The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have discovered several bodies in Gaza amid ongoing combat operations, with efforts currently underway to extract and identify them. These bodies are believed to be those of Israeli hostages, although official confirmation is still pending.
“The forces are still operating in the area and are in the process of extracting and identifying the bodies, which will take several hours,” the IDF stated, as reported by the Times of Israel.
This discovery follows the recent rescue of 52-year-old Israeli hostage Qaid Farhan Alkadi, who was found in an underground tunnel in southern Gaza.
U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed that his administration has been in contact with Israeli officials regarding the discovery of the bodies. He acknowledged that the exact number of bodies remains unclear as the IDF continues its identification efforts.
“It’s time this war ended,” Biden stated, expressing cautious optimism about ongoing negotiations with Hamas for the release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza. “We think we can close the deal; they’ve all said they agree on the principles,” he added.
Following the IDF’s announcement about the discovery of bodies in Gaza, Hostage Forum, a leading activist group, called for nationwide protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
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“Netanyahu abandoned the hostages. It is now a fact. Starting tomorrow, the country will tremble. We call on the public to prepare. The country will grind to a halt. The abandonment is over,” the group declared in a statement.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid also criticized Netanyahu, accusing him of neglecting the plight of Israeli hostages, saying, “Our sons and daughters are being abandoned and dying in captivity.”
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that 40,691 people have been killed and 94,060 injured during Israel’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip since October 7.
The conflict was triggered by an attack from the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel, resulting in 1,200 deaths and approximately 250 hostages being taken, according to Israeli reports.
