JERUSALEM, Israel – Secretary of State Anthony Blinken left Israel for Egypt Tuesday as Israelis learned that the Israel Defense Forces had recovered the bodies of six hostages.
In a joint operation overnight the IDF and Israel’s Security Apparatus rescued the bodies of six male hostages from tunnels in the Khan Younis area of the Gaza Strip. After the bodies were identified, their families were given the tragic news.
Yoram Metzger, 80, Abraham Munder, 79, Chaim Peri, 80, and Alex Dancyg, 75, were all taken captive from Kibbutz Nir Oz, one of the hardest-hit communities.
Metzget’s wife was also taken and returned in November, while Munder’s wife, their daughter, and grandson were all kidnapped and released earlier.
Yagev Buchshtab, 35, was abducted from his home in Kibbutz Nirim, along with his wife who also was released in November. Buchshtab was seen in a Hamas propaganda video released on March 23rd.
Nadav Popplewell, 51, also from Kibbutz Nirim, was kidnapped along with his mother. She was released after 49 days in captivity.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office released a statement saying, “Our hearts grieve over the terrible loss. My wife Sara and I convey our heartfelt condolences to the dear families. I
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