The bodies of three Israel Defense Forces soldiers — including American-Israeli Omer Neutra — were returned to Israel by Hamas.
The bodies of three Israel Defense Forces soldiers — including American-Israeli Omer Neutra — were returned to Israel by Hamas.
The bodies of 8 hostages are now thought to remain in Gaza.
Last Updated: November 3, 2025, 1:14 PM EST
The bodies of three Israel Defense Forces soldiers — including American-Israeli Omer Neutra — were returned to Israel by Hamas overnight on Sunday. All three were killed during Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack.
The bodies of eight deceased hostages are now believed to still be inside Gaza.
Last week saw limited fighting and renewed Israeli strikes across Gaza despite the ceasefire agreed last month. Shortly after, the IDF said it had resumed the ceasefire.
The Médecins Sans Frontières NGO said Sunday that more than 200 people have been killed inside Gaza by Israeli strikes since the deal went into effect, citing the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza.
Key Headlines
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Nov 03, 2025, 1:14 PM EST
Omer Neutra’s family: ‘Our beloved son … has finally been returned’
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Nov 03, 2025, 9:25 AM EST
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Nov 03, 2025, 4:16 AM EST
Hostage families say return of Neutra’s body provides ‘comfort’
Here’s how the news is developing.
1 hour and 8 minutes ago
Gabbard makes surprise visit to Israel
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard made a surprise visit to Israel on Monday to visit the U.S.-operated Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) — the hub created to manage humanitarian and security efforts in Gaza following the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
“For the first time in a generation, there’s a genuine sense of hope and optimism, not just in Israel, but across the Middle East,” Gabbard told Fox News in an interview. “That’s because of President Trump’s leadership and the groundwork he laid through his historic peace deal.”
Gabbard also visited Kerem Shalom Crossing, a key point where Israel, Gaza and Egypt meet, calling the CMCC a “living example of what can happen when nations unite for common interests with the potential impact of lasting peace that benefits generations to come.”
“This is a challenging mission which requires clear communication, coordination and transparency,” Gabbard added. “Intelligence supports not only security, and achieving lasting peace and stability for both Israelis and Palestinians.”
-ABC News’ Beatrice Peterson
Nov 03, 2025, 1:14 PM EST
Omer Neutra’s family: ‘Our beloved son … has finally been returned’
The family of American Israeli soldier Omer Neutra — who was killed and held hostage by Hamas — is thanking President Donald Trump for brokering the release of the hostages now that Neutra’s body has been brought home from Gaza.
“We have confidence that, with the same passion and conviction, they will bring back the eight remaining hostages,” the family said of Trump and Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Neutra decided to join the Israeli army and left “a comfortable life in New York” to be on “the front lines in defense of Israel and its people,” his family said in a statement.
“His courage inspired those who served with him and those who came to know his story around the world,” the family said.
“For 758 days, we lived between hope and heartbreak. Today, that long night ends with the knowledge that Omer is finally home,” the family said. “Our hearts are shattered, yet at last we can begin the process of bringing Omer to his final resting place in the land he loved and defended.”
Nov 03, 2025, 9:25 AM EST
45 Palestinian bodies released in return for hostages
The International Committee of the Red Cross said the bodies of 45 Palestinians were returned to Gaza on Monday.
Nov 03, 2025, 4:16 AM EST
Hostage families say return of Neutra’s body provides ‘comfort’
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum — a group advocating on behalf of the families of the Gaza hostages — said in a Monday press release that the “families of the hostages and the returned are embracing the family of Omer Neutra,” after the U.S.-Israeli soldier’s body was returned by Hamas.
“Alongside the grief and the understanding that their hearts will never be whole, Omer’s return provides some measure of comfort to a family that has lived with agonizing uncertainty and doubt for over two years,” the forum said.
“We will not rest until the last hostage is brought home,” it added.
Neutra was one of three soldiers whose bodies were returned to Israel on Sunday. All three were killed in Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack and their bodies abducted.
-ABC News’ Jordana Miller
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