The National Center of Forensic Medicine Abu Kabir confirmed that the remains handed over by the terrorist group Hamas belong to Inbar Hayman, 27 years old, and Sergeant Major Muhammad al-Atarash, 39.
The identification was carried out in coordination with the Israel Police and the Military Rabbinate, according to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The government expressed its solidarity with the families and emphasized its commitment to returning all deceased hostages to ensure them a dignified burial in Israeli territory.
Inbar Hayman: last female hostage identified
The forensic investigation determined that Inbar Hayman was murdered during the October 7, 2023, massacre at the Nova festival and that her remains were transferred to the Gaza Strip. Declared deceased on December 15, 2023, Hayman was the last female hostage who remained detained in Gaza.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum described her as "talented, caring, and inclusive" and highlighted her activity as a graffiti artist, known by the nicknames "Pink" and "Raven." Her family communicated their deep pain over the loss.
Israel confirmó la identidad de dos rehenes asesinados y entregados por el grupo terrorista Hamas
Muhammad al-Atarash: Gaza Brigade tracker
Sergeant Major Muhammad al-Atarash, member of the IDF Gaza Brigade, died on October 7, 2023, and was declared deceased in June 2024. He was 39 years old and, according to the forum that brings together the families of the hostages, he left behind parents, siblings, two wives, and 13 children.
He was remembered as "a serious man who cared about everyone," with a special affinity for horse breeding and the dream of having his own farm.
Israel confirmó la identidad de dos rehenes asesinados y entregados por el grupo terrorista Hamas
Status of the exchange and Israeli demands
So far, Hamas has handed over to Israel the remains of nine deceased hostages; another 19 victims remain in Gaza, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. Israeli authorities have pointed out on several occasions that some of the bodies initially returned did not belong to Israeli hostages, which led to claims and new forensic verifications.
While the remains were being transferred out of Gaza, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Katz stated that he had ordered the forces to prepare a "plan to crush" Hamas and warned that Israel would resume operations if the group did not respect the ceasefire. Katz's office indicated that, in coordination with the United States, Israel could resume fighting to "achieve a total defeat of Hamas" if the group refuses to comply with the agreement.
Hamas's response and logistical difficulties
Hamas, meanwhile, asserted that it had fulfilled its part of the ceasefire by returning "all the living hostages and the bodies of the dead captives 'it was able to reach'".
The group also warned that the location and recovery of the remaining bodies requires resources and specialized teams and that they were making efforts to solve the situation.
