The body of Israeli hostage Ilan Weiss has been recovered in an operation in the Gaza Strip, Israel's military has announced.
Weiss, 56, was killed during Hamas's attack in southern Israel on 7 October 2023.
The remains of a second hostage, whose identity has not been released yet, were also recovered, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says.
Israel launched a massive offensive in Gaza following the attack in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken back to the territory as hostages. After the latest announcement, 48 hostages remain in Gaza - 20 of whom Israel believes are still alive.
Ilan Weiss was killed while defending Kibbutz Beeri on the day of the attack. His body was taken to Gaza.
Weiss's wife, Shiri, and daughter, Noga, were taken hostage by Hamas on the same day. They were released during a temporary ceasefire in November 2023.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog praised Weiss’s courage and the strength of his family in their struggle for his return.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces strong domestic pressure to negotiate the rescue of remaining hostages, while protests against the ongoing military campaign increase. Concurrently, military operations in Gaza City have intensified, leading to significant civilian displacement and humanitarian concerns.
According to the UN, about 20,000 have been displaced to the south from Gaza City since August, amidst warnings of devastating consequences from Western countries for ongoing military actions in populated areas. Studies reveal that over 90% of homes in the region have been damaged or destroyed, fueling a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by rising food insecurity and lack of basic services.
Amid these developments, the IDF has indicated that its military operations will not pause in Gaza City as previously scheduled, citing ongoing assessments of the situation on the ground.
