Israeli Military Recovers Bodies of Three Hostages Taken by Hamas in Gaza
In a daring military operation, the bodies of three hostages taken by Hamas have been found in Jabalya, in northern Gaza, the Israeli military announced on Friday.
The victims, identified as Hanan Yablonka, Michel Nisenbaum, and Orion Hernandez, were killed on October 7 at the Mefalsim intersection near Israel’s border with Gaza. Their bodies were then taken into the enclave by Hamas, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The recovery of the bodies was carried out by the IDF and the ISA, Israel’s domestic security agency, in an overnight mission in Jabalya. Intense combat was reported during the operation.
Israel launched its offensive in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people and the abduction of more than 250 individuals.
While the bodies of three hostages have been recovered, there are still 121 individuals who remain abducted in Gaza since the October 7 attacks.
The recovery of the bodies was seen as a closure for the families of the victims, with a group representing hostages’ families emphasizing the need for negotiations to secure the safe return of all hostages.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog expressed their condolences and reiterated the government’s commitment to bringing back all hostages, whether alive or deceased.
Despite growing pressure, negotiations with Hamas for a hostage-for-ceasefire deal have failed in recent months, leading to frustration among those advocating for the return of the captives. — CNN
