(Jerusalem Post) Israel recovered the bodies of hostages Nadav Popplewell, Yagev Buchshtab, Yoram Metzger, Haim Peri, Alexander Dancyg, and Avraham Munder from the Khan Yunis area in Gaza, who were murdered in Hamas captivity, the IDF announced on Tuesday.
The rescue operation was conducted by the IDF’s 98th Division and carried out by the Paratroopers Brigade, ‘Yahalom’ Unit, and the 75th Battalion, along with ISA forces. The operation was done under military intelligence, ISA, and the IDF Intelligence Directorate Hostage Headquarters.
It was announced by Kibbutz Nirim earlier that the bodies of Popplewell and Buchshtab were retrieved from Gaza. Similarly, Kibbutz Nir Oz announced earlier that morning that the bodies of Peri, Metzger, and Dancyg were also retrieved. Munder was believed to be alive until Kibbutz Nir Oz announced his death while in Gaza captivity.
The National Institute of Forensic Medicine, Israel Police, and the IDF Manpower Directorate’s Hostage Team conducted an identification procedure of the bodies and notified their families and communities.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum stressed that the only way to return the 109 hostages is through a negotiated deal.
Nadav Popplewell
Popplewell, 51 years old, was kidnapped from Nirim on October 7. In June, the IDF announced he had been killed in Hamas captivity.
Kibbutz Nirim said that he loved books and science fiction.
Popplewell was taken hostage along with his mother, Channah Peri, who was released in the November hostage deal following 49 days in Gaza captivity. Both were taken from their home’s safe room. Popplewell’s brother Roi, aged 54, was murdered on October 7.
Yagev Buchshtab
Buchshtab, 35 years old, was seized from Kibbutz Nirim on October 7 along with his wife Rimon Kirsht Buchshtab, 36, who was released on November 28, as part of the hostage deal.
In July, the IDF announced he had been killed in Gaza captivity. Buchshtab was a sound technician and had a passion for music.
