LabRatLegend
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Israel has confirmed that a 75-year-old hostage, Eliyahu "Churchill" Margalit, was killed by Hamas during an attack on a kibbutz in southern Israel. The Israeli military announced the identification of Margalit's body after it was handed over to them by the Red Cross in Gaza late on Friday.
Margalit, who is described as a grandfather of three and a horse breeder, was kidnapped along with other hostages during Hamas's assault on Israel on October 7th. His daughter, Nili Margalit, had previously been released in November after being held captive for several months.
Israel's military stated that it would "spare no effort" until all the remaining hostages are returned, and has accused Hamas of not making sufficient progress in locating the bodies of those who were killed during the conflict.
The issue of holding onto hostage remains is at the center of a dispute between Israel and Hamas under the ceasefire agreement brokered by US President Donald Trump. The agreement was part of a 20-point plan to bring an end to the war, but has been hindered by disagreements over how to proceed with the return of hostages.
In response to the ongoing dispute, Turkey's foreign minister stated that he found Israel's comments on the issue "worrying", and urged for mediators to push for progress in opening Gaza's borders and allowing aid to enter.
A protest is planned for Saturday night at a square in Tel Aviv, where families of hostages who are still being held in Gaza plan to gather to demand action.
Fighting has largely stopped in Gaza under the ceasefire agreement, but there were reports on Friday of an incident in which Israeli troops opened fire on a vehicle, killing 11 people, including seven children and three women.
Margalit, who is described as a grandfather of three and a horse breeder, was kidnapped along with other hostages during Hamas's assault on Israel on October 7th. His daughter, Nili Margalit, had previously been released in November after being held captive for several months.
Israel's military stated that it would "spare no effort" until all the remaining hostages are returned, and has accused Hamas of not making sufficient progress in locating the bodies of those who were killed during the conflict.
The issue of holding onto hostage remains is at the center of a dispute between Israel and Hamas under the ceasefire agreement brokered by US President Donald Trump. The agreement was part of a 20-point plan to bring an end to the war, but has been hindered by disagreements over how to proceed with the return of hostages.
In response to the ongoing dispute, Turkey's foreign minister stated that he found Israel's comments on the issue "worrying", and urged for mediators to push for progress in opening Gaza's borders and allowing aid to enter.
A protest is planned for Saturday night at a square in Tel Aviv, where families of hostages who are still being held in Gaza plan to gather to demand action.
Fighting has largely stopped in Gaza under the ceasefire agreement, but there were reports on Friday of an incident in which Israeli troops opened fire on a vehicle, killing 11 people, including seven children and three women.