Heartbreaking
Slain Hostage Dror Or Returned to Israel
Israeli Defense Forces recovered the body of Dror Or, a 49-year-old Kibbutz Be'eri resident abducted on October 7, 2023, after 782 days in Gaza. Amid ceasefire tensions, his remains were returned via Red Cross, closing a tragic chapter for his orphaned children.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced today the successful recovery and identification of the remains of Dror Or, a 49-year-old resident of Kibbutz Be'eri who was abducted during the deadly Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. Or's body, held in Gaza for 782 days, was returned as part of obligations under a fragile ceasefire agreement, marking a somber closure for his grieving family amid ongoing regional tensions.
Israeli intelligence declared Or deceased in May 2024, citing undisclosed evidence suggesting he may have been killed either during captivity or by unintended IDF operations.
His body was reportedly located in the Nuseirat area of central Gaza by PIJ operatives using equipment from Egypt, following days of searches prompted by the ceasefire deal.
The handover occurred yesterday via the International Committee of the Red Cross, with Or's remains transferred from Gaza to Israel's Abu Kabir Forensic Institute for formal identification, which was completed earlier today.
Israeli officials accused Gazan terror groups, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), of delaying the process by over 24 hours, labeling it a violation of the ceasefire terms. Despite the friction, IDF troops conducted a brief military ceremony in Gaza before escorting the body across the border.
Dror Or, a beloved cheesemaker and yoga instructor who ran Kibbutz Be'eri's boutique dairy for 15 years, was initially believed to have been taken alive during the assault that killed over 1,200 Israelis and saw more than 250 abducted.
His wife, Yonat Or, a designer, was murdered in their home that day. The couple's three children, Noam (now 19), Alma (now 15), and Yahli (now 20), faced unimaginable hardship: Noam and Alma were kidnapped and held for 50 days before their release in a November 2023 hostage swap, while Yahli escaped abduction.
The siblings, now orphaned, have been vocal advocates for their father's return, sharing their story through public campaigns and media appearances.
Dror's brother, Elad Or, spoke of the family's mixed emotions, highlighting the challenges of retrieval operations in a conflict zone. "We've waited so long for this moment, but it's bittersweet," he said in a statement. The family plans a private funeral in Israel to lay Dror to rest beside his wife.
This recovery leaves two known deceased hostages' bodies still in Gaza: Master Sgt. Ran Gili, a 24-year-old Israeli Border Policeman, and Sudthisak Rinthalak, a 43-year-old Thai national.
Israeli authorities continue to press for their return, emphasizing the humanitarian imperative amid a tenuous ceasefire.
Abu Ali notes:
Despite two years of war, massive destruction across Gaza, the elimination of numerous senior operatives, and a dramatically altered battlefield, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad remain capable of accurately identifying the locations of every hostage body. The ability to provide precise information on the remains of abducted Israelis suggests that the organizations’ command-and-control and intelligence networks are still functioning. Key assets, sources, and operational infrastructure appear to have survived the extensive Israeli campaign.