Slain Hostage Idan Shtivi, Nova Festival Victim, Identified After Gaza Recovery
Slain Hostage Idan Shtivi, Nova Festival Victim, Identified After Gaza Recovery
The body of Idan Shtivi, a hostage murdered during the October 7, 2023, Hamas onslaught, has been identified days after its recovery from the Gaza Strip. Israeli authorities, including the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet security service, announced the identification on Saturday, following a recent operation that also recovered the body of Ilan Weiss.
Shtivi, 28, was a nature lover and photography enthusiast who had been volunteering to photograph the Nova music festival when the attack began. Reports indicate he bravely attempted to rescue and save numerous participants before being seized by Hamas terrorists. His body was identified at the Abu Kabir Institute of Forensic Medicine.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Shtivi as “a man of great courage and heart,” while Defense Minister Israel Katz and President Isaac Herzog extended their condolences, emphasizing the ongoing commitment to return all hostages. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum expressed gratitude to the security forces and highlighted the challenging identification process, underscoring the urgent need for the return of all captives, both living and deceased.
The announcement comes amidst intensified efforts to secure a deal for the remaining 48 hostages held in Gaza. Twenty of these are believed to be alive, while 26 have been confirmed dead. Leaders reiterated their pledge to bring all remaining hostages home, emphasizing the national priority of resolution.
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