Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, May 18

Tonight, we are sharing the tragic news that the Israel Defense Forces together with the ISA, rescued the body of the Israeli hostage, Ron Benjamin, and brought him home to Israel.

Ron, who was 53 years old, married to Ayelet, and father to Shai and Gil, went out for a cycle ride with friends near Be’eri on the morning of Saturday, October 7th.

On that terrible day, Ron was brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists, and his body was abducted into Gaza.

On October 7th, the cruelty of Hamas was directed against anyone who stood in the way of the murderous terrorists - women, the elderly, adults, children, whether they were Israeli or foreign nationals.

Yesterday, we announced that our troops had rescued the bodies of three other Israeli hostages murdered and abducted on October 7th:Shani Louk, Amit Buskila, Yitzchak Gleren-ter.

Our thoughts are with all their families at this very difficult time.

Our mission to bring home every single one of the one hundred and twenty-eight hostages who are still being held in Gaza.