The bodies of four more Israeli hostages have been returned from Gaza, bringing a somber mix of grief and relief to families who have waited in agony for news.
The Israeli military confirmed that the coffins had crossed the border and were being taken for formal identification. The families of the hostages have been notified, with officials expressing solidarity in their pain and vowing that efforts to bring everyone home — living or deceased — will continue until the last hostage is found.
The returned hostages were identified as Guy Illouz, Bipin Joshi, Yossi Sharabi, and Daniel Peretz. Their families have endured years of uncertainty since the October 2023 attacks that led to their capture.
Across Israel, emotions are raw. Some families who have recently been reunited with their loved ones say they are finally beginning the long road toward healing. “After two years, I can finally breathe,” said one mother whose son returned home. Another wife shared that her husband could finally hear his children call him “father” again — a moment she had promised to fight for since the day he was taken.
But for many, closure remains out of reach. Relatives of those still missing say they cannot move forward until every hostage — living or deceased — is brought home. “We understand it will take time, but we’ll keep fighting for each and every one,” said a family member of one of the missing.
Tensions are growing over the pace of the returns. Some Israeli leaders have called for aid to Gaza to be restricted until all hostages’ remains are returned, while others urge restraint to maintain the fragile ceasefire. Aid deliveries into Gaza have already been reduced amid delays in the handover process.
Meanwhile, families of the freed hostages are trying to rebuild their lives. “We’ve reached the recovery stage,” said one wife of a released captive. “Now, we have to rebuild our family.”
The grief, relief, and determination shared by these families reflect a nation still caught between heartbreak and hope — waiting for the day when every story has an ending, and every loved one is home.