Israel says bodies of 2 hostages returned as military begins Gaza City offensive

GAZA CITY: Israel on Friday said its military had recovered the bodies of two hostages, including an Israeli man who was killed in the Oct 7 attack that sparked the war.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement that the bodies of Ilan Weiss of Kibbutz Be'eri and another unnamed hostage were returned to Israel.

Of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas-led militants almost 22 months ago, roughly 50 remain in Gaza including 20 that Israel believes to be alive.