IDF reveals more details on hostage body recovery op, IRGC founder talks to 'Post'

The operation began on the last Saturday night in the Khan Yunis area. Within two days, the IDF succeeded in gaining operational control of the area in order to facilitate the search for bodies in the tunnel. The operation involved a team that included the Paratroopers Brigade, a tank battalion, engineering units from the Yahalom Unit, and the Shin Bet.

IRGC founder Mohsen Sazegara tells The Jerusalem Post that Iran is unable to sustain a long-term war with Israel due to economic challenges and fear of retaliation.

Einav Zangauker, the mother of Matan Zangauker, who is still held in Hamas captivity, told the Civilian Investigation Committee for the October 7 disaster that the head of the Mossad, David Barnea, told her that under the existing political circumstances - a deal for the release of the hostages, would not be possible.

"In the month of May, Barnea told me, 'Unfortunately, in the current political constellation, a deal for the release of the hostages is not possible.' He explained that it was because of politics," she said.

The Mossad said in response, "The things that were attributed to the head of the Mossad were not said at all. In his meeting with Einav Zangauker, the head of the Mossad did not refer to any political constellation in the context of the negotiations, as claimed. The head of the Mossad continues to work to bring about an agreement to release all the hostages as soon as possible."

The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry stated on Tuesday that the death toll in Gaza has reached 40,173 since the war started on October 7 of last year.

A further 92,857 have thus far been wounded in the conflict, the Gazan ministry added.

The number has not been independently verified, and the ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its toll.

The Hamas-run ministry has also been repeatedly criticized for distorting casualty figures.

In May, departing from Hamas’s reported figures, the UN halved the number of women and children it had previously reported had been killed thus far in the war.

Israeli politicians and leaders reacted on Tuesday to the joint IDF and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) operation that saw the military retrieve the bodies of hostages Nadav Popplewell, Yagev Buchshtab, Yoram Metzger, Haim Peri, Alexander Dancyg, and Avraham Munder from the Khan Yunis area in the Gaza Strip.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "Tonight, our forces returned the bodies of six of our hostages who were held by the murderous terrorist organization Hamas.

"Our hearts ache for the terrible loss. My wife Sarah and I send our condolences from the bottom of our hearts to the families," Netanyahu added. 

He thanked the IDF and Shin Bet for their joint operation and affirmed Israel would continue to act to return the hostages. 

The Home Front Command will test red alert sirens in the areas of Beit Shemesh and Hadassah-University Medical Center in Jerusalem on Tuesday, the IDF announced.

The siren tests will occur at 10:30 a.m. and 10:40 in Beit Shemesh, and the test at Hadassah Medical Center will occur at 10:50 local time.

The IDF added that if real alarms are triggered, another alarm will sound. An alert would also be sent out through the Home Front Command app and other means.

Israel recovered the bodies of hostages Nadav Popplewell, Yagev Buchshtab, Yoram Metzger, Haim Peri, Alexander Dancyg and Avraham Munder from Gaza, it was announced on Tuesday. 

The bodies of hostages Nadav Popplewell and Yagev Buchshtab were retrieved from Gaza, kibbutz Nirim said on Tuesday, according to Israeli media. 

The bodies of hostages Haim Peri, Yoram Metzger, and Alexander Dancyg were also retrieved from Gaza, kibbutz Nir Oz said.

Earlier on Tuesday, kibbutz Nir Oz announced that hostage Avraham Munder had been killed in Gaza captivity.  His nephew told KAN Reshet Bet that his uncle's body had been recovered from Gaza.

President Joe Biden received one of more than a dozen raucous rounds of applause on Monday night during his prime time speech from the main stage at the Democratic National Convention on Monday night when calling for an end to the war in Gaza and peace and security for Israel. 

"As you know, I wrote a peace treaty for Gaza. Two days ago, I put forward a proposal that brought us closer to doing what we've done since October 7," Biden said. 

Biden said his Secretary of State Antony Blinken is working around the clock to prevent a wider war, reunite hostages with their families, and surge humanitarian, health, and food assistance into Gaza to end civilian suffering. 

Kibbutz Nir Oz announced on Tuesday that hostage Avraham Munder was killed in Gaza captivity.

"With profound sorrow, Kibbutz Nir Oz announces the murder of Avraham Munder while held hostage in Gaza, after enduring months of physical and mental torture," the Kibbutz's statement read. 

He "was known for his warm nature and deep love of singing," the kibbutz added. 

Israeli security forces operated in Kafr Abbush, south of Tulkarm in the West Bank, Palestinian Authority-run news agency WAFA claimed Tuesday morning.

According to the report, forces were also operating near Jenin, Hebron, and in Nablus. 

WAFA added that Israeli forces shot and fatally wounded one man in Dura, southwest of Hebron. The IDF has yet to comment on any activities in the area.

This is a developing story.