JERUSALEM, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Israel's Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Sunday identified the slain hostage recovered from Gaza last week as Command Sergeant Major Aviv Atzili, an Israeli reservist.
Atzili's body was recovered from the Khan Younis area of the Gaza Strip during a military operation on June 11, alongside the body of another hostage Yair Yaakov, but publication of his identity was delayed pending the family's approval, Israeli officials said.
Atzili, 49, a father of three and a member of the rapid response team in the community of Kibbutz Nir Oz, was killed during clashes with militants on the morning of the Hamas-led surprise attack on Oct. 7, 2023, and abducted by Islamic Jihad fighters, according to the Shin Bet and IDF.
His partner, Liat Atzili, was abducted by Hamas militants from their home in Nir Oz and later released as part of a hostage deal.
Israel says a total of 53 hostages remain in Gaza, about 20 of whom are believed to be alive. Enditem
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