**Israel Confirms Recovery of Hostage’s Body**
The Israeli military has confirmed that a hostage taken by Hamas and held in the Gaza Strip was recovered. Itay Svirsky (38) was kidnapped during Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. His body was found in a joint effort with the Shin Bet security services.
**Hamas Claims Earlier**
In January, Hamas claimed that Svirsky and another hostage, Yossi Sharabi (53), were killed by Israeli airstrikes. However, the military had earlier said that an investigation concluded that the most plausible reason for the deaths of six other hostages who were found dead in a Gaza tunnel in August was that Hamas shot them “close” to an Israeli airstrike.
**Other Hostages Found**
In the southern Khan Younis region, troops recovered the bodies of seven hostages, including Yagev Buchshtab (35), Alexander Dancyg (76), Avraham Munder (79), and Nadav Poplewell (51). The military said it was “highly likely” that the hostages died as a result of a February attack on an underground site in the area.
**Investigation Findings**
The report found signs of gunshot wounds on the bodies of the hostages, but no gunshot injuries were found on those of the fighters. It was impossible to determine with absolute certainty the precise cause or timing of the gunfire or the death of the hostages. However, according to a most plausible scenario, terrorists shot hostages close to when the strike took place.
**Response from Hamas**
Hamas has not yet responded to the report. The US, Egypt, and Qatar have been working for months on a deal that would secure the release of 96 hostages who are still held in exchange for a ceasefire. Hamas and Israel blame each other for the deadlock.
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