The Israel Defense Forces announced on Friday that they had recovered the bodies of three hostages who were killed during Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7. The bodies of 23-year-old Shani Louk, 28-year-old Amit Buskila, and 56-year-old Itzhik Gelernter were found in a tunnel in Gaza as part of a joint operation with the Shin Bet Israeli intelligence agency. This was prompted by intelligence related to terrorism investigations and guidance from the Intelligence Division’s Captives and Missing Persons Command, according to IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari.
Medical officials were able to identify the bodies and notify the families earlier in the day. The IDF has concluded that the three individuals were murdered while trying to escape the Nova music festival, and their bodies were then taken to Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his sorrow over the news and pledged to return all hostages, whether they are alive or dead.
The attack by Hamas on October 7 resulted in the deaths of more than 1,200 people and the kidnapping of around 240 hostages. The Nova music festival was one of the civilian areas that were targeted, and Shani Louk was among the hostages taken. A video of Louk unconscious in the back of a Hamas truck went viral and became a symbol of the violence of the attack. Despite initially holding out hope for her survival, the Israeli military found a fragment of her skull in October and determined that she had died.
In a news conference, Hagari emphasized the tragedy of the situation, stating, “They were celebrating life in the Nova music festival and they were murdered by Hamas.” The IDF estimates that Hamas still holds 132 hostages, with 128 of them taken on October 7. Approximately 40 of these hostages are believed to be deceased.
The recovery of the bodies comes at a time when Israel is increasing its operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. These military actions have raised concerns globally about the potential humanitarian impact on displaced Palestinian refugees who have sought refuge in the area amid the ongoing conflict. According to estimates from the Gaza Health Ministry, nearly 35,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, with a majority of them being women and children. The situation remains volatile as both Israel and Hamas continue to engage in violent confrontations.
