The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Saturday that the body of an Israeli hostage had been taken in the Gaza Strip.
Elad Katsir was first abducted in a Hamas terrorist attack on October 7. claimed Approximately 1,200 people, including his mother Hanna, were killed by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group. according to To the IDF. The Israel Defense Forces announced that the bodies of the hostages were found overnight in Khan Yunis, the main city of the Gaza Strip, and had been returned to Israeli territory.
“According to intelligence sources, Mr. Elad was killed by IJ in captivity,” the IDF said in a statement. “Since the beginning of the war, our mission has been, and remains, to find the hostages and bring them home. We will continue our operations until it is completed.”
Katsir’s mother was released in late November, but her father, Abraham, was killed in Israel. meanwhile According to the IDF, Hamas’ first attack. (Related article: American-Israeli captured in Gaza announces death, family maintains call for immediate hostage deal)
The hostages were shown alive in two propaganda videos released by the Islamic Jihad group in December and January. according to To the Times of Israel.
Elad Elad during a rally in Tel Aviv on February 3, 2024 calling for the release of relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages held in Gaza since the October 7 attack by Palestinian Hamas militants. Demonstrators hold up portraits of Katsir. (Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty Images)
Katsir’s sister Kermit criticized the Israeli government on Facebook. post After his brother’s body was discovered.
“Had an agreement been reached in time, he might have been saved. Our leadership is cowardly and motivated by political considerations, which is why it didn’t happen.” Kermit Parti Katzir wrote. “He was left behind on October 7th and then left behind for 183 days when he could have been brought home alive.”
Katsir’s discovery came as thousands of protesters took to the streets of Tel Aviv demanding elections to replace senior Israeli government officials and negotiations with Hamas to free the hostages. according to In the Washington Post.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed those calls on Sunday, claiming that the election would “paralyze Israel for at least six months” and would be celebrated by Hamas.
“The pain of the families of the hostages breaks my heart. I think it breaks the hearts of all of us,” Prime Minister Netanyahu said. “Anyone who says I’m not doing everything in my power to get the hostages back is wrong and misleading others.”
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