On a somber week in late October 2025, Israel received the remains of several hostages who perished in Gaza, bringing both a measure of closure and a renewed sense of urgency to ongoing efforts for the return of all captives and deceased. The painstaking process of identification and repatriation unfolded against a backdrop of fragile ceasefires, high-level diplomatic visits, and the lingering pain of families who have waited for answers since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the body transferred to Israel on October 24 was formally identified as that of Eliyahu Margalit. The confirmation came after a meticulous process led by the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, in collaboration with the Israel Police and the Military Rabbinate. In a public statement, the IDF shared, "Following the completion of the identification process by the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, in cooperation with the Israel Police and the Military Rabbinate, IDF representatives informed the family of Eliyahu Margalit that he had been returned for burial." Margalit leaves behind a wife, three children, and grandchildren. His daughter, Nili Margalit, was also abducted but returned home as part of a hostage release agreement in November 2023.
The return of Margalit's remains was not an isolated event. On October 21, two more deceased hostages—Arye Zalmanovich and Tamir Adar—were brought back to Israel from Gaza. Their transfer was confirmed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, which noted that the bodies had crossed the border and were taken for formal identification and investigation into the causes of death. Zalmanovich, at 85, was the oldest hostage taken by Hamas. Abducted alive from his home at Kibbutz Nir Oz, he was believed to have been killed in captivity on November 17, 2023. Described by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum as "a tough and modest man who demanded nothing for himself," Zalmanovich was a founding member of his kibbutz, a dedicated farmer, father of two, and grandfather of five. The Nir Oz community remembered him as "an honest and humble worker, an idealist and a farmer at heart and soul."
Tamir Adar, also from Nir Oz, died defending his community during the initial Hamas assault. At just 38 years old, Adar was remembered as a family man, educator, farmer, and an avid supporter of Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Club. The kibbutz described him as "always surrounded by friends and loved by everyone," a person with a keen sense of humor, and a lover of nature who would watch birds of prey with binoculars during his work in the fields. "We will remember Tamir as a dedicated educator, connected to nature and agriculture, a beloved husband, father, son, brother and grandson who is missed by all of us," the kibbutz said in a statement.
The return of these bodies forms part of a broader agreement brokered by the United States in the wake of the devastating attacks. Under the US-proposed ceasefire signed on October 9, 2025, Hamas was required to return all living and deceased hostages within 72 hours of the deal’s enactment. As of October 25, Hamas had returned 15 of the 28 deceased hostages outlined in the agreement. However, Israeli intelligence has assessed that some bodies may remain unrecovered due to the extensive destruction in Gaza and the challenges of locating remains. Hamas has acknowledged these difficulties, stating that "significant efforts and special equipment" are needed to recover bodies buried under rubble.
American officials have maintained a visible presence in the region, underscoring the international dimension of the crisis. On October 25, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Israel, meeting with families of American hostages Itay Chen and Omer Neutra. Rubio pledged, "We will not forget the lives of the hostages who died in the captivity of Hamas," and assured families, "We will not rest until their -- and all -- remains are returned." The Hostages and Missing Families Forum welcomed Rubio’s commitment, emphasizing, "Thirteen hostages need to come home. Thirteen families need closure."
Chen, a dual Israel-US national and an Israeli army sergeant, was killed in combat during the October 7 attacks, with his body subsequently taken to Gaza. His death was officially announced in March 2024. Omer Neutra, another US-Israeli national, was also killed on October 7. Raised in New York, Neutra had come to Israel to connect with his family’s heritage and later volunteered for military service. Both families have endured agonizing waits for news and the eventual return of their loved ones’ remains.
The ceasefire, which came into effect on October 10, has resulted in the release of all 20 living hostages held by Palestinian militants, alongside the return of 15 deceased hostages to Israel. In exchange, Israel has released nearly 2,000 prisoners, primarily Palestinians, and dozens of Palestinian bodies. However, the agreement has not been without setbacks. On October 26, following an attack that killed two IDF soldiers, Israel launched a wave of airstrikes in Gaza, reportedly leaving dozens dead. The ceasefire was later reinforced, but both sides have accused each other of violations, highlighting the fragile nature of the current peace.
The difficulties in recovering all deceased hostages were candidly addressed by US Vice President JD Vance during his visit to Israel on October 21. At a press conference, Vance remarked, "It is a focus of everybody here to get those bodies back home to their families, so that they can have a proper burial. Now, that said, this is difficult. This is not going to happen overnight." He added, "Some of the deceased hostages are buried under thousands of pounds of rubble. Some of the hostages, nobody even knows where they are. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t work to get them."
The complexities of the situation were further underscored when, in one instance, Hamas returned a body that did not belong to an Israeli hostage. Israeli military sources suggested this was likely a case of misidentification rather than a deliberate act.
Despite the challenges, the Israeli government, international mediators, and families of the hostages remain committed to the return of every last captive and deceased individual. The government has expressed its "deep sorrow" for the families of the fallen hostages and reaffirmed its dedication to continuing the agreement’s implementation. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, representing the collective anguish and hope of dozens of families, has urged negotiators not to rest "until the last hostage is released."
As the world watches, the stories of Eliyahu Margalit, Arye Zalmanovich, Tamir Adar, Itay Chen, Omer Neutra, and others serve as stark reminders of the personal toll of conflict. Their legacies—of resilience, family, and community—echo across Israel and beyond, as efforts to bring every hostage home continue with renewed determination.
