IDF recovers bodies of 3 hostages during Gaza operation
On day 70 of the war against Hamas, Israeli military reported identifying and returning to Israel bodies of three young men
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Friday reported recovering bodies of three hostages kidnapped by Hamas. They are: Elia Toledano, 28, CPL Nik Beizer, 19, SGT Ron Sherman, 19.
Toledano, a French-Israeli, was kidnapped from the Nova music festival by the Hamas terrorists on October 7. French President Emmanuel Macron, Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna stated that their country is "deeply saddened to hear the Israeli armed forces announce the death of our compatriot."
His body is said to have been identified by the medical officials and military rabbis together with the Institute of Forensic Medicine and the Israel Police earlier on Tuesday. "The IDF, Israel Police, and the Coordinator for the Captives and Missing in the Prime Minister’s Office, representatives informed the family."
Beizer was from the city of Be'er Sheva. According to the IDF statement, the young man was taken hostage while serving as a driver in Gaza.
Sherman was from the town of Lehavim in southern Israel. He was also kidnapped during his service in Gaza, stated the military.
In the statement, the IDF sent the families "its heartfelt condolences."
132 hostages are believed to remain in Hamas's captivity in the Gaza Strip for 70 days.
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