Israel receives body of captive Godard as three more remain in Gaza

CAIRO – 14 November 2025: Israeli authorities announced on Thursday receiving the remains of captive Meny Godard, who was taken during the October 7, 2023 Hamas assault, from Gaza.

The International Committee of the Red Cross facilitated the transfer the remains.

Godard, 73, was killed during the attack and his body was taken into Gaza, according to Israeli accounts. Israel formally confirmed his death in December 2023.

Following the transfer from Gaza, forensic teams in Israel examined the remains and confirmed the identification shortly afterward.

The bodies of three other captives are still believed to be held in Gaza.

Hamas is required to return all dead captives they are still holding in Gaza under a ceasefire and a prisoner swap agreement that the group reached with Israel last month.

The agreement forms the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, which outlines post-war Gaza governance, Hamas disarmament, the enclave’s demilitarisation, reconstruction, and the formation of an international stabilization force.

After confirming Godard’s identity, Israel, in exchange, returned the bodies of 15 Palestinians that it had killed to Gaza for proper burial, upping the total since the ceasefire took effect on 10 October to 330.

Hamas has handed over all 20 living captives it was holding, along with the remains of 25 out of 28 dead captives.