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Hamas's search for kidnapped civilians - and Israel's claim: "We can do more"

Ynet

Israel

Friday, October 17


Alternative Takes

Trump's Threats Against Hamas

Hamas Cooperation and Ceasefire Commitment

Human Impact and Recovery


Al Jazeera films Hamas digging in the Gaza Strip, but the BBC is not impressed - and estimates that the organization is using the spaces left behind as bargaining chips:"More could be done." The international teams are still not operating in the field, Turkey claims:"Waiting for Israeli approval." A second day without a pulse, these are the stories of the 19 kidnapped martyrs still in Gaza

Itamar Eichner

,

Lior Ben Ari

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Second day without a trace of casualties: Despite estimates in Israel that Hamas knows the location of at least 10 of the 19 casualties left behind, no release of the kidnapped casualties who, according to Trump's plan, should be returned for burial in Israel is expected today (Friday). The international teams are still not operating in the field - and a team of dozens of rescuers that Turkey sent to the region"is still waiting for Israeli permission to enter Gaza," according to a senior Turkish official who spoke to the AFP news agency.

22 Viewing the gallery

Excavations in the Gaza Strip (Photo: AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

חמאס מחפש את גופות החטופים בחאן יונס

Meanwhile, in the Gaza Strip, teams from the Qatari Al Jazeera network are filming Hamas digging in certain spots in the Strip, ostensibly to find kidnapped bodies, but Israel is not impressed - even after the report of a search for a specific kidnapped body in Khan Yunis."Hamas can try harder to succeed in bringing in dead bodies," they said in Israel this evening, as

Reported on Ynet the day before yesterday

Gave the real estate agents reference points for finding spaces.

In accordance with the agreement, efforts are currently being made by the mediators and the Americans with Hamas to locate the bodies, but the international teams have not yet physically entered the area. Muhammad Nazal, a member of Hamas' political bureau, said in an interview with Reuters that"the organization has no interest in keeping the kidnapped bodies that were left behind."

This explanation is also not easily bought in Israel. The Prime Minister's Office responded by saying that"Hamas is supposed to release all the hostages in the first phase. It did not do so. Hamas knows where the bodies of our hostages are."

Hamas claims, let us recall, that it has handed over all the hostages - living and dead - that can be reached. According to Nazal, the organization is encountering technical problems in rescuing additional dead. He noted that international elements will assist in the search if necessary. In the meantime, the one who is expected to return to the area a few days after his visit here is Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump's special envoy.

Witkoff is expected to arrive in the region early next week to discuss the continued implementation of the agreement and the return of the remains still in Gaza. Sources who spoke with his team said that Witkoff is closely monitoring the implementation of the agreement - and promised that he will not let up on the issue of the return of the remains, as over the past year he has also been in close contact with the families of the abducted remains, including a number of American citizens. A source familiar with the details told Ynet that"the US is fully engaged in the incident and it does not seem like they have taken the pedal off the gas." It is still unclear whether Witkoff will also visit Israel as part of his visit.

Disarmament? "Can't answer 'yes' or 'no'"

According to a member of Hamas' political bureau based in Doha, the terrorist organization intends to maintain security control in Gaza during the interim period. He added that he cannot commit to the terrorist organization disarming - positions that reflect the difficulties facing the United States in its plans to ensure an end to the war.

"I can't answer yes or no. To be honest, it depends on the nature of the plan. What does this disarmament plan mean? Who will the weapons be transferred to?" he said. He added that issues to be discussed in the next phase of negotiations, which he said could begin"soon," would include these issues, which he said concern not only Hamas - but also other armed Palestinian groups in the Gaza Strip, so this would require all parties to reach a broader agreement.

Muhammad Nazzal (Photo: Mahmud Hams / AFP)מוחמד נזאל לוויה איסמעיל הנייה

"Disarmament? Can't say 'yes' or 'no'" (Photo: REUTERS/Hatem Khaled)הכנות ברצועת עזה לקראת שחרור חטופים

Recall that US President Donald Trump has already made it clear that if Hamas does not comply with the agreed-upon outline, the IDF will be able to resume operations in the Gaza Strip"as soon as I give the signal." "We have a commitment from them and I assume they will honor their commitment," Trump said, when asked about Hamas's disarmament this week.

Israel responded to these claims by Nazal and clarified:"Hamas is supposed to be disarmed within the framework of this agreement. There are no 'ifs', no 'buts'. They have not done so yet. Hamas needs to stick to the 20-point plan. Their time is running out."

The 19 spaces left behind

The scenario that Israel was preparing for came true, and Hamas violated the agreement right from the start - when it released hostages in small bursts - and for only three days. The result is one: 19 hostages are still in the Gaza Strip - and while Israel insists that Hamas can bring at least 10 more hostages, it is unclear when the next burst will be. One thing is clear, even after this clear violation, Israel is not giving up. These are the 19 hostages left behind:

Sergeant Itay Chen

Sergeant Itai Chen (20) from Netanya was killed in combat with his tank comrades from Battalion 77 in Nahal Oz, and was kidnapped. For 158 days, he and his tank comrades were considered to be out of contact, until they discovered that he had been kidnapped. Along with him, Matan Engerst, who returned alive yesterday, and Daniel Peretz were kidnapped. The fourth tank member, Tomer Leibowitz, died in battle. At the funeral of Captain Daniel Peretz, survivor of captivity Matan Engerst said that he

Ready to enter the Strip

To return it.

Itai holds American citizenship from his father, Ruby, and German citizenship from his mother, Hagit. He is the middle of the three members of the Chen family - a younger brother to Uri and an older brother to Alon. When he was in high school, he enjoyed traveling in Israel and was a young field guide in the Israeli Army. He played basketball professionally until his enlistment in the army.

Sergeant Itai Chen (late) (courtesy of the family)סמל איתי חן ז"ל

"The saying 'With their death they commanded us life' has a special meaning today," said Robbie at the huge rally in Tel Aviv's Kidnapped Square last Saturday."In the name of this commandment, I call on the wonderful people present here: Please promise us that you will not forget the families of the kidnapped who may not receive their loved ones, and that you will continue to fight with me and others until the last kidnapped is returned!"

To Robbie Derby,"This time we cannot let the war end like Protective Edge, so the Israeli government decided that there is no need to fight for the fallen kidnapped soldiers left behind. The silence bought for not returning Hadar and Oron led to October 7, and this must not happen again. So please - the people of Israel - I want to hear you and be sure of your answer. Do you promise me that you will fight with me until the last kidnapped one?" The huge crowd responded in the affirmative.

Lieutenant Hadar Goldin

Hadar, 23, from Kfar Saba, an officer with the Givati Patrol, was killed in August 2014 in a battle in Rafah during a ceasefire in Operation Protective Edge, and his body was kidnapped by Hamas. For 11.5 years, he has been defined as an IDF martyr whose burial place is unknown, and throughout this period, his family has fought for his return - and, among other things, demanded, long before the war broke out, that the reconstruction of Gaza not be allowed without his return.

"Hadar, who is part of a duo with his twin brother Tzur, had a crazy sense of humor," his father Simcha told Ynet in an interview."He was very talented, a gifted painter, writer and photographer. He guided a youth movement and raised an entire generation. He left a huge legacy. To this day, his painting exhibition tours the country."

Lieutenant Hadar Goldin (Photo: Courtesy of the family)הדר גולדין ז"ל

The last family reunion took place at Hadar's engagement party."Before he entered Gaza, he had time to draw the wedding invitation," his father said."His and mine met on Tuesday, two days before he was killed. We met in Nir Yitzhak's fields. They seemed strong, right."

Goldin's family

stated after the announcement of the agreement that

"This war was born 11 years ago when it was decided to leave the hostages behind in Gaza. Our Hadar symbolizes determination for a real victory, and until it does not sit still, we are still in the battle." According to the family,"We are standing guard, and calling on the Israeli government to send in search teams and return everyone before Hamas receives any compensation."

Tamir Adar

Tamir Adar of Nir Oz, 38 years old at the time of his death, was seriously injured on October 7 while defending the kibbutz. He was initially declared a hostage, but after 91 days his family was informed that he was no longer alive.

Tamir Adarתמיר אדר

Tamir is the eldest grandson of 85-year-old Yaffe Adar, who was also kidnapped to Gaza - and was released in the hostage deal in November 2023. Adar was born and raised on a kibbutz and lived there with his family - his wife Hadas and his two children, aged three and a half and seven. Tamir's last message to his wife on the day of the massacre was:"You don't open the door to anyone, even if it's me who asks you to open it." Tamir was a farmer and an educator, a family man, a lover of people and nature, who sympathized with Maccabi Tel Aviv and was always surrounded by friends.

Dror Or

Dror was murdered on October 7 and kidnapped to the Gaza Strip. Dror was initially declared a hostage, but 208 days later his family was informed that he was no longer alive. Dror is the father of three children, Yahli, Noam and Alma, and the partner of the late Yonat Or, who was murdered on the morning of the attack. Two of his children, Alma and Noam, were kidnapped and released in the hostage deal in November 2023.

Dror Orדרור אור

Or ran a dairy in Bari for about 15 years, making its boutique cheeses, along with his partner Dagan Peleg, who said:"Dror was a man of passion, a man of people." His sister Dana said: "Dror was a very significant person in our family, a beloved man of peace, kind-hearted and always ready to help."

Suntia Ok'Krasari

Sontia, 30, a Thai citizen, was murdered on the day of the massacre in the Kibbutz Be'eri orchards where he worked.

Suntia Okkeresri סונטיה אוקקרסרי

Ronen Engel

On the morning of October 7, 54-year-old Ronen left his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz armed with his personal weapon and disappeared. For about two months, the condition of Ronen, who was a photographer, volunteer at the MDA and a motorcycle enthusiast, was unknown. It was not until early December 2023, four days after his wife Karina and their daughters Mika and Yuval were released in the hostage deal, that the family was informed that he had been murdered in Hamas captivity. The family has another son – Tom, who was at the IDF base that Saturday.

Ronen Engelרונן אנגל

Last August

Karina told the Ynet studio

Because even in the previous deal, she expected his body to be returned:"We were absolutely convinced that we were returning the 50 that were there at that moment. We started directing the funeral, deciding who would give the eulogy and what the song list would be. We were very busy with it." She added: "In what world and with what logical thought does a 12-year-old girl wish to receive her father for burial? With what understanding can I explain to my children that we are five days away from the 700th day, and still on that day?"

"I have three strong children, full of joy of life," she added."They see life as a part of their father. For them, living life is about perpetuating Ronen."

Sahar Baruch

Sahar, 25, from Bari, was kidnapped to Gaza alive after he tried, along with his brother Idan, to escape through the window from terrorists who had invaded the kibbutz and set fire to their home. About two months later, in December 2023, his family was informed that he was no longer alive. The IDF later announced that he had been killed during the attempt to rescue him from captivity. His aunt, Meirav Barkai, said at the time:"The thought and the knowledge that he was so close to us, we were almost ready to hug him - it breaks our hearts. From our perspective, all his data, everything we knew about him, he was supposed to survive this. He is a smart guy, knows how to deal with people, is strong and has abilities. We imagined him coming back."

Sahar Baruchסהר ברוך

Sahar is survived by his parents, Tami and Roni Baruch, and his brothers Guy and Niv. About a month before the massacre, he returned from a long trip to South America, and shortly thereafter he was scheduled to begin his studies as a student in the electrical engineering department at Ben-Gurion University.

Major General Ran Guili

Ran, 24, from Meitar, a YSM fighter, fell in battle at Kibbutz Alumim. Ran fought wounded after breaking his shoulder in a motorcycle accident and was scheduled to undergo surgery, and despite this, he went out to the encirclement. He managed to save the lives of dozens of partygoers in Ra'im before he was killed and his body was taken to Gaza. He fought for about two years in the YSM Negev of the Southern District Police, and despite his young age, he joined the motorcycle division.

Major General Ran Guili (Photo: Police Spokesperson)רס"ל רן גואילי

Gwili is survived by his parents, Itzik and Taliq, and two siblings - Omri and Shira, who said last month in

Interview with Yedioth Ahronoth

She doesn't give up: "Until they informed us, I was sure he was alive, and I still feel that way. When we received the message, the first sentence that came out of my mouth was: 'I choose life.' I was afraid that I and the family would fall, so I made a decision not to fall. I get up every morning, fight and represent Ran."

Manny Goddard

Manny, 73, from Bari, was murdered on October 7 and abducted to the Gaza Strip. His death was not announced by his kibbutz until February 2024. His wife Ayelet was also murdered in an attack on their home. Their daughter Mor Sharoni said that her parents organized singing evenings at the kibbutz's community center, and Manny was a soccer player, Hapoel Bari's top scorer. He later coached the youth team.

Manny Goddardמני גודארד

Upon the announcement of the hostage deal, his family said,"After two years of hell, an entire country has awakened to a morning of hope. Along with the great hope and anticipation for our loved ones, we know that tense and sad days lie ahead. We pray that all the living hostages will return to us on their feet, and that the deceased hostages, including our father, Manny Goddard, will soon be reunited with us for a proper burial in the soil of the land."

Sergeant Oz Daniel

19-year-old Oz, who was kidnapped in Gaza by Hamas terrorists on October 7, was declared an IDF martyr after his fate was unknown for 141 days.

Sergeant Oz Danielסמל עוז דניאל חן

On the morning of the attack, Oz was at the"White House" outpost, in a tank with his crew – Omer Nowtra, the tank commander; Nimrod Cohen, the gunner; Shaked Dahan, the late, the tank driver. The family members woke up when the alarms sounded in the center of the country."Keep calm, love you," his mother wrote in her last message to him, but no response was received. Later, the family was exposed to the shocking video that documented the moment their son was kidnapped:"The tank caught fire, they had to abandon it. We saw Oz get out alive, we recognized him immediately."

Oz was a fighter in the 77th Battalion of the Saar Formation from the Golan (7). He is survived by his parents - Meirav and Amir - and his twin sister, Hadar.

Aryeh Zalmanovich

85-year-old Aryeh was kidnapped from his home and died in Hamas captivity. After more than ten days of war, his family decided to release footage from the moments of his kidnapping, in which he is seen bruised and being led away on a motorcycle. Farhan Qadi, who was rescued from Hamas captivity, testified that he saw him die next to them after not receiving the medication and medical care he needed.

Aryeh Zalmanovichאריה זלמנוביץ' נעדר

Zalmanovich, one of the founders of Nir Oz, is one of the oldest captives in captivity. He was widowed in 1997 from his wife Ruth and was the father of two sons and grandfather of five grandchildren. The kibbutz said:"Arie was a man of the land all his life, engaged in agriculture and field crops. A man of books and had extensive knowledge of history and knowledge of the land."

Tal Haimi

Tal, 42, was killed in battle in Nir Yitzhak Shem Lehm as part of his membership in the readiness class. He left behind a wife, Ella, and children Nir, Einav, Udi and Lotan - who was born after he was kidnapped. In September, Ella told Ynet that"the children don't believe their father is dead, as far as they are concerned he could walk in the door at any moment. There are also adults who think there is this small percentage that he is alive."

Tal Haimi (courtesy of the Abductees' Families Headquarters)טל חיימי

Jaimi added: "I'm not in the mourning phase. I'm still in the burying phase. Like someone who was killed and is waiting for a funeral, and we're waiting a long time for a funeral."

Her daughter, Einav, said at a rally in Hatufim Square in July that"When I was with my mother on this stage a year ago, I really thought that soon everything would be over." Her twin brother Nir said through tears: "It's hard to see Dad's picture everywhere."

Colonel Assaf Hammi

The commander of the southern brigade in the Gaza Division, 41 years old from Kiryat Ono, was killed in a battle with terrorists on the morning of October 7. He left behind a wife and three children. Two fighters from his company were killed with him: Sergeant Tomer Yaakov Achimas, the late, and Sergeant Kirill Brodsky, the late. Their bodies were also taken to Gaza.

Colonel Assaf Hammi (Photo: Courtesy of the family)אל"מ אסף חממי ז"ל

Lt. Col. (res.) Gilad Blank, the combat director of the Southern Brigade and a close friend of Hammi, said:"Asaf was very moral and humble. When he had to, he made brave and difficult decisions, he managed to see each and every one of his subordinates, and it didn't matter who he was or what his rank was. There are no commanders like him. I said this while he was still alive. It is very difficult to lose a friend and commander. Hammi's spirit was with us throughout the fighting."

Joshua Luito Mulal

Joshua, a 22-year-old Tanzanian national, was reported missing for two months until it was learned that he had been kidnapped in the Gaza Strip and murdered there. He was an agronomy student who had come to Israel to study and do an internship with the international aid agency, just three weeks before the terrorist attack. He lived in Nahal Oz.

Joshua Luito Mulal ג'ושוע לואיטו מולל

Another Tanzanian citizen, Clemence Felix Matanga, was also murdered. Luito's father called on the international community to work for the immediate release of his son's body.

Eliyahu Margalit (Churchill)

Eliyahu (Churchill), 75, was murdered on October 7 near his horse stables in Kibbutz Nir Oz, and his body was kidnapped to the Gaza Strip. He was murdered when he arrived to feed the horses he loved so much and cared for with devotion. The stable was destroyed, and the terrorists who invaded and looted the property of the kibbutz members also stole eight horses."Churchill's" wife, Dafna, survived the terrorist attack. His daughter Nili, a nurse by profession, was kidnapped from Nir Oz and released after 55 days in Hamas captivity.

Eliyahu Churchill Margalitאליהו צ'רצ'יל מרגלית

Omar Nowtra

Captain Omar Nowtra, 22, from Long Island, commanded Tank No. 3 on the morning of October 7. He was with his tank crew - Nimrod Cohen, Oz Daniel, and Shaked Dahan - at the White House outpost near Nir Oz. When the attack began, the platoon jumped into the tank and began fighting. Apparently, the vehicle was malfunctioning, and when it was shot at - it was disabled. The photo of the burning tank published on Hamas networks in the morning was of Omar and his comrades, the only tank from which the entire crew was kidnapped.

Omar Nowtraעומר נאוטרה

For more than a year, the Nawtra family did not know what happened to their son, until in December 2024 they were informed that he had been killed that day. The body of the late Shaked Dahan was laid to rest, but the bodies of Oz Daniel and Omer have not yet been brought for burial. The only survivor of the team is Nimrod Cohen, who returned to Israel yesterday.

Omer grew up and was educated on Long Island, the son of Orna and Ronen and his brother Daniel - who are at the forefront of the families' struggle. During his youth, he was part of the Conservative Youth Movement as a trainee and guide, and in his last year he even served as the movement's president in the New York area. His love for Israel was present in his life and he took an active part in outreach and community activities. When he was 18, Omer chose to immigrate to Israel for a year of preparatory school at the Upper Galilee Preparatory School, in the Kfar Hanasi branch. He then decided to enlist in the army and even become an officer - although he was not required to enlist. Omer loved to engage in a variety of sports, and he loved cats very much.

Amiram Cooper

Amiram, 86, from Nir Oz, was killed in captivity during IDF operations in Khan Yunis. He was kidnapped from his home with his wife Nurit Cooper, who was released from captivity along with Yocheved Lifshitz, even before the hostage deal. In December 2023, Hamas released footage of Amiram, in which he was seen with the hostages Haim Perry and Yoram Metzger.

Amiram Cooperעמירם קופר

Amiram, a father of three children and grandfather of nine grandchildren, is one of the founders of Nir Oz. He is an economist by profession, and worked for many years as the chief economist of the Maon region settlements. Amiram is also a poet and composer - he has published books of poetry, written plays and published many articles dealing with politics and economics.

Lior Rudaif

61-year-old Lior was kidnapped from his home in Nir Yitzhak on October 7. In May 2024, the family was informed that he had been murdered in a surprise attack, and his body had been kidnapped to Gaza.

Lior Rudaifליאור רודאיף

Lior was married to Yaffa for 38 years, father to Noam, Nadav, Bar and Ben, grandfather to Tomer, Dagan and Shai. The announcement of his death stated that he was"a man of giving and a huge heart to all those around him. For 40 years he volunteered as an ambulance driver in Eshkol. Wherever he went, he was always the first to volunteer and lend a hand to everyone. He was an Argentine at heart, an avid cyclist.

Sontisc Rintalk

Sontisek, 43, a Thai citizen, was murdered on the day of the massacre in the Kibbutz Be'eri orchards - and abducted to the Gaza Strip. He worked in agriculture for years, and immigrated to Israel in 2017 to help support his family.

Sontis Retanlac

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