BREAKING: IDF rescues body of hostage Itay Svirsky from Gaza

Itay Svirsky, 38, was confirmed dead on January 16. He was visiting his parents for the Simchat Torah holiday when the unthinkable happened. On October 7, Hamas terrorists stormed Kibbutz Be'eri, killing both his parents, Orit and Rafi Svirsky, and dragging him into Gaza.

His 96-year-old grandmother, Aviva Sela, miraculously survived the attack.

Days before Kibbutz Be'eri announced his death, Hamas released chilling propaganda videos featuring Svirsky. The IDF had already warned his family about grave concerns for his safety, though they firmly reject Hamas's claims that he died in an Israeli airstrike.

"It's an ongoing nightmare," his sister Merav Svirsky told Channel 13 news while he was still believed to be alive, clinging to hope that would soon be shattered.

In a single day, the Svirsky family lost both parents to terrorism, and weeks later, their son in captivity.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum issued an emotional plea following the recovery of Itai Svirsky's remains from Gaza, highlighting the ongoing crisis of unreturned hostages and victims from Hamas's October 7 attack.

"While one family can finally begin their mourning process, 36 others are still denied this basic human dignity," a Forum spokesperson said, referring to families whose loved ones are believed to be deceased but whose remains have not been recovered.

The group emphasized that approximately 100 hostages remain in Gaza, pressing for immediate action on a comprehensive deal for their return.

"Every day without a deal potentially costs more lives," the Forum stated. "Israel has both a moral and practical obligation to bring everyone home – the living for rehabilitation with their families, and the deceased for proper burial."

The statement comes amid ongoing negotiations through international mediators for a potential new hostage release deal, though officials close to the talks have declined to provide specific details.

"These aren't just numbers," the Forum added. "Each case represents a family trapped in an unimaginable nightmare."

Amit Segal reported Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement:

"In a special operation, we recovered the body of hostage Itai Svirsky z"l, who was kidnapped on October 7, 2023, from Kibbutz Be'eri and murdered in captivity by Hamas terrorists in January 2024.

Our hearts are torn by the devastating loss suffered by the Svirsky family, who also lost Itai's parents, Orit and Rafi z"l, who were murdered in Hamas's deadly attack.

Yesterday, I met with the Shin Bet personnel, and I want to express my deep appreciation to them and to the IDF forces for their brave operation to bring Itai z"l home.

We will continue to act with determination and tirelessly to bring back all our hostages - both the living and the fallen."

The Prime Minister, who met with Shin Bet security service personnel Tuesday, praised the joint operation that recovered Svirsky's remains. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to recovering all hostages, "both living and deceased," through continued military and intelligence efforts.