The body of Israeli hostage Ilan Weiss has been recovered in an operation in the Gaza Strip, Israel's military has announced. Weiss, 56, was killed during Hamas's attack in southern Israel on 7 October 2023. The remains of a second hostage, whose identity has not been released, were also recovered, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Following the attack, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage, Israel launched a significant military offensive in Gaza. Since the onset of the conflict, at least 62,966 Palestinians have been reported dead as per the Hamas-run health ministry.

Ilan Weiss was killed while defending Kibbutz Beeri on the day of the attack, and his body was taken to Gaza. His wife, Shiri, and daughter, Noga, were taken hostage as well but were released during a temporary ceasefire in November 2023. Israeli President Isaac Herzog praised Weiss for his courage and recognized his family's resilience.

Currently, there are still 48 hostages in Gaza, with the Israeli government facing mounting pressure to negotiate for their return amidst ongoing military actions and widespread protests calling for peace. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is advancing Israel's operations to secure the entire Gaza Strip, despite warnings about humanitarian crises from Western nations and the UN. The situation remains dire as military strikes have led to further casualties, highlighting the urgent need for a resolution.