Hamas Fails to Deliver
The Last, Hardest Battle: 16 Deceased Hostages Still Remain in Gaza as Families Await Their Loved Ones’ Return
Despite the ceasefire agreement, Hamas has only returned 12 of the 28 bodies of deceased hostages, leaving 16 families, including the relatives of two foreign nationals, without the closure of a burial.
As Israel celebrated the return and recovery of its last living hostages last week, the nation’s focus now turns to the 16 deceased captives whose bodies remain held in the Gaza Strip. Under the current ceasefire agreement, 28 bodies were to be returned by Hamas terrorists, but thus far, only 12 have been released and formally identified. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum released a statement on Sunday, declaring, “We will not rest and we will not be silent until the last of the hostages is returned.”
The 16 individuals still in Gaza include 14 Israeli citizens and two foreign nationals. Their families are enduring a painful state of limbo, unable to find final peace or provide a proper burial. Hamas claims it is unable to reach some of the bodies and professes ignorance regarding the location of others, claims that Israeli officials have publicly stated they do not believe.
A Decade-Long Fight for Closure
The struggle for the return of the deceased is not new. On Saturday, Ayelet Goldin, the sister of Lt. Hadar Goldin, whose body has been held by Hamas since he was killed in 2014, called on the public to stand by the grieving families in what she termed the “last and hardest” fight.
"We need you now in the last and hardest battle of all. The least sexy battle, in which there will be no hugs," said Goldin. "There will be bowed heads, final respect, heroism, and a beautiful and pure Israeliness that preserves its values for the sake of our children."
The 16 individuals represent a cross-section of the October 7th victims and a legacy captive. They include civilians abducted from their homes, soldiers, and one police officer. The war, triggered by the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, saw terrorists kill 1,200 people and kidnap 251. The current ceasefire followed the release of the remaining 20 living hostages on October 13th.
The Faces of the Lost
Each of the 16 remaining captives leaves behind a devastating story:
The families of these individuals continue their vigil, demanding that the remainder of the agreement be fulfilled so they can finally lay their loved ones to rest.