The Israeli military has announced the recovery of the bodies of three hostages — two civilians and one soldier- in a special operation in Gaza, as the conflict in the region continues to intensify alongside its separate war with Iran.
According to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), the remains of Ofra Keidar, Yonatan Samerano, and Staff Sergeant Shay Levinson were retrieved during a targeted mission on Saturday, more than 20 months after they were abducted by Hamas militants.
“In a special operation… the bodies of hostages Ofra Keidar, Yonatan Samerano, and SSgt Shay Levinson were recovered from the Gaza Strip yesterday,” the IDF said in a statement.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum responded, saying the return of the bodies “provides some comfort to the families who have waited in agony, uncertainty, and doubt for 625 days.” The group reiterated its call on the Israeli government to secure the release of the remaining 50 hostages, calling it “the key to achieving complete victory.”
Samerano was described as “a talented DJ who just wanted to make music, have fun, and travel,” while Keidar, 71, was a resident of the Be’eri kibbutz — a community where over 100 people were killed during the Hamas-led attack on 7 October 2023.
That attack resulted in the abduction of 251 people and the deaths of around 1,200 others. Of the remaining hostages, Israeli authorities believe approximately 30 are now deceased.
There are growing concerns among hostage families that Israel’s escalating conflict with Iran, which began on June 13, could shift focus away from efforts to recover those still held in Gaza.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed the situation on Sunday, calling for the “urgent release” of the remaining captives. He linked the ongoing military efforts, including recent U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, to broader regional security.
“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.
Some families of hostages have criticised the government’s decision to resume fighting in Gaza in March, arguing that a permanent ceasefire is the only viable path to securing the safe return of the remaining captives. The latest round of fighting resumed after Israel reportedly declined to proceed to the second phase of a previously agreed ceasefire deal.
Israel’s operations in Gaza have now stretched beyond 20 months, with more than 55,000 Palestinians — the majority of them women and children — reported killed since the conflict began.