2 Coffins of Deceased Hostages Returned to Israel: Aryeh Zalmanovich AND Tamir Adar from Nir Oz

The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed late Tuesday that the bodies of Aryeh (Zalman) Zalmanovich and Tamir Adar, both abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, have been returned to Israel. The coffins, received via the Red Cross from Hamas, crossed the border into Israeli territory and were transferred to the Institute of Forensic Medicine for identification.

Following the transfer, 13 abducted martyrs are still believed to remain in Gaza. Hamas provided no information about the identities of the deceased prior to the exchange.

“The families of all the deceased abductees have been notified, and our hearts go out to them at this difficult time,” the Prime Minister’s Office stated. “The effort to return all abductees continues relentlessly and will not cease until the last one is home.”

As the convoy carrying the coffins made its way to the Institute, dozens of Eshkol Regional Council residents accompanied it in a gesture of solidarity and mourning.

Hamas Accused of “Cynical Game”

Israeli officials expressed frustration that Hamas returned only two bodies, despite expectations that additional abductees might be released during U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance’s visit to Israel.

“The terrorist organization is playing a cynical game,” a senior Israeli source told N12. “It could return a larger number of abductees at once. We know Hamas is capable of returning more — and much faster.”

The transfer procedure mirrored previous exchanges: remains were passed from Hamas to the Red Cross, then to IDF and Shin Bet personnel. Inside Gaza, a short ceremony was held, including the recitation of Tehillim (Psalms) by the Chief Military Rabbi and the placing of Israeli flags over the coffins before their return to Israel.

Fallen Nir Yitzhak Commander Brought Home

Earlier this week, Israel also received the body of Tal Haimi, commander of the Nir Yitzhak emergency squad, who was killed defending his community on October 7 and abducted to Gaza.

Haimi, 42, is survived by his wife and four children, the youngest of whom was born in May 2024, six months after his death on what Israelis call the “Black Sabbath.”

His remains were handed over by Hamas terrorists in southern Gaza to Red Cross personnel, who then transferred them to IDF and Shin Bet forces. A military ceremony was held in Gaza before his body was brought home for burial.

“The Nir Yitzhak community and the families of the abductees embrace the Haimi family, whose beloved Tal has returned for a proper burial,” said the Abductees Headquarters. “Along with the profound grief and the knowledge that the heart will never be whole, Tal’s return offers a small measure of solace after over two years of uncertainty and anguish. We will not rest or remain silent until every last abductee is home.”

Continued IDF Operations in Gaza

Despite the ongoing ceasefire and international stabilization efforts, IDF forces continue limited operations in Gaza.

Yesterday afternoon, two IDF soldiers were lightly wounded by an IED explosion in the southern Gaza Strip. They were evacuated to a hospital for treatment, and their families were notified.

The IDF said troops operating in Khan Yunis worked to uncover terror infrastructure and later struck several targets posing immediate threats to forces in the area.

Officials emphasized that, alongside diplomatic and humanitarian channels, the recovery of both living and deceased hostages remains one of Israel’s highest national priorities.