Israeli forces retrieved the bodies of five Israeli hostages held in Gaza, the Israeli military said on Thursday, amid growing international pressure for a cease-fire deal that would involve the release of the remaining captives.
The five hostages — Maya Goren, 56; Tomer Ahimas, 20; Kiril Brodski, 19; Oren Goldin, 33; and Ravid Katz, 51 — were already presumed dead by Israeli officials.
Mr. Brodski and Mr. Ahimas were soldiers who fell during the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, while the other three were civilians whose bodies were brought back to Gaza as bargaining chips.
The Israeli military said that the bodies were found in the Khan Younis area on Wednesday and that intelligence — including information from detained Palestinian militants — had guided forces to their location.
Israeli officials say 115 hostages remain in Gaza, including 40 who are presumed dead.
Persons:
— Maya Goren, Tomer Ahimas, Kiril Brodski, Oren Goldin, Ravid Katz, Brodski, Ahimas, Younis, —, Khan Younis
Locations:
Gaza, Israel