The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have reported the discovery of three additional Israeli hostages’ bodies in Gaza.
Identified as Hanan Yablonka, Michel Nisenbaum, and Orion Hernandez, their remains were recovered from the northern town of Jabalia in a joint operation with Israel’s domestic intelligence agency.
This development follows the retrieval of three other hostages’ bodies from Gaza last week. The hostages were part of the group of 252 individuals abducted during an attack by Hamas gunmen on Israel on October 7, resulting in approximately 1,200 casualties.
While about 130 hostages are still believed to be held in Gaza, the deceased individuals were among those taken captive during the attack. The victims, including Hanan Yablonka, 42, and Orion Hernandez, 32, were killed while attempting to flee from the Nova music festival, which was targeted by the gunmen and resulted in the deaths of over 360 attendees.
Michel Nisenbaum, 59, was last seen heading to retrieve his four-year-old granddaughter, who was with her father at an army base near the Gaza border.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the nation’s commitment to bringing back both living and deceased hostages. Israel launched an offensive on Jabalia two weeks ago, citing the regrouping of Hamas forces in the area.
The attack on October 7 prompted an Israeli military campaign across the Gaza Strip aimed at dismantling the group and securing the release of hostages. The conflict has led to significant casualties, with Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reporting at least 35,800 Palestinian deaths.
