Body of Israeli hostage who was held for nearly 700 days in Gaza is recovered

The remains of an Israeli hostage who spent astir 2 years successful captivity successful the Gaza Strip were recovered Friday, the country’s subject announced. 

"The assemblage of Ilan Weiss, who was held hostage for 693 days successful Gaza, has been recovered successful a associated Israel Defense Forces and Israeli Security Agency subject operation," the IDF said. 

"Ilan was from Kibbutz Be’eri and near his location connected the greeting of October 7 to articulation the kibbutz exigency effect team. He was murdered and kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7 Massacre," it added. "His woman Shiri, 54, and girl Noga, 19, were taken hostage into Gaza and released during the ceasefire woody successful November 2023." 

The assemblage of a 2nd Israeli was besides recovered Friday and is present successful the process of being identified, according to the Associated Press. 

ISRAEL ELIMINATES GAZA TERRORIST WHO TOOK PART IN OCT. ATTACK ON KIBBUTZ, TOOK YARDEN BIBAS HOSTAGE 

"It’s a bittersweet infinitesimal that the Weiss household is reunited with their loved one, adjacent though he’s coming backmost not arsenic they would person wanted," Rubi Chen, who believes his lad is inactive successful captivity successful Gaza, was quoted by the AP arsenic saying. 

Chen said his household had received quality that his lad Itay did not past the Oct. 7 attack, but Hamas has not provided immoderate accusation astir his son’s whereabouts. 

The Israeli Hostages and Missing Families Forum said "Ilan was a devoted household antheral – humble, principled, and a dedicated begetter to his daughters."

"He loved hosting guests, tending his garden, and enjoying a beer. On weekends, helium would spell upland biking with his brother-in-law Gil Boyum, a chap subordinate of the kibbutz exigency squad who was besides killed connected that Black Sabbath," it added.

ISRAEL RECOVERS REMAINS OF THREE MORE BODIES HELD BY HAMAS: 'NO VICTORY UNTIL LAST HOSTAGE RETURNS' 

As of Friday, determination are 48 hostages near successful Gaza, 20 of which are believed to beryllium alive, according to The Times of Israel. 

"I connection my heartfelt condolences and enactment to the Weiss household and the assemblage of Kibbutz Be’eri upon the betterment of the assemblage of hostage Ilan Weiss, of blessed memory," Israeli President Isaac Herzog wrote connected X. 

"Ilan showed courageousness and noble tone erstwhile helium fought the terrorists connected that acheronian day. In his death, helium gave life. And ever since, his household has shown bonzer spot successful their conflict for his return," Herzog continued. 

"The horrors committed by Hamas, murder, torture, abduction, are crimes against humanity. The satellite indispensable amusement motivation clarity, use pressure, and enactment for the contiguous merchandise of each the hostages. We volition not remainder until each 1 of them is brought home, the surviving to the loving clasp of their families, and the fallen to beryllium laid to remainder successful dignity. Every past one," helium added. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.