released during the ceasefire deal in November 2023.”
The Associated Press reported that the remains of another Israeli were also recovered Friday and are currently undergoing identification.
According to the AP, the father of another individual believed to be held captive in Gaza stated, “It’s a bittersweet moment that the Weiss family is reunited with their loved one, even though he’s coming back not as they would have wanted.”
This father, Chen, mentioned that his family had received intelligence suggesting his son, Itay, did not survive the October 7 attack, yet Hamas has not offered any details regarding his son’s location.
The Israeli Hostages and Missing Families Forum described Ilan as “a devoted family man – humble, principled, and a dedicated father to his daughters.”
The forum further added, “He loved hosting guests, tending his garden, and enjoying a beer. On weekends, he would go mountain biking with his brother-in-law Gil Boyum, a fellow member of the kibbutz emergency team who was also killed on that Black Sabbath.”
By Friday, the number of hostages remaining in Gaza stood at 48, with an estimated 20 believed to be alive, according to
Israeli President Isaac Herzog posted on X, stating: “I offer my heartfelt condolences and support to the Weiss family and the community of Kibbutz Be’eri upon the recovery of the body of hostage Ilan Weiss, of blessed memory.”
Herzog continued by saying, “Ilan showed courage and noble spirit when he fought the terrorists on that dark day. In his death, he gave life. And ever since, his family has shown extraordinary strength in their struggle for his return.”
He concluded, “The horrors murder, torture, abduction, are crimes against humanity. The world must show moral clarity, apply pressure, and act for the immediate release of all the hostages. We will not rest until every one of them is brought home, the living to the loving embrace of their families, and the fallen to be laid to rest in dignity. Every last one.”