‘Bitter News’: Israel Confirms Identities of 4 Bodies of Hostages

Stand for Israel  |  February 28, 2025

While four hostages returned this Thursday, we are heartbroken that they weren’t returned alive. Israeli officials were able to confirm their identities so that their loved ones can hold their funerals in Israel. The Times of Israel tells us more:

Four bodies released overnight by Hamas from the Gaza Strip were confirmed Thursday by Israeli authorities to be of hostages Itzik Elgarat, Ohad Yahalomi, Shlomo Mantzur, and Tsahi Idan.

The IDF informed the families of Yahalomi, Idan, Mantzur and Elgarat that their loved ones had been murdered, and that their remains were returned to Israel, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement Thursday morning.

Yahalomi, Idan, and Elgarat were murdered while in captivity in Gaza, the PMO said, while Mantzur was killed on October 7, 2023, when his body was kidnapped and held in Gaza.

May their memories be a blessing and may God comfort their loved ones.