Overview
- The Prime Minister’s Office said the remains were returned overnight and handed to Israeli authorities.
- Both men were residents of Kibbutz Nir Oz, with Zalmanowicz abducted on October 7, 2023 and Adar killed defending the community.
- The bodies were received by the military, wrapped with national flags, and transported to the Abu Kabir forensic institute for identification and cause-of-death determinations.
- Their return lowers the reported number of deceased hostages still held in Gaza from 15 to 13.
- Separately, two Israeli soldiers were lightly wounded when a tank struck an explosive device in Khan Younis, and the military reported strikes on 20 targets in response.