The remains of a hostage returned to Israel on Tuesday were identified as those of Dror Or, Israeli officials said early on Wednesday.
“The Government of Israel shares in the deep sorrow of the Or family and all the families of the fallen hostages,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement on Wednesday.
In this file photo, a woman holds a placard bearing a photo of Israeli hostage Dror Or as relatives and supporters of hostages held in Gaza since the Oct. 7 attacks block the Ayalon highway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem near Latrun on April 19, 2024, during a protest calling for their release.
Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty Images
Or, 48, was killed during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel, according to the Israel Defense Forces.
Red Cross convoy carrying the remains of a person believed to be a deceased hostage handed over by Gaza militants makes its way toward the border crossing with Israel, to be transferred to Israeli authorities, in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025.
Abdel Kareem Hana/AP
Or’s remains were taken from his home, in the Be’eri kibbutz, into Gaza, the military said on social media.
“His wife, Yonat Or, was also murdered during the attack on the kibbutz,” the IDF said on Wednesday. “Two of his children, Alma and Noam, were also abducted and returned two years ago, as part of the hostage release agreement in November 2023.”
