Israeli forces recovered on Wednesday the bodies of five hostages killed in Hamas' Oct. 7 attack and held in Gaza since, the Israeli military said.
Maya Goren, a 56-year-old kindergarden teacher, was killed during the attack on her kibbutz, Nir Oz, according to Israeli Army Radio, one of the communities worst hit in the deadly attack in southern Israel that triggered the devastating war.
The other four hostages were two reserve soldiers and two conscript soldiers killed in combat during the Oct. 7 attack, the military said.
Their bodies were retrieved from the area of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, where Israeli forces launched new raids this week.
The five had been listed among 120 hostages still in Gaza, about a third of whom Israel has declared dead in absentia, based on forensic findings, intelligence, interrogations of captured militants, videos and testimony of released hostages.
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How would you feel if a loved one's remains were held by another group after a conflict, and why?
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What do you believe is the importance of retrieving fallen soldiers' or civilians' bodies in the context of war?
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If you were in a position of power, would you negotiate with a group holding hostages, and what would guide your decision?
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How does knowing the personal story of someone affected by a conflict, like a teacher killed in an attack, change your perception of the war?
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In your opinion, what are the ethical considerations in reporting and discussing casualties and hostages in conflicts?