Israeli Farmer Abducted by Hamas in Gaza
Elad Katzir, a 47-year-old farmer from Kibbutz Nir Oz, was among 253 people dragged into Gaza during an Oct. 7 cross-border rampage by Hamas-led Palestinian gunmen that triggered Israel’s ongoing offensive in the enclave.
Recovery of Hostage’s Body
The Israeli military announced that army personnel recovered the body of a hostage who was held captive by Hamas during the Oct 7 assault. The victim, identified as Elad Katzir, was a farmer from Kibbutz Nir Oz.
Details of the Abduction
Katzir was abducted along with his mother Hanna during the attack. Hanna was released on Nov 24 during a truce in Gaza. Katzir’s father was killed during the assault at the kibbutz.
Rescue Operation
Israeli intelligence indicated that Katzir was murdered in mid-January while in captivity. The military conducted an operation to recover his body from Khan Yunis in Gaza.
“He was buried in the ground,” a military official revealed during a briefing. The body was transported to Israel for further examination.
Family’s Reaction
Katzir’s sister, Carmit Palty Katzir, criticized the authorities for her brother’s death, accusing them of being “cowardly and driven by political consideration.”
“Elad was kidnapped from his home in Nir Oz in one piece,” she wrote on her Facebook page. She called out the Prime Minister and other officials, urging them to reflect on their actions.