Israeli army recovers body of French-Israeli hostage in Gaza

The Israeli army said Friday it had recovered and returned to Israel the body of French-Israeli hostage Elya Toledano, who was kidnapped and taken to Gaza by militants during Hamas's 7 October attacks.

Toledano, 28, was among an estimated 240 people taken hostage during the Hamas attacks on Israel, which were the deadliest in the country's history.

He was attending a desert rave party named the Tribe of Nova festival along with friend and fellow French-Israeli Mia Schem, who was released under a truce agreement at the end of November.

Scores of mainly Israeli hostages but also foreign nationals were released during the short-lived truce, while several have been confirmed killed in the war that began with the attacks.

Israeli officials say the 7 October attacks killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians.

According to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, Israel's ensuing offensive has killed more than 18,700 people, mostly women and children.

Fears for hostages still held

"During an operation in Gaza, the body of the hostage Elya Toledano (28) was recovered by IDF Special Forces and brought back to Israel," the Israeli army said in a statement, adding that forensic experts had identified the remains.

"The IDF sends the family its heartfelt condolences," it said, adding that Toledano's family had been notified prior to the public statement.

The families of hostages had said in recent weeks that they did not know whether Toledano was still alive.

• French-Israeli Mia Schem among eight hostages freed as Gaza truce ends

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said her country was "deeply saddened to hear the Israeli armed forces announce the death of our compatriot Elya Toledano, a Hamas hostage whose body was found in Gaza".

"We share the grief of his family and loved ones. The release of all hostages is our priority," she wrote on X.

According to the Israeli military, 135 of the hostages taken to Gaza are still being held.

Families of the hostages said this week that they were "shocked" by the director of Israeli intelligence agency Mossad's announcement that he was refusing to conduct new negotiations to free them, and demanded an explanation from the authorities.

US diplomatic push

While the United States has strongly backed Israel's response to Hamas's attacks, it has pressed its ally to do more to minimise civilian casualties.

On Thursday, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met in Tel Aviv with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

During their meeting, Gallant warned that Israel's fight with Hamas "will require a period of time – it will last more than several months, but we will win and we will destroy them".

• Israel under pressure from allies, as Gaza descends into 'Hell on Earth'

Speaking in Washington, US President Joe Biden urged Israel to take more care to protect civilians in Gaza.

"I want them to be focused on how to save civilian lives – not stop going after Hamas, but be more careful," said Biden, whose government has provided Israel with billions of dollars in military aid.

Sullivan is set to hold talks with Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah on Friday.

Discussions will focus on Palestinian security forces, efforts to rein in Israeli settler violence targeting Palestinians in the West Bank, and revitalising the Palestinian Authority, according to a senior Biden administration official.

(with AFP)