Confirmation of Israeli Hostages’ Deaths

On Thursday night, Israel confirmed that two bodies returned by Hamas through the Red Cross are those of Israeli hostages Amiram Cooper, aged 85, and Sahar Baruch, aged 25.

A statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office read:

Following the identification process conducted by the National Forensic Center, representatives from the IDF, in collaboration with the Israeli Police and the IDF Rabbinate, have informed the families that Amiram Cooper and Sahar Baruch have been returned to Israel. We extend our condolences to their families.

The Israeli government expresses deep sorrow for the families of both Cooper and Baruch, as well as all families of deceased hostages.

We are committed to ensuring that all deceased hostages are returned for a proper burial in Israel.

As per the agreement, Hamas is obligated to fulfill its promise to return the deceased hostages to the mediator. We will not waver on this commitment and will do everything possible to bring every last hostage home.

May their memories be a blessing.

Earlier this week, Israel reported that remains previously returned by Hamas were not of the missing hostages but were, in fact, partial remains of those recovered two years ago.

It seems Hamas tried to mislead Israel and the Red Cross by staging a process to return bodies, suggesting compliance with a ceasefire agreement that called for the return of all 28 Israeli hostages still in Gaza.

Following this apparent deception, Israel conducted airstrikes on Hamas positions, which led to casualties due to ceasefire breaches and ambushes on Israeli soldiers in the Gaza Strip.