Israeli forces on Friday completed a Gaza hostage recovery operation, finding the remains of Ilan Weiss after 693 days. He was murdered and kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7 attacks.
Joint Military Operation in Gaza
The Israel Defense Forces announced the successful mission in a statement. “The body of Ilan Weiss, who was held hostage for 693 days in Gaza, has been recovered in a joint Israel Defense Forces and Israeli Security Agency military operation,” the IDF said.
The IDF Gaza hostage operation also recovered the remains of a second Israeli. That individual is currently in the process of being identified.
A Dedicated Kibbutz Defender
Ilan Weiss was a member of the Kibbutz Be’eri emergency response team. According to the IDF, “Ilan was from Kibbutz Be’eri and left his home on the morning of October 7 to join the kibbutz emergency response team.“
“He was murdered and kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7 Massacre,” the military added. His brother-in-law Gil Boyum, also on the emergency team, was killed the same day.
The IDF confirmed that Weiss’s wife Shiri, 54, and daughter Noga, 19, were also taken hostage. They were released during a ceasefire deal in November 2023.
Family Reaction to Gaza Hostage Recovery
The Israeli Hostages and Missing Families Forum described Weiss as “a devoted family man – humble, principled, and a dedicated father to his daughters.” They noted he loved hosting guests, gardening, and mountain biking.
Rubi Chen, the father of another hostage, called it a “bittersweet moment.” He stated that “the Weiss family is reunited with their loved one, even though he’s coming back not as they would have wanted.“
Renewed Calls to Release Remaining Gaza Hostages
Israeli President Isaac Herzog offered condolences to the Weiss family and condemned the “crimes against humanity” committed by Hamas. He urged the world to “apply pressure, and act for the immediate release of all the hostages.“
“We will not rest until every one of them is brought home,” Herzog pledged. Following the recovery of the Ilan Weiss body, 48 hostages are believed to be left in Gaza.
Of those remaining, officials believe approximately 20 are still alive.
