IDF: IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari:
“They were denied basic humanitarian care, including medication and medical examinations. Our mission was to bring the hostages home alive, and we failed. We remain committed to doing everything possible to bring all hostages back from Gaza—whether alive or for burial.”
Please find attached the statement by the IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari: https://bit.ly/41BZzmb
Below is a translation of the statement:
Good evening,
Tonight, I am updating that in a joint operation by the ISA and the IDF in the Gaza Strip, the body of the hostage Itai Svirsky, may his memory be a blessing, was recovered and brought back to Israel. Itai was abducted from his parents’ home in Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7. His parents were murdered by Hamas terrorists, and he was kidnapped alive. Itai was held for approximately four months along with Yossi Sharabi, may his memory be a blessing, and Noa Argamani. In January, it was cleared for publication that both Itai and Yossi were murdered in captivity. The details of the operation in which Itai’s body was recovered cannot be disclosed to avoid jeopardizing ongoing operational efforts by the IDF and ISA. The family has been informed, and we extend our condolences and embrace them in their grief.
Today, we presented the families of additional hostages with the findings of a complex investigation regarding the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Yagev Buchshtab, Alexander Dancyg, Avraham Munder, Yoram Metzger, Nadav Popplewell, and Haim Perry, may their memory be a blessing. The investigation was conducted following an exhaustive process involving all available intelligence and forensic examinations. The findings, once reviewed and approved by the Chief of the General Staff and the Minister of Defense, were shared with the families.
Avraham, Haim, Yoram, and Alex—founders of Kibbutz Nir Oz and among the pillars of Israeli society—were abducted from their homes by Hamas terrorists. Along with them, 72 additional members of Kibbutz Nir Oz were taken hostage, and 38 were murdered—one-third of the kibbutz’s residents.
Nadav and Yagev were abducted from their homes in Kibbutz Nirim alongside three other residents. In Hamas’ attack on Kibbutz Nirim, nine members of the kibbutz were killed. I met with their families today. Words cannot convey the immense pain and loss they endure.
Our hearts are with the families of the hostages and the kibbutzim still awaiting the return of their loved ones, who were cruelly abducted by Hamas and held in inhumane conditions in Gaza.
On the morning of October 7, Yagev, Alex, Avraham, Yoram, Nadav, and Haim were taken by Hamas terrorists and held for months in an underground tunnel in Khan Yunis. Previously, we exposed this compound, which was designed as a detention facility with multiple sections, including a gathering room, a kitchenette, toilets, and living quarters.
In December, the IDF entered the Khan Yunis area. At that time, it is believed that the six hostages were transferred to another tunnel approximately 4 kilometers away in the Hamad neighborhood, also known as the Qatari neighborhood. Footage shows this was a passage tunnel not intended for prolonged stay—a 100-meter-long, narrow, and low tunnel blocked at one end by sandbags and at the other by an iron door. The tunnel’s height and width made it difficult for a person to stand or lie down, with no conditions suitable for human habitation.
Hamas terrorists brutally abducted them and held them under inhumane conditions, including elderly hostages, some over the age of eighty, and some with medical conditions. They were denied basic humanitarian care, including medication and medical examinations. They endured unimaginable, inhumane conditions.
On February 14, the IDF struck an underground compound in the Qatari neighborhood in Khan Yunis. The attack targeted Hamas terrorists hiding in the area. At the time of the strike, the IDF had no intelligence indicating the presence of hostages in the vicinity, and the operation was conducted in accordance with established protocols. It is now understood that the strike occurred 120 to 200 meters from where the hostages were being held.
In August, IDF forces entered the tunnel based on intelligence and recovered the bodies of the six hostages. Their bodies were brought to Israel for burial. Alongside them, the bodies of six Hamas terrorists were found. Forensic examinations revealed gunfire wounds on the hostages’ bodies, while the terrorists bodies bore no signs of gunfire or injuries. The investigation examined the circumstances of the hostages’ deaths and considered several possibilities. The most likely scenario is that, following the strike, the terrorists murdered the hostages and were subsequently killed as a result of secondary effects of the strike. Another possibility is that the hostages were killed by secondary effects along with the terrorists, and subsequently shot by other terrorists who arrived later. A less probable possibility is that the hostages were killed before the strike.
Due to the prolonged period between their deaths and the forensic examination conducted at the Ministry of Health’s Institute of Forensic Medicine, it is not possible to definitively determine whether the hostages were killed by gunfire or as a result of exposure to the aftermath of the strike. Therefore, all possibilities were examined, and the most probable assessment is that following the strike near the location where they were held, the hostages were murdered by the terrorists, after which the terrorists themselves were killed. Although the strike was conducted in accordance with the regulations at the time, following lessons learned from the investigation, the necessary approvals for such strikes have since been incorporated.
We are making significant efforts to gather intelligence on the hostages still being held in Gaza. However, we must acknowledge that our intelligence is not foolproof. Operational lessons from this incident have been incorporated to minimize risks to hostages in the future.
Our mission was to bring the hostages home alive, and we failed. We remain committed to doing everything possible to bring all hostages back from Gaza—whether alive or for burial.
We must never forget the cruel actions of Hamas terrorists, who, on October 7th, abducted children, women, and men, including elderly individuals requiring medical care, holding them under inhumane conditions and shooting them while they were defenseless.
As we conclude this investigation, we remain focused on the 100 hostages still held by Hamas. Dozens are alive, enduring unimaginable conditions, with some requiring urgent medical attention. It is our moral obligation to return all of them to their families. The IDF continues to create the conditions necessary to achieve this mission.
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VauIpCc6buMCm9A4BR3e
IDF: Defensive Activity of the 91st Division in Southern Lebanon to Remove Threats to Israeli Communities in Accordance with the Understanding Between Israel and Lebanon
Troops of the 91st Division continue their deployment in southern Lebanon to defend the State of Israel and its citizens, carrying out defensive activities in communities near the border fence and neutralizing threats in the area, in accordance with the understanding between Israel and Lebanon.
Troops of the 188th Armored Brigade located and dismantled underground infrastructure tens of meters long. The infrastructure included an exit to a firing position aimed at communities and outposts within Israeli territory. The troops located numerous weapons, mortars, and rockets and the brigade’s engineering forces dismantled the underground infrastructure.
Troops of the 769th Brigade continue operations in southern Lebanon and their defense of the Upper Galilee communities. Over the past week, the troops located numerous weapons and neutralized several terrorists who posed a threat to them.
Attached is footage of commanders in the area where the troops are operating: https://bit.ly/4gmYQsP
Attached are photos of weapons located: https://IDFANC.activetrail.biz/ANC594876
Attached are photos from the activity of the troops: https://IDFANC.activetrail.biz/ANC759486
IDF: The Minister of Defense Israel Katz, and the Chief of General Staff LTG Hertzi Halevi, conducted a situational assessment with the members of the General Staff forum regarding the developments in Syria.
The IDF monitors developments and is prepared for all scenarios, offensive and defensive alike. The IDF will not tolerate threats near the Lebanon-Syria border and will thwart any threat against the State of Israel.
