Israel has officially announced the positive identification of the 10th deceased hostage provided by Hamas. The identified individual is Eliyahu Margalit, aged 76, who was seized during the assault in Israel on October 7. Margalit, also known as Churchill to his loved ones, was working at horse stables in Kibbutz Nir Oz before being abducted by Hamas and transported to Gaza, as confirmed by the Israeli prime minister’s office through forensic testing.
According to Israel’s Hostages and Missing Families Forum, Eliyahu was a devoted worker at a cattle branch and horse stables in Nir Oz, describing him as “a cowboy at heart.” His passing was made public in December 2023, a month following the release of his daughter Nili, who was also held captive by Hamas.
The recent hostage exchange plays a crucial role in the fragile peace agreement between Israel and Hamas, aiming to cease the devastating bombings in Gaza. Hamas surrendered the final 20 living hostages to the Red Cross, who were subsequently transferred to Israel. As part of the peace deal, 28 hostages’ remains were returned to Israel, with four bodies sent back on Monday and others gradually being repatriated among the ruins left by Israeli bombardments since October 7.
Eliyahu’s remains mark the 10th to be repatriated since the recent cessation of hostilities. While 18 other hostages’ remains are yet to be returned, search efforts are ongoing with the assistance of bulldozers. Israel has expressed intentions to reduce aid deliveries to Gaza due to Hamas not complying with the agreed terms of returning the remains.
Tensions rose when Israel disputed one of the bodies handed over by Hamas, clarifying that it did not belong to any of the hostages following examinations at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine. Prime Minister Netanyahu urged Hamas to meet the ceasefire deal requirements set by US President Donald Trump, emphasizing Israel’s commitment to retrieving all deceased hostages.
In response, Hamas blamed Israel for complicating the recovery of bodies under rubble. As part of the ceasefire agreement, Israel released 250 Palestinian detainees from its prisons and 1,718 individuals from Gaza.