Daijiworld Media Network - Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Nov 14: Israel has received the body of hostage Meny Godard from Palestinian militants in Gaza through the Red Cross, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed on Thursday.

Godard, a 73-year-old resident of a kibbutz near the Gaza border, was killed during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. His body was taken to Gaza, and he was officially declared dead on December 8 that year.

Earlier in the day, the armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad announced their intention to hand over the body at 8 p.m. local time (1800 GMT). However, Israeli authorities stated that they had not received any formal notification of such a transfer.

Once the remains entered Israel through Red Cross assistance, they were sent to forensic experts, who confirmed Godard’s identity within three hours. According to officials, the bodies of three other hostages are still being held in Gaza.

In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office said, “The Government and the entire establishment for the missing and the captives of the State of Israel are determined, committed, and working tirelessly to return all of our fallen hostages for proper burial in their country.”

Islamic Jihad, which participated in the October 7 attack alongside Hamas, claimed that Godard’s body was recovered from the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis.

Under the ceasefire agreement reached in October, Hamas had released all 20 surviving hostages in Gaza in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and wartime detainees held by Israel. The deal also included the return of the remains of 28 hostages in exchange for 360 militant bodies handed over by Israel.