Israel identifies 1 of 2 hostages returned from Gaza as an 85-year-old man abducted by Hamas

Israel on Tuesday identified the remains of 85-year-old Aryeh Zalmanovich, saying the Nir Oz resident was among two deceased hostages returned from Gaza and was believed to have been murdered by Hamas while in captivity.

The IDF said Zalmanovich’s family was notified after forensic experts confirmed his identity, adding that final conclusions about his death will follow a full medical examination. The second set of remains has not yet been publicly named at the family’s request.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the coffins were handed over to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet force inside Gaza. From there, they were transferred to Israel, where they were to be received in a military ceremony with the chief military rabbi.

Once received, the bodies were placed into the custody of the National Center of Forensic Medicine of the Ministry of Health to be identified. 

ISRAEL NAMES TWO OF FOUR DEAD HOSTAGES RETURNED BY HAMAS, HOW THEY DIED

The prime minister’s office said all families of the deceased hostages have been updated and sympathy has been expressed for their loss.

"The effort to return our hostages continues ceaselessly and will not stop until the very last hostage is returned," Netanyahu’s office said.

REMAINS OF LAST FEMALE HAMAS HOSTAGE AND IDF SOLDIER HANDED OVER TO ISRAEL

According to intelligence available to the military, Zalmanovich was abducted by Hamas from his home in Nir Oz and is believed to have been murdered while in captivity. He leaves behind two sons and five grandchildren.

The news comes the same day remains of a hostage returned from Gaza were identified as Sgt. Maj. Tal Haimi, commander of Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak’s rapid response team.

Haimi was 41 when he died, and, according to the IDF, he was killed in combat while defending Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak during the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre. His remains were taken to Gaza, where they were held for more than two years.

REMAINS OF LAST FEMALE HAMAS HOSTAGE AND IDF SOLDIER HANDED OVER TO ISRAEL

Haimi's family initially believed he was taken alive, and Israel declared him deceased Dec. 13, 2023.

Following the identification of Haimi's remains, Netanyahu's office expressed condolences to his family and reiterated its call for Hamas to release the remains of all deceased hostages for proper burial.

The IDF echoed the call, demanding Hamas fulfill its obligations under the agreement brokered by the Trump administration.

On Oct. 13, 2025, the final 20 living hostages returned to Israel after more than two years in captivity. Since then, the remains of 28 deceased hostages have gradually been returned, while 13 others — including U.S. citizens Itay Chen and Omer Neutra and soldier Hadar Goldin, whose body has been held since 2014 — remain in Gaza.

Fox News Digital’s Rachel Wolf contributed to this report.