On , Israel confirmed that the second set of remains recovered in Gaza earlier this week belongs to hostage Idan Shtivi, alongside those of Ilan Weiss. The identification comes amid ongoing military operations, with officials now assessing that 48 hostages remain in Gaza and that about 20 are believed to be alive.
Key Takeaways
- Authorities identified the recovered remains as those of hostages Idan Shtivi and Ilan Weiss.
- Israel says 48 hostages are still in Gaza; approximately 20 are thought to be alive.
- Shtivi, 28, was abducted near the Tel Gama area on Oct. 7, 2023, after assisting evacuees from the Nova music festival, according to the military.
- Israel’s tally of the Oct. 7 attack: around 1,200 people killed and about 251 taken hostage.
- Gaza’s health ministry reports more than 63,000 Palestinians killed in Israel’s subsequent campaign.
- The conflict has displaced most of Gaza’s population and severely damaged civilian infrastructure.
- Israeli ground operations continued this week, including deployments in northern Gaza on Aug. 29.
Verified Facts
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the body of Idan Shtivi was among two sets of remains brought back from Gaza this week. The prime minister’s office had announced the return of Ilan Weiss’s body on Friday and noted a second, then-unnamed hostage whose identity has now been confirmed as Shtivi.
The Israel Defense Forces stated that Shtivi was seized in the Tel Gama area on Oct. 7, 2023, and killed by Hamas after he helped move people to safety from the Nova music festival. He was 28 at the time of his death.
With these identifications, Israel now says 48 hostages remain in Gaza. Of those, officials assess that only about 20 are still alive, a figure presented as an estimate based on available intelligence.
According to Israeli authorities, the Oct. 7 assault by Hamas and allied militants left roughly 1,200 people dead and around 251 abducted. In Gaza, the health ministry reports more than 63,000 Palestinians have been killed during Israel’s military response, which has also driven mass displacement and a deepening humanitarian crisis.
Context & Impact
The identification of Shtivi underscores the slow, painful process of accounting for hostages nearly two years into the war. Each recovery, whether of a survivor or remains, has stirred public pressure inside Israel for clearer progress on both military and diplomatic fronts.
Continued Israeli operations, including deployments in northern Gaza on Aug. 29, reflect a campaign that has shifted between intensive ground operations, targeted raids, and negotiations mediated by international partners. The latest development may factor into ongoing discussions about future swaps or cease-fire proposals, though officials have not announced new terms.
The broader humanitarian picture remains severe. International aid groups cite disrupted supply routes, damaged medical facilities, and widespread displacement, warning that conditions exacerbate civilian vulnerability and complicate any post-conflict recovery.
Profile: The two hostages named this week
- Ilan Weiss: Remains recovered and announced by Israeli authorities on Friday.
- Idan Shtivi: Identified on Saturday as the second set of remains; abducted Oct. 7 after assisting evacuees from the Nova festival, per the military.
Official Statements
“Idan Shtivi was abducted near Tel Gama on Oct. 7 and killed after helping evacuate others from the Nova festival.”
Israel Defense Forces (summary of statement)
Unconfirmed
- Exact circumstances and location of the recovery operation were not publicly detailed.
- The status of the remaining hostages is based on evolving intelligence and has not been independently verified.
- Casualty figures from Gaza’s health ministry are cited widely but cannot be independently confirmed amid ongoing fighting.
Bottom Line
The identification of Idan Shtivi adds to the grim accounting of hostages taken on Oct. 7 and highlights the limited progress in returning captives alive. With dozens still unaccounted for and humanitarian needs in Gaza intensifying, the development is likely to renew calls for a negotiated path that addresses both security and civilian protection.