Body Of Returned Hostage Identified As Eliyahu Margalit HY’D

Military representatives notified the family of Eliyahu Margalit, 75, that his body was returned to Israel by Hamas last night, following his identification by forensic experts.

Margalit, known by his nickname “Churchill,” was murdered by Hamas terrorists at the stables in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, and his body was kidnapped. He had been responsible for the cattle at the kibbutz for many years. His daughter, Nili Margalit, 40, was also kidnapped on October 7, and was released from Hamas captivity on November 30.

Hamas has since returned two additional bodies, passing them to the Red Cross for transfer to Israel. The two returned bodies have yet to be publicly identified.