The Hostage Family Forum announces today – on the first anniversary of Hamas’ unprecedented attack on Israel, that Idan Shtivi, a 28-year-old abducted during the attack, was killed in the October 7 raid and his body remains to be held in Gaza.

The forum did not elaborate on how they confirmed Shtivi’s death, and the Israeli military has not commented.

According to the family, 28-year-old Stevie was taken hostage by Hamas terrorists at the Nova music festival, where he had volunteered to photograph the event.

“On October 7, Idan arrived at Nova Festival early in the morning to record his friends’ performances. However, he never made it inside. When the attack began, Idan helped two strangers he had just met escape the scene. This selfless choice ultimately led to his abduction,” reads the Forum’s announcement

Heartbreaking scenes at the scene of the attack

Thousands of Israelis are gathering today at the site of the attack at the music festival, but also at neighboring kibbutzim, to honor their dead and demand the return of the remaining hostages – dead or alive – in Gaza.

In the October 7 massacre, 1,205 people lost their lives and a total of 251 were taken hostage in the Gaza Strip.

A year later, 97 remain in captivity, of whom 33 are dead, according to a military statement.

Israel hostages

Israeli President Isaac Herzog, present at the rally, met with victims’ families. Later in the day, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address the nation.

Israel hostages

Other rallies are planned in Tel Aviv, as well as Nir Oz, a kibbutz whose thirty residents were killed and more than 70 taken hostage and driven to Gaza.