Daijiworld Media Network- Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Jun 12: In a grim development amidst the ongoing conflict, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday confirmed that the bodies of two more hostages have been recovered from the Gaza Strip. The operation was conducted jointly by the Israeli military and the Shin Bet, Israel's internal security service.

One of the hostages has been identified as 59-year-old Yaakov, who was abducted and later killed by militants from the Palestinian group Islamic Jihad during the October 7, 2023, cross-border assault on southern Israel. The Israeli military stated that during the same attack, militants also kidnapped Yaakov’s partner, Meirav Tal, and their two children, Or and Yagil, who were later released.

The second body recovered has been identified, and the victim’s family has been notified. The remains were retrieved during an operation in the Khan Younis area of southern Gaza.

The total number of hostages taken by Hamas and other Gaza-based militants during the October 7 assault stands at 251, of which 53 are still held in Gaza, though fewer than half are believed to be alive. With Wednesday’s operation, the Israeli forces have recovered five bodies of hostages so far this month.

The initial attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people, marking one of the deadliest assaults in the nation’s history. In response, Israel launched an extensive military campaign in Gaza, which, according to Gaza health authorities, has led to the deaths of nearly 55,000 Palestinians.

As tensions continue to escalate, both Israeli and Palestinian sides face mounting pressure from international communities to bring an end to the prolonged and devastating conflict.