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On Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the recovery of the bodies of six hostages from Gaza who had been murdered in Hamas captivity.
The hostages—Nadav Popplewell, Yagev Buchshtab, Yoram Metzger, Haim Peri, Alexander Dancyg, and Avraham Munder—were recovered from the Khan Yunis area in a complex rescue operation.
The operation was executed by the IDF’s 98th Division, with significant contributions from the Paratroopers Brigade, the ‘Yahalom’ Unit, and the 75th Battalion, alongside forces from the Israeli Security Agency (ISA).
The mission was conducted under the coordination of military intelligence, the ISA, and the IDF Intelligence Directorate Hostage Headquarters.
The recovery process involved meticulous identification procedures by the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, Israel Police, and the IDF Manpower Directorate’s Hostage Team. Families and communities of the deceased were promptly notified of the tragic news.
Kibbutz Nirim and Kibbutz Nir Oz, the communities from which the hostages were taken, confirmed the retrieval of the bodies.
Kibbutz Nirim announced that the bodies of Nadav Popplewell and Yagev Buchshtab had been recovered, while Kibbutz Nir Oz reported the recovery of Yoram Metzger, Haim Peri, and Alexander Dancyg.
The death of Avraham Munder was confirmed later, as it was previously believed he might still be alive.
Munder’s nephew, speaking to KAN Reshet Bet, expressed deep sorrow over the loss, highlighting Munder’s contributions to Jerusalem’s liberation and community development in the Negev.
“It’s sad that a person who answered the call to build and protect our land was ultimately discarded in a Gaza tunnel,” he said.
Profile of the Victims
Nadav Popplewell, 51, was abducted from Kibbutz Nirim on October 7. The IDF announced his death in Hamas captivity in June.
Popplewell, an avid reader of books and science fiction, was kidnapped along with his mother, Channah Peri, who was released in a November deal. His brother, Roi, was also murdered in the October attack.
Yagev Buchshtab, 35, was taken from Kibbutz Nirim on the same day as Popplewell. A sound technician with a passion for music, Buchshtab’s death was announced by the IDF in July. His wife, Rimon Kirsht Buchshtab, was released in the November deal.
Yoram Metzger, 80, was abducted from Nir Oz on October 7 and was reported dead in Hamas captivity in June. Metzger, who worked at the Nirlat factory and as a kibbutz mechanic, is survived by his wife Tamar, their three children, and seven grandchildren.
Haim Peri, 79, was kidnapped from Nir Oz on the same day as Metzger. The kibbutz reported that Peri managed to save his wife before his own abduction. Peri was described as a peace activist and educator who founded an art gallery and taught at Sapir College.
Alexander Dancyg, 76, was also taken from Nir Oz on October 7. An educator and historian with a long tenure at Yad Vashem, Dancyg dedicated much of his life to Holocaust education and the organization of educational delegations to Poland.
Avraham Munder was seized from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7. His body was confirmed recovered on Tuesday.
Munder, who fought in the Six-Day War and lived in Kibbutz Nir Oz for over 50 years, was kidnapped with his wife Ruti, daughter Keren, and nine-year-old grandson Ohad. They were released in November after 49 days of captivity.
Community Reactions and Ongoing Efforts
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum emphasized that the only viable way to secure the return of the remaining 109 hostages is through a negotiated deal.
The recovery of these bodies underscores the continuing tragedy and complexity of the hostage situation, with ongoing efforts to resolve the issue through diplomatic means.
The recovery and identification of these hostages bring a somber closure to their families and communities, marking the end of a painful chapter.
The IDF’s operation, carried out with precision and coordination, highlights the ongoing challenges and risks faced in the conflict zone.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members