• Israeli forces have recovered the bodies of hostages Judi Weinstein and Gad Haggai from Gaza.
• The couple were taken during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, that sparked the ongoing conflict.
• A military operation led to the recovery of their bodies in the Khan Younis area of Gaza.
• 56 hostages remain believed to be held by Hamas, with estimates suggesting around 20 are alive.
• Israel's ongoing military campaign has resulted in significant casualties among both Israelis and Palestinians.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israeli forces have recovered the bodies of two hostages, Judi Weinstein and Gad Haggai, who were taken during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. The couple, both holding dual Israeli and U.S. citizenship, were killed during the attack and their remains were returned to Israel during a special military operation in the Khan Younis area of Gaza, according to a joint statement from the Israeli army and Shin Bet internal security agency, as reported by BBC, Reuters, and ABC News.

The military operation resulted in the recovery of the couple's bodies, which were abducted to Gaza following the deadly attack that claimed the lives of approximately 1,200 people, primarily civilians. The couple, who lived in Kibbutz Nir Oz, were reportedly out for a morning walk when they were ambushed by Hamas militants. Judi was able to contact emergency services before their abduction, providing critical information about their situation, according to South China Morning Post, India Times, and CBS News.

Netanyahu expressed condolences to the families of the deceased, stating, "My wife and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the dear families. Our hearts ache for the most terrible loss." Reports indicate that their bodies were recovered after more than 600 days of uncertainty and despair for their relatives, who eagerly awaited closure, as noted by Le Monde, HuffPost, and Los Angeles Times.

Following their recovery, there are still 56 hostages believed to be held by Hamas, with Israeli estimates suggesting that around 20 may still be alive. The ongoing military campaign has resulted in significant Palestinian casualties, with over 54,000 deaths reported according to the Gaza Health Ministry. This vast human toll underscores the continued severity of the conflict, as many civilians are caught in the crossfire, as detailed by BBC, Reuters, and South China Morning Post.