Bodies of 11 Hostages Returned to Israel in Hostages-for-Prisoners Exchange

The fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas has brought closure to some families, with the return of the bodies of 11 hostages killed during the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023. The releases have sparked long-awaited closure for the families of the 28 deceased hostages whose bodies were held in Gaza before the deal came into effect. However, frustration is growing among Israelis awaiting the return of the bodies still held in the enclave.

Key Takeaways:

• The bodies of 11 hostages were returned to Israel in the hostages-for-prisoners exchange deal between Israel and Hamas, bringing closure to some families.
• Guy Illouz, 26, was one of the hostages returned, killed in captivity after being severely wounded during the Hamas attack on the Nova music festival.
• Bipin Joshi, a Nepali student, was among the group of Nepali students studying agriculture at Kibbutz Alumim when the Hamas attack began; his family released footage believed to have been filmed in November 2023 that showed him in captivity.
• Daniel Peretz, 22, was a captain in the Israeli army's 7th Armored Brigade; the army said Peretz was killed on October 7, 2023.
• Yossi Sharabi, 53, and his younger brother Eli were taken captive from Kibbutz Beeri; Eli was released earlier this year.
• Uriel Baruch, 34, was one of the first to escape the Nova music festival after the Hamas attack; the Israeli government said he died in captivity.
• Tamir Nimrodi, 20, was an Israeli soldier and German dual national abducted from a main crossing between Israel and Gaza; two other soldiers abducted with him were killed.
• Eitan Levi, 52, was killed at the Nova music festival during the Hamas attack; his family described him as a "warm and loving family man."
• Muhammad al-Atrash, 39, was a sergeant major in the Israeli military; he was killed in fighting on October 7, 2023, and his body taken into Gaza.
• Inbar Hayman, 27, was an art student abducted from the Nova music festival and was the only female hostage still in Gaza; the Israeli government says she was killed in Hamas captivity.
• Ronen Engel, 54, was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz with his family; his wife, Karina Engel-Barret, and two daughters, Mika and Yuval, were freed as part of a ceasefire deal in November 2023.
• Sonthaya Oakkharasri, 30, a Thai agricultural employee, worked in Israel for five years; he was killed on October 7, 2023, during the Hamas attack.

Statistics:

• 11 hostages' bodies were returned to Israel as part of the hostages-for-prisoners exchange deal.
• 28 hostages' bodies remain in Gaza.
• The bodies of 10 hostages were returned since October 13, including Ronen Engel and Sonthaya Oakkharasri, who were returned on October 18.
• Tamir Nimrodi, 20, was one of 12 Israeli soldiers abducted during the October 7, 2023, attack.
• 16-month-old Lotan, son of Tal Haimi, who was killed during the attack, has since moved back to the kibbutz with his family.
• 19 other hostages' bodies remain in Gaza.

Sources:

• Israel's military [undated, mentioned in the report]
• Hostages and Missing Families Forum [undated, mentioned in the report]
• Washington Post [undated, mentioned in the report]
• Associated Press [undated, mentioned in the report]
• Al Araby TV [undated, mentioned in the report]
• Times of Israel [undated, mentioned in the report]
• Nation newspaper [undated, mentioned in the report]
• The Post [undated, mentioned in the report]