The body of Eliyahu “Churchill” Margalit, an Israeli kidnapped and murdered by Hamas militants during the Oct. 7 attack on the Nir Oz kibbutz, has been identified and returned to Israel. Margalit, a devoted cattleman and horseman, was abducted after being killed near his stables, which were also destroyed in the attack. His wife survived, while their daughter was held hostage in Gaza for 55 days before release. Hamas transferred Margalit’s body to the Red Cross following Israeli demands, but 18 other hostages’ bodies remain held in Gaza amid ongoing disputes over their recovery.

Israeli officials accuse Hamas of using the bodies as bargaining chips and not making sufficient efforts to locate and return them, despite Israel providing coordinates to aid the search. Hamas claims technical difficulties hinder further recoveries and denies interest in holding the bodies. International mediators, including U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, are actively involved in negotiating the return of hostages and remains, with the U.S. emphasizing its commitment to securing the release of all hostages and the return of their bodies.