Israeli Defense Forces Retrieves Bodies of Two Hostages in Gaza

Israeli Defense Forces announced the recovery of two bodies in Gaza.

The two deceased individuals included Eden Zacharia and IDF Warrant Officer Ziv Dadoa, according to the IDF.

IDF retrieves bodies of two hostages from Gaza: Eden Zacharia and Ziv Dado https://t.co/QpRKSmO3Io . Click to read ⬇️

— The Times of Israel (@TimesofIsrael) December 12, 2023

"They were found in a tunnel deep in the enclave, near the home of Ahmed Ghandour, the former commander of Hamas’s northern Gaza Brigade, who was recently killed in an Israeli strike," the Times of Israel reported.

"Zacharia, 27, was taken hostage from the Supernova rave near Re’im, It was not immediately clear whether she had died during the attack or at a later date. Dado, 36, a logistics supervisor in the Golani Brigade’s 51st Battalion, was killed during the October 7 onslaught," it added.

IDF retrieves bodies of two #Israeli #hostages taken by #Hamas.https://t.co/UJZXsaGl2T

— The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) December 12, 2023

"The national mission before our eyes is to locate the missing and return all the hostages home. We are working together with the security agencies, with all the intelligence and operational means to bring all the hostages home," said the IDF.

"We share in the deep sorrow of the Zechariah family," said the Hostage and Missing Families Forum. "Eden Zechariah was full of joy of life and loved to spend time at parties. She went to a party in Re'im with her partner Ofek Kimchi who was murdered at the party."

The two hostages were part of more than 240 Israelis taken during the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas.

Some hostages were released during hostage exchanges between Israel and Hamas, though over 130 remain held or their whereabouts are unknown.

The recovery also comes as the IDF continues to take control of south Gaza in its effort to find more hostages and stop Hamas from future attacks.

The recovery of the two bodies is mourned in the ongoing grief in Israel while the IDF continues its efforts to block Hamas from operating in the days ahead.