The Israeli military announced on Thursday that it had recovered the bodies of five hostages taken during Hamas's attack on southern Israel on October 7. Among those returned to Israel are Maya Goren and soldiers Ravid Aryeh Katz, Oren Goldin, Tomer Ahimas, and Kiril Brodski.

The operation to retrieve the bodies took place on Wednesday in Khan Yunis, the principal city in southern Gaza, according to the military's statement. The four soldiers were confirmed to have been killed during the initial attack by Hamas militants on October 7.

In December, the military had already declared the death of Maya Goren, who was kidnapped and taken to Gaza on the same day.

The announcement follows statements from two Israeli kibbutzim, Nir Oz and Nir Yitzhak, confirming the recovery of the bodies of Goren and Goldin. Nir Oz's statement indicated that Goren's family had been notified and that further details would be provided. Similarly, Nir Yitzhak confirmed the recovery of Oren Goldin's body, noting his role in the kibbutz emergency team and his death during the October 7 attack.

The October 7 assault by Hamas militants on southern Israeli communities resulted in 1,197 fatalities, predominantly civilians, according to official Israeli figures compiled by AFP. Additionally, 251 hostages were taken, of which 111 remain in Gaza, with the military reporting that 39 of these hostages are deceased.

Israel's military response in Gaza has led to at least 39,145 deaths, mostly civilians, based on information from the health ministry in the Hamas-governed territory.

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