Body of Hostage Idan Shtivi Recovered, Returned to Israel

Israeli authorities have recovered the body of Idan Shtivi, a 28-year-old civilian kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attack on the Nova music festival near Re’im, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced. Shtivi is the second abducted victim whose remains have been retrieved from Gaza this week, following the earlier recovery of Ilan Weiss.

Shtivi was seized after attempting to save others at the festival, driving people north to escape the massacre that killed over 360 attendees. His vehicle came under fire from Hamas terrorists and the bodies of two friends he tried to rescue were later found. Initially listed as missing, Shtivi was confirmed abducted in January 2024. On October 7, 2024, the IDF determined he was killed during the attack, with his body held by Hamas in Gaza.

The recovery operation, executed by IDF Southern Command, Military Intelligence, and special forces, was enabled by precise intelligence from the IDF’s Hostages and Missing Persons Directorate, Shin Bet, and Military Intelligence. Identification was finalized at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, with assistance from the Israel Police Forensic Division and the Military Rabbinate. The IDF notified Shtivi’s family of the recovery.

Netanyahu said, “Through a complex IDF and Shin Bet operation in Gaza, we brought Idan Shtivi’s body home. After identification at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, his return was cleared for publication tonight.” Of the hostages still unaccounted for, 48 remain in Gaza, with 20 believed to be alive, per Israeli estimates.