Israel confirms reception of remains of Guy Illouz, Bipin Joshi, Yossi Sharabi, Daniel Peretz

The announcements follow the completion of the identification process by the National Institute of Forensic Medicine. Identification was completed in collaboration with the Israel Police and the Military Rabbinate.

The IDF noted that, based on its intelligence, Illouz died from wounds that remained untreated while in Hamas captivity.

After completing the identification process by the National Forensic Medicine Institute, in cooperation with the Israel Police and the Military Rabbi's Office, IDF representatives informed the families that their identification has been completed.

The Israeli government expresses its deepest condolences to the families of Illouz, Joshi, Peretz, and Sharabi, and to all the families of the fallen hostages.

Joshi, who was 23 years old, was also abducted alive, according to the IDF’s assessment. Joshi was taken from a shelter in Kibbutz Alumim, but was later murdered while in captivity in the early months of the war.

The final conclusions on the details of both deceased hostages are forthcoming pending the completion of the National Institute of Forensic Medicine’s examinations into the circumstances of their deaths.

“The IDF and the Prisoners and Missing Persons Directorate of the State of Israel express their deep condolences to the families, continue to make every effort to return all the hostages, and are preparing for the continued implementation of the agreement,” the IDF added.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum subsequently responded to the news, stating, “may their memories be a blessing, together with two additional deceased hostages.”

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

"In these difficult hours, our hearts are with the Illouz family, with the Joshi family, and with you, with all of you, the dear family members. The pressure on Hamas to continue and complete the return of the abductees continues and will intensify," Coordinator for Hostages and Missing Persons Brig.-Gen. (res.) Gal Hirsch wrote to the families of the families of the Gaza hostages after the news regarding Guy Illouz and Bipin Joshi broke."

Foreign Ministry Director General Eden Bar Tal spoke with Nepalese Foreign Ministry Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai, following the return of the body of the late Bipin Joshi prior to the flight of his coffin to Nepal.

In the conversation, Bar Tal expressed his sorrow over the brutal murder of the late Bipin Joshi by Hamas and offered condolences on behalf of the State of Israel to Nepal and the Nepalese people.

The foreign minister informed his Nepalese counterpart that ceremonies are expected to be held in his memory when his coffin leaves the airport in Israel, as well as a ceremony with the participation of the Israeli ambassador to Nepal upon the coffin's arrival in Nepal.

He also emphasized that the State of Israel will continue to provide the family of the late Bipin Joshi with all the care and rights due to the family of a murdered Israeli. Nepalese Foreign Ministry Secretary Bahadur Rai expressed deep appreciation for the State of Israel's handling of the difficult event.

The Sharabi family has confirmed that the remains Yossi Sharabi were returned to Israel on Monday night following forensic confirmation.

Yossi was kidnapped alive from his home in Kibbutz Be'eri and murdered in captivity.

Nira, Yossi's wife shared, "We miss our Yossi so much, he was an amazing partner and a perfect father to Yuval, Ophir, and Oren. A kind-hearted man who always sought ways to do good. Now we can finally end the nightmare that began more than two years ago, and give Yossi a dignified and loving burial in the land of Be'eri, which he loved so much. We call on everyone to continue fighting for the return of all the kidnapped remains, until the last hostage is brought home."

Kibbutz Be'eri said that it embraced the Sharabi family at this time.

"In this difficult and complex time, we hope that you will find some comfort knowing that the circle of horrors from the past two years has now closed," the Kibbutz published. "We join Nira’s words and demand the full implementation of the agreement. Kibbutz Be'eri awaits the return of Meni Godard z"l, Sahar Baruch z"l, Dror Or z"l, and all the deceased hostages, and calls for the struggle to continue without compromise, until the last hostage is returned."

The date of the funeral will be announced later today.

South African-Israeli dual national Daniel Shimon Peretz, 22, was confirmed as the fourth body returned by Hamas on Monday, Shai Raichner, the head of Nahal Sorek Regional Council, announced.

"Dear residents,  We were updated that the body of Daniel Peretz was returned to Israel and identified. Details of the funeral date and additional Shiva will be announced later," he shared. "We, all the residents of the council, embrace the Peretz family in these unusual moments - of pain, relief and closure of a long circle of waiting and hope. May his memory be a blessing."

Peretz immigrated to Israel with his family at age 13.

The sports fan had worked hard to improve his health, after injuring himself while skiing, so that he could serve in the Armored Corps. He fulfilled his dream and graduated with honors from a tank commanders course, and later graduated with honors from an officers course.

On October 7, Daniel was stationed at Nahal Oz. He and his tank crew helped repel many of the invading terrorists. During the battle, Daniel was wounded and kidnapped and, after 163 days in captivity, he was declared a fallen IDF soldier.

Fighting alongside him were captivity survivor Matan Angrest, Staff Sergeant Itay Chen, who is still held captive in Gaza, and Sergeant Tomer Leibovitz, who fell in battle.