Return of the Bodies of at Least Three Israeli Hostages; Army Says They Were Found in a Military Operation

The Israeli army announced that after a military operation in Gaza on Wednesday, August 3, the bodies of at least three Israeli hostages were found after nine months of captivity and returned to their families. The Jerusalem Post identified one of the hostages as 'Maya Goren,' 56, from the kibbutz 'Nir Oz,' stating that her body has been handed over to her family for burial. The Times of Israel also confirmed the discovery of 'Oran Goldin's' body, who was a member of the 'Civil Defense Team of Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak,' killed on the morning of October 7 and whose body was transferred to Gaza. According to this media outlet, Goldin's family believed for over a month that he was held captive in Gaza, but they were informed of his death on November 9. The Islamist group Hamas had until now refrained from handing over this Israeli's body. The Times of Israel also reported that the body of Sergeant 'Tomer Yaakov Ahimas,' who was killed in the October 7 Hamas attack and whose body was abducted by members of this 'terrorist' group, was also found in the army's operation in Gaza on Wednesday. According to this media report, Sergeant Ahimas's body is set to be buried on Thursday in his hometown 'Lihavim.' On the other hand, Al Arabiya news network and some Israeli social media accounts also claim that the Israeli army returned the bodies of five hostages from Khan Younis in southern Gaza to Israel, a report that has not been confirmed or denied by Israeli media at the time of this report. Including the hostages who were 'killed' and returned to Israel on Wednesday, it appears that Hamas currently holds 116 hostages. On October 7 of last year, Hamas killed over 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in attacks on Israeli border areas and took around 250 hostages, approximately 100 of whom were exchanged for Palestinian prisoners during a temporary ceasefire in late autumn last year. It is unclear how many of the approximately 120 hostages held by Hamas are still alive. The deaths of two other hostages in Hamas captivity; clashes in Gaza continue. The Israeli army: '150 terrorists' were killed in Gaza City last week. Human Rights Watch report: 'Crimes against humanity and war crimes' in the attacks of October 7 and afterward. Continued reciprocal attacks between Hezbollah and Israel; residents of northern areas demand serious action from the Israeli government against Hezbollah. An Israeli airstrike on the hiding place of Mohammed Deif and Hamas commanders left dozens dead. Report on the October 7 Hamas attack; the Israeli army admitted its mistakes.