Israel recovers the bodies of three hostages taken at Oct. 7 music festival
WASHINGTON ― Bodies of three Israeli hostages kidnapped and killed by Hamas militants were recovered in the Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces said Friday.
The three deceased hostages ? Shani Louk, 23, Amit Buskila, 28, and Yitzhak Gelernter, 57 ? were among those attacked by Hamas while attending the Nova Music Festival on Oct. 7.
Israeli officials said Hamas militants took the three bodies to Gaza after killing them at the festival. The bodies were recovered Friday during a joint operation by the IDF and Shin Bet, Israel's intelligence arm, based on information gathered from Hamas militants arrested in Gaza, according to the IDF.
"They were celebrating life at the Nova Music Festival, and they were murdered by Hamas," IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said.
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After their bodies were retrieved by IDF troops, they were transferred to medical professionals for a forensics examination and identification, Hagari said. Families were then notified.
"Heartbroken for this great loss. My wife Sara and I grieve with the families," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. He praised the military operation and reiterated a pledge to return all remaining hostages.
"We will bring back all our hostages, whether they are alive or dead," Netanyahu said.
Following their return, an estimated 129 hostages remain in captivity in Gaza, based on figures from the Israel's Government Press Office. At least 37 of them are presumed dead, Israel officials have said. The Biden administration has said five Americans are among the remaining hostages.
"Just horrible news. Our hearts go out to the families who are having to deal with this terrible news," said John Kirby, a White House spokesman. Kirby said the U.S. does not have any new information on the status of the five American hostages.
The Biden administration has for weeks been working to secure a temporary cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas that includes the release of hostages. "It's difficult to see how this grim news today is going to have a major effect on the hostage-deal negotiations," Kirby said.
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The death of Shani Louk, a German-Israeli who worked as a tattoo artist, produced one of the most haunting images of the Oct. 7 attack. The Associated Press published a photo of Hamas militants with guns carrying Louk's half-naked corpse in the the back of a pickup truck.
Nissim Louk, father of Shani Louk, told the Haaretz newspaper in Israel that the return of his daughter’s body helps bring closure. He said his daughter "radiated light, to her and those who surrounded her, and in her death she still does."
"She is a symbol of the people of Israel, between light and darkness. Her inner and outer beauty that shone for all the world to see is a special one,” Nissim Louk said.
Related: Israelis ask if world has forgotten their hostages six months after the trauma of Oct. 7
The Hostages Families Forum Headquarters, a coalition of hostage families advocating for their release also known as Bring Them Home Now, issued a statement saying they "bow their heads in deep sorrow and with broken hearts."
"The return of their bodies is a painful and stark reminder that we must swiftly bring back all our brothers and sisters from their cruel captivity ? the living to rehabilitation, and the murdered to a proper burial," the group said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hostages found in Gaza: IDF recovers 3 bodies taken at music festival
