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Israel has designated Gaza’s largest city as a combat zone and on Friday, the army retrieved the bodies of two captives as part of an offensive that has been met with global disapproval.
In the wake of the renewed fighting, health authorities reported that the death toll in Gaza has surged to 63,025, including 59 deaths within the past 24 hours as per hospital records.
Aid groups and a church sheltering people said they would stay in Gaza City, refusing to abandon the hungry and displaced.
Weiss, 55, was killed in the attack on Kibbutz Be’eri, one of the communities near Gaza that was stormed on October 7.
For the families, the return of remains brings some closure, but also a reminder of the hostages still being held.
“At least they have closure,” expressed Rubi Chen, whose son was taken during the October 7 attack and is presumed dead. “There are still 49 families awaiting that closure.”
Nearing 50 out of the 251 hostages are still in Gaza, with Israel estimating around 20 of them might be alive. The militants also killed about 1,200 people, mainly civilians, during the October 7 assault.
Before and after: Satelite images show Gaza damage
Most of the hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum in Israel, which has spearheaded widespread protests calling for a ceasefire to allow for the return of the hostages, stated that Israeli officials should focus on securing a deal for the return of both the living and deceased hostages.
“We urge the Israeli government to engage in negotiations and remain committed until every last hostage returns home. Time is of the essence,” the forum declared in a statement.
