Israel recovers body of hostage Idan Shtivi

The IDF announced that, in a complex operation conducted under the joint guidance of the Intelligence Corps’ Unit 8200 and the Shin Bet, the body of Israeli hostage Idan Shtivi was recovered from Gaza, alongside the body of Ilan Weiss, which was announced on Friday.

The operation was carried out by Israeli forces under Southern Command, in coordination with Military Intelligence and special units, and was made possible thanks to precise intelligence from Unit 8200, Military Intelligence, and the Shin Bet.

Idan Shtivi, 28, was abducted from the Tel Gama area and brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists after acting to save others during the Nova party attack on October 7, 2023. The all-night rave, attended by 3,500 people, became a killing field where 364 people were massacred and 40 others were taken hostage. Of all the locations attacked by Hamas on October 7, the highest death toll was at the music festival.

Following identification at the National Forensic Institute, together with the IDF Rabbinate and Israel Police forensic teams, the information was passed to his family.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “In the special operation conducted by the IDF and Shin Bet in Gaza, the body of Idan Shtivi, was returned. After completion of the identification process at the Forensic Institute, it was permitted tonight to announce his return to Israel.”

“Idan was a talented student of sustainability and governance, and a brave person. On October 7, he acted to rescue many attendees at the Nova party when the terrorist attack began. During his actions, he was murdered and his body abducted by Hamas. Together with all of Israel, my wife and I send our heartfelt condolences to the Shtivi family. I again express my appreciation to the IDF and Shin Bet for their determined and courageous operation.”

“To date, 207 hostages have been returned to Israel, 148 of them alive. We will continue to act tirelessly and decisively to bring back all our hostages, both living and fallen,” said Netanyahu.

Shtivi was declared dead in October 2024 based on intelligence findings.

He is survived by his parents, siblings and girlfriend.

Israeli forces also retrieved the body of Ilan Weiss.

Weiss, 56, was murdered on Oct. 7, 2023, while defending Kibbutz Be’eri, and his corpse was taken to Gaza, according to the statement. His daughter and wife, Noga and Shiri, were also abducted. They were released in November 2023 as part of a hostage deal.

With the retrieval of the two bodies, Hamas is believed to be holding 20 living hostages and another 28 bodies.

“Along with all the citizens of Israel, my wife and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the dear families and share in their heavy grief,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. “I thank our commanders and fighters for a successful operation, for their determination and courage. The campaign to return the hostages continues unabated, we will not rest or stand still until we return all our hostages home—the living and the dead alike.”

Approximately 1,200 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 48 remaining hostages, around 30 are believed to be dead.