Israeli military: Bodies of three hostages found in Gaza

The Israeli military said Friday that its troops found the bodies of three Israeli hostages taken by Hamas in the Oct. 7 attack.

The military identified the bodies as 22-year-old German Israeli Shani Louk, 28-year-old Amit Buskila and 56-year-old Itzhak Gelerenter, The Associated Press reported.

Hamas killed the three individuals as they attempted to flee the Nova music festival, which was occurring when Hamas attacked near the Gaza border, military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said.

The bodies were found overnight somewhere in Gaza, but the military did not elaborate or give other details about where they were located.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war until all of the more than 200 hostages taken that day have are returned. He said all the hostages will be returned, “both the living and the dead.”

Hamas killed more than 1,100 people in the initial attack. About half of the approximately 250 hostages taken by Hamas that day have since been freed, many in prisoner swaps, but Israel still says 100 hostages are captive in Gaza and 30 more bodies are there.

Israel’s counteroffensive against Hamas has killed upward of 35,000 people, Gaza health officials say. Israel has said it must operate in the southern Gaza city of Rafah because it’s the last Hamas stronghold.

International leaders, like President Biden, have warned Israel that it must evacuate the hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians who are taking refuge in the city before it continues its attack.

The Associated Press contributed.