IDF Spokesperson Brigadier General Daniel Hagari issued a statement to the media this evening (Tuesday) regarding the release of the bodies of the six hostages, which were retrieved by IDF forces in the Gaza Strip last night. "Tonight, our hearts are with the kibbutz communities. During the night, in a brave operation, IDF forces recovered the bodies of the hostages. On the morning of October 7, they were kidnapped alive and were cruelly held by Hamas. Once we complete the findings, we will present them to the families and then to the public."
"Last night, IDF forces in Division 98, with precise guidance from the Shin Bet, raided a tunnel in Khan Younis, found them, and recovered them. The intelligence came from interrogations of detainees. Field operations are still ongoing. So far, dozens of terrorists have been eliminated and numerous infrastructures have been destroyed."
Hagari addressed the death of Lieutenant Shahar Ben Nun, who was killed during the rescue operation, stating that his death resulted from a malfunctioning weapon that went off course.
He also added: "The Nirim community coined the phrase 'life for rehabilitation and the dead for burial.' We are determined to bring everyone home. We will not give up on anyone; it is our moral duty to bring them back. We fully understand the urgency due to growing concerns about their health and mental state. We cannot recover everyone through rescue operations alone, so we are making every effort."
When asked by [news outlet] about the release of detainees from prisons and their transfer to the Gaza Strip, while Israeli hostages remain in Hamas captivity, Hagari responded that he is not familiar with the details but assumes that "such actions are taken only after a very thorough investigation by the Shin Bet and the IDF to ensure there is no terrorist involvement, and this is the sole indication and reason for such actions." At the end of his statement, the IDF spokesperson added that he would conduct an inquiry into the matter.
