The body of soldier and hostage Staff-Sergeant Tomer Yaakov Ahimas was recovered by the IDF and brought back to Israel, Elad Arazi, head of the Lehavim local council, announced on Thursday.
In a statement, Arazi said, "Tonight, we were informed that the body of the late Tomer Achimas was brought back to Israel."
"Tomer, our beloved friend, son of Lehavim, fell in a heroic battle in Kibbutz Nirim on October 7."
"For over nine months, his body was held hostage by Hamas, and this evening, he was rescued by the IDF."
His family announced that his burial and funeral would take place on Friday at the Lehavim cemetery.
This is a developing story.