6 Israeli Hostages Recovered from Gaza with Bullet Wounds

Tel Aviv: Six Israeli hostages recovered from Gaza on Tuesday were found with bullet wounds, according to a preliminary forensic analysis. The bodies of Yagav Bustab, Chaim Oerry, Nadav Popwell, Avraham Monder, Alex Danzig, and Yoram Matzger were transferred to the Israeli Institute of Forensic Medicine in Abu Kabir for examination. 

Bodies Recovered with Gunshot Wounds

The report indicates that all six bodies showed signs of gunshots, though it remains unclear if the gunshots were the cause of death.

In addition to these hostages, four other bodies were discovered in the same tunnel beneath Khan Yunis. These bodies, believed to be those of terrorists, did not exhibit any signs of gunshot wounds.

Cause of Death Remains Unclear

Local media reports suggest that the military believes the hostages may have been executed by their captors during an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) operation, possibly under the mistaken belief that a rescue attempt was underway.

The forensic findings are still preliminary, and the IDF and health officials have yet to officially determine the exact causes of death. All six hostages had previously been confirmed alive and in good health at various times after their capture on October 7, with some even appearing in Hamas propaganda videos.

During the operation, IDF soldiers did not encounter resistance inside the tunnel but did engage and kill several gunmen in the surrounding area. Some terror operatives guarding the tunnel fled as Israeli forces gained control. Weapons were found on several deceased terror operatives near the tunnel, likely those responsible for guarding the area.

Out of 105 Israeli Hostages, 30 are Dead 

The broader context of this operation is the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which began with Hamas's attack on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. This attack resulted in the deaths of at least 1,200 people and the abduction of 252 Israelis and foreigners. Of the 105 remaining hostages, more than 30 have been declared dead. 

The conflict, which has been ongoing for nearly 11 months, has claimed the lives of over 40,000 people in Gaza, according to local health officials, making it one of the most devastating in recent memory.