Israeli safety forces working in Gaza have recovered the our bodies of two Israeli hostages, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says.
He named one among them as Yair (Yaya) Yaakov, 59, who was killed inside his residence at Kibbutz Nir Oz through the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on 7 October 2023.
His teenage sons, Or and Yagil, and his accomplice, Meirav Tal, have been kidnapped alive and launched in November 2023, as a part of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
Netanyahu mentioned the identify of the opposite hostage had not but been launched, however that their household had been knowledgeable.
There at the moment are 53 hostages nonetheless being held by Hamas in Gaza, at the very least 20 of whom are believed to be alive.
Information of the restoration of Yair Yaakov’s physique initially got here from his sons.
“Dad, I really like you,” Yagil wrote in a publish on Instagram on Wednesday night, based on the Haaretz newspaper. “I do not know how you can reply but. I am unhappy to say this. I am ready to your funeral, I really like you and knew this present day would come.”
Yagil additionally thanked the Israel Protection Forces (IDF) and the Shin Guess inner safety service and expressed hope that the remaining hostages “will probably be introduced [back] in a deal that does not danger troopers”.
Later, Netanyahu issued a press release saying: “Along with all of the residents of Israel, my spouse and I prolong our deepest condolences to the households who’ve misplaced their most beloved.”
“I thank the troopers and commanders for one more profitable execution of the sacred mission to return our hostages.”
The Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board, which represents many hostages’ households, mentioned in a press release that it “bows its head in sorrow over the homicide of Yaya and shares within the profound grief of the Yaakov household”.
“There aren’t any phrases to specific the depth of this ache,” it added. “The hostages don’t have any time. We should carry all of them residence, Now!”
The Israeli navy launched a marketing campaign in Gaza in response to the 7 October assault, by which about 1,200 folks have been killed and 251 others have been taken hostage.
At the very least 55,104 folks have been killed in Gaza since then, based on the territory’s Hamas-run well being ministry.
