ISRAELI special forces have recovered the body of a hostage captured by Hamas during the October 7 massacre.
The IDF said the body of Elad Katzir, who was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz, was found in the southern city of Khan Younis.
ReutersElad Katzir, 47, who was taken hostage on October 7, has been confirmed dead[/caption]
Elad Katzir from Kibbutz Nir Oz was murdered in Hamas captivityFacebook
AlamyA poster demanding the return of hostage Elad Katzir[/caption]
The IDF claimed it had intelligence that Mr Katzir was “murdered in captivity” by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group.
Carmit Palty Katzir, the sister of the murdered hostage, said her family was notified that her brother was killed in captivity.
In a Facebook post, she wrote that his body was extracted from the Gaza Strip in a daring raid – and will now be returned to the family for burial.
“Elad was brought to Israel last night, after being murdered captive,” the post read.
Carmit added that while the IDF will announce this as a “brave rescue operation”, they have no idea about the other hostages.
She blamed the IDF for her brother’s death – and said he “could have been saved if a deal would have happened on time”.
She added: “They won’t tell you either that they have no way to protect the kidnapped, even when they know where they are.
“Our leadership is cowardly and devoid of political considerations and therefore it didn’t happen.
“I’m sorry we couldn’t save you.”
Katzir’s mother Hanna was also kidnapped from her home on Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7.
However, she was released by Hamas militants on November 24 during the temporary ceasefire deal.
His father was murdered by Hamas terrorists during the massacre.
It comes after an Israeli cabbie, 53, died in December while being in Hamas’ captivity.
Eitan Levy was on duty transporting a passenger from central Israel to Kibbutz Be’eri when the area fell under siege by the terrorists.
On October 7, the cabbie reportedly left home at 6am to pick up the passenger.
He reached the kibbutz around 7am, but soon was caught up with the massacre.
He called his son, Shehar Levy, to tell about a missile attack over the city, when Shehar heard him shouting: “shouting, “Help, it landed on the roof of my car.”
Minutes later Shahar heard voices of Hamas terrorists speaking Arabic.
He later found out that his father was told to sit and was asked to identify himself.
About an hour later, the phone was still open and Shahar heard only Arabic being spoken, and then the phone was disconnected.
Shahar never spoke to his father again.
AFPPortraits of Elad Katzir during demonstrations by the family of Israeli hostages[/caption]