Israel announced on Thursday that one of the remaining hostages from the October 7, 2023, attack in Gaza has been returned by militants. The individual was identified as Meny Godard, who was kidnapped from Kibbutz Be’eri in southern Israel, where his wife, Ayelet, was tragically killed during the incident.
In a reciprocal gesture, Israel handed over the bodies of 15 Palestinians to Gaza on Friday, as confirmed by officials at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. The armed branches of Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad reported that Godard’s remains were discovered in southern Gaza.
Since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas commenced on October 10, a total of 25 hostage remains have been repatriated to Israel. However, three hostages’ bodies are still in Gaza awaiting recovery and transfer.
Godard, a former professional soccer player who later served in the Israeli military during the 1973 Mideast War, had various roles at Kibbutz Be’eri, including working at the printing press.
As part of the ceasefire agreement, Israel has been releasing 15 Palestinian bodies for each returned hostage. The Gaza Health Ministry indicated that 330 Palestinian bodies have been received, with only 95 formally identified so far.
Hamas cited challenges in recovering bodies due to the extensive damage in Gaza. Israel has urged for expedited returns and in some instances contested the identities of the remains. Despite allegations of violations from both sides, exchanges of the deceased continue under the U.S.-brokered agreement.
Israeli authorities have accused Hamas of providing incomplete remains and staging body discoveries. On the other hand, Hamas has criticized Israel for targeting civilians and impeding humanitarian aid access into Gaza.
The ceasefire has led to a decrease in casualties, although Gaza officials have reported ongoing deaths from strikes, and Israel has acknowledged soldier casualties from militant attacks. Health officials in Gaza noted difficulties in identifying remains due to a lack of DNA testing kits.
With the end of the initial ceasefire phase nearing, only three hostages remain. The subsequent steps of the 20-point plan involve establishing an international stabilization force, forming a technocratic Palestinian government, and disarming Hamas. This fragile agreement aims to de-escalate the conflict that began with the Hamas-led attack in southern Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and 251 hostages according to Israeli estimates.
