Official announcements from the Israeli government, Hamas, or international mediators

IDF Recovers Body of Itay Svirski, Hostage Murdered by Hamas in Gaza

Dec 4, 2024, 06:04 PM

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet security agency have recovered the body of Itay Svirski, a 38-year-old hostage who was kidnapped from Kibbutz Be'eri on October 7, 2023, and murdered by Hamas terrorists while in captivity in January 2024. The operation took place in the Gaza Strip, and Svirski's body was brought back to Israel for burial. The IDF had previously announced that Svirski had been killed by his captors. His recovery marks another step in the ongoing efforts to bring back all hostages, with approximately 100 still held by Hamas, many of whom are believed to be alive and suffering.