Bodies of two Israeli hostages recovered in Gaza
After 614 days, the bodies of two Israeli hostages from Kibbutz Nir Oz were recovered in a complex IDF and Shin Bet operation in Khan Younis, the army confirmed Wednesday night.
Yair Yaakov. Credit: Courtesy of Hostage and Missing Families Forum.
Among them 59-year-old Yair (Yaya) Yaakov, who was abducted from his home on October 7 and later murdered by Islamic Jihad terrorists. The identity of the second hostage has not been released at the moment at the request of the family.
Yaakov, a father of three, spent his life working the land and in recent years worked as a mechanic at nearby Kibbutz Alumim. His partner, Merav Tal, and two of his teenage sons, Or and Yagil, were also abducted that day by Hamas and later released in a deal in November 2023. His daughter Shir survived an attempted break-in to her safe room by terrorists.
In a statement, the Yaakov family said:
“This evening brings a sense of closure we deeply needed, so we can begin to look forward. We thank the security forces from the bottom of our hearts, but stress again: soldiers’ lives should not be risked. A deal must be reached to bring the rest home safely.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the recovery “another successful mission” and vowed to continue efforts “until all hostages, living and fallen, are returned.”
According to the IDF, 53 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza, either alive or awaiting burial.
Defence Minister Israel Katz added: “This is a moral and national mission. We will not rest until it is complete.”
TPS-IL
