Israel Reveals Identities and Death Circumstances of Two Hostages Released by Hamas
Israel has disclosed the identities and circumstances surrounding the deaths of two hostages released by Hamas. These hostages are among the four remains Israel received via the Red Cross. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) provided these details on Tuesday.
Identities and Circumstances of the Deceased
The released hostages have been identified as Guy Iluz and Bipin Joshi. The other two hostages’ identities remain undisclosed at their families’ request.
- Guy Iluz: Kidnapped alive and injured by Hamas after escaping a music festival. Iluz, 26, died due to lack of medical care.
- Bipin Joshi: Kidnapped from Kibbutz Alumim. Aged 23, he was killed in captivity during the early months of the conflict.
Hostage Recovery and Aftermath
Guy Iluz and Bipin Joshi were held in Gaza for 738 days before being returned to Israel. The National Center of Forensic Medicine will finalize the conclusions about their deaths.
Ongoing Efforts to Return Hostages
In a broader release, 20 living hostages were freed on Monday, adding emotional reunions for many families. However, 24 slain hostages, potentially including U.S. citizens Itay Chen and Omer Neutera, remain in Gaza. Hamas has faced challenges in locating all bodies, despite an agreement to return them.
Community and Family Reactions
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has embraced the families of Guy Iluz and Bipin Joshi. They acknowledge the pain and comfort that comes with providing a proper burial after years of uncertainty. The forum pledged to continue its efforts until all 24 hostages return home.
As the situation unfolds, the IDF continues to press Hamas to fulfill its agreement to return all hostages to their families.
