Aug. 28 (UPI) — The Israel Defense Forces said Wednesday that it has recovered the body of an Israeli soldier who had been taken into Gaza during Hamas‘ brutal Oct. 7 attack.
It was unclear where exactly the body was located but the IDF said it was retrieved overnight in a joint operation of the Israeli special forces, Shin Bet agents and others following months of intelligence gathering.
At the request of family, who have been notified of the retrieval, the identity of the soldier was being withheld.
“We share the family’s grief and will continue to support them,” IDF spokesman Read Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a statement.
The soldier had been killed in the Iran-backed militia’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel, that claimed the lives of some 1,200 Israelis and saw another 251 taken hostage in Gaza. The attack was the start of the nearly 11-month war, which, according to Palestinian health officials, has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians.
“The heart of the entire nation grieves over the terrible loss,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said while thanking the “brave fighters and commanders” of the operation.
The announcement came a day after Israel rescued a Hamas hostage from Gaza, leaving a few more than 100 still in the hands of Hamas, of which more than 30 are believed dead.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also commended those who were involved in the overnight operation, while stating on X it “reflects our commitment to bringing all the hostages home.”