On May 24, 2024, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Friday morning that they had found the bodies of three additional hostages in northern Gaza as part of an overnight operation.
According to the IDF, based on “reliable intelligence” gathered during the past week of fighting in Gaza, 30-year-old Orion Hernandez Radoux, 42-year-old Hanan Yablonka, and 59-year-old Michel Nisenbaum were all killed on October 7, 2023. On that day, Hamas militants launched an unprecedented attack on Israel. Due to their whereabouts being unknown after the attack, it was believed that these three individuals were still alive.
The IDF stated that in a joint operation between the military and intelligence agencies, the bodies of the three hostages were found. These individuals were kidnapped in the Mefalsim area of Israel. Last year on October 7, Hamas terrorists kidnapped and executed four other hostages at the same location, whose bodies were discovered last week in a tunnel in Jabaliya.
Military spokesperson Daniel Hagari stated on Friday that Israel is determined to bring back the remaining hostages still being held in Gaza. “We will not stop fighting for their freedom,” he said in a televised statement. “Every righteous nation would do the same.”
According to the Israel Times, Radoux held dual nationality from France and Mexico. His girlfriend, Shani Louk, was one of the four bodies found by the IDF last week.
Radoux, Louk, Yablonka, and other hostages were attacked by Hamas during the Nova music festival on October 7 last year. They fled to the Mefalsim area where they were abducted by armed militants.
Another hostage, Nisenbaum, was also kidnapped in the Mefalsim area while he was driving to pick up his granddaughter.
All three individuals were killed by Hamas, and the militant organization transported their bodies to Gaza.
Israeli authorities announced on Friday that the bodies of the three hostages had been found, indicating that there are still 121 hostages being held in Gaza. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office believes that at least 37 hostages died in the October 7 attack, with their bodies being held in Gaza.