The Israeli military (IDF) announced today that it has located, identified and repatriated the body of another Hamas hostage, Itai Svirsky, who was abducted from Kibbutz Beeri on October 7, 2023.

The Hostage Families Forum, which represents relatives of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, said in a statement: “The return of Itai’s body for burial in Israel marks an epilogue for the Svirski family.”

In the update of the IDF representative, it is pointed out that the family of the deceased had been informed in advance.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says the body of Itai Svirski was found in a special forces operation in the Gaza Strip. He expresses his condolences to the family of the deceased, while assuring that efforts will continue for the release and repatriation of those hostages who remain in the Palestinian enclave.

Israel launched a large-scale attack on the Gaza Strip following the unprecedented carnage unleashed by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which left 1,200 dead and 251 hostages. Since then, more than 44,500 people have been killed as a result of Israeli military operations in the Palestinian enclave, according to the Hamas Health Ministry.