IDF recovers bodies of hostages Yonatan Samerano, Ofra Keidar, and Shay Levinson from Gaza

The IDF and Shin Bet recovered the bodies of hostages Yonatan Samerano, Ofra Keidar, and Shay Levinson last night, the IDF cleared for publication on Sunday.

The operation was carried out by the Shin Bet, IDF Southern Command, and Gaza Division. The recovery was made possible thanks to precise intelligence gathered by the Shin Bet, the Hostage Task Force, and the IDF Intelligence Directorate.

The Shin Bet led the mission both operationally and intelligence-wise, which was managed from the Special Operations Command Center in Tel Aviv. According to the Shin Bet, special capabilities were employed to ensure the mission’s success.

Abducted by a UNRWA employee: The story of Yonatan Samerano

Yonatan’s father, Kobi, wrote on Facebook this morning: “Yesterday was Yonati’s Hebrew birthday. On the day he turned 23, the day he was born, our Yonati was rescued in a heroic operation by brave IDF and Shin Bet soldiers.”

“On his birthday, Yonati, the prankster that he was, knocked on the door of our home. Just before that, a rocket fragment had landed by the door. And then the message came – the one we had dreaded for so many months. From the very beginning, I believed with all my heart that the army would bring my son back. I never stopped believing, and so it happened,” Kobi added.

“Yonati, we were privileged to live 21 and a half years beside your light, and today, in a new light. You came back to us, beloved son, wrapped in the light of heroism, of faith, of an entire nation. Mom, Dad, and Yair will remember you forever. Am Yisrael Chai.”

Yonatan Samerano, 21, from Tel Aviv, was kidnapped from the Nova music festival near Re’im and murdered. The IDF informed his family of his death on the 57th day of the war. During the Hamas attack on the festival, Yonatan and two friends tried to flee by car. A police officer directed them toward Kibbutz Be’eri.

At the kibbutz entrance, Hamas terrorists opened fire. Yonatan’s two friends were killed, and he was abducted while seriously wounded and unconscious.

His mother Ayelet testified at a UN hearing: “A UNRWA employee, supposedly part of a ‘humanitarian organization,’ kidnapped my son. He dragged his body across the ground and grabbed him like a trophy into Gaza.” Yonatan loved parties and even organized a weekly party line. His father told Kan radio: “He left a mark everywhere he went and achieved more than people three times his age. He loved promoting young artists and always saw potential in people.”

Went out for her morning walk – and was shot: The story of Ofra Keidar

Ofra Keidar, 70, from Kibbutz Be’eri, was first listed as missing and later confirmed abducted. On Dec. 1, her family was informed she had been murdered on Oct. 7 and that Hamas was holding her body. Ofra managed to speak with her son Elad before her abduction.

She had gone for her regular morning walk when she was shot by the terrorists. Elad urged her to hide, but she didn’t make it in time. She was shot again, and contact was lost. That same Sabbath, her husband Sami, who suffered from Parkinson’s and lived separately, was also murdered. Their children survived the massacre. Her daughter Yael, who has special needs and lived with her, was saved after terrorists set their home on fire.

Ofra worked in the kibbutz dairy for three decades, responsible for newborn calves. She loved sports, walked every morning, and swam daily in the kibbutz pool during the summer. She enjoyed music by Elvis Presley and Paul Anka.

In her free time, she liked spending time with her family, picking up her grandchildren from kindergarten, and being with Yael at the kibbutz.

Inbar Keidar, Ofra’s daughter-in-law, said in an interview with Kan’s "Seder Yom" hosted by Keren Neubach: “Ofra is finally returning to anonymity – that’s the greatest relief for her. She was so modest that seeing her face everywhere in Israel and the world must have been hard for her, looking down from above. She’s now just Ofra from Be’eri again. A lover of people and animals. We waited so long, and thank God the soldiers returned safely. That was our biggest request to the state: that if it meant risking lives, we didn’t want it. I hope this brings our people closer and makes us stronger – that’s the most important message for me.”

Commanded a tank and fought off dozens of terrorists: The story of Shay Levinson

Shay Levinson, 19, from Givat Avni, was a tank commander in Battalion 77 of the 7th Armored Brigade and was killed during a firefight with terrorists on Oct. 7. He was considered missing for three months, until the IDF informed his family, based on evidence and testimonies, that he had been killed and his body taken to Gaza. Shay fought alongside Ofir Testa and Ariel Eliyahu, who were also killed.

The three eliminated dozens of terrorists before their tank was hit directly by an anti-tank missile. The tank driver was the only survivor and said that after the hit, Shay was thrown from the turret and the tank continued moving until it came to a stop.

Shay, who stood 1.92 meters (6 feet) tall, was an outstanding athlete and played volleyball for M.S. Eilabun. His family has a long history with the club – his mother, sister, and brother also played for the team.

His coach, Samaan Samaan, told Kan Radio: “He was an integral part of Eilabun’s sports family. We all worked together for the love of sports – it was the language that connected us.”

Beyond his athletic talent, Shay was an advocate for peace, believed in coexistence between Jews and Arabs, and dreamed of building a better future for Israel.