Israeli Army: Special Forces Retrieve Body of Hostage from Gaza

The Israeli army stated in a release today, Friday, that special forces found the body of hostage Eliya Tolidano (28 years old), who had been held by the Palestinian Islamic resistance movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip since its attack on southern Israel. The army noted that medical officials, military rabbis, and forensic experts performed "identification procedures." According to Israeli media, Hamas militants had abducted Tolidano from a music festival during the attack. More than 130 hostages still remain in Gaza, while Israeli authorities have announced the deaths of some without recovering their bodies. French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna stated on Friday that her country feels "deep anguish" regarding the news of the death of French citizen Eliya Tolidano, who was held in Gaza. She added in a post on the X platform, "We share in the sorrow of his family and loved ones."