Israel confirms reception of remains of Guy Illouz, Bipin Joshi, and two other hostages

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum later responded to the news by saying: “may their memories be a blessing, as well as those of two other deceased hostages.”

The Israeli army confirmed the reception on Tuesday and informed the families of Guy Illouz and Bipin Joshi that their remains have been brought back to Israel for burial.

The remains of the two other hostages returned Monday evening have also been identified, but their identities have not yet been cleared for publication.

This announcement follows the completion of the identification process by the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, the Israeli army noted. The identification was carried out in collaboration with the Israeli police and the military rabbinate.

The Israeli military noted that, based on its intelligence, Illouz died from wounds that were left untreated while in Hamas captivity.

Illouz and Joshi died in Hamas captivity

According to the army, Illouz, aged 26 when he died, was injured and kidnapped by Hamas after escaping from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023.

Joshi, aged 23, was also taken alive, according to the IDF assessment. Joshi was taken to a shelter on Kibbutz Alumim, but was later murdered while in captivity in the early months of the war.

Final conclusions on the details of the two deceased hostages will be made pending the completion of examinations by the National Institute of Forensic Medicine into the circumstances of their deaths.

“The Israeli army and the Directorate of Prisoners and Missing Persons of the State of Israel express their sincere condolences to the families, continue to make every effort to return all hostages and prepare for the continued implementation of the agreement,” the Israeli army added.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum later responded to the news by saying: “may their memories be a blessing, as well as those of two other deceased hostages.”

The forum expressed hope that with “grief and understanding that their hearts will never be whole,” the news would bring “some comfort to families who have lived in agonizing uncertainty and doubt for more than two years.”

“In these difficult times, our thoughts are with the Illouz family, with the Joshi family, and with you, with all of you, dear family members. The pressure on Hamas to continue and complete the return of the abductees continues and will intensify,” said hostage and missing persons coordinator Brigadier General. (res.) Gal Hirsch wrote to the families of the Gaza hostages after the news broke about Guy Illouz and Bipin Joshi. “