Dror Or: Identity of deceased hostage confirmed by IDF

The Israeli Military has identified the latest deceased hostage returned by Hamas as Dror Or who died on the 7th of October 2023 after his home was set on fire by Hamas militants.

In a post on X, the military said they had informed the Or family that his remains has been brought back for burial in Israel. 

"The IDF expresses deep condolences to the family and continues to make every effort to return all hostages to their families for a proper and dignified burial.", it said.

Or who was 48 at the time of his death was killed alongside his wife Yonat Or during the attack on the kibbutz where they lived. 

Their children Alma and Noam were also abducted but returned two years ago as part of the hostage release agreement in November 2023.

According to the Hostages Family Forum, Or is survived by his three children Yahli, Noam, and Alma including his parents, a sister and a brother.

The IDF had confirmed on Tuesday that the remains of an Israeli hostage has been received by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

In a post on its X account, the Israeli army said that its troops who are stationed in Gaza would receive the remains and said it would be handed over to the National Center of Forensic Medicine for identification.

"According to information provided by the Red Cross, a coffin of a deceased hostage has been transferred into its custody." It said. 

It also called on the public to act with sensitivity and wait for official identification of the deceased hostage which will first be provided to its family. 

Tuesday's hostage return brings the total number of deceased hostages handed over to Israel by Hamas to 26 out of a total of 28. 

The Hostage and Missing Families Forum said on Sunday, that they would begin winding down their activities as bodies of deceased hostages are being returned.

“We have to adapt our activities to the fact that there is a deal, and a process that isn’t up to us,” he said.

The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas continues to be tested after Israeli forces killed three people in Gaza on Monday. 

Palestinian health authority said a missile strike in Khan Younis killed two people and injured a third person  while tank shell killed one more person on the city's eastern edge.

Since the ceasefire took effect on October 10, Israel and Hamas have traded blame for deadly ceasefire violations and accused each other of pushing back against later steps required by Trump's plan.

Hamas has freed all 20 surviving hostages held in Gaza in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and wartime detainees held by Israel, as part of the deal.

The pact also stipulated the return of the remains of 28 hostages in exchange for the remains of 360 Palestinians.

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