Bodies of Three Israeli Hostages, Including Woman Infamously Abused After Her Murder, Recovered by IDF

Isaac SchorrMay 17th, 2024, 1:06 pm
 
Passersby observe the photos of hostages held in the Gaza Strip that are plastered to the walls of a plaza known as Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday, May 17, 2024. The Israeli military said Friday its forces rescued from Gaza the remains of three Israeli hostages taken by militants during the Oct. 7 attack, including 22-year-old German-Israeli Shani Louk, 28-year-old Amit Buskila, and 56-year-old Itzhak Gelerenter.

AP Photo/Oded Balilty

The Israel Defense Forces have recovered the bodies of three dead hostages taken by Hamas on October 7 — 22-year-old Shani Louk, 28-year-old Amit Buskila, and 56-year-old Itshak Gelernter — according to an IDF spokesman.

Photographs and video of Louk’s twisted, mostly unclothed body being paraded around after the attack were among the defining images in the wake of October 7.

“Shani Louk, Amit Buskila and Yitzhak Gelernter were kidnapped and murdered by Hamas terrorists on October 7 from the Nova Music Festival. Overnight, our troops recovered their bodies and brought them back home to Israel. We will continue operating to bring all of our hostages,” read the IDF’s statement on the matter.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also released the following statement: “My wife Sara and I grieve with the families, we will return all of our hostages — living and deceased alike. I congratulate our brave forces who, with determined action, returned our sons and daughters home.”

According to The Jewish Chronicle, Buskila spoke with her uncle on the phone on October 7, telling him that she was hiding but that Hamas was closing in on her position. She later said that she had been shot and told him “I’m dying, I love you.”

All three were taken from the Supernova music festival in Southern Israel where Hamas carried out a devastating massacre.

The IDF estimates that 128 hostages remain in Hamas’ hands. One hundred and twelve hostages taken on October 7 have been returned alive by Hamas, 105 of those as as part of an agreement between it and the Israeli government. The two sides have been negotiating over another potential deal to secure the release of more hostages, but have for months failed to reach an agreement.

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