Defense updates from the Israeli government or reporting by international news agencies

IDF and Shin Bet Recover Body of 53-Year-Old Israeli Hostage Ron Benjamin from Gaza

May 18, 2024, 05:08 PM

The IDF and Shin Bet have successfully recovered the body of Ron Benjamin, a 53-year-old Israeli hostage who was murdered by Hamas on October 7. Benjamin had gone out for a bike ride near Kibbutz Be'eri when he was captured and subsequently killed at the Mefalsim Intersection. He was last heard from at 7:30 a.m., when he left one of his daughters a voice message. His body was found alongside those of Shani Louk, Amit Bouskila, and Yitzhak Gelranter. The joint operation, based on verified intelligence, took place in Gaza and brought Benjamin's body back to Israel for burial after 32 weeks. This recovery reduces the number of Israeli hostages held in Gaza to 128.