Israel has confirmed the identity of Lior Rudaeff, whose body was returned from Gaza, bringing a measure of closure to his family after more than two years. The return is part of a fragile ceasefire deal that has seen the exchange of hostages and prisoners between Israel and Hamas.
Lior Rudaeff, a 61-year-old Israeli-Argentinian, was killed on October 7, 2023, while defending the Nir Yitzhak kibbutz during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel. His body was taken to Gaza by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) armed group, and Israeli authorities confirmed his death in May 2024. The recent identification and return of his remains mark a significant step in the ongoing hostage recovery efforts, with the body reportedly found in Khan Younis in southern Gaza before being handed over.
The body was returned under the US-brokered ceasefire agreement that began in October 2025, which has facilitated the release of all 20 living hostages and the return of 23 out of 28 deceased hostages. This deal includes provisions for prisoner exchanges, increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, and a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces, though sporadic violence has threatened its stability. The remaining five deceased hostages include four from the 2023 attack and one from a 2014 conflict, highlighting ongoing challenges in the process.
In exchange for hostage returns, Israel has freed hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, and has handed over the bodies of 300 Palestinians, adhering to a ratio of 15 Palestinian bodies for each Israeli hostage. This exchange aims to build trust and de-escalate tensions, but both sides have accused each other of violations, such as Israel launching air strikes after alleging Hamas killed soldiers, and Hamas denying involvement. The ceasefire, while technically holding, remains precarious amid these incidents.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a campaign group, welcomed Rudaeff’s return, stating it provides comfort to his family after over two years of uncertainty. They emphasized their commitment to bringing all hostages home, reflecting the deep emotional toll on affected families. Meanwhile, the Israeli Prime Minister’s office reiterated its demand for Hamas to uphold its commitments and return the remaining bodies, underscoring the political pressure to resolve the issue completely.
Israel has criticized Hamas for delays in returning the remaining hostage bodies, citing difficulties in locating them under rubble in Gaza’s devastated areas. Hamas, in response, has argued that the process is slow due to extensive destruction and the challenge of identifying remains, pointing to the humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the conflict. This disagreement highlights the logistical and ethical complexities of recovering bodies in war-torn regions.
The broader context includes a high casualty toll, with Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reporting at least 69,169 Palestinian deaths and 170,685 injuries since October 2023, figures that have risen as more bodies are recovered post-ceasefire. The Israeli military campaign was launched in response to the Hamas attack that killed about 1,200 people in Israel and took 251 hostages, with the conflict causing widespread devastation and international concern.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the return of Rudaeff’s body underscores the fragile progress in the Israel-Gaza conflict, with future steps focused on securing the remaining hostages, stabilizing the ceasefire, and addressing long-term humanitarian needs. International teams, including the Red Cross, are involved in searching for bodies, but the path to lasting peace remains uncertain amid deep-seated tensions and ongoing violence.
