Israel's bombing killed soldier captured by Hamas, family says

The family of an Israeli soldier held captive by Hamas has said he was killed by Israeli air strikes during the genocidal war on Gaza.

Tamir Nimrodi, whose body was returned to Israel on Tuesday as part of a ceasefire agreement, was taken alive by Palestinian fighters on 7 October 2023.

He was later killed in captivity during Israeli bombardments, according to his family and the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.

“Tamir was kidnapped alive from his base and killed by IDF [Israeli army] bombings in captivity,” the forum said in a statement.

The Israeli military confirmed that Nimrodi was captured alive and died at the start of the war, though it did not specify the cause of death.

Dozens of Israeli captives are believed to have been killed by Israeli air strikes and gunfire throughout the war.

Nimrodi was one of three deceased captives whose bodies were returned by Hamas on Tuesday, following the return of four more bodies the previous day.

Additional remains are expected to be handed over on Wednesday.

Hamas has pledged to return the remaining 21 deceased captives once they are located, though there are fears some may never be found. 

Israeli troops 'killed civilian during Hamas attack and covered it up'

Read More »

A senior Hamas source told Middle East Eye on Tuesday that the Israeli public "should hold Netanyahu, his cabinet, and the Israeli army responsible for the killing of these hostages and the loss of their bodies under the rubble".

“As a result of the genocidal war committed by Israel, many hostages were killed along with their Palestinian resistance guards, and communication was lost with some of the units responsible for their bodies,” the source said.

The source added that Hamas was actively working to locate and recover them. 

On Monday, Hamas released all 20 living captives as US President Donald Trump declared the war “over”.

In return, around 2,000 Palestinian detainees were released. As part of the same agreement, the bodies of approximately 400 Palestinians are to be returned to Gaza in exchange for the deceased Israeli captives.

Israel has so far released around 45 bodies. Medical sources told MEE that some of the corpses showed signs of torture, execution, or having been run over by tanks. Others were missing limbs.

Israeli ceasefire violations 

Early on Tuesday, Israel threatened to roll back parts of its ceasefire commitments aimed at easing the siege on Gaza, citing alleged delays by Hamas in returning the bodies of deceased Israeli captives.

According to local media, Israeli authorities considered keeping the Rafah crossing with Egypt closed and significantly restricting the entry of humanitarian aid.

Israel slashes aid to Gaza as Trump threatens to 'violently' disarm Hamas

Read More »

Israel also reportedly informed the United Nations that no fuel or gas would be allowed into Gaza, except for what it deems essential for “humanitarian infrastructure”.

In response, the UN urged Israel to reopen the Rafah crossing without delay.

“We need all crossings open. The longer Rafah stays closed, the more the suffering prolongs for people in Gaza, especially those displaced in the south," said UN spokesperson Ricardo Pires on Tuesday.

Following the release of three Israeli captives late on Tuesday, Israel is expected to continue implementing the terms of the agreement. Around 600 aid trucks are scheduled to enter the blockaded Strip on Wednesday.

However, the Rafah crossing is expected to remain closed until logistical preparations for its reopening are completed. The crossing was almost entirely destroyed by Israeli forces during their invasion of Rafah.

These threats from Israel come as Palestinian authorities in Gaza report at least 27 violations of the ceasefire agreement so far, including the killing of at least seven people on Tuesday.