Bodies of 6 Hostages Rescued From Gaza

In a joint IDF and ISA operation, the bodies of the hostages Yagev Buchshtab, Alexander Dancyg, Avraham Munder, Yoram Metzger, Nadav Popplewell, and Haim Perry were rescued from the Khan Yunis area in Gaza. The rescue operation was conducted under the command of the 98th Division and carried out by the Paratroopers Brigade, 'Yahalom' Unit, and the 75th Battalion, along with ISA forces.

The operation was enabled by precise intelligence from the ISA, IDF intelligence units, and the IDF Intelligence Directorate Hostage Headquarters. 

Following an identification procedure carried out by the National Institute of Forensic Medicine and the Israel Police, the IDF Manpower Directorate's Hostage team, which is responsible for accompanying the families of the hostages, notified their families and communities today. The IDF and ISA send their heartfelt condolences to the families.

During the operation, the forces located a tunnel shaft about 10 meters deep leading to an underground tunnel route where the bodies of the hostages were found. The soldiers of the Yahalom Unit and the ISA investigated the route and neutralized the obstructions, blast doors, weapons, explosives and hideouts used by the terrorists.

The rescue was carried out after prolonged combat in a built-up area and in multi-story buildings, in which the forces carried out operations and searches that led to the elimination of terrorists and the destruction of terrorist infrastructure.The rescue operation was carried out under the command of the 98th Division and was enabled by accurate intelligence from the ISA, the intelligence units and the Hostage Task Force in the Intelligence Directorate (J2).

Attached is Radio Communication Recording of the Commander of the 75th Battalion, LTC Ron to his soldiers following the return of the hostages’ bodies to the State of Israel:

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