Israel identifies body of hostage returned by Hamas Friday as Eliyahu Margalit

Israel has identified the body of another hostage received from Gaza on Friday as, Eliyahu Margalit, the prime minister’s office said. The handover, made by Hamas, came as the group searches through the rubble in Gaza for more bodies and urges for the entry of more aid.

The Israeli army and security forces received the coffin from the International Committee of the Red Cross inside Gaza. It was then sent to Israel’s National Centre for Forensic Medicine for identification.

The 75-year-old was killed in Nir Oz and his corpse was taken from the horse stables where he worked in Kibbutz Nir Oz by Hamas on the 7 October, 2023, attack on Israel.

Margalit is the 10th hostage body returned since the ceasefire began over a week ago. Hamas handed over an 11th body this week, but it was not that of a hostage. The search for the remains followed a warning from US President Donald Trump that he would allow Israel to resume the war if Hamas fails to return all 28 hostages’ bodies.

In a statement on Saturday, the hostage forum, which supports the families of the abducted, said Margalit’s return brings some comfort to his family, but they will not rest until the remaining 18 hostages are brought home. The forum added that it will continue holding weekly rallies until all the bodies are returned.

Hamas has said it remains committed to the ceasefire agreement, including the handover of bodies. However, recovery efforts are slowed by the widespread destruction and the presence of dangerous, unexploded ordnance. The group has also told mediators that some bodies lie in areas controlled by Israeli forces.

Margalit’s body was recovered after two bulldozers excavated pits in the city of Khan Younis.

The return of the hostages’ bodies, as agreed under the ceasefire, has been one of the main issues, along with sending aid into Gaza, reopening its borders, and rebuilding.

Meanwhile, Israel has transferred a total of 90 Palestinian detainees according to Gaza-based health authorities.