Elad Katzir: Killed by PIJ, body returned to Israel

Gaza hostage Elad Katzir's sister announced on Saturday that he was murdered in Hamas captivity.

In an official announcement from Kibbutz Nir Oz, it was announced that Katzir was murdered in captivity in January after enduring physical and mental torture for months.

Her announcement also claimed that his body was returned to Israel late last night.

In a joint message from the IDF and the Shin Bet, they announced that according to credible intelligence sources, Katzir was murdered by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). His body was recovered on Friday in Khan Younis by IDF commando soldiers from the Egoz unit.

IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari confirmed Katzir's death on X Saturday afternoon.

גופתו של החטוף אלעד קציר ז״ל, אשר על פי מידע מודיעיני נרצח בשבי על ידי ארגון הטרור גא״פ, חולצה הלילה מחאן יונס במבצע של עוצבת הקומנדו בהכוונת שב"כ ואמ״ן והוחזרה לשטח מדינת ישראל. גופתו אותרה באמצעות מידע מודיעיני של אמ״ן ושב״כ וזיהוי מדויק של יחידת אגוז.לאחר הליך זיהוי שבוצע… — דובר צה״ל דניאל הגרי - Daniel Hagari (@IDFSpokesperson) April 6, 2024

Following identification processes by the IDF and the Shin Bet, his death was announced to the family. Hannah Katzir, one of the hostages released by Hamas back to Israel on Friday night. (credit: Bring Them Home Now)

Elad was kidnapped on October 7 alongside his mother Hanna Katzir, who was returned during a hostage deal on November 24. His father Avraham, was murdered by Hamas on October 7.

Katzir's sister, Carmit, also added a criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"The IDF spokesperson won't tell you that the prime minister, the cabinet, and the IDF have no idea where most of the hostages, alive and murdered, are being held. Nor will he tell you that they have no way of protecting the hostages, even when they know where they are. Elad was kidnapped from his home in Nir Oz alive and was photographed twice while in captivity. He could have been saved if a deal had happened in time. Our leadership is cowardly and driven by political considerations, and that is why [a deal] did not happen," she stated.

"He might be recognized as a victim of hostilities, but the exact term is 'casualty of acts of neglect,'" she added. "He was abandoned on October 7 and was abandoned for 183 days in captivity, during which he could be returned alive. 'Anyone who delays returning the hostages, it is as if they are shedding blood,'" she concluded.

In a Jan. 8 video posted by Islamic Jihad online, Katzir said: "I was close to dying more than once. It's a miracle I'm still alive ... I want to tell my family that I love them very much and I miss them very much."

Based on various sources of information, Israel has declared at least 35 hostages as dead in Gaza captivity. Palestinian factions have said some were killed in Israeli strikes. While confirming this in several cases, Israel says that, in others, hostages whose bodies were recovered bore signs of execution.