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Hostages

Hostage Idan Shtivi Laid to Rest After Remains Recovered in Gaza

Thousands gathered on Monday, September 1, to honor Idan Shtivi, 28, who was abducted from the Nova music festival and later killed in Gaza. His remains, recovered in a joint IDF–Shin Bet operation, were returned alongside those of Ilan Weiss, 55. The funeral route began in Rishon Lezion, passing major junctions before arriving at the cemetery in Kfar Maas, where mourners waved flags and carried signs expressing love and grief.

Family and friends described Shtivi as compassionate and devoted, recalling his studies and the relationships that shaped his life. The ceremony began with the sounding of a shofar. His mother, Dalit Oron, spoke movingly about the day his body was returned and the indelible bond between them. Photographs from the service showed the community’s embrace amid profound sorrow.

The procession reflected a broader national mourning for those still missing or known to have been killed in captivity. As Israel continues recovery operations and negotiates for the return of other hostages, the story of Shtivi’s life and sacrifice has resonated widely.

(YNN/VFI News

“Father, comfort those who mourn. Bind up the brokenhearted, give strength to every family walking through loss, and surround them with communities of compassion and hope.”