On Thursday, November 13, 2025, the Israeli government confirmed the return of the body of Meny Godard, one of the last four hostages held in Gaza, marking a somber milestone in the ongoing ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The transfer, conducted by the Red Cross in the Gaza Strip, was the latest in a series of exchanges brokered as part of a U.S.-mediated deal aimed at winding down the devastating conflict that has gripped the region since October 2023.
According to FRANCE 24 and the Israeli prime minister’s office, the coffin containing Godard’s remains was handed over to the Israeli army and Shin Bet security service inside Gaza. Forensic experts in Israel swiftly confirmed the identity as that of Meny Godard, a 73-year-old resident of Kibbutz Be'eri, who was killed during the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023. Godard’s wife, Ayelet, was also killed in the same raid, which marked the beginning of the war and left deep scars on both Israeli and Palestinian communities.
The recovery of Godard’s body was announced earlier in the day by the armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, who stated that the remains had been located in the Khan Younis area of southern Gaza. The handover was carried out under the watchful eye of the Red Cross, highlighting the organization’s crucial role in facilitating these sensitive exchanges. The Israeli military promptly informed Godard’s family that their loved one had been returned and identified, bringing a measure of closure after more than two years of uncertainty and anguish.
The ceasefire, which began on October 10, 2025, was designed to halt the bloodshed and set the stage for broader negotiations. At the outset, Hamas was holding 20 living hostages and the bodies of 28 deceased captives. Since then, all living hostages have been released, and with the return of Godard’s remains, 25 of the 28 deceased hostages have been handed back to Israel. In exchange, Israel has released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and returned the bodies of hundreds of Palestinians to Gaza, as reported by CBC and Reuters.
The process has not been without controversy or difficulty. Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of dragging its feet in returning the bodies of deceased hostages, while Hamas counters that the slow progress is due to the widespread devastation in Gaza after two years of war. Many bodies, they claim, are buried beneath rubble, complicating recovery efforts. Health officials in Gaza have also cited a lack of DNA testing kits, making identification of returned remains challenging. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, of the 330 Palestinian bodies received so far, only 95 have been formally identified.
The exchange mechanism is grimly precise: for each dead Israeli hostage returned, Israel has agreed to hand over the remains of 15 Palestinians. On Friday, November 14, 2025, the day after Godard’s return, Israel transferred the bodies of 15 Palestinians back to Gaza, as confirmed by officials at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. This arrangement underscores the deeply personal and collective losses on both sides, as families await news of their missing relatives amid the broader political negotiations.
Godard’s life story adds a poignant note to the tragedy. According to Kibbutz Be’eri and CBC, he was a professional soccer player before enlisting in the Israeli military and serving in the 1973 Mideast War. He later held various positions within the kibbutz, including at its printing press, embodying the resilience and community spirit that so many in Israel cherish.
The broader context of the ceasefire deal reflects the complexity of the conflict. The first phase, which has now seen the return of all living hostages and the majority of deceased, is just one part of a 20-point plan. The next stages, as outlined by BBC and CBC, call for the creation of an international stabilization force, the formation of a technocratic Palestinian government, and the disarmament of Hamas. These ambitious goals remain stalled, with both sides accusing each other of violating the terms of the agreement. Israeli officials have, at times, disputed the authenticity of some remains handed over, while Hamas has accused Israel of restricting humanitarian aid and firing on civilians.
The human cost of the conflict has been staggering. The Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people in southern Israel and the abduction of 251 hostages. Israel’s subsequent military response has, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza and figures considered reliable by the United Nations, killed more than 69,100 Palestinians. The ceasefire has led to a significant reduction in hostilities, though not a complete halt, and casualties continue to be reported on both sides.
The emotional toll is evident in official statements. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to recovering all missing and captive individuals, stating, “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.”
Despite the progress, three hostages’ remains—two Israeli and one Thai—are still believed to be in Gaza. The slow pace of recovery has not only hindered closure for families but also stalled the advancement of the U.S.-brokered peace plan, which envisions a future Gaza governed by a technocratic administration, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, and the reconstruction of the war-torn territory.
As the first phase of the ceasefire draws to a close, both Israeli and Palestinian officials are under pressure to fulfill their commitments and pave the way for lasting peace. The return of Meny Godard’s body is a small but significant step in a process fraught with pain, mistrust, and the hope—however faint—that a different future might yet be possible for all those living between the river and the sea.
