OAN’s Sophia Flores
12:02 PM – Friday, May 17, 2024
Israeli forces have successfully recovered the bodies of three hostages taken by Hamas from a tunnel in the Gaza Strip.
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During a press conference in Tel Aviv, IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari identified the recovered bodies as 56-year old Itzhak Gelerenter, 28-year old Amit Buskila, and 23-year old Shani Louk.
Their bodies were recovered during an ongoing Israeli operation called “Operation Iron Swords.” According to Israeli intelligence, the three individuals died on October 7th.
According to witnesses who recall seeing them on October 7th, Buskila, Gelernter, and Louk were attending the Nova Music Festival when they suddenly heard gunshots and screaming. They fled the area and quickly found refuge near Kibbutz Mefalsim. However, all three were soon captured and killed by members of the terrorist group.
Their bodies were then transported to Gaza.
“From verified intelligence information in our possession, the three, may their memory be a blessing, were murdered during the cruel terror attack on October 7th in the area,” Hagari said. “Their bodies were abducted to Gaza by Hamas terrorists. The bodies of the abductees were retrieved during a joint operation of IDF forces and the Shin Bet [internal security agency] operational unit, based on information that also emerged from Shin Bet interrogations of terrorists arrested in the Gaza Strip area, and intelligence guidance from the Captives and MIAs Intelligence Directorate,” Hagari said.
Louk, a tattoo artist, was one of the most notable figures from the October 7th tragedy, as media networks consistently displayed her photos for the world to see. Pictures of her lifeless body being paraded around on the back of a truck by Hamas terrorists quickly circulated across the globe. The German-Israeli citizen was declared dead by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs in late October, after forensic examiners discovered a bone fragment from her skull.
Buskila, a fashion stylist, was on the phone with her uncle, Shimon, right before she was killed. Her uncle heard her talking to her attackers and pleading them to spare her life on the call. Buskila informed him that she was shot in the hand after he heard more gunshots in the background. Before the phone line went silent, Buskila expressed that she was dying, and in a weak voice, uttered to her uncle: “I love you.”
Meanwhile, Gelernter’s family was in shock in regards to the news of his death on Friday, as they were “in total darkness” about his fate prior to the announcement.
“We held on to hope and had a lot of faith that the end would be different,” his daughter Yarden Pivko said.
Not much is known about his October 7th experience, as he was not in touch with any of his family members on the morning of the massacre.
The bodies of the three victims have now been transferred to forensics professionals in order to be examined. Their families have all been notified. All that is currently known regarding Gelernter is that he had attended a party with a couple of friends, which were all killed as well, two hours prior to the attack.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement to X (Twitter) on Friday.
“The heart breaks for the great loss. My wife Sara and I grieve with the families. All our hearts are with them in this hour of grieving,” Bibi said.
“We will return all our hostages, the dead and the alive alike. I congratulate our brave forces who, with determined action, have returned our sons and daughters home,” he added.
More than 1,200 people were killed and 240 people were taken hostage on October 7th. Over 100 individuals were freed in November due to a release deal.
It is believed that there are at least 129 hostages still being held in Gaza. Five of the hostages are American.
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