The latest hostage remains returned from Gaza
Israel announced on Saturday that the remains returned from Gaza the night before belong to Lior Rudaeff, an Israeli man who died fighting Hamas during their October 7, 2023 attack that ignited the war.
Identification and Background
The identification represents progress in the fragile ceasefire brokered by the United States. According to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, the returned body is confirmed as Rudaeff’s.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum described Rudaeff as born in Argentina who relocated as a child to Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak, a farming community in southern Israel. He volunteered for over 40 years as an ambulance driver and was a member of the local emergency response team.
He was killed in Hamas’s attack, and his body was taken to Gaza. Since the ceasefire began on October 10, Palestinian militants have returned the remains of 23 hostages, including Rudaeff’s, with five still held in Gaza.
Ceasefire Exchange Terms
- Israel has returned remains of 15 Palestinians for every Israeli hostage.
- The Red Cross and Gaza’s Health Ministry report Israel has transferred the bodies of 285 Palestinians.
- Due to limited access to DNA testing, Gaza health officials have so far identified 84 bodies.
The ceasefire agreement also requires Israel to substantially increase the flow of aid into Gaza.
"The latest identification marks a further step in honoring those lost and maintaining the tentative peace," said officials involved in the exchange.
Author's summary: The return of Lior Rudaeff's remains highlights ongoing efforts to honor victims of the conflict and sustain the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Gaza.