Three Hostages Found Dead in Rafah, Israel Believes Killed by Hamas
Israeli military forces announced on Friday the recovery of the bodies of three hostages taken during the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas in Israel. The bodies of Shani Louk, a 22-year-old German-Israeli, Amit Buskila, 28, and Itshak Gelernter, 56, were found in the southern city of Rafah in Gaza. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari confirmed that Israel believes all three were killed by Hamas while attempting to escape the Nova music festival on Oct. 7.
The discovery of the bodies, including a photo of Louk’s twisted body in a pickup truck, shed light on the severity of the attack near the Gaza border. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his grief, vowing to bring back all hostages, both living and deceased.
Efforts to Bring Back Remaining Hostages
Israeli military did not disclose the exact location where the bodies were found but stated it was a result of intelligence operations in Rafah. Hostages Families Forum Headquarters emphasized the need to swiftly return all hostages from captivity, whether alive or deceased. Hamas-led militants had killed 1,200 people in the Oct. 7 attack, with around 100 hostages still believed to be held in Gaza.
Israel’s campaign post-attack resulted in over 35,000 Palestinian deaths, with concerns of hostages and bodies still in Gaza. All Gaza crossings are blocked, trapping aid workers and medics inside. Dr. Mohammed Abdelfattah, an American medic, expressed the challenges faced in aiding those in Gaza due to restrictions.
U.S. Aid Enters Gaza as Biden Criticizes Netanyahu
In a significant move, trucks carrying essential aid entered Gaza through a newly constructed temporary U.S. floating pier for the first time. The aid shipment, part of a larger operation, is expected to escalate to 150 truckloads daily. President Joe Biden’s criticism of Netanyahu’s handling of the conflict prompted a pause in weapon shipments to Israel, citing concerns over humanitarian rights violations.
A recent U.S. State Department report highlighted potential misuse of American arms by Israel, raising questions about adherence to humanitarian standards. Despite ongoing challenges, efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continue amidst political tensions.