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Israel announced On Saturday, the last remains handed over by Hamas through the Red Cross were those of a deceased hostage.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) identified the deceased hostage as Eliyahu Margalit, known to many as “Churchill,” who was murdered in the October 7, 2023 attacks. It also emphasized that “Hamas is committed to fulfilling its part of the agreement and making the necessary efforts to return all hostages to their families and a dignified burial.”
Israel said Margalit was killed in the horse stables at Kibbutz Nir Oz and his body was then taken to Gaza, where it was held for more than two years. The IDF initially confirmed Margalit’s death in December 2023.
Margalit’s daughter, Nili Margalit, was also taken hostage but was released during the brief ceasefire in November 2023. He leaves behind a wife, three children and grandchildren.
Remains of the last female Hamas hostage and an IDF soldier handed over to Israel
Eliyahu Margalit, 75, was killed in the massacre on October 7, 2023 and his body was taken to Gaza, where it was held until October 18, 2025. (The “Hostages and Missing Families” forum)
“The government of Israel shares the deep sorrow of the Margalit family and all families of the fallen abductees,” the Israeli prime minister said Benjamin Netanyahu the office said in a statement. “The government and the entire Israel Public Security Bureau are determined, committed and working tirelessly to bring all of our fallen abductees back to their country for a proper burial.”
Margalit’s relatives said he went to feed his beloved horses early on the morning of October 7 and the horses were taken away, they said The Times of Israel. The outlet added that Margalit was in charge of the kibbutz’s livestock for many years.
“Our beloved Eli has returned home from Kibbutz Nir Oz, 742 days after his murder and kidnapping. We thank the people of Israel and the Hostage Families Forum for their support in the long fight for his return and promise that we will not stop or rest until the last hostage is returned for burial in Israel,” the family said in a statement, according to The Times of Israel.
Demonstrators stand with portraits of Israeli hostages Eliyahu Margalit, 75, Eli Sharabi, 51, Nimron Cohen, 19, and others during a demonstration by the families of the hostages captured by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip during the October 7, 2023 attacks, demanding action to release the hostages in front of the residence of the Israeli Prime Minister on Azza (Gaza) Street in central Jerusalem on October 24, 2024, amid Israel’s ongoing war with Hamas. (Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty Images)
ISRAEL names two of the four dead hostages returned by Hamas and how they died
The Forum for Hostages and Missing Families, founded after the October 7 massacre, expressed its condolences to Margalit’s family.
“The families of the hostages and those released hug the family of Eliyahu ‘Churchill’ Margalit at this difficult time, after their beloved Eliyahu z’l returned to Israel last night for a proper burial,” the forum wrote. “Along with the sadness and the realization that their hearts will never be whole again, Eliyahu’s return brings a measure of comfort to a family that has lived in unbearable uncertainty and doubt for over two years.” We will not rest until all 18 hostages are brought home.”
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers salute the coffin of Eliyahu Margalit, which is draped in an Israeli flag. (IDF Spokesperson Unit)
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The forum noted that Margalit was “a cowboy at heart” and was associated with an organization called “Riders of the South,” which has brought together equestrian enthusiasts for more than 50 years.
Margalit is the tenth hostage to die returned to Israelwhile the remains of 18 others are still in Gaza. Two of the deceased hostages whose bodies were not returned are Itay Chen, 19, and Omer Neutra, 21, both U.S. citizens.
