IDF: The four hostages were all murdered by Hamas

Lighting candles for murdered hostages. — Photo: Erik Marmor/Flash90

The Prime Minister's Office revealed a short time ago today (Thursday) that all four deceased hostages returned last night were murdered by Hamas, based on a forensic examination at Abu Kabir.

According to the Prime Minister's Office's statement:

According to intelligence and all information in our possession; Ohad Yahalomi, Tzachi Idan, and Yitzhak Elgart of blessed memory were murdered in captivity in Gaza. Shlomo Mantzur of blessed memory was murdered in the murderous massacre on October 7, 2023, and his body was held in the Gaza Strip. We share in the grief of the families during this difficult time.

With the first phase of the hostage deal now complete, the question of the second phase remains open. According to the agreement, Israel must further withdraw from the Gaza Strip in this phase, and officially declare an end to the war.

However, multiple reports indicate that Israel has no intention of withdrawing further or of declaring an end, and is instead looking to carry out an "extended first phase" in which hostages, especially living hostages, are exchanged for more terrorists without any additional concessions. Israel will decide whether or not to send a delegation to Doha to discuss such exchanges by the end of this week.

An Israeli source stressed today that "we will not leave the Philadelphi Corridor. We will not allow the murderers of Hamas to roam around again with pickup trucks and rifles on our border, and we will not allow them to regain strength from smuggling."

President Isaac Herzog gave tribute to the four slain hostages today, recalling their lives and reiterating his call for every last hostage to be brought back home:

"Together with the entire nation, we share in the immense grief and sorrow of the bereaved families and the Kibbutz communities of Nir Oz, Nahal Oz, and Kissufim. The return of our brothers’ bodies from captivity underscores our moral obligation to do everything in our power to bring back all the hostages—the living to their loving families, and the fallen to be late to rest. Until the last one is home! They are all humanitarian cases, and they must all be returned."