Israel identified the remains of a deceased hostage, officials said on Sunday, after the country’s military said it had received the coffins of two hostages from Gaza late on Saturday.
Ronen Engel, who was 54 at the time of his death, was killed in the October 7 attacks more than two years ago and his body taken into Gaza, according to Israel.
He and his wife and two daughters were taken from an Israeli kibbutz on the Gaza border when militants led by Hamas crossed over into southern Israel and killed approximately 1,200 people. Another 251 were taken as hostages into Gaza.
Israel declared war on Hamas in Gaza, kicking off a devastating military campaign that Hamas-run authorities in the strip say has killed more than 68,000 people. This number is criticized by Israel but is widely cited by Western officials, and does not distinguish between combatants and civilians.
Engel’s wife, Karina, and the couple’s children, Mika and Yuval, were freed from Gaza under a November 2023 deal.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said early on Sunday identification of Engel’s remains had been completed. The Israeli government said it “shares in the deep sorrow of the Engel family and all the families of the fallen hostages.” The identity of the second person has not been publicly confirmed.
Engel’s family said in a statement that “after 744 days of longing, doubt, and uncertainty – our beloved Ronen has returned home.”
“Now we can begin the healing process we so desperately need and have waited for so long. Now we have a gravesite to mourn over.”
This is a breaking story. Updates to follow.
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