Israel recovers bodies of six hostages from Gaza Strip

Israel recovered the bodies of hostages Nadav Popplewell, Yagev Buchshtab, Yoram Metzger, Haim Peri, Alexander Dancyg, and Avraham Munder from the Khan Yunis area in Gaza, who were murdered in Hamas captivity, the IDF announced on August 20, Report informs referring to The Jerusalem Post.

The rescue operation was conducted by the IDF's 98th Division and carried out by the Paratroopers Brigade, 'Yahalom' Unit, and the 75th Battalion, along with ISA forces. The operation was done under military intelligence, ISA, and the IDF Intelligence Directorate Hostage Headquarters.

It was announced by Kibbutz Nirim earlier that the bodies of Popplewell and Buchshtab were retrieved from Gaza. Similarly, Kibbutz Nir Oz announced earlier that morning that the bodies of Peri, Metzger, and Dancyg were also retrieved. Munder was believed to be alive until Kibbutz Nir Oz announced his death while in Gaza captivity.

The National Institute of Forensic Medicine, Israel Police, and the IDF Manpower Directorate's Hostage Team conducted an identification procedure of the bodies and notified their families and communities.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum stressed that the only way to return the 109 hostages is through a negotiated deal.