Israeli special forces in Gaza have recovered the body of 28-year-old Elia Toledano, who was earlier reported to be taken hostage by Hamas.
In a statement by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) on Friday (December 15), Toledano was abducted by Hamas after he and his friend and fellow French-Israeli hostage Mia Shem attended the outdoor music festival near the Israel-Gaza border on October 7, when Hamas and other Palestinian terror groups attacked southern Israel.
Shem was subsequently liberated during a seven-day truce in late November.
The IDF added that an "identification procedure" had been carried out by medical officials, military rabbis, and forensic experts.
Over 130 hostages remain in Gaza despite the liberation of some during the pause in the fighting. Some of the remaining hostages were declared dead in absentia by Israeli authorities, Reuters reported.
Bodies of 2 IDF POWs Recovered
Aside from Toledano, the IDF also reported that two of its personnel were killed in action and that they have identified them as Sgt. Ron Sherman and Cpl. Nik Beizer.
According to the Jerusalem Post, both soldiers were taken as prisoners of war by Hamas while serving under the Gaza Coordination and Liaison Administration near the border with Gaza on October 7th.
Earlier this week, the IDF recovered the bodies of two more hostages - Eden Zakaria, 27, and Ziv Dado, 36.
