A grim confirmation arrived Saturday as Israel identified the remains of Lior Rudaeff, a 61-year-old volunteer ambulance driver, returned from Gaza by Palestinian militants. His homecoming, though heartbreaking, marks a chilling step closer to the end of a US-brokered truce intended to bring closure to a two-year ordeal.
Rudaeff was killed during the brutal Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, the event that ignited the devastating conflict. He was among a small group of armed civilians from the Nir Yitzhak kibbutz who bravely attempted to defend their community, a desperate stand against overwhelming force.
His death was initially confirmed months ago, in May 2024, and his name added to the list of hostages – both living and deceased – slated for release under the ceasefire agreement. Now, after agonizing uncertainty, his family finally has remains to mourn.
But the relief is tragically incomplete. Five more bodies remain in Gaza, a haunting reminder of the ongoing pain. These include three Israelis, one Thai national, and the remains of an Israeli soldier lost in a previous conflict in 2014.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a voice for those enduring this crisis, expressed a fragile gratitude for Rudaeff’s return. They acknowledged the small comfort it brings, but vowed to continue fighting until every hostage is accounted for, living or dead.
The initial phase of the ceasefire, facilitated by diplomatic efforts, saw the return of 20 surviving hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian detainees held by Israel. The agreement stipulated a stark exchange rate: for each Israeli hostage returned, the bodies of 15 Palestinians held by Israel would be repatriated.
On Saturday, the Nasser Medical Centre in Khan Yunis received the remains of 15 Palestinians, bringing the total number returned to 300. The Red Cross facilitated the transfer, as they have with previous exchanges, but many of the Palestinian remains remain unidentified, ultimately finding their final resting place in mass graves.
Accusations fly between Israel and Hamas regarding the pace of returning the deceased. Israel alleges deliberate delays, while Hamas claims the process is hampered by the widespread destruction in Gaza, with many bodies buried beneath the rubble of bombed-out buildings.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a firm demand for Hamas to fulfill its commitments and return the remaining five bodies. They pledged unwavering effort until every last one is brought home, a promise echoing the desperation of families left in limbo.
The October 7th attack unleashed a wave of violence, claiming the lives of 1,221 people in Israel, the vast majority civilians. In response, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of 69,169 Palestinians, also overwhelmingly civilians, according to the Gaza health ministry.
While the ministry’s figures are considered reliable by the United Nations, they do not differentiate between combatants and non-combatants. The Israeli army reports 479 of its soldiers have been killed in the Gaza campaign since the ground offensive began in late October 2023, a stark testament to the brutal cost of this conflict.
