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Israel identifies two hostages killed in Hamas captivity
Israel confirmed on Thursday the identities of two deceased hostages whose remains were returned by Hamas through the Red Cross in Gaza. Forensic examinations verified the bodies as those of Amiram Cooper, 84, and Sahar Baruch, 25, according to a statement from the Israeli prime minister's office.
The government expressed "deep sorrow" for the Cooper and Baruch families, as well as all relatives of hostages killed in captivity. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum demanded Hamas immediately return the remaining 11 deceased hostages-nine Israelis and two foreign nationals-still held in Gaza, in compliance with the US-mediated ceasefire accord.
Amiram Cooper: Abducted, held, and allegedly killed in captivity
Cooper was seized alongside his wife, Nurit, from Kibbutz Nir Oz during Hamas's 7 October 2023 cross-border assault, which triggered the ongoing war. Nurit was released after 17 days, but Amiram remained in captivity. Israeli military assessments suggest he was murdered in February 2024, though final confirmation awaits post-mortem results.
Earlier reports had claimed Cooper died alongside three other hostages-Nadav Popplewell, Chaim Peri, and Yoram Metzger-in Khan Younis during an Israeli military operation. Hamas had blamed their deaths on an Israeli airstrike, a claim Israel disputes.
Sahar Baruch: Kidnapped with family, killed months later
Baruch was abducted from Kibbutz Be'eri by Hamas militants, who also killed his brother, Edan Baruch, and grandmother, Geula Bachar. The Israeli military estimates he was killed in captivity on 8 December 2023, pending autopsy confirmation. Authorities had previously stated he died during an Israeli rescue attempt.
In a statement, the military extended condolences to both families and reiterated demands for Hamas to "fulfill its obligations under the ceasefire agreement" by returning all remaining hostages-alive or deceased-for "dignified burial."
Hostage forum urges immediate action
"There are no words to express the depth of this pain. The hostages have no time. We must bring them all home, now!"
Hostages and Missing Families Forum
The forum, representing hostages' relatives, condemned delays in recoveries and called for accelerated efforts to secure the return of all captives still in Gaza.
Ceasefire exchange and escalating tensions
On Friday, Israeli authorities transferred the bodies of 30 Palestinians via the Red Cross in exchange for Cooper and Baruch's remains, as per the ceasefire terms mandating a 15:1 ratio of Palestinian bodies for each deceased Israeli hostage returned.
The deal, brokered by the US, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, had already seen Israel release 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,718 detainees from Gaza in exchange for 20 living hostages on 13 October. To date, Hamas has returned 15 Israeli bodies and two foreign nationals (one Thai, one Nepalese), with Israel handing over 225 Palestinian remains in reciprocation.
Allegations of ceasefire violations
Tensions flared earlier this week after Israel accused Hamas of breaching the truce by delivering a coffin containing remains not linked to the 13 outstanding hostages. Forensic tests revealed the body belonged to Ofir Tzarfati, a hostage Israel had already recovered in late 2023.
The Israeli military released drone footage allegedly showing Hamas militants exhuming and reburying Tzarfati's remains before staging their "discovery" for Red Cross observers. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) called the staging "unacceptable," clarifying its staff had no prior knowledge of the body's relocation.
Hamas dismissed the allegations as "baseless," accusing Israel of "fabricating pretexts for aggression." Hours later, Israel reported a Hamas attack in southern Gaza's Rafah area that killed an Israeli soldier, prompting a wave of airstrikes on "dozens of terror targets." Gaza's health ministry reported 104 Palestinian fatalities, including 46 children and 20 women, marking the deadliest day since the 10 October ceasefire.
US stance and broader context
US President Donald Trump affirmed the ceasefire would remain intact despite violations, urging Israel to respond "decisively" to attacks on its forces. The deal had required Hamas to return all 20 living and 28 deceased hostages within 72 hours-a deadline partially met for living captives but not for the dead.
Since 7 October 2023, over 68,600 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's Gaza offensive, per the Hamas-run health ministry, including 200 since the ceasefire. The initial Hamas attack on southern Israel killed 1,200 people and saw 251 abducted, with most hostages still unaccounted for.
