The body of Israeli hostage Ilan Weiss has been recovered in an operation in the Gaza Strip, Israel's military has announced. Weiss, 56, was killed during Hamas's attack in southern Israel on 7 October 2023. The remains of a second hostage, whose identity has not been released yet, were also recovered, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says.
Israel launched a massive offensive in Gaza following the attack in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken back to the territory as hostages. After the latest announcement, 48 hostages remain in Gaza - 20 of whom Israel believes are still alive.
Ilan Weiss was killed while defending Kibbutz Beeri on the day of the attack. His body was taken to Gaza. Weiss's wife, Shiri, and daughter, Noga, were taken hostage by Hamas on the same day. They were released during a temporary ceasefire in November 2023. Ilan showed courage and noble spirit when he fought the terrorists on that dark day, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said, praising Weiss's family's extraordinary strength in their struggle for his return.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been facing strong domestic pressure to agree to a deal for the return of all hostages still in captivity. Huge protests have been held demanding an end to the war as Israel pushes ahead with its plan to take over Gaza City and eventually establish control over the entire Strip, arguing that the defeat of Hamas will secure the release of the hostages.
In recent days, Israel has carried out air strikes on Gaza City and has advised residents to make their way towards makeshift housing in the south of the Gaza Strip as part of its military strategy against Hamas.
Israel launched a massive offensive in Gaza following the attack in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken back to the territory as hostages. After the latest announcement, 48 hostages remain in Gaza - 20 of whom Israel believes are still alive.
Ilan Weiss was killed while defending Kibbutz Beeri on the day of the attack. His body was taken to Gaza. Weiss's wife, Shiri, and daughter, Noga, were taken hostage by Hamas on the same day. They were released during a temporary ceasefire in November 2023. Ilan showed courage and noble spirit when he fought the terrorists on that dark day, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said, praising Weiss's family's extraordinary strength in their struggle for his return.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been facing strong domestic pressure to agree to a deal for the return of all hostages still in captivity. Huge protests have been held demanding an end to the war as Israel pushes ahead with its plan to take over Gaza City and eventually establish control over the entire Strip, arguing that the defeat of Hamas will secure the release of the hostages.
In recent days, Israel has carried out air strikes on Gaza City and has advised residents to make their way towards makeshift housing in the south of the Gaza Strip as part of its military strategy against Hamas.
