Israel said on Wednesday it had retrieved the body of Itay Svirsky, who was taken hostage on Oct. 7, 2023, and then killed in Hamas captivity, according to a statement from the Israeli military.
A statement from the Hostages' Families Forum, which represents families of those being held by Hamas, said that returning "Itay's body for proper burial in Israel provides crucial closure for his family."
A statement from the military said the family had been notified.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Svirsky's body had been retrieved in a special operation and he thanked Israeli security forces.
"Our hearts are torn over the heavy loss of the Svirsky family," Netanyahu said.
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