Body of Israeli hostage Shani Louk found by IDF after seven months

IDF finds bodies of three hostages, including partygoer Shani Louk, from Gaza Strip. Families mourn as bodies recovered in tunnel.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have made a grim discovery, uncovering the bodies of three hostages, including Shani Louk, a young partygoer at the Nova Festival, in the Gaza Strip. Alongside Shani, the bodies of Itzhak Gelerenter, 57, and Amit Buskila, 28, were also found during an overnight operation conducted with the help of Shin Bet, an Israeli intelligence agency. While specific details about the location of their bodies were not disclosed by the IDF, local media reports suggest they were found in a tunnel in Jabalia, located in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.

All three individuals had attended the Nova Festival near kibbutz Re'im on October 7, which was one of the initial targets of Hamas during their deadly incursion into Israel. Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesperson, confirmed that the families of the deceased hostages have been informed of their tragic deaths following formal identification. The Hostages Families Forum Headquarters, representing relatives of the kidnapped citizens, expressed deep sorrow and heartbreak upon hearing the news, paying tribute to Shani, Itzhak, and Amit.

In a statement to MailOnline, the Hostages Families Forum Headquarters and the families of the 129 hostages mourned the loss of the three individuals, condemning the actions of Hamas terrorists. They emphasized the need to swiftly bring back all hostages, whether alive for rehabilitation or deceased for proper burial. The images of Shani, whose semi-unclothed body was paraded by Hamas in Gaza, garnered international attention and outrage. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the deaths of the three hostages as heartbreaking and vowed to bring back all hostages, living or deceased.

Shani's father defended the award given to the AP photographer who captured the chilling moment of his daughter's body being paraded by Hamas, acknowledging the historical significance of the photograph. Despite the emotional pain it brings, he believes that such documentation is crucial for future generations to understand the atrocities committed. Shani's mother expressed horror and trauma upon seeing the picture again, reliving the pain of losing her daughter. The IDF continues its operations in Gaza, with intelligence indicating that hostages are being held in Rafah, the last city standing in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas's attack on October 7 resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the kidnapping of approximately 250 individuals. While some hostages have been freed in exchanges for Palestinian prisoners, many more are still believed to be held captive in Gaza. Israel's ongoing campaign in Gaza has led to a high number of casualties, with Gaza health officials reporting over 35,000 Palestinian deaths since the attack. The situation remains tense and uncertain, with families of the hostages and the international community urging for their safe return.