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Israel has said it recovered the bodies of two people kidnapped and held hostage by Hamas since October 7, 2023. The news came as Israel claimed aid centers in Gaza will reopen today. DW has the latest
https://p.dw.com/p/4vS58
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- Israel says it has recovered the bodies of two individuals abducted by the Islamist militant group Hamas.
- Israel also claimed that aid distribution centers in the war-torn enclave of Gaza would reopen on Thursday.
- Distribution has been hampered by Israel blocking traditional aid organizations and three shootings by the Israeli military at aid centers.
- Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar traveled to Berlin Thursday to meet with German FM Johann Wadepful.
Follow below for the main developments on Israel and the crisis in the Middle East on Thursday, June 5:
06/05/2025June 5, 2025
Israel recovers bodies of two hostages
Israel on Thursday announced that it had recovered the bodies of two of its citizens taken hostage by the Islamist militant group Hamas — which is labeled a terror organization by Israel, the US and many other nations — on October 7, 2023.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu identified the bodies as those of Judith Weinstein (70) and Gad Haggai (72). The couple was initially pronounced dead in December 2023. The two were kidnapped at Kibbutz Nir Oz while on an early morning walk.
Weinstein was able to call Israeli emergency services before she disappeared, saying that both she and her husband had been shot.
Hamas militants killed some 1,200 people on October 7. Of the 251 individuals taken by the group, 56 remain under their control. Around a third of those hostages are thought to be alive. Many have been released in exchanges between Israel and Hamas, and eight were rescued alive by Israeli forces.
https://p.dw.com/p/4vS9g
Skip next section Welcome to our Gaza coverage for Thursday06/05/2025June 5, 2025
Welcome to our Gaza coverage for Thursday
Welcome to our Gaza coverage this Thursday, June 5. DW will bring you the latest from the region as Israel claims to have recovered the bodies of a couple taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, 2023 and the country's foreign minister travels to Berlin for consultations with German leaders.
Israel also said it would reopen controversial aid centers for Gazans desperately searching for food assistance after they were shut on Wednesday.
https://p.dw.com/p/4vS9e
