The Israeli military says one of the four bodies handed over by Hamas on Tuesday night was not among the hostages taken during the October 7, 2023 attacks.
According to the army, forensic tests at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine showed that only three of the bodies matched known hostages.
In a short statement, the military said Hamas must make “all necessary efforts to return the deceased hostages.”
The three confirmed bodies are:
- Uriel Baruch (35): A father of two, taken from the Nova music festival. He was confirmed killed on October 7, 2023, and his body taken to Gaza. His family was officially informed by the army in March 2024.
- Tamir Nimrodi (20): An education officer at the Erez Crossing. His mother last saw him in a video showing his abduction. His remains were identified after being returned, and his family said he was “murdered in Hamas captivity.”
- Eitan Levi (53): A taxi driver from Bat Yam. He was shot dead by Hamas near the Gaza border while driving a friend to Be’eri. His body was later taken into Gaza, where it was seen being desecrated in videos.
Hamas handed over the bodies as part of the ongoing ceasefire and hostage-exchange deal. Israeli officials said they are still working to recover the remains of others missing since the October 7 attacks.
