IDF recovers Israeli hostage Ilan Weiss, finds evidence of another deceased

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have recovered the body of Ilan Weiss from the Gaza Strip, alongside evidence connected to another deceased hostage whose identity has not yet been cleared for publication.

The operation, described by the IDF as complex, was conducted by troops from the Southern Command in coordination with the IDF Intelligence Directorate, the Israel Security Agency (ISA), and other special forces units.

According to officials, the success of the mission was enabled by precise intelligence gathered by the Hostages and Missing Persons Headquarters, the Intelligence Directorate, and the ISA.

Ilan Weiss, 55, a member of Kibbutz Be’eri, was abducted and killed by Hamas militants during the attacks on October 7, 2023.

Following his abduction, his wife, Shiri, and daughter, Noga, were also taken but were later released as part of a prior hostage agreement in November 2023.

His body was identified through a forensic process carried out at the National Centre for Forensic Medicine in collaboration with the Israel Police.

The Hostages and Missing Persons Headquarters has formally informed his family and the Be’eri community of the findings.

The identification process for the additional deceased hostage is ongoing, and the family has been notified.

The IDF and ISA expressed condolences to the families affected and reiterated their commitment to continue all efforts to bring the remaining hostages home safely.

By Aghakazim Guliyev