WAR ON GAZA
2 min read
Israel confirms identity of captive's body returned by Hamas
Netanyahu’s office said Eliyahu Margalit’s remains were identified and Israel will continue securing the release of all captives.
Israel confirms identity of captive's body returned by Hamas
Red Cross receives bodies of captives from Hamas as part of Gaza ceasefire swap.
October 18, 2025

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Saturday that the body of a deceased captive Palestinian resistance group Hamas returned overnight has been identified as 75-year-old Eliyahu Margalit.

The Israeli military "informed the family of the captive Eliyahu Margalit... that (the body of) their loved one has been returned to Israel and his identification has been completed", Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

It added that "we will not compromise... and will spare no effort until we return all of the fallen captives, down to the last one".

The remains of the captive were transferred to Israeli security forces in Gaza via the Red Cross, and returned to Israel for identification at a medical analysis centre, the premier's office said on Friday night.

RelatedTRT World - Over 1M women, girls in Gaza still need food aid despite ceasefire: UN

The Israeli military said on Saturday that the remains had been returned to Margalit's family.

Margalit was killed at Kibbutz Nir Oz during Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack that sparked the war in Gaza, according to a military statement.

"Eliyahu, 75 years old at the time of his death... leaves behind a wife, three children, and grandchildren. His daughter, Nili Margalit, was also abducted and returned (under) the release agreement in November 2023," the statement said.

"Hamas is required to fulfil its part of the agreement and make the necessary efforts to return all the captives to their families," it added.

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said in a statement on Friday night that the group "continues to uphold its commitment to the ceasefire agreement... and it will continue working to complete the full prisoner exchange process".

RelatedTRT World - Gaza accuses Israel of organ theft from Palestinians, urges global probe

Under a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas spearheaded by US President Donald Trump, the Palestinian resistance group has returned all 20 surviving captives and the remains of 10 out of 28 known deceased ones.

Under the terms of the agreement, Hamas was to hand over all of the captives, dead and alive, before Monday at 0900 GMT.

SOURCE:AFP
Explore
Israeli forces carry out predawn raids across occupied West Bank, detain nine civilians
Spain condemns 'unprecedented' surge in illegal settler violence in occupied West Bank
Russia proposes its own UN resolution on Gaza that omits Trump's 'Board of Peace'
US proposal for ISF in Gaza meets pushback from Russia, China and several Arab countries
900,000+ Palestinians uprooted in Israel's genocide in Gaza at risk as 'dangerous' storm approaches
Hamas returns remains of another Israeli captive through ICRC in Gaza
Illegal Israeli settlers torch a mosque in occupied West Bank, scrawl hateful messages
'Good progress' made on Gaza 'stabilisation force' plan, US top diplomat says
UN says Gaza ceasefire 'fragile' and 'repeatedly violated', calls for it to be respected
Rubio warns illegal settlers' violence in occupied West Bank could jeopardise Gaza peace efforts
Israel strikes towns in southern Lebanon in latest violation of ceasefire
Israel quizzed at UN over 'systematic torture' of Palestinians
German club loses appeal over El Ghazi contract termination for pro-Palestine support
Illegal Israeli settlers attack Palestinians, injuring four in occupied West Bank
Freed Palestinian woman recounts horrors of sexual torture by Israeli soldiers
Hind Rajab Foundation files complaint seeking arrest of Israeli soldier for war crimes in Gaza
Palestinian envoy calls on UN to back ICC warrants and end Israel's impunity
US denies plans to deploy troops in Gaza amid reports of $500M base near border
Israeli soldiers killed civilians, aid seekers in Gaza at 'wish of army officers' — documentary
France, Palestine to establish joint committee to consolidate Palestinian state