Bodies of three hostages - an IDF soldier and two civilians - recovered from Gaza

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"IDF Soldier and Two Civilians' Bodies Recovered from Gaza Following Hostage Operation"

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Original Article Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/22/middleeast/gaza-hostages-intl
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The bodies of three individuals, including an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldier and two civilians, have been recovered from Gaza following a military operation aimed at retrieving hostages taken during the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023. The operation, conducted by the Israel Security Agency (ISA) and the IDF, successfully retrieved the remains of Ofra Keidar, a 71-year-old resident of the kibbutz Be'eri, Yonatan Samerano, a 21-year-old from Tel Aviv, and Shay Levinson, a 19-year-old tank commander. Ofra Keidar was reportedly killed during the initial attacks and her body had been held in Gaza since that time. Her family described her as a community leader who left behind three children and seven grandchildren, emphasizing the profound loss felt by her loved ones. Samerano, who was attending the Nova music festival when he was killed, and Levinson, who died in combat, were also mourned by their families and communities as they navigate the aftermath of the tragic events.

The recovery of these bodies has provided some solace to the families who have endured a long period of uncertainty and anguish, as highlighted by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. They noted that the return of the remains offers a measure of comfort after 625 days of waiting. The Forum also stressed the importance of prioritizing the return of the remaining 50 hostages still held in Gaza, framing this as a crucial goal for achieving a complete victory for Israel amidst ongoing military tensions, particularly related to Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his condolences to the grieving families and praised the efforts of the soldiers involved in the operation, underscoring the emotional and strategic significance of this recovery amid the broader conflict.

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Source URL: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/22/middleeast/gaza-hostages-intl

The bodies of an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldier and two civilians killed in theHamas-led October 7 attackshave been recovered from Gaza in a military hostage recovery operation.

In a special operation carried out by the Israel Security Agency (ISA) and the IDF, the bodies of civilians, Ofra Keidar and Yonatan Samerano, and soldier Shay Levinson were recovered from the Gaza Strip on Saturday, the ISA and IDF said in a joint statement Sunday.

Ofra Keidar, from thekibbutz Be’ericommunity, was killed by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023. The 71-year-old’s body was taken to Gaza, where it had been held since. Keidar was a wife and mother of three. Her husband was also killed in Hamas’ attack.

“On that dark Saturday Ofra went, as usual, for a walk in the fields she loved - and never returned,” her kibbutz said in a statement.

“Ofra was one of the women leading Be’eri to be the flourished kibbutz it has become, and set an example for other women while showing strength and leadership skills. She left three children and seven grandchildren.”

Samerano, 21, from Tel Aviv, was killed by Hamas militants who took his body after fleeing theNova music festival.

Levinson, a dual German-Israeli national and tank commander, was killed in combat on October 7, the joint ISA-IDF statement said. The 19-year-old’s body was then taken to Gaza.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said: “Alongside the grief and pain, the return of their bodies provides some comfort to the families who have waited in agony, uncertainty, and doubt for 625 days.”

The forum also called for the return of the remaining 50 hostages in Gaza to be a priority as Israel continues its conflict with Iran. “Particularly against the backdrop of current military developments and the significant achievements in Iran, we want to emphasize that bringing back the remaining 50 hostages is the key to achieving complete Israeli victory,” it said.

In a statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered his “heartfelt condolences” to the families of Keidar, Samerano and Levinson and thanked Israeli soldiers for a “successful operation.”

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Source: CNN