Israel’s military reports finding two hostages’ remains in Gaza, returning them to Israel this Tuesday.
A statement from the Israel Defense Forces identified them as Eden Zakaria, 27, and Ziv Dado, 36.
Zakaria was caught in a Hamas attack at a southern Israel music festival on October 7th. Dado, a 36-year-old logistics officer in the Golani Brigade’s 51st Battalion, was captured during the same incident, the IDF notes.
The IDF reported that two reserve soldiers died and others were hurt while recovering the bodies.
Hamas freed around 100 hostages during a temporary ceasefire with Israel last month, arranged by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar. The truce, meant to last four days, extended to a week. In return, Israel released about 240 Palestinian prisoners.
Israel’s military is ready to continue its fight against Hamas for months or more.
Gaza’s Health Ministry, run by Hamas, states over 18,000 people in Gaza have died and many more are injured due to the war. Humanitarian agencies warn of severe hunger and suffering in Gaza, stressing no place is safe for civilians there.