A somber wave of burials has begun for Israelis whose bodies were recently repatriated from Gaza. While many across the nation are celebrating the return of living hostages, others are facing the profound grief of laying their loved ones to rest.
On Wednesday, a funeral was held in central Israel for Guy Ilouz, one of the returned individuals. Mr. Ilouz was tragically abducted during the horrific Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, an event that ignited the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Another Israeli, Daniel Peretz, whose tank crew bravely confronted Hamas militants during the October 7, 2023 assault on an Israeli military base, was also scheduled for burial Wednesday evening. Mr. Peretz, 22, had been declared dead by the Israeli military in March 2024, with his family holding an initial memorial service at that time.
Since Monday, Hamas militants in Gaza have repatriated the remains of eight individuals. Israel has confirmed six of these as Israelis, and one as a Nepali citizen. The eighth identity remains unconfirmed.
Hamas officials claim they face immense challenges in swiftly locating all bodies held in Gaza, citing the extensive destruction that has ravaged the enclave over two years of war. In response, Israeli officials have hinted at potential punitive measures against Hamas, such as reducing humanitarian aid trucks entering Gaza, if more remains are not released.
According to the Israeli military, Mr. Ilouz, 26, was wounded and subsequently taken hostage by Hamas while attempting to escape the Nova music festival in southern Israel. The military further reported that he tragically succumbed to his injuries due to a lack of adequate medical attention during his time in Gaza.
Maya Regev, herself freed from captivity in Gaza in November 2023, recounted meeting Mr. Ilouz in a hospital within the enclave. She shared on social media, “You suffered a week alone until I arrived. We spoke about the most simple and pure things in the darkest and most horrific place that man has known.”
Reporting contributed by Gabby Sobelman.