The body of Yehudit Weiss, a 65-year-old Israeli woman abducted by Hamas, was found near Gaza’s Al-Shifa hospital, intensifying regional tensions.

Who was Yehudit Weiss?

Israeli soldiers discovered the lifeless body of Yehudit Weiss, a 65-year-old grandmother from kibbutz Be’eri, near Gaza’s Al-Shifa hospital. Weiss was kidnapped by Hamas militants on October 7 during a terror attack that claimed more than 1,200 lives.

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The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed her death on Thursday, expressing condolences to her family. Yehudit Weiss was one of over 200 people taken hostage by Hamas during the October 7 attack, which targeted southern Israel. Tragically, her husband, Shmuel, was among those killed.

The IDF’s statement did not provide details on how or when Weiss was killed but mentioned that her body was recovered from a structure near the Al-Shifa hospital. The IDF also claimed the discovery of military equipment, including Kalashnikov rifles and RPGs, in the same location.

This development follows the IDF’s “precise and targeted” operation against Hamas near Al-Shifa hospital, aiming to counter the alleged use of the hospital for military purposes. Israel faces international pressure to substantiate its claims about Hamas’ infiltration of the hospital, as these claims could impact its military decisions and raise concerns about potential violations of international humanitarian law.

Kibbutz Be’eri, located just a few kilometers from the Gaza Strip, became a tragic scene during the October 7 attack, with Hamas militants breaching the compound, killing more than 120 residents, including children, and kidnapping others.

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The Hostages and Missing Person’s Families Forum, representing families affected by Hamas abductions, identified Yehudit Weiss as a victim of the terrorist organization. As tensions escalate, the discovery of her body near Al-Shifa hospital adds another layer to the complex situation in the region.