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Bodies of Nova partygoer and Bedouin soldier returned to Israel

Israeli forensics teams positively identify the remains returned to Israel overnight as belonging to Inbar Heyman and Muhammad Al-Atrash.

By World Israel News Staff

Israeli forensics teams confirmed Thursday morning that the remains of two people returned by Hamas to Israel overnight belong to two hostages sought by Israel.

On Wednesday, Hamas terrorists transferred the bodies of two hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross, as part of the Gaza peace deal with Israel, under which Hamas was obligated to return all 48 hostages, including 20 living captives and the remains of 28 others, by Monday afternoon.

The remains of three other hostages were returned on Monday, while a fourth body transferred on Monday was found to belong to a Palestinian man.

Forensics experts at the Abu Kabir Center of Forensic Medicine worked overnight to identify the two additional bodies handed over by Hamas.

Working in cooperation with the Israel Police, IDF, and the military rabbinate, the bodies were positively identified and the families of the respective hostages notified.

According to statements by the IDF and the Prime Minister’s Office, the slain hostages were Inbar Heyman and IDF Staff Sergeant Major Muhammad Al-Atrash.

Heyman, a 27-year-old partygoer, was murdered by terrorists from Hamas’ elite Nukhba Force during the Nova Festival massacre on October 7th, 2023.

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Hamas terrorists then took her body into captivity in the Gaza Strip. She is survived by her parents and a brother.

MK Osher Shekalim (Likud), who has met repeatedly with the Heyman family, eulogized Inbar on Thursday.

“I am sending my condolences to the dear Heyman family upon the bringing of our sister Inbar to her eternal rest. Inbar’s family led the struggle for her return in an inspiring, dignified, statesmanlike, and moving manner.”

“Many times we met in committees and in the corridors of the Knesset, with her father Haim and her aunt Hannah the lioness: we cried, embraced, and were moved together. We will continue to act with determination until everyone returns home. May her soul be bound in the bundle of life.”

Al-Atrash, a 39-year-old Bedouin tracker serving in the IDF, was killed by Hamas terrorists on the morning of October 7th, 2023. He is survived by his parents, siblings, two wives, and 13 children.

“The last two years were tough for us,” said Muhammad’s brother, Nimr, in an interview with Yedioth Aharonoth. “For a time we did not know if he was alive or dead. Bringing him for burial closes the circle.”