The bodies of three more hostages killed on Oct 7. were recovered overnight from Gaza, Israel’s army said Friday. The victims were identified as Hanan Yablonka, Michel Nisenbaum, and Orion Hernandez Radoux. They were killed on the day of the attack at the Mefalsim intersection, and their families have been notified. This discovery comes less than a week after the army found the bodies of three other hostages killed on Oct. 7. The Oct. 7 attack by Hamas-led militants resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and the abduction of around 250 others. Israeli forces have been working to recover the hostages and bring them back home, but progress has been slow. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised to eliminate Hamas and secure the release of all captives, facing pressure to resign and threats from the U.S. to scale back support due to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari confirmed in a video statement that the bodies of three hostages killed on Oct 7. were recovered overnight. Around 100 hostages remain captive in Gaza, along with the bodies of at least 39 more, while 17 bodies of hostages have been recovered. Netanyahu reiterated the country’s commitment to bringing back all abducted individuals, alive or deceased. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed condolences to the family of Hernández-Radoux, a French-Mexican citizen who was among the victims, and reaffirmed France’s dedication to releasing the hostages. The International Court of Justice is expected to issue a ruling on an urgent plea by South Africa to order Israel to cease operations, although compliance is uncertain. The pressure on Israel is mounting due to international scrutiny and demands for a ceasefire.
The situation in Gaza has sparked division among Israelis, with some calling for a halt to military operations to focus on freeing hostages, while others see the captives as a necessary sacrifice to eradicate Hamas. Efforts to negotiate the release of hostages through mediators like Qatar, the U.S., and Egypt have shown little progress. Families of the hostages released new video footage showing the capture of Israeli soldiers near the Gaza border, fueling more protests for their release. The army conducted an operation in Jabaliya, leading to the discovery of the hostages’ bodies based on critical intelligence gathered by Israeli forces. The bodies have been returned to their families for burial, bringing closure to their loved ones.
The victims, including Nisenbaum, Hernandez Radoux, and Yablonka, were among those taken hostage during the Oct. 7 attack. Nisenbaum, a Brazilian-Israeli from Sderot, was captured while trying to rescue his granddaughter. Hernandez Radoux and his partner attended the Nova music festival when they were taken, with Louk’s body already found by the army. Yablonka, a music lover and father of two, was also abducted from the festival. Meanwhile, the conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in the death of thousands of Palestinians and has created a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. While Israel’s offensive has weakened Hamas, militants are regrouping in certain areas and resuming attacks. Israeli forces are actively engaged in different parts of Gaza to maintain security and combat militant activities.
After months of conflict, the situation remains tense in Gaza, with ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages and maintain security. The international community is closely monitoring the developments in the region, with calls for Israel to comply with orders from the International Court of Justice. As pressure mounts on Israel to address the humanitarian crisis and release captives, the country faces internal and external challenges in navigating the complex dynamics of the conflict. The recovery of the bodies of the hostages killed on Oct 7. is a significant development in the ongoing efforts to bring closure to the families of the victims and work towards peace in the region.
