Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the retrieval of the body of hostage Itai Svirski today (Wednesday), who was kidnapped on October 7, 2023, from Kibbutz Be'eri and murdered in captivity by Hamas militants in January 2024.
In a statement issued by the Prime Minister, it was written: "The heart is torn by the heavy loss of the Svirski family, who also lost Itai's parents, Orith and Rafi, may their memory be a blessing, who were murdered in the murderous Hamas attack."
Yesterday, I met with the employees of the Shin Bet, and I want to express deep appreciation to them and the IDF forces for their brave actions in the return of Itai, may his memory be a blessing. We will continue to act with determination and tirelessly to bring back all our captives – both the living and the fallen.
In the Families Headquarters for the Return of the Kidnapped, they referred to the return of the late Svirski's body: "The return of Itai for a proper burial in Israel is an important process that allows his family a necessary closure." There are still 36 families waiting for the most basic thing: a proper grave for their loved ones. The time has come for a deal to return all 100 hostages. The State of Israel has a moral and ethical obligation to return all the murdered and fallen for a proper burial, and to rehabilitate the living within their families.
