Israel announced on Saturday that the last remains handed over by Hamas through the Red Cross were those of a deceased hostage.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) identified the deceased hostage as Eliyahu Margalit, known to many as “Churchill,” who was killed during the October 7, 2023 attacks. It also underlined that “Hamas is obliged to fulfill its part of the agreement and make the necessary efforts to return all hostages to their families and receive a dignified burial.”
Israel said Margalit was killed in the horse stables in Kibbutz Nir Oz and his body was then taken to Gaza, where it was held for more than two years. The IDF initially confirmed Margalit’s death in December 2023.
Margalit’s daughter, Nili Margalit, was also taken hostage but was released during the brief ceasefire of November 2023. He is survived by a wife, three children and grandchildren.
REMAINS OF LAST FEMALE HAMAS HOSTAGE AND IDF SOLDIER TRANSFERRED TO ISRAEL
Eliyahu Margalit, 75, was killed in the October 7, 2023 massacre, and his body was taken to Gaza, where it was held until October 18, 2025. (The Hostages and Missing Families Forum)
“The government of Israel shares the deep sorrow of the Margalit family and all families of the fallen abductees,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement. “The government and the entire Israeli Public Security Agency are determined, committed and working tirelessly to return all our fallen abductees for proper burial in their countries.”
Margalit’s loved ones said that early in the morning of October 7, he went to feed his beloved horses and the horses were taken, according to The times of Israel. The newspaper added that Margalit was responsible for the kibbutz’s livestock for many years.
“Our beloved Eli has returned home, 742 days after he was murdered and kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz. We thank the People of Israel and the Hostage Families Forum for their support in the long struggle for his return, and pledge that we will not stop or rest until the last hostages are returned for burial in Israel,” the family said in a statement, according to The Times of Israel.
Protesters stand with portraits of Israeli hostages Eliyahu Margalit, Eli Sharabi, Nimron Cohen and others during a demonstration by the families of the hostages captured by Palestinian militants during the October 7, 2023 attacks in the Gaza Strip, outside the Israeli Prime Minister’s residence on Azza (Gaza) Street in central Jerusalem on October 24, 2024. (Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty Images)
ISRAEL NAMES TWO OF FOUR DEAD HOSTAGES RETURNED BY HAMAS, HOW THEY DIED
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which was established in the aftermath of the October 7 massacre, extended its condolences to Margalit’s family.
“The families of the hostages and those released embrace the family of Eliyahu “Churchill” Margalit at this difficult time, following the return of their beloved Eliyahu z”l to Israel last night for a proper funeral. Beyond the grief and realization that their hearts will never be whole, Eliyahu’s return brings some measure of comfort to a family that has lived in unbearable uncertainty and doubt for more than two years. We will not rest until all eighteen hostages are brought home.”
Israeli Army (IDF) soldiers salute Eliyahu Margalit’s coffin, which is draped in an Israeli flag. (IDF spokesperson’s unit)
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The forum noted that Margalit was “a cowboy through and through” and was associated with an organization known as “Riders of the South,” which has brought together horse riding enthusiasts for more than 50 years.
Margalit is the tenth deceased hostage to be returned to Israel, while the remains of eighteen others remain in Gaza. Two of the deceased hostages whose bodies have not been returned are Itay Chen, 19, and Omer Neutra, 21, both U.S. citizens.
