Body of Israeli-Argentinian Hostage Lior Rudaeff Recovered from Gaza
The body of Lior Rudaeff, a 61-year-old Israeli-Argentinian man, has been identified after being recovered from Gaza, according to the Israeli military and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).
Rudaeff was killed on October 7, 2023, while defending the Nir Yitzhak kibbutz during the Hamas attack on southern Israel, and his body was subsequently taken into Gaza by PIJ, an armed group allied with Hamas. PIJ reported finding the body yesterday in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. This recovery brings the total number of deceased hostages returned to Israel to 23 out of 28, as part of the ceasefire deal initiated on October 10th.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a campaign group advocating for the return of those taken captive, welcomed the news, stating, “Lior’s return provides some measure of comfort to a family that has lived with agonising uncertainty and doubt for over two years. We will not rest until the last hostage is brought home.” The ongoing recovery of remains underscores the immense human cost of the conflict and the challenges of securing the return of all those abducted. Currently, four Israelis and one Thai national remain deceased in Gaza. The United Nations continues to monitor the situation closely.
Under the terms of the US-brokered ceasefire, Israel has released 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,718 detainees from Gaza, while also returning the bodies of 300 Palestinians in exchange for the bodies of Israeli hostages and some foreign nationals. The International Committee of the Red Cross has been involved in facilitating some of these exchanges. Israeli officials have criticized Hamas for delays in returning all the bodies, citing difficulties locating them amidst the rubble, while Hamas maintains it is doing its best under challenging circumstances.
Israeli military officials have stated they will continue efforts to locate the remaining hostages and bodies, and have warned of potential renewed military action if Hamas does not fulfill its commitments.
