New Delhi: Israel's army said on Saturday its troops recovered the body of Elad Katzir, a hostage who was abducted by Palestinian militants during the October 7 attack and subsequently murdered while in captivity in the Gaza Strip. This retrieval marks the twelfth hostage recovered by the army from Gaza during the ongoing conflict. However, despite the recovery, Katzir's sister expressed no solace, instead placing blame on Israeli authorities for her brother's death, news agency AFP reported.
The Israeli army confirmed in a statement that the body of Elad Katzir, who was abducted alongside his mother Hanna from the Nir Oz kibbutz community, has been recovered. According to intelligence reports, Katzir was murdered in captivity by the Islamic Jihad terrorist organisation. Despite Katzir's mother being released on November 24 during a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza conflict, Katzir's father lost his life during the initial attack on the kibbutz, as confirmed by the army, reported AFP.
Israeli military intelligence indicated that Elad Katzir was murdered in mid-January, shortly after Islamic Jihad released a distressing video of him in captivity. A military official disclosed that Katzir was buried underground, leading troops to embark on excavation efforts to locate his body. "Their efforts resulted in the discovery of the body, which was then transported to Israel for further examination," he said, as quoted by AFP.
Katzir's Sister Expressed Fury At Israeli Authorities
Carmit Palty Katzir expressed her anguish on Facebook, stating that her brother Elad was abducted from their home in Nir Oz in one piece. She criticised the Israeli authorities for his death, asserting that he could have returned alive if they had agreed to a new truce deal. "Our leadership is cowardly and driven by political consideration, which is why this deal has not happened yet," she wrote.
"Prime Minister, war cabinet, and coalition members: Look at yourself in the mirror and say if your hands didn't spill blood."
Carmit Palty Katzir's remarks reflect intensifying pressure on the coalition government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding its management of the ongoing conflict, as per AFP.
As negotiators were anticipated to convene in Cairo over the weekend, there was renewed hope for progress in securing a ceasefire-hostage agreement, coinciding with the war in Gaza approaching its six-month milestone on Sunday. Despite sporadic talks, significant advancements have yet to materialise since a brief ceasefire in November, which facilitated the exchange of hostages for Palestinian detainees.
The Hostages Families Forum disclosed that Katzir had been held captive for three months subsequent to his abduction. The Hostages Families Forum emphasised the urgency and gravity of the situation, noting that Katzir's body serves as a poignant reminder of the dire circumstances faced by hostages. Yacov Livne, the Israeli ambassador to Warsaw, revealed on social media that Katzir held dual citizenship with Poland, shedding light on his international ties and further amplifying the impact of his death.
"Elad, from Kibbutz Nir Oz, is also a citizen of Poland... Alex Danzig, another Polish citizen from Nir Oz, is still held in Gaza," Livne said on X. Poland's foreign ministry said on X that it "received the news with sadness" and expressed condolences. Poland and Israel's ties have been strained by the Israeli strike in Gaza on Monday that killed seven aid workers, including Polish citizen Damian Sobol. Poland has demanded a "criminal inquiry" into the killing.
Israel-Hamas War
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has escalated into one of the bloodiest wars in the region's history. Beginning with an unprecedented attack by Hamas militants on October 7, the conflict has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Israeli figures indicate the death of 1,170 people in southern Israel, predominantly civilians, while Hamas-run health ministry reports suggest at least 33,137 deaths in Gaza, with a majority being women and children, reported AFP.
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The war has led to widespread destruction and suffering, with relentless bombardments from both air and ground forces. Additionally, the abduction of around 250 Israelis and foreigners, with over 129 still being held captive, adds to the complexity and tragedy of the situation, with many feared dead.