On June 22, 2025, Israel’s Shin Bet and IDF announced they successfully recovered the bodies of three individuals—Ofra Keidar (71), Yonatan Samerano (21), and Staff Sgt. Shay Levinson (19)—who were abducted and murdered by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attack.
The operation was a joint effort by the IDF’s Gaza Division and Shin Bet, relying on precise intelligence from the Hostages Headquarters and IDF Intelligence Directorate. Ofra Keidar was killed near her Be’eri kibbutz home; Samerano, abducted at the Nova music festival, and Levinson, a tank commander killed in nearby combat, were confirmed slain on the day of the attack.
Following the recovery, the remains were transported to Israel’s Abu Kabir Forensic Institute for identification, and families were officially informed. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum described the return as both somber and a moment of solace for the grieving families, urging renewed efforts to locate the estimated 50 remaining captives—around 20 believed still alive.
These recoveries occurred alongside intensifying Israeli strikes in Gaza and Iran, part of a broader pressure campaign. While the return of the bodies provides closure for some, it highlights the ongoing tragedy of those still missing.
