Israel Confirms The Body That Hamas Returned Last Night, There Are Still Six Hostages In Gaza

JAKARTA - Representatives of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Military told the family of Joshua Loitu Molel, a Tanzanian national, that his body had been returned to Israel by Hamas last night, after forensic experts completed their identification.

Molel, 21, an agricultural intern in Kibbutz Nahal Oz, was killed in an attack by a Palestinian militant group on southern Israel on October 7, 2023 and his body was taken to the Gaza Strip.

"The Israeli government is deeply sorry for the death of the Molel family and the entire family of the hostages who died," the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.

With this confirmation, there are still six hostages' bodies that have not been returned out of a total of 28 bodies. The six bodies consist of five Israelis, Menyus Godard, Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, Sergeant Major Ran Gvili, Dror Or, Lior Rudaeff, and one foreign national Sudthisak Rintharak.

The Office of the Prime Minister asserted that Israel was "tightened, committed, and working tirelessly" to bring back the six remaining hostages for burial, adding that Hamas was "obliged to fulfill its commitment to mediators and repatriate them as part of the implementation of the agreement."

Under a ceasefire agreement that has been in effect since October 10, in addition to releasing 20 surviving hostages, Hamas will return the bodies of 28 hostages in Gaza.

Separately, the Hostage and Missing Family Forum paid tribute to Joshua Loitu Molel, whose body was returned to Israel by Hamas last night.

"The families of the hostages and those who have returned to hug Joshua Loitu Molel's family in this difficult time, after their beloved Joshua returned yesterday so that he could be buried," the forum statement said.

"In the midst of grief and awareness that their hearts will never fully recover, Joshua's return provides little comfort for families who have faced unbearable uncertainty for more than two years," the forum added.

"We will not rest until all the hostages return home," they said.

It is known, Molel arrived in Israel as an agricultural intern just 19 days before October 7, 2023. When the attack occurred, he was working in Kibbutz's warehouse.

Molel left his parents and four siblings.