The Israeli Army announces that it has recovered the mortal remains of three hostages in the Gaza Strip

Follow the latest news on the war in Gaza live

17 (EUROPA PRESS)

The Israeli Army announced this Friday the recovery of the lifeless bodies of three hostages who were in the hands of the Palestinian militias in the Gaza Strip.

The hostages have been identified as two women and a man, Amit Buskila, Shani Louk – of German-Israeli nationality – and Itzhak Gelerenter, all of them attending the Supernova music festival attacked by the militias on October 7 during their massacre in Israel, trigger of the current war with Hamas.

Israel estimates that around 1,200 people were killed during the Palestinian assaults, including around 350 at the festival alone.

Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari reported that the three initially managed to escape to the Mefalsim area, where they died at the hands of the militias.

Their lifeless bodies were later transferred to the Gaza Strip, where they were recovered in a joint night operation by the Army and the Israeli national intelligence service, the Shin Bet.

The Government’s first reaction has come from the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, who has declared himself “heartbroken” by the news and promised the return of all the hostages in the hands of the Palestinian militias.

“My wife Sara and I cry with the families,” he says in a statement. “We will recover all our hostages, both dead and alive,” said the Israeli Prime Minister.

Netanyahu took the opportunity to congratulate the “brave forces” of Israel who, “with determined action, have returned our sons and daughters home.”