Israeli Forces Recover Bodies of Three Hostages Held in Gaza
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by Reuters and Algemeiner Staff

Nikol Beizer, sister of Nik Beizer, looks on during a press conference of the Israeli relatives of hostages kidnapped by Hamas during its Oct. 7 massacre, in Rome, Italy, Nov. 22, 2023. Photo: REUTERS/Remo Casilli
The Israeli military has recovered the bodies of three Israelis — a civilian and two soldiers — who had been held in the Gaza Strip by Hamas since its Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel, it said on Friday.
The military said 28-year-old Elia Toledano and 19-year-old soldiers Nik Beizer and Ron Scherman were identified in a process carried out by medical officials, military rabbis, and forensic experts. It did not elaborate on the circumstances of their killing, or from where in Gaza they were recovered.
Israeli media reported that Toledano was taken by Hamas from an outdoor music festival that the Palestinian terrorists had turned into a massacre.
Israel said 240 people were taken hostage when Hamas gunmen breached the separation barrier into Israel on Oct. 7 and killed 1,200 people.
Hamas-controlled health authorities say Israel’s ensuing military campaign in Gaza has killed thousands, although experts have cast doubt on the reliability of casualty figures coming out of the Palestinian enclave, which is ruled by the terror group.
During a week-long truce in late November, Hamas released more than 100 women, children, and foreigners it was holding in Gaza in exchange for the release of 240 women and teenagers detained in Israeli prisoners. Many were imprisoned for committing acts of violence, including terrorism.
More than 130 hostages remain in Gaza. Some have been declared dead in absentia by Israeli authorities.
The Palestinian Prisoners Association said Israel has detained more than 4,400 Palestinians since Oct. 7.
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