Thousands joined friends and family as they bid a final farewell to slain hostage Idan Shtivi as he was laid to rest in Central Israel’s Kfar Ma’as on Monday. The funeral procession began in the central city of Rishon Lezion and was accompanied by mourners waving Israeli flags, and some also holding signs reading “Forgive us, Idan.” “Idan had a pure heart; he always saw others and cared for the weaker elements of society,” says his mother, Danit, at his funeral. “He was full of generosity, so sensitive and loving. He was taken from the world at his peak. Idani, you are a child of God… I’m sorry I couldn’t watch over you and protect you.” Bodies of two hostages recovered form Gaza The 28-year-old Israeli youth was abducted from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, and later killed in Gaza. His remains were recovered on Friday along with the body of 57-year-old Ilan Weiss, who was also killed by Hamas militants during the shocking terror attack. Family shattered While Weiss was identified, the Shtivi was confirmed as the second victim on Saturday. The recovery of Shtivi’s body came as a shock to the family, including his father Eli Shtivi, mother Danit, and two siblings, who were hoping for a miracle to happen. “It’s hard to process, but now there is certainty,” Eli Shtivi told Army Radio on Saturday. “Until yesterday, I hoped something else would happen. I didn’t accept that he was murdered – I chose the sanest thing one can choose in such uncertainty, to choose and believe in the good.” Fate of remaining hostages Hamas militants killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the October 7 attack and took 251 people hostage, the majority of whom have been released as part of the ceasefire negotiations. With the recovery of the two bodies on Friday, the number of hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza has been reduced to 48. According to the IDF, only around 20 of the remaining hostages are alive. Israel continues air strike on Gaza Meanwhile, Israel launched strikes across the Gaza Strip on Monday, killing at least 31 people as it presses ahead with a major offensive in the territory's largest city. Airstrikes and artillery shelling have echoed through Gaza City since Israel declared it a combat zone last week. Hospitals in Gaza said at least 31 people were killed by Israeli fire on Monday, more than half of them women and children. At least 13 people were killed in Gaza City, where Israel has carried out several previous large-scale raids. A total of 63,557 Palestinians have been killed in the war, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which says another 160,660 people have been wounded. The ministry doesn't differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count, but says women and children make up around half the dead. Israel says it only targets militants and blames Hamas for civilian casualties because the militant group — now largely reduced to a guerrilla organization — operates in densely populated areas.
