The coffins of the kidnapped Itzik Elgert, Shlomo Mansour, Ohad Yahalomi and Tzachi Idan, whose coffins were returned from Gaza tonight (Thursday) as part of the final phase of phase one of the kidnapping deal - they were identified at the Institute of Forensic Medicine.
Five Stars: A Passover vacation like never before in the ultra-Orthodox sector
The fallen were handed over to the IDF force at the Kerem Shalom crossing through Egyptian mediation, with their families continuously updated on the situation. Citizens waited at intersections and along traffic routes equipped with flags to pay their respects to the fallen who were repatriated.
Want more news, videos and stories? Join the Haredim 10 WhatsApp channel >>
With the return of the four dead hostages, 59 hostages are being held in the Gaza Strip - 35 of whom have been declared dead.
The Prime Minister's Office announced: "After completing the identification process by the IDF, the Ministry of Health's National Center for Forensic Medicine, and the Israel Police, IDF representatives tonight informed the Yahalomi family, the Idan family, the Mansour family, and the Elgert family that their loved ones - the late Ohad Yahalomi, the late Tzachi Idan, the late Shlomo Mansour, and the late Yitzhak Elgert - were murdered and reburied in Israel.
According to intelligence and all the information in our possession; Ohad, Tzachi and Yitzhak were murdered in captivity in Gaza. Shlomo Mansour was murdered in the murderous massacre on October 7, 2023 and his body was held in the Gaza Strip.
"We share the families' grief at this difficult time.".
Itzik Elgert, the Rev.
68 years old from Kibbutz Nir Oz. He was injured by terrorist gunfire while he was in the IDF's home, and called his brother Danny to ask for his help. Danny tried to instruct his brother on how to stop the bleeding, but the conversation was interrupted by the terrorists' shouting and he was kidnapped to Gaza.
A month and a half after he was kidnapped, his family was informed that Itzik was still alive, but wounded. His family said they had heard from one of the kidnapped women who were released in the deal at the end of 2023 that he had been shot in the hand and that he had received medical treatment in captivity. Throughout the entire period of captivity, Itzik's brother, Danny Elgert, gave frequent interviews and campaigned for his brother's return.
Following the official announcement of the identification of his body and his murder in Hamas captivity, Kibbutz Nir Oz issued a statement: "We announce with deep sorrow the murder of the late Itzik Elgert, who was kidnapped from his home on the kibbutz on Saturday, October 7th, and murdered in captivity in Gaza.
""Itzik left behind two children, a brother, and two sisters. We will remember him for his laughter, his huge heart, and his willingness to always be there for anyone in need.".
Shlomo Manzur, the 14th
86 years old from Kibbutz Kissufim. Mansour, who was the oldest abductee, was kidnapped from his home and led away by the terrorists handcuffed in front of his wife Mazal, who managed to escape. As a child, he survived the Farhud riots in Iraq.
When the alarms sounded, Mazal went into the bathroom and called the police. The terrorists grabbed him and slapped him. Mazal, with resourcefulness and coolness, asked them: "Why? He's an adult, he didn't do anything.".
Earlier this month, his family was informed that he had been murdered on the same day, October 7. The decision to determine his death was based on intelligence information collected over the past few months and approved by a committee of experts from the Ministry of Health in cooperation with the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Israel Police.
Kibbutz Kissufim said that the members of the kibbutz, "We mourn and grieve with the return of the body of our dear friend, Shlomo Mansour. We remember Shlomo, who was kidnapped from the courtyard of his pastoral home on the morning of a damned Saturday, and murdered by terrorists from Gaza. We send our hugs and deepest condolences to the Mansour family, who lost such a dear and beloved person. Your pain is our pain, and your sorrow is our sorrow.
""Shlomo was the heart of our community – everyone's grandfather. Always with a big smile, always remembering every birthday and calling to wish everyone a happy birthday. He knew how to give each of us the feeling that he was the center of the world, with warmth, love and a rare presence of true giving. Shlomo's image will accompany us forever.".
Ohad Yahalomi is a fan of the Y.D.
50 years old from Kibbutz Nir Oz. On the morning of October 7, Yahalomi entered the MAMD with his wife, Batsheva, and their three children. While the terrorists broke into their family home, Ohad was outside and tried to protect his family with his personal gun because he was unable to lock the MAMD door. He engaged them in a fight and was injured.
While Ohad was lying wounded on the floor in the yard of their home, he saw the terrorists taking his wife and their three children to the Gaza Strip and managed to tell them to go with the four hijackers and do as they were told. During their transport to the Strip, his wife managed to escape with her two daughters, and 12-year-old Eitan, who was on the second motorcycle, was kidnapped and returned to Israel in the first kidnapping deal.
""Ohad was a devoted and loving family man. He was a sportsman and a traveler at heart, and knew every trail and mountain in the desert that he loved so much," Kibbutz Nir Oz eulogized him. "For years he worked for the Nature and Parks Authority and dedicated his life to preserving nature. Out of his great love for the desert, he published with partners a scorpion definition book and was a partner in educational initiatives in Bedouin society.
""Ohad left behind a wife and three small children, family and many friends. We will always remember him as a man of values, full of compassion, who loved people and the country.".
French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on his Twitter account following the announcement of Yahalomi's murder in captivity: "I share in the immense pain of his family and relatives. Hamas' barbarity must stop.".
Tzachi Idan, the 14th
50 years old from Kibbutz Nahal Oz. The last sign of life from him was received in December 2023. On the morning of October 7, Tzachi was in the MMD together with his wife Gali and their three children Maayan, Yael and Shahar. Terrorists managed to enter their home, murdered his eldest daughter Maayan and conducted a gun battle from inside the house outside.
The terrorists filmed their stay at the Idan family home, in a widely distributed recording that provided initial evidence of the atrocities committed inside the residents' homes that Shabbat. The video showed the family members crying and terrified as the terrorists held them hostage and shot them outside the house. Tzachi was covered in the blood of his daughter, who had been murdered in front of the family. Tzachi's cousin, Guy Idan, fell in Lebanon on October 24, 2024.
Tzachi Idan's family updated that his body had also been identified at the Institute of Forensic Medicine: "Our family's unbearable journey to return our beloved and precious Tzachi from the inferno in Gaza ended with the identification of Tzachi's body by a qualified team from the State of Israel. The uncertainty and constant shaking have come to an end.
""Tzachi was kidnapped on his feet and we received several signs of life from him during the period, and in the November 2023 deal he was still alive and was expected to be released.".
In addition, the family announced that Tzachi will be laid to rest next to his beloved mother, who was murdered on October 7th, while trying to help her father and guard the door of the police station. Tzachi left behind a mother, three brothers, a wife and three children, an extended family and many friends.
