Israel claims to has found body of one of its captives

According to Israeli sources, on Thursday the body of Ilan Weiss, a 56-year-old who was taken captive by Hamas during the October 7 operation, was found. In addition, Israel announced that the remains of another Israeli captive killed in Gaza had also been discovered, though the individual’s identity has not yet been confirmed.

Benjamin Netanyahu continues to insist on pursuing the war in Gaza, even as dozens of Israeli captives have already been killed—either by Israeli airstrikes on Gaza or by starvation caused by the famine gripping the enclave. Earlier estimates suggested that around 50 Israeli captives remained in Gaza, with about 20 of them possibly still alive.

Netanyahu has blocked any ceasefire in Gaza despite repeated protests by families of the captives, who have demanded a ceasefire and the safe return of their relatives. Some analysts argue that Netanyahu’s refusal to agree to a ceasefire is tied to his efforts to secure his own political survival.