Israel Returns Body of Lior Rudaeff, Israeli-Argentinian Killed in Gaza Attack

Breaking News: Israel Receives Body of Lior Rudaeff from Gaza The Israeli military has confirmed that the body of Lior Rudaeff, a 61-year-old Israeli-Argentinian, has been identified and returned from Gaza. Rudaeff was killed while defending Nir Yitzhak kibbutz during the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. His body was taken to Gaza by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) armed group. According to the Israeli military, the body was handed over by Hamas after being found on Friday in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. This development comes as part of a ceasefire deal that started on October 10, 2023, under which Hamas has returned all 20 living hostages and 23 out of 28 deceased hostages. Four of the five remaining dead hostages in Gaza are Israelis, and one is Thai. The immediate impact of this news is a measure of comfort for Rudaeff's family, who have been living with the uncertainty of his fate. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a campaign group, welcomed the return of Rudaeff's body. However, Israel has criticized Hamas for not yet returning all the bodies, with Hamas citing difficulties in finding them under rubble. In the context of the ongoing conflict, this development highlights the complexities of hostage situations and the challenges of retrieving bodies in war zones. The use of armed groups like PIJ and Hamas has raised concerns about the safety and security of civilians and the potential for further violence. As negotiations continue, the return of Rudaeff's body is a crucial step towards closure for his family and a potential step towards resolving the remaining issues. The Israeli military and Hamas will likely continue to engage in talks to secure the release of the remaining hostages and bodies.