The 16 hostages whose bodies are still held in Gaza

Israel has watched and rejoiced as the final living hostages held by Hamas in Gaza were released and returned last week to Israel, where they and their families can begin their journeys of healing and rehabilitation together.

But 16 families still wait for closure as their loved ones’ bodies remain held in the Gaza Strip, leaving them unable to bury their sons and fathers.

On Saturday, the sister of Lt. Hadar Goldin, who was killed in 2014 and whose body has been held by Hamas ever since, said the fight for the return of the bodies was the “last and hardest,” and called on the public not to abandon the families.

“We need you now in the last and hardest battle of all. The least sexy battle, in which there will be no hugs,” said Ayelet Goldin. “There will be bowed heads, final respect, heroism, and a beautiful and pure Israeliness that preserves its values ​​for the sake of our children.”

The 16 include civilians abducted from their homes near the Gaza border, soldiers, and one police officer.

The latest ceasefire marks a key step toward ending the ruinous two-year war that was triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, when invaders killed 1,200 people and kidnapped 251.

Before the deal was reached, there were 48 hostages held in Gaza, including Goldin.

On October 13, the 20 living hostages among them were released.

The bodies of 28 who were killed on October 7 or died in captivity, were meant to follow, but thus far, Hamas has only returned 12 of them.

Their families of these final 16 remain in limbo, as Hamas claims it is currently unable to reach some and does not know where others are. Israeli officials have said they do not believe the terror group’s claims on the matter.

Tamir Adar, 38

Tamir Adar was killed while fighting together with the local security team against the Hamas invasion of Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, and his body was abducted to Gaza.

His fate was unknown until January 2024, when his family was informed that he had been killed in the attack. They were able to sit shiva but not to hold a funeral.

His mother, Yael Adar, wrote, “We have been doing everything in our power to bring Tamir home to be buried here, in the land he loved, the land of Nir Oz. Tamir is worthy of this. Tamir believed that he was doing the right thing because we are all responsible for each other.”

Adar has been described as a family man who loved nature and people, and a role model and source of inspiration for the youth he worked with at the Ramon Foundation.

Sahar Baruch, 24

Sahar Baruch was abducted alive from Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7, 2023, while his grandmother, Geula Baruch, and brother, Edan Baruch, were killed.

The brothers had successfully escaped their house, which Hamas terrorists had lobbed grenades into and set on fire, but Sahar went back to get his asthmatic brother’s inhaler and was captured and taken to Gaza. His brother was murdered.

The IDF said in January that Baruch had been killed in captivity during a failed rescue attempt. Troops had entered a building, believing they were going to rescue Noa Argamani but instead found Baruch. Hamas terrorists opened fire and Baruch was killed, though it is unclear whether he was hit by Hamas or so-called friendly fire.

Baruch was described by his aunt, Merav Barkai, as sharp and smart with a sense of humor. She said he loved chess, anime, and science fiction.

Itay Chen, 19

Staff Sgt. Itay Chen was killed while fighting Hamas on the Gaza border on October 7, 2023, and his body was abducted to Gaza.

Itay was killed alongside fellow tank crew members, Sgt. Tomer Leibovitz and Cpt. Daniel Perez, and his body was abducted together with Perez’s. Perez was returned last week and laid to rest, but Itay remains in Gaza.

The crew’s fourth member, Matan Angrest, was abducted alive and also released last week. Speaking at Perez’s funeral, Angrest promised to keep fighting for Itay’s return and even said he was “ready to go into Gaza right now and bring him back.”

The family of Chen, a US national, has been among the most outspoken proponents for the families of hostages and has decided not to sit shiva for him until he is returned and laid to rest.

Amiram Cooper, 85

Amiram Cooper was taken captive from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, along with his wife Nurit, who was released 16 days later.

In March of 2024, Hamas claimed Cooper had been killed in an Israeli airstrike alongside his friends, Chaim Peri and Yoram Metzger. However, the IDF later recovered the bodies of the other two and said it believed they had been shot dead a month earlier.

Cooper’s family sat shiva for him but is waiting for his body to be returned so he can be laid to rest.

Cooper was described as a romantic, a man of ideas, and a father full of gentleness and warmth.

Oz Daniel, 19

Sgt. Oz Daniel was killed while battling Hamas terrorists near the Gaza border on October 7, 2023, and his body was abducted to Gaza.

He was officially declared dead in February 2024, and his family sat shiva and held a funeral, although they were unable to bury him. They await the opportunity to do so.

Daniel’s mother, Meirav, told Channel 12 news that as long as his body remains in Gaza, she cannot properly grieve him because it gives her a tiny shred of hope that he is actually alive.

Meny Godard, 73

Meny Godard was murdered in Kibbutz Be’eri by Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists alongside his wife, Ayelet, on October 7, 2023, and his body was abducted to Gaza.

A joint funeral was held for the couple weeks later, but only Ayelet was buried.

Godard was described as a man who loved sports, the ocean, and people. He was also a dedicated member of the kibbutz, holding a variety of positions within it.

Hadar Goldin, 23

Lt. Hadar Goldin was killed in Operation Protective Edge in Gaza in 2014, and his body was taken captive by Hamas and has remained in Gaza ever since.

He was killed alongside Oron Shaul, whose body was also held captive but was retrieved by the IDF in January this year.

Goldin’s family has fought to be able to bury their son in Israel for 11 years.

Ran Gvili, 24

Sgt. First Class Ran Gvili was killed battling Hamas terrorists in Kibbutz Alumim on October 7, 2023, and his body was abducted to Gaza.

Gvili had been at the hospital that morning awaiting surgery but decided to go help when he heard of the Hamas onslaught on southern communities.

He was last heard from when he texted a friend to say he had been shot in the leg.

In January 2024, the family was notified that he had been killed in the attack.

Tal Haimi, 41

Tal Haimi was killed in Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak on October 7, 2023, while fighting alongside the local rapid response team against the Hamas invasion.

While he was initially declared missing, Haimi’s family was informed the following December that his body had been taken captive.

He was described by his wife, Ela, as a clear, straightforward person who “brought so much stability” to her life.

Asaf Hamami, 40

Col. Asaf Hamami was killed fighting Hamas terrorists in Kibbutz Nirim on October 7, 2023, and his body was abducted to Gaza.

His family did not know whether he was alive or dead until the IDF confirmed his death the following December.

Asaf’s family held a funeral for him but were unable to bury his body and await the opportunity to do so.

He was described as a funny and witty person who had a deep love for his family.

Joshua Loitu Mollel, 21

Joshua Mollel, a Tanzanian agriculture intern, was taken hostage by Hamas terrorists from Kibbutz Nahal Oz on October 7, 2023.

His death was confirmed in December 2023, and his family said they had been told Hamas terrorists murdered him immediately after they had abducted him.

Mollel was said to be excited about farming and wanted to open an agricultural business when he returned home to Tanzania.

Omer Neutra, 21

Cpt. Omer Neutra was killed while battling Hamas near Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, and his body was abducted to Gaza.

Omer, a lone soldier from the US, was assumed to be alive until December 2024, when the IDF confirmed that he had been killed during Hamas’s attack.

Neutra was described as a dedicated and courageous leader.

Dror Or, 48

Dror Or was murdered by Hamas terrorists and abducted from his home in Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7, 2023.

His wife, Yonat, was also murdered, and his kids, Noam and Alma, were abducted alive and released a month later as part of a hostage deal.

Dror was believed to be alive until his family was notified the following May that he had been murdered on October 7.

Dror was described as a talented culinary producer and a family man with inner peace and the ability to dissolve frictions between people.

Sudthisak Rinthalak, 42

Sudthisak Rinthalak was murdered by Hamas terrorists in Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7, 2023, and his body was taken captive to Gaza.

Rinthalak was an agricultural worker from Thailand who sent money home to help his struggling family. On the morning of the attack, he was working on the kibbutz when he was murdered.

His family was notified in May 2024 that he had been murdered.

Rinthalak’s father said he was now the “missing pillar of the family.”

Lior Rudaeff, 61

Lior Rudaeff was killed near his home in Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak on October 7, 2023, while aiding the local rapid response team in its battle against an attack by Hamas terrorists.

His family believed he was being held alive in Gaza, but was notified in May 2024 that he had been killed on October 7 and  his body had been taken to Gaza.

Lior was described as having had a dark sense of humor and a huge heart and being direct, dedicated, and caring.

Arie Zalmanowicz, 85

Arie Zalmanowicz was abducted to Gaza by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, and died in captivity a month later.

The IDF confirmed his death in December 2023, setting his date of death as November 17, 2023.

Rescued hostage Farhan al-Qadi later said he had been with Zalmanowicz when he died of lack of treatment for his diabetes, malnutrition, and neglect, adding that Zalmanowicz’s death broke him. He also said he had spoken of his family at length in the days leading up to his death.

Zalmanowicz’s family sat shiva but has been awaiting the return of his body to be able to hold a funeral.

He was described by his family as a modest and playful person with mischievous toughness.