Israeli forces recover six hostages’ bodies in Gaza tunnels

Israeli forces retrieved the bodies of six hostages from the Gaza Strip, the military confirmed on Tuesday. Efforts continue to secure the release of more than 100 remaining captives in the embattled Palestinian territory. Currently, 109 hostages are believed to be in Gaza, with about a third presumed dead. The fate of the others remains uncertain. Most hostages were taken by Hamas during their October 7 attack on southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 individuals and the abduction of approximately 250 people.

In an attempt to mediate a resolution, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Egyptian officials on Tuesday. This regional visit aims to bridge differences between Israel and Hamas to end the conflict and ensure the hostages’ return.

Zahiro Shahar Mor, nephew of hostage Abraham Munder, one of the six whose body was returned, expressed frustration with Israeli authorities, accusing them of missing opportunities to negotiate a ceasefire and secure the hostages’ release. Mor highlighted his uncle’s contributions to building the country and criticised the government’s handling of the situation.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant identified the recovered bodies as those of Yagev Buchshtab, Alexander Dancyg, Abraham Munder, Yoram Metzger, Nadav Popplewell, and Chaim Peri. These were found in tunnels beneath Khan Younis, a city in southern Gaza, following a complex operation. Gallant reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to returning the hostages and dismantling Hamas.

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, Israel’s chief military spokesperson, reiterated the determination to bring all hostages home, whether alive for rehabilitation or deceased for burial. He emphasised the moral duty to recover them but acknowledged the challenge of rescuing everyone through operations. Hagari did not specify the number of living hostages and mentioned ongoing investigations into the circumstances of their deaths.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) discovered a tunnel shaft about 10 meters deep leading to an underground route where the hostages’ bodies were found. Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, an Israeli military spokesperson, noted that the bodies were hidden behind a false wall in a tunnel under a previously designated humanitarian area in Khan Younis. Operations in the area are still ongoing.

The Hostages Families Forum, representing most hostage families, urged the government to finalise a deal with Hamas for the hostages’ release. They stressed the necessity of a negotiated agreement to ensure the immediate return of the remaining 109 hostages.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has faced criticism for not securing a deal, pledged continued efforts to bring back all hostages, both living and deceased.

Apart from those taken on October 7, Hamas has been holding two Israeli citizens who entered Gaza about a decade ago and the bodies of two soldiers killed in 2014.

Since the conflict began, Israel’s military actions have devastated large areas of Gaza, displacing nearly all its 2.3 million residents and causing at least 40,000 deaths, according to Palestinian health authorities. Israel claims to have killed approximately 17,000 militants during the war.