All three soldiers were killed battling terrorists on Oct. 7, 2023; 8 bodies of hostages still held in Gaza; PM vows to ‘eliminate’ last Hamas fighters in IDF-controlled parts of Gaza.
The Hamas terror group returned to Israel the remains of three deceased hostages — Col. Asaf Hamami, Cpt. Omer Neutra and Staff Sgt. Oz Daniel— on Sunday evening, with Israeli authorities confirming their identities the following morning. All three were soldiers who were killed battling invading Hamas-led terrorists on October 7, 2023, and their bodies were abducted to Gaza.
Military representatives notified the families of the three soldiers that their bodies had been returned to Israel by Hamas, following the completion of identification efforts by forensic experts. The remains of eight deceased hostages are still in Gaza. Hamas has previously transferred remains that did not belong to any of the deceased hostages being held in the Strip.
US President Donald Trump had said on Sunday night that one of the bodies was that of American-Israeli soldier Neutra. The New York native’s parents confirmed the matter a short while later. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he spoke to Neutra’s parents following the news. “They’re thrilled in one sense, but in another sense, obviously, it’s not too great,” Trump said. “We’re very happy to have done it.” Hours later, on Monday morning, it was confirmed that the other two bodies returned to Israel belonged to Hamami and Daniel. (Ed note: And these are the faces of Israel's young people fighting for their country.) (Read More)
