Particle.news
Download on the App Store
20 ARTICLES
·
2w ago

Israel Recovers Remains of Three Hostages From Gaza

Occurring on Yonatan Samerano’s 23rd birthday, the recovery underscores Israel’s resolve to free the remaining captives.

Image
Image
A poster of hostage Jonathan Samerano is seen at a demonstration calling for the release of Israeli hostages held by Palestinian terrorists after the Oct. 7 attack, near Azrieli Mall in Tel Aviv, Oct. 24, 2023. (Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty Images)
Image

Overview

  • The Israel Defense Forces and Israel Security Agency conducted a special operation on June 22 to recover the bodies of Yonatan Samerano, Ofra Keidar and Shay Levinson from the Gaza Strip.
  • Kobi Samerano said his son’s remains were returned on what would have been Yonatan’s 23rd birthday, adding emotional weight to the operation.
  • All three victims were killed during Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, and Israeli officials state that about 50 hostages still remain in Gaza, with fewer than 25 believed alive.
  • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to sustain efforts to bring home both living and deceased captives as Israel widens its campaign to counter Iranian influence.
  • The United States launched airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites last weekend, escalating regional tensions in the context of the wider Israel-Hamas conflict.