Israel rescues body of Itay Svirsky, kidnapped on October 7 and killed in Gaza

Israel announced on Wednesday the rescue of the body of hostage Itay Svirsky, 38, kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023 and whose death in captivity was confirmed by the terrorist organization in January.

"The publication of the information has been authorized as part of an operation by the Shin Bet (Israel's internal intelligence service) with the assistance of the army, the body of the kidnapped Itay Svirsky was recovered from the Gaza Strip for burial in Israel," a military statement said tonight.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the news and sent his condolences to the family of the deceased, whose parents were also killed by Gazan terrorists on the day of the attack: “Our hearts are broken by the great loss of the Svirsky family,” his office said in a statement.

The armed forces have not given further details of when the operation took place in which Svarsky's body was removed from the devastated enclave, Although Netanyahu confirmed that he held a meeting with Shin Bet operatives yesterday.

The Forum of Families of Hostages and Missing Persons, which brings together the relatives of most of the captives and constantly pressures the Government to reach an agreement in Gaza that guarantees their return, He said his rescue “is a crucial closure for his family.”

“However, many families are still waiting for their loved ones after 425 days in captivity. Many hostages are still alive but in grave danger, requiring their immediate release to receive urgent medical care and rehabilitation,” the group denounced.

Of the 251 people kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 last year, 96 remain in the enclave, of whom Israeli authorities estimate that at least 36 are dead.

Hamas announced Svirsky's death along with that of captive Yossi Sharabi in a propaganda video on January 15. Days earlier, the terrorist organization had released images of both of them alive, which showed that they died while in captivity.

The previous videos also featured hostage Noa Argamani, who was rescued alive by the Army along with three other hostages on June 8.

Agencies contributed to this Aurora article.