Israel announced the repatriation of two civilians’ and one soldier-hostage’s bodies in Gaza, offering some relief to families after more than 20 months of uncertainty. The bodies of Ofra Keidar, Yonatan Samerano, and SSgt Shay Levinson were repatriated in a Gaza special operation.
The Hostage Families Forum welcomed the news with bittersweet relief, calling on the government to double efforts to bring back the other remaining hostages of about 50 abducted during Hamas’s October 2023 attack. The organisation further stated that hostage release is at the core of gaining a final victory in the conflict.
Israel President Isaac Herzog demanded the “immediate release” of all the hostages after US bombings of Iranian nuclear sites, terming the actions as vital to Middle Eastern and international security.
However, there are also families that are opposed to the military agenda of the Israeli government, demanding ceasefire negotiations to enable the safe release of captives amidst continued fighting in Gaza.
The war has resulted in disastrous losses for both sides, killing over 1,200 Israelis and at least 55,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, in the current conflict. As hostilities continue, hostage recovery remains a highly charged emotional and political issue influencing the overall peace process.
