IDF Retrieves Bodies of Five Hostages from Khan Younis in Gaza

Israeli forces have recovered the bodies of five Israeli hostages from Gaza, according to the Israeli military. The announcement came on Thursday amid increasing international calls for a cease-fire deal that would ensure the release of the remaining captives.

The retrieval of the bodies coincides with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington, where he is scheduled to meet President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Netanyahu has faced mounting criticism from Israelis concerned about the hostages' fate.

The 5 hostages were already presumed to be dead 

The five hostages—Maya Goren, 56; Tomer Ahimas, 20; Kiril Brodski, 19; Oren Goldin, 33; and Ravid Katz, 51—were already presumed dead by Israeli authorities. Ahimas and Brodski were soldiers who were captured during the Hamas-led attack on October 7. The other three were civilians whose bodies were taken to Gaza as part of a negotiation strategy.

The Israeli military reported that the bodies were found in the Khan Younis area on Wednesday. Intelligence gathered, including information from detained Palestinian militants, helped locate them. Israel has been conducting a new operation in Khan Younis this week, targeting what it describes as Hamas infrastructure with tanks and fighter jets.

115 hostages remain in Gaza 

During the October 7 attack, more than 250 people were abducted. Israel says that 105 hostages were released during a brief cease-fire in November, and 115 remain in Gaza. Among the 115, 40 are believed to be deceased.

The return of these bodies has created a stark contrast with Netanyahu's visit to Washington, where he has attempted to convey optimism despite growing domestic and international tensions over the conflict in Gaza.