Israeli Hostage Ilan Weiss Found Dead in Gaza: A Nation Mourns

Mon Oct 20 2025 06:35:01 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Israel's military has announced the recovery of Ilan Weiss, who was taken hostage during Hamas's attack on October 7. Amid ongoing operations in Gaza, the emotional toll of the conflict deepens.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the recovery of Ilan Weiss's body in Gaza, marking a tragic turn in the conflict following his abduction during a deadly attack by Hamas. Weiss, aged 56, had been defending Kibbutz Beeri when he was killed. His wife and daughter were taken hostage but later released. With ongoing military campaigns and high domestic pressure to resolve hostage situations, the humanitarian implications of the conflict continue to escalate as Gaza faces severe challenges.

The body of Israeli hostage Ilan Weiss has been recovered in an operation in the Gaza Strip, Israel's military has announced.

Weiss, 56, was killed during Hamas's attack in southern Israel on 7 October 2023.

The remains of a second hostage, whose identity has not been released yet, were also recovered, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says.

Israel launched a massive offensive in Gaza following the attack in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken back to the territory as hostages.

After the latest announcement, 48 hostages remain in Gaza - 20 of whom Israel believes are still alive.

Ilan Weiss was killed while defending Kibbutz Beeri on the day of the attack. His body was taken to Gaza.

Weiss's wife, Shiri, and daughter, Noga, were taken hostage by Hamas on the same day. They were released during a temporary ceasefire in November 2023.

Ilan showed courage and noble spirit when he fought the terrorists on that dark day, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said, before praising Weiss's family's extraordinary strength in their struggle for his return.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been facing strong domestic pressure to agree on a deal that would enable the return of all hostages still in captivity.

Huge protests have been held demanding an end to the war as Israel pushes ahead with its plan to take over Gaza City and eventually establish control over the entire Strip. Netanyahu argues the defeat of Hamas will secure the release of the hostages.

The country's military says it has begun the initial stages of its advance into Gaza City.

The IDF stated a scheduled pause in military action due to come into effect at 10:00 (07:00 GMT) would not apply to Gaza City, in accordance with the situational assessment and directives of the political echelon.

In recent days, Israel has carried out air strikes on Gaza City and advised residents to make their way toward makeshift housing in the south of the Gaza Strip.

Since 14 August, approximately 20,000 people have been displaced to the south from Gaza City, while another 40,000 have moved further north, according to the UN's humanitarian affairs office.

Western countries and the UN have warned that operations in densely populated areas of Gaza could have devastating consequences.

Most of Gaza's population has been repeatedly displaced, with more than 90% of homes estimated to be damaged or destroyed and essential services collapsed.

Famine conditions have been reported in parts of Gaza for the first time, while the ongoing military campaign has escalated the death toll, with at least 62,966 Palestinians killed since the war began, according to Hamas-run health ministry sources.