Israel confirms latest body returned from Gaza is dead hostage

Israel has confirmed that the latest body returned from Gaza is that of a 75-year-old Israeli man, Eliyahu Margalit, who was killed in captivity on October 7. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the remains were handed over to the Red Cross and have now been returned to Israel.

Mr Margalit, known as Churchill by his family and friends, is the tenth hostage to be repatriated from Gaza since a ceasefire deal took effect last week. However, 18 people remain in Gaza whose bodies have yet to be recovered.

The Israeli military has continued to operate in parts of Gaza under the terms of the ceasefire agreement, despite warnings that troops will pull out further as part of the next stages of the deal. On Friday night, the IDF stressed that Hamas must "uphold the agreement and take the necessary steps to return all the hostages".

Aid agencies are struggling to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip, which has been devastated by conflict and with many homes flattened. The UN humanitarian chief described the situation as an "overwhelming task" as people search for bodies in rubble and try to rebuild their lives.

The US-brokered ceasefire deal allowed Israel to release 250 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails and 1,718 detainees from Gaza, but there has been fury in Israel that Hamas has not returned all of the hostages, despite the terms of the agreement. The US government has downplayed claims that Hamas is violating the ceasefire deal.

On Saturday, Gaza's Civil Defence reported recovering nine more bodies from a single family after an Israeli attack on a bus in the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City.

I'm so glad the repatriation of Eliyahu Margalit's body is finally happening . It's been way too long since he was taken, and his family must be relieved to have him back home. I feel bad for them having to wait this long and go through all that grief again .

But seriously, it's crazy how many people are still missing from Gaza - 18 is just not right. And with the ceasefire deal in place, you'd think things would be getting better, but instead we're seeing more attacks and less aid getting through . The situation there is just heartbreaking, and I hope everyone can stay safe until peace comes to that region .

And omg, have you seen those images of the people searching for bodies in rubble? It's like something out of a nightmare . The UN has to be doing everything they can to get aid to Gaza ASAP, because let's face it, it's an overwhelming task . We need to keep pushing for peace and supporting those affected by this conflict .

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this whole hostage situation . Like, I get that Israel has been operating in Gaza and all, but 18 people's bodies just sitting there? That's some messed up stuff. And now they're saying Hamas hasn't upheld the agreement and it's causing drama in Israel? Come on guys, can't we just focus on getting those hostages back home and rebuilding Gaza instead of playing politics? The US is just downplaying all this, but I'm calling it like I see it - there's some serious hypocrisy going on here. We need to start talking about the real impact of this ceasefire deal and making sure everyone gets the support they need. Aid agencies are literally struggling to get aid in there... it's heartbreaking

OMG, CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT'S GOING ON IN GAZA!!! IT'S LIKE THEY'RE PLAYING A NEVER-ENDING GAME OF RISK! 75 YEARS OLD MAN, ELIYAHU MARGALIT, KILLED IN CAPTIVITY AND NOW HIS BODY IS BACK IN ISRAEL?????!?! BUT WAIT, THERE ARE STILL 18 PEOPLE MISSING AND THEIR BODIES HAVEN'T BEEN FOUND YET... IT'S LIKE, HOW CAN THIS BE JUSTIFIED?????!

AND THE US BROKERED CEASEFIRE DEAL, YET HAMAS ISN'T RETURNING ALL THE HOSTAGES..... IT'S SO FRUSTRATING!!!! I FEEL FOR THE FAMILIES OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MISSING AND THE ONES WHO HAVE ALREADY LOST LOVED ONES.

AND THE US GOVERNMENT JUST DOWNPLAYS ALL THE CLAMORS ABOUT HAMAS VIOLATING THE CEASEFIRE DEAL..... IT'S LIKE, CAN'T WE JUST GET SOME ANSWERS FOR ONCE?????!?! THE UN HUMANITARIAN CHIEF DESCRIBED THE SITUATION AS "OVERWHELMING TASK"... I KNEW IT WAS BAD, BUT COME ON, WHO WANTS TO BELIEVE THAT THINGS WILL GET BETTER?????!?!

I don't get why Israelis are so salty about these hostages not being returned yet... like, they're already getting their 250 Palestinian prisoners back and 1,718 detainees released? That's some sweet, sweet gains for them Meanwhile, the ceasefire deal was supposed to help both sides out, but now it's all like "Hamas is violating this" or "Israel is being too strict". It feels like everyone's just trying to spin their own narrative here . I mean, the US said they'd broker a deal that would work for everyone, so what's going on? Can't we just have a break from the conflict for once?

omg can't believe this is still going on so many innocent lives lost and no end in sight just got off that link https://news.yahoo.com/israel-releases-10th-hostage-from-gaza-after-ceasefire-deal-193013155.html and it's really breaking my heart seeing all these families having to search for their loved ones in the rubble also can't believe aid agencies are struggling so much to deliver aid to Gaza

I'm glad to hear that Eliyahu Margalit's remains have been returned to Israel, but I have to wonder why it took so long for his body to be handed over to the Red Cross? The fact that 18 people are still missing in Gaza is a huge concern and it's not like Hamas hasn't had time to return all the hostages. The ceasefire deal was supposed to bring an end to hostilities, but it seems like things are just getting back to normal - more violence, more suffering...

I'm also worried about the aid situation in Gaza, it's a massive task for the UN and other agencies to deliver aid to the people there. With many homes flattened and people still searching for bodies, it's not easy to get everything sorted out. But we have to keep pushing forward and try to find ways to support those affected by this conflict.

It's also interesting that the US-brokered ceasefire deal seemed to benefit Israel more than anyone else - 250 Palestinian prisoners released, but still no resolution on the hostages... What's going on here? Is it just a power play?

So, what do you guys think about this whole hostage return thing? I mean, it's one thing to have hostages held captive, but another to deal with all the emotional and practical implications when they're finally released... or returned to their families. The fact that there are still 18 people unaccounted for is just, like, really rough. And can we talk about how aid is getting to Gaza? It's like, I get it, conflicts create huge logistical challenges, but some people are literally losing their homes and struggling to survive...

omg what a relief that eliyahu margalit's body was finally returned home idf should really focus on delivering aid to gaza ASAP, all those ppl still stuck in rubble need help 18 bodies left behind? it's just not right. and 250 palestinian prisoners released but no hostages back? hamas needs to do better btw, ceasefire deal is for everyone, not just israel

I'm so sad about this news . It's been a long time since there have been any positive developments between Israel and Hamas, and now they're still arguing over these hostages . I mean, can't we just focus on rebuilding and helping the people of Gaza right now? The situation is really dire, with so many homes flattened and aid agencies struggling to get things done .

I'm also getting a bit frustrated that the US government isn't saying more about whether Hamas is actually breaking the ceasefire agreement or not . It feels like they're just kind of... ignoring it? Meanwhile, Israel's still operating in Gaza, which feels really unfair .

And honestly, what's up with all these dead bodies piling up? 18 people are still missing and their families deserve some answers . Can't we just try to resolve this conflict peacefully for once?