Six hostages' bodies retrieved, Israel's military says

The Israeli military has reported that the bodies of six hostages taken by Hamas have been recovered from the Gaza Strip. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the bodies of Yagev Buchshtab, Alexander Dancyg, Avraham Munder, Yoram Metzger, Chaim Peri, and British-Israeli Nadav Popplewell were found in the Khan Younis area on Monday. While Israel had previously announced the deaths of five of these individuals, there was still hope that Avraham Munder might be alive. The recovery operation was conducted by the IDF in collaboration with the Shin Bet security agency. During the operation, the IDF discovered a deep tunnel shaft that led to an underground tunnel route where the bodies were located. The retrieval of the bodies involved prolonged combat in a densely populated area with multi-story buildings. All six men were kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz and Kibbutz Nirim, located near the border with Gaza, during Hamas's attacks on southern Israel on October 7. In June, Israel had already reported the deaths of Mr. Popplewell, 51, Mr. Peri, 79, and Mr. Metzger, 80, stating that they had died during an Israeli operation in Khan Younis. In July, the IDF also reported the deaths of Mr. Buchshtab, 35, and Mr. Dancyg, 76, and an investigation was initiated to determine the circumstances of their deaths. Israeli media, citing military sources, indicated that there was a high probability that at least one of the men was killed by Israeli fire. Alexander Dancyg's son, Mati Dancyg, expressed his frustration, stating that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government had chosen to abandon the hostages in order to ensure its own survival. He remarked, 'Netanyahu chose to sacrifice the hostages. Karma will judge him and he will pay for it, big time. ' Government estimates suggest that there are currently 105 hostages remaining in Gaza, with 71 believed to be alive. Additionally, there were four hostages already in Gaza prior to October 7, two of whom are thought to be deceased. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant commented that the bodies were retrieved following a complex operation, emphasizing that Israel would continue its efforts to dismantle Hamas. Israeli President Isaac Herzog extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of those whose bodies were returned, stating, 'We must not stop for a moment from working in every way possible to bring back all the hostages. ' The Hostage Families Forum expressed that the recovery of the bodies provided the families with necessary closure, but they also emphasized that the return of the remaining hostages from Gaza could only be achieved through a negotiated deal. The group urged the Israeli government to do everything in its power to finalize the deal currently under discussion. Ongoing negotiations for a long-sought ceasefire and hostage release deal are taking place, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arriving in Egypt to discuss a potential agreement with Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. On Monday, Mr. Blinken stated that they were working hard for a deal after meeting with Mr. Netanyahu in Jerusalem, who described the discussions as positive. The IDF announced on Monday that it had expanded its operations in Khan Younis and the outskirts of the central town of Deir al-Balah. Local health officials reported that five individuals were killed in an Israeli airstrike on an internet distribution facility in western Khan Younis on Monday. A medical source also reported that three people were killed in Abasan, located east of the city. Israel initiated a military campaign in Gaza in response to an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7 by Hamas gunmen, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and 251 individuals taken hostage. Since then, more than 40,173 people have died in Gaza, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.