Israeli Army Announces Death of Hostage in Gaza During Failed Rescue Attempt

The Israeli army announced today, Wednesday, that Israeli hostage Saar Baruch was killed last month during a rescue attempt carried out by special forces in Gaza. The army did not elaborate on the details. Hamas stated on December 8 that Baruch was killed during the rescue attempt. The army's statement said, "At this stage, the circumstances of Saar's death cannot be determined, and it is unclear whether he was killed by Hamas or by our fire." Baruch was among 240 hostages taken by Hamas militants after they breached southern Israel on October 7. Since then, over 100 hostages have been released under agreements brokered by Qatar and other countries, and Israeli forces have rescued one hostage. At least 123 individuals are still in Gaza, and Israeli authorities have announced the deaths of at least 23 of them.