As living Israeli hostages return, grieving families demand return of deceased hostages from Gaza

There has been pure joy and a sense of relief in Israel, as all the living hostages are now out of Gaza. However, many hearts remain heavy. Families continue to await the return of the bodies of murdered hostages – a return Hamas had agreed to alongside the release of the living. But Hamas has not held up its end of the deal. In one case, they even sent back the body of a slain Hamas operative instead of an Israeli hostage, adding insult to injury.

As the slow return of slain hostages continues trickling back home to Israel, some families – still waiting to bring their loved ones home – have resumed protesting in the streets. They are demanding the return of all hostages and have even appealed once again to U.S. President Donald Trump for help.

Orna Neutra, mother of slain hostage Omer Neutra has reached out to Trump for assistance in bringing the body of her son home, affirming the mission of the hostage families will continue.

“Mr. President, thank you for your leadership in ending the war and bringing so many of our hostages home. Your determination and strength have given hope to families across our nation," Neutra said.

She went on to emphasize that the mission of the hostage families is far from over.

“Eighteen of our hostages are still held somewhere in Gaza – among them, our beloved son, Capt. Omer Neutra, a U.S.-Israeli citizen. This week, instead of celebrating Omer’s 24th birthday with candles, laughter, and love, we stand here with unbearable pain and endless longing.”

Einav Zangauker, mother of released hostage Matan Zangauker, has been outspoken in her push for continued U.S. support. Before her son’s return, she warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that if her son came home in a body bag, there would be consequences – a fear that, thankfully, did not materialize.

According to The Jerusalem Post, Zangauker said that the Hostages and Missing Families Forum would not stop until the last captive is home:

“My Matan, our Matan, is home. Right now, Matan is sitting in our living room, watching you – the people of Israel – and his heart is full of appreciation and gratitude. Thanks to the determination, perseverance, and spirit of hope we all share, Matan has returned alive.”

“But the struggle is not over. It will not end until the last deceased hostage is returned, until every family can lay their loved one to rest with dignity. The victory we long for will only be achieved when the last fallen hostage comes home.”

Some relatives of the deceased have spoken out about the emotional importance of proper burials.

Roee Baruch, brother of slain hostage Uriel Baruch, shared his sense of closure and the importance of healing it is bringing him and his family:

“Tomorrow, after 744 days of worry, of agonizing uncertainty, after more than two years – we will finally bury my younger brother. Only then can we begin the long journey of healing. I know what it means to wait for a deceased hostage. I know the pain of two years of not knowing. But from tomorrow, we will have closure.”

“Our mission, however, is not over: 18 deceased hostages remain in Gaza. All of them must be brought home. A grave to cry over is not a right, or a luxury – it is a moral obligation of this country to its citizens.”

In southern Israel, communities like Kibbutz Nir Oz continue to wait. On Saturday, the kibbutz released a statement after the remains of former resident Eliyahu “Churchill” Margalit were returned to Israel.

“We celebrated the return of our loved ones – Eitan, Matan, David, and Ariel – who came home after more than two years in captivity. At the same time, we continue to call for the return of all the hostages, until the very last one,” the statement read.

“Last night, Eliyahu Margalit, our beloved ‘Churchill,’ was brought back to Israel for a proper burial in the kibbutz he so deeply loved.”

Hemi Goldin, brother of slain hostage Lt. Hadar Goldin, also expressed frustration with the Israeli government for not enforcing its demands.

“Seventy-two hours have passed, yet 48 hostages have not returned. Government of Israel, you had one clause – after everything we’ve endured – just one. Seventy-two hours and 48 hostages, and not all of them came home. And no, the struggle is not over. Not because we want to fight, but because we have no choice.”