Israel Receives Remains of Deceased Hostage
On Saturday, Israel announced that remains recently transferred from Hamas via the Red Cross belonged to a hostage who had died. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the remains were those of Eliyahu Margalit, affectionately called “Churchill,” who lost his life during the attack on October 7, 2023. An official emphasized that Hamas needs to fulfill its obligations by working to return all hostages to their families and ensure they receive respectful burials.
According to reports, Margalit was killed in a stable at Kibbutz Nir Oz. His body was subsequently taken to Gaza, where it remained for more than two years. The IDF had previously confirmed his death back in December 2023.
His daughter, Nili, had also been taken hostage but was released during a temporary ceasefire in November 2023. Margalit leaves behind his wife, three children, and several grandchildren.
Hostage Transfers
The remains of the last female hostage from Hamas, alongside an IDF soldier, were turned over to Israel. In a statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed the government’s shared sorrow with Margalit’s family. He reiterated the commitment to tirelessly work towards bringing all abductees home and giving them honorable burials in Israel.
Margalit’s loved ones recounted how he had gone to feed his horse early on October 7, and that the horse was taken along with him—a poignant detail reflecting his connection to the kibbutz and his life there.
His family shared their gratitude, stating, “Our beloved Eli has returned home after 742 days since his abduction and murder. We are thankful to the people of Israel and the Hostage Families Forum for their unwavering support during this long ordeal. We promise to continue fighting until all hostages are safely returned for burial.”
Community Support
The Forum for Families of Hostages and Missing expressed their condolences to Margalit’s family, highlighting the collective grief of families impacted by these tragedies. In their message, they emphasized the emotional weight of the situation and affirmed their commitment to not rest until all remaining hostages are returned.
They noted that Margalit was a passionate cowboy, associated with an equestrian group called Riders of the South, active for over five decades. Margalit marks the tenth deceased hostage to be returned to Israel, but sadly, the remains of 18 others still linger in Gaza. Among those not yet recovered are Itai Chen, 19, and Omer Neutra, 21, both American nationals.
