Body of Slain Hostage Idan Shtivi Identified Days After Recovery from gaza
TEL AVIV – The body of Idan Shtivi, an Israeli hostage killed by Hamas, was positively identified several days after being recovered from the Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces announced August 30, 2025. Shtivi was among 251 people abducted by Hamas-led terrorists on October 7, 2023, during a devastating attack on southern Israel.
The identification comes as negotiations for the release of remaining hostages remain stalled.A proposed deal,brokered by Qatar and approved by Hamas on August 18,envisions the release of 10 hostages along with the bodies of 18 slain captives in five batches over a 60-day ceasefire,during which the sides will hold talks on the terms of the release of the remaining hostages and a permanent end to the war.
However, the Israeli government has yet to formally discuss the proposed deal, signaling a preference for continuing its military operations aimed at capturing and controlling Gaza city, despite the offer being nearly identical to a previous agreement crafted by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and approved by Jerusalem last month.
As of august 30, 2025, terror groups in Gaza are holding 48 hostages, including 47 of those originally abducted on October 7. Of those, 20 are believed to be alive, with grave concerns for the well-being of two others, according to Israeli officials. The bodies of 26 confirmed dead have also been recovered. Hamas is also holding the body of an IDF soldier killed in Gaza in 2014.Throughout the conflict, Hamas has released 30 hostages – 20 Israeli civilians, five soldiers, and five Thai nationals – and the bodies of eight slain Israelis during ceasefires between January and March, and one additional hostage, a dual American-Israeli citizen, in May. A weeklong truce in late November 2023 saw the release of 105 civilians, and four hostages were released prior to that. In exchange,Israel has freed approximately 2,000 jailed Palestinian terrorists,security prisoners,and Gazan terror suspects detained during the war.
In addition to those released through negotiations, eight hostages have been rescued by troops alive, and the bodies of 51 have been recovered, including three Israelis mistakenly killed by the Israeli military while attempting to escape their captors.
