The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Hostages and Missing Families Forum confirmed on Wednesday the identification of three hostages whose bodies were handed over by Hamas as part of the current ceasefire agreement in Gaza. These are Uriel Baruch, Tamir Nimrodi, and Eitan Levy, whose remains were examined at the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute in Tel Aviv.
According to the official statement, the fourth body handed over by Hamas "doesn't match that of a kidnapped person." The IDF stated that the terrorist group "must make every necessary effort to return the bodies of the murdered hostages." This is not the first time Hamas has handed over remains that later turn out not to belong to Israeli hostages, as happened in February this year in the case of Shiri Bibas.
Uriel Baruch, the young man kidnapped at the Nova festival
Uriel Baruch, 35 years old, was kidnapped on October 7, 2023, during the attack on the Nova music festival. He managed to escape with a friend, but both encountered a terrorist cell at the Mefalsim junction. His companion was murdered and Baruch was taken captive to Gaza.
Israel confirmó que uno de los cuerpos devueltos por Hamas no pertenece a un rehén
The family stated in a release: "With great sorrow and deep pain, we announce the return of our beloved Uriel's body, after almost two years of prayer, hope, and faith."
Tamir Nimrodi, the soldier kidnapped at his base
Tamir Nimrodi, 20 years old, was kidnapped near the Erez crossing when he was 18, while serving as an education non-commissioned officer in the Coordination and Liaison Administration (COGAT) in Gaza.
According to the IDF, Nimrodi was "cruelly kidnapped from his base and murdered during Hamas captivity." His family expressed gratitude for the return of his body and emphasized: "We won't abandon the families of the remaining hostages until the last one returns home."
Eitan Levy, the taxi driver murdered after dropping off a passenger
The third identified body belongs to Eitan Levy, 53 years old, a taxi driver from Bat Yam. He was murdered on October 7, 2023, after dropping off a passenger at Kibbutz Beeri. He remained missing for more than 40 days, until the IDF confirmed his death in captivity.
"With great sorrow and deep pain, we announce the return of our beloved Eitan from the Gaza Strip," his family stated. He is survived by his son, Shahar, and his sister, Sigi.
Israel confirmó que uno de los cuerpos devueltos por Hamas no pertenece a un rehén
Remains identified as part of the ceasefire
These identifications add to those confirmed on Tuesday by the IDF, corresponding to Guy Iloz, Bipin Joshi, and two other hostages whose names are withheld at the request of their families. The remains were transferred from Gaza by humanitarian teams and also identified at the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute.
Guy Iloz was wounded while fleeing the Nova festival and captured alive by Hamas near Tel Gama. According to the IDF, "he died from his wounds after not receiving adequate medical attention during his captivity."
Meanwhile, Bipin Joshi, a 23-year-old Nepali citizen and agriculture student, was kidnapped from the shelter at Kibbutz Alumim. Israeli authorities confirmed that he was murdered in the first months of the conflict and that his death was confirmed after the identification of his remains.
