A dark day: 86-year old Shlomo Mansour murdered by Hamas

Kibbutz Kissufim announced today (Tuesday) that 86-year-old Shlomo Mansour, who was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, was confirmed to have been murdered by the terrorist group. Mansour was the oldest known hostage in Hamas captivity.

Kibbutz Kissufim released the following statement upon hearing the news:

With heavy hearts, we, the members of the kibbutz, received news this morning of the murder in Hamas captivity of our dear friend, Shlomo Mansour, age 86, who was kidnapped from his home in Kibbutz Kissufim during the Hamas terror attack on October 7, 2024.

This is one of the hardest days in our kibbutz's history. Shlomo was much more than a community member to us – he was a father, grandfather, true friend, and the beating heart of Kissufim. His smile, modesty, and human warmth were an inspiration to us all. Our hearts are broken that we couldn't bring him back to us alive. The entire community grieves his loss and is united in mourning and pain.

We request that the media respect the privacy of the family and community during this difficult time.

We send our sincere and deep condolences to his wife Mazal and the entire Mansour family, who have carried the pain of Shlomo's absence day and night. This loss is a wound that will not heal, but our community will support and embrace the family with all our strength.

Additionally, we call on the Israeli government and world leaders to continue working resolutely to return all hostages, living and deceased, and to prevent painful stories like Shlomo's from happening again.

Lior Carmel, Chairman of Kibbutz Kisufim: "The members of Kibbutz Kissufim mourn together the passing of Shlomo Mansour, of blessed memory, a dear and beloved friend who was brutally kidnapped from his home on October 7 and did not return to us. For months we lived between hope and anxiety, and today heavy mourning has fallen upon us. Our hearts are with Shlomo's family, and we embrace them in their immense pain.

These days are difficult for all of us. We stand together, strong as a community, and demand real change that will ensure our security and prevent such a tragedy from recurring. We will continue to fight so that the residents of Kissufim and the Gaza envelope can live here safely, as befitting every citizen in the State of Israel."

Shlomo Mansour, of blessed memory – forever in our hearts. Kibbutz Kissufim.

Army Radio reports that according to the information possessed by the IDF, Mansour was murdered by Hamas on October 7 and not in their captivity. His body is being held by the terrorist group.

Kann reports that the IDF's decision to determine his death was based on intelligence collected over the past few months, which was confirmed by a committee of experts from the Health Ministry and in cooperation with the Israeli Police and Religions Ministry.