Israeli Military Confirms One Body Returned Not Hostage

The convoy of four bodies returned by Hamas was brought to the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute in Tel Aviv. (Source: Israeli Police)

JAKARTA - Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that one of the four bodies Hamas returned last night was not a hostage.

The militant group Hamas returned home four bodies on Tuesday night. The bodies were handed over to the Red Cross to be handed over to the Israeli military and taken to the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute in Tel Aviv.

"After the examination at the National Forensic Institute of Medicine was completed, the bodies of the fourth Hamas handed over to Israel did not match the hostages," the military said.

"Hamas is required to make all necessary efforts to repatriate the dead hostages," the Israeli military stressed.

Previously, the military stated that the bodies of the three hostages who were repatriated last night had been identified.

They consist of Tamir Staff Sergeant Nimrodi (18 years),aturah Baruch (35) and Eitan Levy (53), quoted from The Times of Israel.

Nimrodi, who was kidnapped alive from the Coordination and Liaison Administration to the Gaza Strip base near the Erez Cross on October 7, 2023, is thought to have died in detention at the start of the war, the military said.

To date, Israel has not confirmed its death.

"The final conclusion will be formulated after the completion of the examination of the cause of death" at the Abu Kabir, the IDF said.

Baruch, according to IDF intelligence, was killed by Hamas on October 7 near Mefalsim after fleeing Nova's music festival near Reim, and his body was taken to Gaza.

The IDF said, according to its intelligence, Levy was also killed by Hamas on October 7 near Mefalsim, and his body was taken to Gaza.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's (PMO) office warned Hamas was "required to fulfill its commitment to mediators and return (the remaining bodies) as part of the implementation of the agreement."

"We will not compromise on this and will make every effort until we can bring back all the hostages who died," PMO promised.

On Monday, Hamas handed over the bodies of four of the 28 hostages who were killed, leaving Israel and the families of 24 other hostages accused the terror group of violating its commitments by ceasefire.

Meanwhile, 20 hostages who have been alive since being held hostage on October 7, 2023 have been completely released on the same day.