The bodies of six Israeli hostages have been retrieved from Gaza during an overnight military operation in Khan Younis, Israeli authorities said Tuesday, as the latest ceasefire negotiations continue.
In a joint announcement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israeli Security Agency (ISA) named them as Yoram Metzger, Alexander Dancyg, Avraham Munder, Chaim Peri, Nadav Popplewell, and Yagev Buchshtab.
All but Munder had been announced dead in recent months by the Israeli military.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed gratitude for the operation, acknowledging the bravery and determination of those involved. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant highlighted the complexity of the operation to retrieve the hostages' bodies from Hamas tunnels.
The operation was made possible by precise intelligence from the IDF and ISA, as well as the IDF Intelligence Directorate Hostage Headquarters. Currently, there are 109 Israeli hostages in Gaza, with 36 believed to be deceased.
Munder, Metzger, and Peri were residents of Kibbutz Nir Oz, captured during Hamas' October 7 attacks. Munder's family members were also taken, with his son tragically killed during the incident.
Popplewell and Buchshtab were taken from Kibbutz Nirim. Hamas claimed Popplewell's death due to injuries sustained in an Israeli airstrike, while Buchshtab was believed to have died during IDF operations in Khan Younis.
As negotiations for a ceasefire continue, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced progress in talks with Netanyahu agreeing to a US proposal. Hamas, however, has expressed reservations about the terms of the proposed ceasefire.
The recovery of the hostages' bodies has brought some closure, with calls for urgency in finalizing a deal. Meanwhile, Israeli military operations in Gaza persist, resulting in civilian casualties, including women and children.
Israeli airstrikes targeted a school in Gaza where displaced people sought shelter, leading to casualties. The IDF defended the strikes, citing the presence of Hamas operatives in the area.
Further violence erupted in Deir al-Balah, with additional casualties reported. The situation remains tense as efforts to secure a ceasefire face challenges from both sides.
