Solemn Homecoming
Heartbreaking Return: These Are Israel's 26 Fallen Hostages In Hamas Custody
As Living Captives Await Freedom, Israel Prepares to Lay to Rest the Deceased Victims of October 7 Horror – Full List of Those Whose Bodies Are Finally Coming Home After Years of Captivity
In a poignant chapter of the fragile U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire that took effect on October 10, 2025, Hamas is poised to release the remains of 26 deceased hostages, the fallen victims whose bodies have been held in the Strip since the brutal October 7, 2023, attacks, alongside at least 20 living captives in the initial phase of the deal.
This exchange, part of a broader agreement swapping the remaining 48 hostages (alive and deceased) for 250 Palestinian prisoners, marks a somber milestone after 738 days of anguish for Israeli families.
The fallen hostages, confirmed dead by Israeli authorities, include civilians, soldiers, and foreign nationals slain during the initial assault or in captivity.
Their remains are expected to be handed over via the Red Cross tomorrow morning (Monday, October 13) after withdrawals of Israeli forces from Gaza positions.
Below is the compiled list of these 26 people:
1. Tamir Adar, 38: Farmer and father-of-two, member of Nir Oz community security squad, killed fighting Hamas gunmen on October 7 at Kibbutz Nir Oz.
2. Sonthaya Akrasri (or Oakkharasri, Oakkharasri), 30: Thai agricultural worker killed in attack on Kibbutz Be'eri on October 7.
3. Muhammad al-Atarash, 39: IDF sergeant-major and tracker, father-of-13 from Bedouin village of Sawa, killed fighting Hamas near Nahal Oz on October 7.
4. Sahar Baruch, 24: Abducted from Kibbutz Be'eri on October 7; killed during Israeli rescue attempt in Gaza (unclear if by Hamas or Israeli gunfire).
5. Uriel Baruch, 35: Father-of-two abducted from Nova music festival on October 7; killed in captivity, confirmed by IDF in March 2024.
6. Itay Chen, 19: Israeli-American IDF soldier killed during Hamas attack on Nahal Oz base on October 7.
7. Amiram Cooper, 85: Abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7; killed in Khan Younis months earlier (Hamas claimed IDF strike).
8. Oz Daniel (or Daniel Oz), 19: IDF sergeant in 7th Armoured Brigade, killed in battle near Gaza perimeter fence on October 7.
9. Ronen Engel, 54: Abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7 with family (released); killed in captivity, confirmed by IDF in December 2023.
10. Meny Godard, 73: Killed during attack on Kibbutz Be'eri on October 7; some remains found, rest held by Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
11. Ran Gvili, 24: Israel Police sergeant killed fighting Hamas in Kibbutz Alumim on October 7.
12. Tal Haimi, 41: Father-of-four, part of Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak rapid response team, killed during attack on October 7.
13. Asaf Hamami, 41: IDF colonel killed near Kibbutz Nirim on October 7.
14. Inbar Hayman, 27: Abducted from Nova music festival; killed by Hamas in captivity (only female among deceased).
15. Guy Illouz (or Iluz, Guy Iluz), 26: Shot twice during Nova music festival attack; died of wounds in captivity.
16. Eitan Levi, 53: Taxi driver killed by Hamas on road near Gaza perimeter on October 7
17. Eliyahu Margalit, 75: Killed by Hamas in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7
18. Joshua Mollel (or Joshua Luito Mollel), 21: Tanzanian agricultural intern killed during attack on Kibbutz Nahal Oz on October 7.
19. Omer Neutra, 21: Israeli-American IDF tank commander killed near Gaza on October 7
20. Daniel Peretz (or Daniel Perez), 22: South African-origin IDF captain killed in tank attack near Nahal Oz on October 7.
21. Dror Or, 48: Killed in attack on Kibbutz Be'eri on October 7
22. Suthisak Rintalak (or Sudthisak Rinthalak, Rintalk, Rinthalak), 43: Thai agricultural worker killed in attack on Kibbutz Be'eri on October 7.
23. Lior Rudaeff, 61: Killed defending Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak on October 7
24. Yossi Sharabi, 53: Father-of-three abducted from Kibbutz Be'eri on October 7; killed in captivity in January 2024, possiby from building collapse after Israeli strike.
25. Arie Zalmanowicz, 85: Abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7; died in captivity.
26. Hadar Goldin, 23: IDF lieutenant killed in combat in Gaza in 2014. Body held by Hamas since then.
According to Open Source Intel on X, a message was delivered to some of the hostage families that their loved ones' bodies will sadly not be returned in the first stage of the deal.
May their memories be a blessing and may they merit to come home at last.