Israel has officially announced the identification of the 10th deceased hostage to be repatriated by Hamas. The individual has been confirmed as Eliyahu Margalit, aged 76, who was taken captive during the October 7 assault in Israel. Margalit, also known as Churchill to his loved ones, was working at horse stables in Kibbutz Nir Oz when he was seized by Hamas and transported to Gaza. The Israeli prime minister’s office disclosed that Margalit’s remains were positively identified through forensic examinations, and his family has been notified.
According to the Israel’s Hostages and Missing Families Forum, Eliyahu was described as a “cowboy at heart” and had a longstanding history of working at cattle branches and horse stables in Nir Oz. His demise was made public in December 2023, a month subsequent to the release of his daughter Nili, who was also held captive by Hamas.
As part of the fragile peace accord between Israel and Hamas to terminate the destructive bombings in Gaza, a critical aspect involved a hostage exchange. Hamas surrendered the final 20 living hostages to the Red Cross, who were subsequently transferred to Israel on Monday. Furthermore, as stipulated in the peace agreement, 28 deceased hostages’ bodies were returned to Israel. Four of these bodies were repatriated on Monday, with the rest being transferred as they are discovered amidst the rubble resulting from sustained Israeli bombardment since October 7.
Margalit’s remains mark the 10th to be repatriated following a cessation in hostilities on Mondays. Although 18 other hostages’ remains are pending repatriation, efforts are underway, including the use of bulldozers to aid in the search for additional bodies. Israel has declared a reduction in aid deliveries to Gaza due to Hamas failing to return the remains as agreed upon.
Tensions escalated when Israel revealed that one of the bodies handed over by Hamas did not correspond to any of the hostages. The military confirmed that after examinations at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, the fourth body transferred by Hamas did not match any of the hostages.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has insisted that Hamas adhere to the terms outlined in the ceasefire agreement, brokered by US President Donald Trump, regarding the return of the hostages’ remains. Netanyahu emphasized their unwavering commitment to retrieve all deceased hostages until the last one is repatriated.
Hamas, in turn, has accused Israel of complicating the search for bodies amidst the rubble. As part of the ceasefire deal, Israel released 250 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails and 1,718 detainees from Gaza.