Israel on Thursday received the body of slain hostage Meny Godard from Palestinian militants in Gaza, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced, as efforts continue to recover the remains of three other captives still held in the enclave.
Godard, a 73-year-old resident of a kibbutz near the Gaza border, was killed during the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. His body was taken into Gaza, and his death was officially confirmed two months later, on December 8, 2023.
Earlier in the day, the armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad said they planned to transfer the body of a hostage at 8 p.m. local time (1800 GMT).
Israeli officials said they had received no formal notice of such a handover until the transfer occurred via the Red Cross on Thursday evening. Forensic teams identified the remains as Godard’s within three hours of arrival.
Netanyahu’s office said Israel remains steadfast in its efforts to bring home all remaining hostages, living or deceased.
“The Government and the entire establishment for the missing and the captives of the State of Israel are determined, committed, and working tirelessly to return all of our fallen hostages for proper burial in their country,” the statement said.
Islamic Jihad, which alongside Hamas seized hostages during the October 7 attack that triggered the ongoing Gaza war, said Godard’s body was recovered in the southern city of Khan Younis.
Godard’s return comes under the framework of an October ceasefire agreement that facilitated the release of all 20 surviving hostages held by Hamas. In exchange, Israel freed nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and wartime detainees.
That agreement also included provisions for the exchange of remains: 28 deceased hostages returned to Israel in exchange for the remains of 360 Palestinian militants.
As Israel continues its broader military campaign in Gaza, the fate of the final three hostages, whose bodies are still believed to be held by militant groups, remains a painful and unresolved chapter for families and officials seeking closure.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
