Overview

• On June 11, the Israel Defense Forces and Shin Bet carried out an operation in the Khan Yunis area of southern Gaza to retrieve the bodies of two Israeli hostages.
• One of the recovered bodies was identified as Yair Yaakov, 59, who was killed during the October 7, 2023, attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz; the second identity remains private at the family’s request.
• The latest recoveries bring to five the number of hostage bodies retrieved this June, while 53 captives remain in Gaza with fewer than half believed to be alive.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered condolences to the bereaved families and reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to bringing home all hostages, living and deceased alike.
• The Hostages and Missing Families Forum repeated its demand for a full and comprehensive agreement to secure the release of all remaining captives, even if that requires halting military operations.