The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) made a major, and tragic, announcement on Friday. IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said the military has recovered the bodies of three hostages from the Gaza Strip.
The deceased include the body of Shani Louk, the 22-year old girl filmed on Oct.7 lying half-naked, mangled and unconscious in the bed of a pick-up truck while being taken into the Gaza Strip. The military also identified Itzhak Gelerenter and Amit Buskila.
"Hagari says the bodies were recovered in an overnight operation carried out by the military and Shin Bet," the statement said.
All three had been kidnapped from the Supernova music festival near Re’im on the morning of the heinous terror assault of Oct. 7. They are believed to have died during the events of Oct. 7, murdered by Hamas.
Shocking images and video of Louk's body being paraded around by Hamas had immediately gone viral as news of the terror attack unfolded on the weekend of Oct.7. For weeks there had been speculation over whether she survived the ordeal, or if the video actually showed her deceased, as men sat on top of her.
The family says it is a relief to finally get her remains to Israel:
Shani Louk’s father Nissim tells Channel 12 while today’s announcement that the IDF has recovered her body was difficult to receive, it was also news that he had been waiting for. The family was long ago notified that she had been killed on October 7.
Nissim says military representatives showed him a picture of Shani’s body when they provided the news this morning.
Other than saying it was an "overnight operation" - few other details were given by the military as to exactly where the bodies were recovered or the specific mission details involved.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that he is "heartbroken" by the news their deaths have been confirmed. "My wife Sara and I grieve with the families," he said before vowing "We will return all of our hostages — living and deceased alike."
The body of Shani Louk has finally been rescued from the hands of her abusers and killers.
— Sabrina Miller (@SabriSun_Miller) May 17, 2024
A horrible picture of Shani - stripped topless and lying lifeless on the back of a truck - shocked the world and became a symbol of the brutality of Oct 7. May her memory be a blessing. pic.twitter.com/JBw7u0vmvW
"I congratulate our brave forces who, with determined action, returned our sons and daughters home," Netanyahu continued. His words suggest that the recovery came during a high-risk raid as the IDF continues pressing deeper into southern Gaza, and elsewhere fighting in areas where Hamas has returned, such as in the north.
Netanyahu has long been under immense domestic pressure amid large protests led by hostage victims' families who have complained that he has 'forgotten' the hostages while prioritizing the military aim of eradicating Hamas. The protesters want his government to strike a deal for the return of the rest of the captives.
