Israeli forces have recovered the body of slain hostage Ilan Weiss in a complex operation in the Gaza Strip, the military announced on Sunday. His remains were found alongside those of another hostage whose identity has not yet been released. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the identification process for the second body is underway at the Abu Kabir National Institute of Forensic Medicine. The mission was carried out by Southern Command troops with intelligence from the Military Intelligence Directorate, the Shin Bet, and the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. Weiss, 56, was killed on

Israeli forces have recovered the body of slain hostage Ilan Weiss in a complex operation in the Gaza Strip, the military announced on Sunday. His remains were found alongside those of another hostage whose identity has not yet been released. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the identification process for the second body is underway at the Abu Kabir National Institute of Forensic Medicine. The mission was carried out by Southern Command troops with intelligence from the Military Intelligence Directorate, the Shin Bet, and the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. Weiss, 56, was killed on October 7, 2023, while defending Kibbutz Be’eri as a member of its emergency response team. His body was taken into Gaza. His wife, Shiri, and daughter, Noga, were also kidnapped that day but later freed in a weeklong truce and hostage release deal in November 2023. According to Al Jazeera, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed condolences to the bereaved families and praised security forces for their “determination and courage.” “Together with all the citizens of Israel, my wife and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the dear families and share in their great sorrow,” Netanyahu said. “The campaign to return the kidnapped continues continuously. We will not rest or be silent until we return all our kidnapped people home – the living and the dead alike.” Times of Israel reports that Israeli President Isaac Herzog also paid tribute, calling the recovery both “a moment of deep sorrow” and “closure.” “692 days after he was brutally kidnapped with his wife Shiri and their daughter Noga, Ilan’s body was recovered in a joint IDF and Shin Bet operation,” Herzog said. “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.” Herzog urged the international community to intervene: “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.” According to official figures, 48 hostages remain in Gaza, of whom 20 are believed to be alive. The Hamas-led October 2023 attacks killed 1,139 people in Israel and saw 251 abducted. Most have since been released through diplomatic negotiations. Israel has not yet publicly responded to Hamas’s acceptance of a ceasefire proposal that would see some hostages freed. Officials have said, however, that Israel will only agree to a deal that ensures the release of all captives and Hamas’s surrender.  

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