Updated by FFRNews on November 8, 2025
Israel says the body of Lior Rudaeff, an Israeli-Argentinian citizen, has been returned from Gaza as part of the ongoing ceasefire and hostage exchange deal. Rudaeff, aged 61, was killed while defending the Nir Yitzhak kibbutz during the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. His body was taken to Gaza by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) armed group, according to the Israeli military.
The military confirmed on Friday that the body had been handed over by Hamas and identified as Rudaeff’s. The PIJ said it found the body in Khan Younis, a city in southern Gaza that has been heavily affected by ongoing conflict.
Hostage Deal and Body Returns Under Ceasefire Agreement
The return of Rudaeff’s remains marks another step in the ceasefire deal that began on October 10. Under the first phase of the agreement, Hamas returned 20 living hostages and 23 bodies out of 28 deceased hostages to Israel. Of the five bodies still unreturned, four are Israeli and one is Thai.
Israel has criticized Hamas for delays in returning all bodies, while Hamas claims that the ongoing destruction in Gaza has made it difficult to locate and recover the remains from beneath rubble.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a campaign organization representing the families of those abducted, issued a statement following the return of Rudaeff’s body:
“Lior’s return provides some measure of comfort to a family that has lived with agonising uncertainty and doubt for over two years. We will not rest until the last hostage is brought home.”
Exchange of Prisoners and Bodies
As part of the US-brokered ceasefire deal, Israel has released 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,718 detainees from Gaza. Additionally, it handed over the bodies of 285 Palestinians in exchange for 19 Israeli hostages and the bodies of three foreign nationals — one Thai, one Nepalese, and one Tanzanian.
These exchanges are part of a fragile process aimed at de-escalating tensions in Gaza while addressing humanitarian and hostage-related concerns.
Ceasefire Tensions and Renewed Violence
Despite the ceasefire, violence has flared up intermittently. The agreement included provisions for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces, and a halt to active combat operations.
However, both sides have accused the other of violating the ceasefire terms. Israel launched airstrikes following incidents where it claimed Hamas fighters killed two Israeli soldiers on October 19 and another on October 28. Hamas denied involvement in those attacks, stating it was unaware of the clashes.
Since the start of the ceasefire, Israeli military actions have killed at least 241 people, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry, which provides figures viewed by the United Nations as broadly reliable.
Background: The October 7, 2023 Attack
The Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, was one of the deadliest in Israel’s history. Gunmen from Hamas and its allies killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel and took 251 hostages. Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has been devastating, with at least 68,875 people reported killed by Israeli airstrikes and ground assaults, according to the same health ministry.
All but one of the dead hostages still held in Gaza were abducted during that initial October 7 attack.
Regional and International Reactions
The ongoing hostage exchange and ceasefire monitoring have drawn close attention from international mediators, including the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. These countries continue to push for a longer-term truce and further humanitarian access to Gaza.
Analysts say that while the return of hostages and bodies represents progress, trust between Israel and Hamas remains deeply fractured. The situation continues to be volatile, with fears that renewed conflict could erupt if the ceasefire collapses.
The United Nations has called for restraint, warning both sides that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains “catastrophic.” Meanwhile, Israeli officials say they will continue to pursue the return of all remaining hostages — both living and deceased.
The case of Lior Rudaeff has become symbolic of the deep personal and national wounds caused by this prolonged conflict. His family, along with hundreds of others, continues to demand accountability and closure as the ceasefire deal unfolds.
Looking Ahead: Future of the Ceasefire Deal
Observers believe the next phase of the ceasefire will focus on extending the truce and enabling more comprehensive exchanges of detainees and remains. Israel has expressed cautious optimism that international pressure may compel Hamas and its allies to fully comply with the existing agreement.
However, with tensions still high, the path to lasting peace appears uncertain.
For further coverage on Israeli politics and regional conflicts, visit FFRNews Politics or read more from trusted sources like BBC and Al Jazeera.
