The kidnapped soldier, Sergeant Major (res.) Lior Rudaif, was returned to Israel last night.
There are now four Israeli hostages remaining in the Gaza Strip - and one foreigner.
""The Israeli government shares in the deep sorrow of the Rudaif family and all the families of the deceased hostages," the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.
Lior Rudaif, who fell in heroic battle in Nir Yitzhak during the October 7 massacre and was kidnapped to the Gaza Strip, left behind his wife, four children and three grandchildren.
61 years old in Nafplio.
The Prime Minister's Office also stated in a statement: "The government and the entire Israeli security apparatus are determined, committed, and working tirelessly to return all of our fallen hostages for a proper burial in their country. The Hamas terrorist organization is required to fulfill its commitments to the mediators and return them within the framework of implementing the agreement. We will not compromise on this and will spare no effort until we return all of the hostages, down to the last one. May his memory be blessed.".
Noam Katz, Lior's daughter, wrote on Instagram after the announcement of her father's identification: "After 763 nightmarish days, our Lior was returned home, to be buried in the land he set out to defend on that black morning, which changed our lives forever. Thank you to all the good people who accompanied us in the uncompromising and humane fight to bring our Lior, and all the other abductees, home. The fight is not over yet - Dror, Manny, Ran, Hadar and Sontisek are still there.".
The IDF Spokesperson's Office stated: "According to the information and intelligence available to us, the late Lt. Col. (res.) Lior Rudaif, deputy chief of staff and member of the Nir Yitzhak readiness squad, fell in battle defending the kibbutz on the morning of October 7, 2023, and his body was abducted by the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization. Lior, 61 years old at the time of his death, was pronounced dead on 05/07/24. He is survived by a wife, four children, three grandchildren, a father, a sister and a brother.".
Rodaif, born in Argentina, immigrated with his family to Israel at the age of 7, directly to Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak, where he built his home.
His relatives say that he was a person of giving to all those around him and even volunteered for 40 years as an ambulance driver in the Eshkol Regional Council and as a member of the Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak emergency response team.
Lior left behind his wife Yaffe, his four children Noam, Nadav, Bar and Ben, and his three grandchildren, Tomer, Dagan and Shai.
Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak reported: "Exactly two years and a month ago, Lior left his home for the last time, to protect his family, his friends, and the place that had been his home all his life. Thanks to his courage and resourcefulness, an even greater disaster was averted, but Lior paid for it with his life. He was kidnapped to Gaza and held there until he was returned to Israel tonight.".
""A man of the land, family and community. A volunteer, neighbor and true friend who was always there for everyone. Over the years, he contributed to the kibbutz and its surroundings, including through his many years of volunteering as an ambulance driver and his deep involvement in community life. The entire Nir Yitzhak community grieves Lior's passing and lovingly embraces his beautiful wife, his children, his grandchildren and all the family members at this difficult and heartbreaking moment of closing a circle.".
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